A North Shropshire country estate has agreed to open for an annual charity Bluebell Walk for the third time to raise money for people affected by cancer, in April.
The walk at Soulton Hall, near Wem on Sunday, April 26 has been timed for when the display of bluebells is at its peak. All money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support to support cancer patients within Shropshire.
The annual event, organised by Shrewsbury Macmillan Fundraising Group, is so popular that ticket sales already exceed £500. Walkers will be encouraged to arrive in three timed slots – morning 10-11am, lunchtime 12 noon-1pm and afternoon 2-3pm.
Tickets - £7.50 for adults, £4 for children and £20 for a family of up to five - must be pre-booked, via macmillan-org.enthuse.com/shrewsbury/profile or a link on Soulton Hall website -https://soultonhall.co.uk/event/macmillan-cancer-support-bluebell-walk-at-soulton-halls-as-you-like-it-wood/ .
“The bluebells should be at their peak on April 26 and we are so grateful to Tim Ashton and his family for allow to hold this event again this year,” said Gillian Eleftheriou, a Shrewsbury Macmillan Fundraising Group volunteer.
“The three time slots enable people to walk around at their own pace, whilst enjoying the tranquillity of the woodland and the surrounding beautiful, unspoilt countryside.
“The walk includes woodland paths and access across fields, so appropriate footwear is advised. Sadly, the walk is not suitable for buggies, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
“New this year is a Woodland Trail to help children enjoy the natural world around them on their walk. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads to protect the wildlife habitat, including rare ground-nesting birds.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day, including afternoon teas, which must be pre-ordered from Irene Rennie on 07980 669252 at £12 per person from 1pm.
For further details, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/ShrewsburyMacmillanFundraisers .
A popular plant stall, selling garden-worthy, hardy perennials will be available and there will be free onsite parking for ticket holders.
Claimed to be the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’, Bluebell Wood will be open to the public for only the third time since this classic comedy was written more than 500 years ago.
Soulton Manor was purchased in 1556 by Sir Rowland Hill, the first protestant Lord Mayor of London, who remodelled and extended it into the Tudor building seen today It is still occupied by his descendants, the Ashton family.
Sir Rowland himself is thought to be mentioned in “As You Like It”, referred to as Sir Roland de Bois whose sons, Oliver, Jaques and Orlando, are three of the major characters in the play.
