On a whim, or quite possibly on an errand to pick up some slippers (don't ask), I pulled into lovely Church Stretton last week. Always a handsome town, our own Little Switzerland was basking in some winter sunshine peeking over the majestic, towering Caer Caradoc. A beautiful panorama into the rolling, brooding Long Mynd behind me. Out of the inevitable tourist season, the town still hustles and bustles. There is adequate parking, some great independent shops, much to do and see, and an overall pervading air of weathering the government-induced financial storms of the past decade. The locals are friendly, the shopkeepers helpful, the dogs well behaved. Picture postcard stuff that entices and surprises at every turn. Hell, even the Big Issue vendors smile and say hello. Octogenarians are out en masse for a guided ramble into the Shropshire hills, smiling and laughing, forever young. Must be something in the water! An immaculate bowling green lies next to a skateboard/BMX park. A well managed archery club is fortunately further out of town but frighteningly close to the main A49 as it sweeps a never ending stream of traffic between Shrewsbury and Herefordnorth.
OK, so its a big booming retirement place for a lot of people A town of second homes for the City set. Home to a mainline rail station on a line connecting Cardiff to Manchester. The only real criticisms I could find and one which I've been aware of for years, is the standard of driving around Church Stretton. As I've already hinted at, there are a lot of retired folks pottering around town, quite probably untested for the last 60 years. Oblivious to road signs and other hidden dangers. Things move a lot quicker these days and dear old Betty over there is still driving in her era of leafy country lanes and little other traffic, in her car which is 2 sizes too big for her. She can't see over the steering wheel, doesn't give way, can't double park or reverse into a parking bay. Or even get out of second gear.
Maybe the world needs to pootle more. Maybe we need to slow it all down - like the drivers I've mentioned. Until that day comes, make sure you look left and right twice.
Be kind.
Photo - Dave F
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