One of Shropshire's most significant historic sites will be offering one of its limited opportunities for visits and tours this weekend – along with a table top sale. Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust has revealed that it will be opening up Wappenshall Wharf, near Apley, Telford, this Sunday (September 14), between 11am and 4pm.
In addition to the table top sale, visitors will be able to enjoy one of only a handful of opportunities each year to tour the site and Trust members will be on hand to explain its fascinating background, which includes being Thomas Telford's first engineering project.
The Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust secured a 125-year lease on Wappenshall Wharf from Telford & Wrekin Council in 2009 and aims to make it a focal point for the eventual hoped-for reopening of the Shrewsbury to Newport Canal. Recent success in securing first stage funding for a project to restore buildings at the wharf and turn it into a visitor attraction and hub for the Trust's operations makes this an exciting time to see the site.
Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust chairman, Bernie Jones, said: “The table top sales at Wappenshall are very popular and they are important to the Trust's finances. We hold only a few open days there throughout the year and the site is not generally open to the public, so we hope people will take the chance to come and see it as autumn descends.
“The sale itself will be under cover, in marquees in the garden of Bridge House, so whatever the weather, it can make for a pleasant and fascinating day out.”
Places are available for anyone wishing to set up their table top stall and a space, at a cost of £5, can be secured by calling Sallie Lines on 01952 501525 or by emailing sallielines@gmail.com. The event will be open to visitors between 11am and 4pm on Sunday and admission is free.
Wappenshall Wharf is simple to find by following the turning off the A442, at Apley, near the Maxell site. It is signposted for Wappenshall and the historic site is just under a mile along the lane (use postcode TF6 6DE for sat nav directions).
