More than thirty people climbed on the coach in Herefordshire and headed for the north of the Diocese on the first coach trip organised within the Diocese. The trip took in Claverley and Much Wenlock in Shropshire.

“The idea of the trip was to encourage people in the South of the Diocese to visit a small part of the Diocese in the North,” said Anni Holden, Director of Communications who organised the day out. “Understanding and communication are a lot easier if you know what and where you are talking about.”

The coach picked up in Hereford, Leominster and Ludlow and then drove along the Corve valley to the edge of Bridgnorth, before heading for the picturesque village of Claverley.  Visitors were dropped off at the Church for the final day of the annual Flower Festival.

“The Festival in Claverley is always amazing and this year was no different,” said Anni. “There were thirty five displays all based on fairy tales, against a backdrop of a superb building and medieval wall paintings that are considered some of the finest in the country. I don’t think anyone on the bus had been there before and they were all knocked out by this Shropshire gem!”

A short drive away, the party arrived at Much Wenlock Priory, whose origins date back to Saint Milburga in 680, the ruins are that of the 12th and 13th century buildings. The Priory was sacked and went out of existence during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. 

“We were all given a mobile phone-like object  containing an audio tour of the ruins so you could move round the site at your own speed,” added Anni. “It was very dramatic, painting a picture of life in the Monastery when it was working.” 

Verbal responses from those on the bus were very encouraging and indicated an appetite for other trips. It is hoped to offer two in the autumn, the first from North to South and a second from Herefordshire to a different part of Shropshire.