Welcome to West Felton Parish Council Website
For information please contact the Temporary Acting Clerk:
Ian Hutchinson Tel: 01743 850504
Email: parish.clerk@virgin.net
Parish Office Forton Bank Montford Bridge
Shrewsbury SY4 1ER
At present up-to-date Minutes and Agendas and Accounts are not published on this website BUT:
Free electronic copies of all Minutes and Agendas and Accounts from 1 Oct 2012 onwards are available on request from Ian Hutchinson at the above address.
Free Paper Copies of all current Minutes, Agendas and Accounts and other papers are available from under the counter at the Post Office and Shop on Holyhead Road in West Felton. Just ask the Postmaster.
Paper Copies of all Minutes and Accounts and other papers prior to 1st April 2012 are deposited in the Shropshire Archives Castle Street Shrewsbury where there is public access for viewing and copying.
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The Parish
Geographically, West Felton is situated in the lowland between the Cambrian Mountains to the west, the Pennines to the east and the Shropshire Hills to the south. Most of the parish is between 80 and 90 metres above sea level, with the highest land (125 metres) at Tedsmore. The land is mostly fertile although there are several marshy areas, usually denoted by the use of ?moor? ? Felton Moor, Aston Moor, Baggy Moor, etc. The only water-course of note running through the parish is the Weir Brook, although the River Perry forms the parish boundary to the north, and the Montgomery branch of the Shropshire Union canal forms the boundary to the west. The village is six miles south-east of Oswestry and is thirteen miles to the north-west of the county town of Shrewsbury.
A Brief History
West Felton is mentioned in the Domesday Book as being held by Rainald the Sheriff from Roger, Earl of Shrewsbury. At that time it was a border village with a small motte and bailey castle to the west of the parish church. The remains of the mound can still be seen off the back lane to Manor Farm, but there is earlier aerial evidence of Saxon habitation; the high ground that West Felton holds was good defensive territory. Possibly the Romans were here before the Saxons; the copper mine at Lane End may have been first worked by them. There is in fact evidence of human habitation here for at least 2000 years.
Agriculture has always played a major part in the life of the people who lived here, as it still does, giving the rural environment that people value so highly today. In addition to agriculture, West Felton has, in the past, also had small industries, such as the glassworks at Queens Head and the boneworks at Rednal. The Holyhead Road (A5) that ran through the village was a major coaching road and it is no co-incidence that our pubs, including The Plough were all sited alongside.
Later transport methods include the canal (transporting both people and goods) and the railway. And during the last World War there was an airfield, at Rednal, which trained RAF pilots and wounded personnel were brought to several hospitals in the region.
In the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth century the village would have been self sufficient. What people didn't grow or raise for themselves would have been brought into the village general shop either by canal, rail or horse and cart. There were also butchers, cobblers, blacksmiths, seamstresses, farriers ? all making for a self contained community.
The Parish Council
Parish Councils are the part of local government closest to the people. It is not a voluntary organisation, a charity or something to do with the church. They serve the smallest area and are responsible for the most local matters. Very importantly, Parish Councils can "precept" - raise a sum collected with the council tax each year to improve facilities and service for local people.
Parish Councils were first created under the Local Government Act 1894 and they are still being created. As Parish Councils were created in law, they can only act within the law by exercising those powers and functions, which have been conferred on them by Statute (ie Acts of Parliament).
The Council represents and serves the whole community. Most communities are made up of smaller communities, often with different interest; a Council's duty is to serve them all. The Council balances the needs of different elements of all the community to get the best results. Frequently, Councils has the difficult task of deciding what the best result might be.
Parish Councils have a number of basic responsibilities in making the lives of local communities more comfortable, many of which are often taken for granted. Essentially these powers fall within three main categories; representing the whole electorate within the parish; delivering services to meet local needs; and striving to improve the quality of life in the parish.
The Parish Council does not have its own dedicated office. Like many small Parish Councils the Clerk works from home.
Currently as from 1 Oct 2012 the Temporary Acting Clerk is >>
Ian Hutchinson Home Tel: 01743 850504 Email: parish.clerk@virgin.net
Parish Office Forton Bank Montford Bridge Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 1ER
Disclaimer: This website is managed by West Felton Parish Council. Every effort is made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date although there can be no guarantee of this. The Council will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of wrong information on these pages. If you discover any incorrect information or details please contact the Acting Clerk immediately.