Over the river

One sunny evening this week it seemed the right thing to do - to go for a walk alongside the River Severn in Shrewsbury. We parked up just this side the Kingsland Bridge and strolled into Becks Fields - this walk takes you along past the Boat Houses and Shrewsbury Schools - and alongside the Quarry and Dingle on the opposite side of the river.

Discussion followed then about the correct pronunciation of Shrewsbury - some say it depends on which side of the river you are born - Shroosbury or Shrewsbury ? my gran always said Sozebree a very old pronunciation- and some have said Salop - but apparently this is quite rude in French ! - so this was discouraged - has anyone any other variations - if so please share




We continued our walk along the leafy pathways up to the top of Becks Fields - and caught in the evening sunlight through the trees a glimpse of the tower of St Chads - the Market Clock Tower as it is now and the spire of St Marys - we will visit all three at a later date


I found this old picture of the Old Market Hall on the web it is a watercolour - it shows how beautiful the original building was - it was actually built in 1869 - and
now lost for ever



We continued our walk - my partner in crime and my dog Blue - past the Shrewsbury Schools - another elegant clock tower - the schools are renown for their past scholars - Charles Darwin - Philip Sidney and in later years Michael Palin - Michael Heseltine - Willie Rushton and many more.



Walking downwards again - we all three stood and looked across towards the Quarry - Blue was watching a dog with a ball - with no other interest - and we cast our eyes towards the Hercules statue - at the bottom of Victoria Walk - a very fine figure - as he stood - hand on hip or somewhere!



Further up the Quarry close to the Dingle - stands the Band stand - this has been the central point of many a function - my father played here on his cornet in the thirties when he was a member of the Batchcott Brass Band



We continued on down the riverside walk- towards the Kingsland Bridge - past the two boat houses the Pengwern Boat House and the Shrewsbury Schools Boathouse - watching the swans with their cygnets silently gliding by - during the day trips are available on the river cruiser - but tonight all was peacefully quiet



We climbed up the steps onto the Kingsland Bridge just in time to catch a glimpse of a scull slipping silently by - the oars skimming the water - as the rowers kept in harmony



Through the trees a final glimpse of St Chads.

It is good to walk and talk and take time to gaze on familar sights - special moments to be treasured.