After 18 months of virtual activity TAS Wrekin decided to break out for their first live, screen-free get-together.

The event, organised by Terry and Nicky Lipscombe, was held on Monday 9 August courtesy of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum which generously offered them the use of the Green at Coalbrookdale for an outdoor picnic in appreciation of the Society’s long-term support of the museum.   

“Unfortunately poor weather on the evening meant that we had to picnic inside the vast Engine Shed next to Enginuity”, said Nicky, ”where 70 members and friends had a lovely time catching up and enjoying the musical entertainment provided by local group, The Albric Folk, led by one of Wrekin’s newer members, Bob Watson.  A bucket collection on the night raised a marvellous £380 for the museum.”

A number of projects at the museum have been undertaken over several years organised by the Wrekin’s Heritage Volunteers, supported by  volunteers from TAS Shrewsbury, some of whom joined the picnic. The most recent involved cataloguing the Aga archives donated to the museum by Aga Rangemaster.

TAS Wrekin has provided monthly lectures on Zoom throughout the lockdowns and also a number of virtual tours with London based Blue Badge guides.  Donations given by the members and guests for the extra events have enabled the Society to continue with its charitable activity.

“Over the last year or so, we have also provided financial support to Ironbridge Gorge Museums (flood appeal), The Albrighton Trust – Moat and Gardens, Shropshire Music Service for a series of Masterclasses for school children, Weston Park Foundation for an educational project, Friends of Flaxmill Maltings at Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Koestler Arts, a charity which promotes the arts in prisons.

We certainly welcome the prospect of getting back to as near normal as possible”, said Nicky, “and are planning to hold a number of interesting and exciting live events as we go into 2022 and beyond.”

Rory Hunter, Estates, Facilities and Projects Director at Ironbridge, receives the cheque for £380 from Terry Lipscombe (on right)