Oswestry and North Shropshire celebrate Heritage Open Days with a rather splendid programme this year.

Open buildings include a host of local churches, from our own St Oswalds (with a special concert of madrigals and Elizabethan songs), two lovely medieval timbered churches – The Halston Estate Chapel  and St Peter’s Church Melverley, the rather strange St Michael’s Llanyblodwel, complete with curved spire.

For the railway enthusiasts The Cambrian Railway, Llynclys Station and Tanat Valley Light Railway will be open, with free vintage bus rides between Oswestry and Llynclys Station and a free buses to the Tanat Valley Railway. 

To highlight the importance of our unique heritage and history, those of an archaeological bent can join in the excavations on Oswestry Castle.  There will be a chance to learn about excavation techniques and chance to see some of the dig finds in Oswestry Museum.  If that is not enough, Maesbury Marsh has a Community Dig Display from their 6 day dig at the Mongtomery Canal in April this year. 

Oswestry history fans have a marvelous chance to enjoy three special guided walks, one of Old Oswestry Hillfort with Heather Hidden; walking Wats Dyke with Margaret Worthington Hill and a tour of the grounds of Brogyntyn Hall with Jessie Hanson.  On Friday  evening there is an illustrated talk at the memorial Hall on Oswestry Shopping through the Ages.

There’s plenty of interactive fun for children – Did you know that Buffalo Bill and his travelling show came to Oswestry?  Oswestry Library has a  creative afternoon for 7 – 11 year olds, making American headbands, a show about Buffalo Bill and KinoKulture Cinema are having a Wild West Party in the Willow Community Garden with loads of stalls and activities and a showing of the 1953 ‘Pony Express’ with Charlton Heston.

On a more thoughtful and sombre note, there is a chance to see just how tough life was in the trenches on World War One.  Park Hall Countryside Farm ‘Trench Experience’ is part of the Shropshire Remembers in commemoration of the Great War.  In collaboration with Oswestry Town Museum they have recreated a front line trench showing the development of army trenches from WW1 onwards.  Whilst there, the Welsh Guards Museum is open, showing a history of this illustrious Regiment.

For more information on all events, times and open days – Oswestry Library has a full itinerary and the Heritage Day 2015 Brochure or you can find information online at the Heritage Open Days website.