A charity woodland walk at Soulton Hall, near Wem raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in Shropshire on Sunday.
More than 200 people took advantage of the rare opportunity to see the display of woodland bluebells and anemones under ancient oak trees.
Claimed to be the setting for Shakespeare’s much-loved play ‘As You Like It’, the wood was open to the public for the first time since this classic comedy was written more than 500 years ago. Well-known quotes were displayed along the route for the enjoyment of visitors.
“It was a very appropriate time to welcome visitors to our rather special wood, as the UK is currently celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio of 36 plays, about seven years after the Bard’s death,” said Tim Ashton of Soulton Hall.
“Although a few of the plays had been circulated previously, this was the first publication of ‘As You Like It’.”
The circular walk took about an hour, with an alternative shorter, 30-minute route also available. The morning, lunchtime and afternoon walks were arranged with the support of the Ashton family.
Walkers were able to combine the walk with a visit to the nearby Soulton Long Barrow which was also open on Sunday.
“We had a super day and walkers were able to enjoy the peace and birdsong in the wood as well as skylarks in the surrounding fields, followed by tea on the Soulton Hall terrace,” said Gillian Eleftheriou, a Shrewsbury Macmillan Fundraising Group volunteer who sold plants at the event.
“Tim welcomed everyone and provided the background history to put the wood into context, which people found interesting. We had some very happy visitors, with requests for a repeat next year.
“We must say a huge thank you to Tim and all the people who supported this successful fundraising event. The money raised will help to support Shropshire people who have been diagnosed with cancer.”
Soulton Manor was purchased in 1556 by Sir Rowland Hill, the first protestant Lord Mayor of London. He remodelled and extended it into the Tudor building which is still occupied by his descendants.
Sir Roland himself is thought to be mentioned in “As You Like It”, referred to as Sir Roland de Bois whose sons, Oliver, Jaques and Orlando, are three of the major characters in the play.
Upcoming Macmillan fundraising events this summer include a concert by Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir, featuring soloist bass-baritone Piran Legg, in Shrewsbury Abbey on Saturday, June 15. Advance tickets at £12 can be purchased at https://macmillan-org.enthuse.com/.../muchwenlockmalevoic... or in person at Shrewsbury Abbey.
On Sunday, July 28, horticulturist Tom Pountney is opening his amazing garden at Offcot in Kynaston, near Kinnerley, Oswestry for Macmillan Cancer Support in Shropshire from 10am to 5pm. Entry costs £7 at the gate.
