Shropshire’s High Sheriff and Lord-Lieutenant open Clun Town Hall after renovations

The Lord-Lieutenant was delighted to return to Clun recently to cut the ceremonial ribbon at the official Reopening of Clun Town Hall. On a beautifully sunny morning, members of the local community gathered alongside Deputy Lieutenants Katherine Garnier and Fiona Rogers-Coltman and other invited guests,  including the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mrs Jane Trowbridge, Clun Town Mayor Councillor Ryan Davies, South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson and The Archdeacon of Ludlow The Venerable Dr Fiona Gibson,  to celebrate the successful completion of a project launched in 2023 by Clun Town Council and the Clun Town Trust.

The Town Hall is an important piece of Clun’s collective history and it is thanks to the dedication of local heritage groups and community volunteers that funding was secured to carry out the restoration and essential repairs.   A major boost came from a grant of over £53,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which played a key role in restoring the building to its former glory.  Situated in The Square, Clun Town Hall is a Grade II* listed building that now operates as a museum. After the ribbon-cutting, guests toured the exhibits which are displayed over two floors, exploring the rich history and cultural heritage of the Clun Valley region.

Inside the building,  damp issues were addressed to help preserve the museum’s extensive collection; outside, the façade was repaired and re-rendered, making it possible to display the Coronation Plaque, generously donated by the Lord-Lieutenant to the town in May 2023.  Before the crowd dispersed Mrs Turner presented a framed certificate granting the Freedom of Clun to Graham Dudley who retired last year following 45 years as a retained fire officer at Clun Fire Station.  

Once the speeches and formalities were over,  lunch was served nearby at The White Horse Inn before guests walked the short distance to St George’s Parish Church where they were welcomed by Churchwarden Joan Kerry and other members of the congregation.  The visit included the chance to enjoy an exhibition of work by a local group who have created 25 familiar stories from the Bible in wool, felt and paper mâché.  Bible Yarns is presented in knitted tableaux and has toured churches across the county raising over £2,000 for charity.

The day continued with a tour around the newly reopened Clun Mill Youth Hostel, courtesy of owner Colin Tripp. In a secluded setting overlooking the Clun Valley, this restored watermill was once a focal point in the town and had been a YHA hostel for many years.  It is now in independent ownership and run as a YHA partner hostel. The building retains its rustic character and much of the original workings of the mill have been preserved.  Local resident and author Tony Martyr, who has a wide knowledge of the Mill, joined the group to give a brief history and describe the different pieces of milling machinery still in situ.

As the memorable day  came to an end, the Mayor offered his thanks to everyone who attended,  including PC Stuart Coote who was on duty throughout,  and especially to those who helped with arrangements for the visit.   Mr Davies concluded by saying “To welcome both the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff, as well as other distinguished guests, was fantastic for the morale of the town!” 

For information:

Clun Town Hall and Museum  https://cluntowncouncil.gov.uk/town-hall-museum/The Museum Collection at Clun Town Hall is run entirely by volunteers.   Established in 1932 and expanded in 2004 to include the building’s first floor, the museum  offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s heritage. It is home to a collection of around 6,000 ancient tools, many of which were uncovered on the nearby Caer Caradoc hillside and date back to the Mesolithic period. Among its most prized items are two Elizabethan ceremonial maces and the Seal of the Corporation of Clun, important relics from the town’s time as a borough.

The museum now provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the history and culture of the Clun Forest area through thoughtfully curated displays. Over the years, the collection has grown significantly and now features a remarkable variety of artefacts, documents, photographs and clothing which together paint a vivid picture of life in Clun through the ages.

St George’s Church https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/10476/

Clun Mill Youth Hostel https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-clun-mill

The White Horse Inn https://www.whitehorseclun.com/en