After 5,500 extra tourists visited Bridgnorth last year to complete the two-mile Art Trail walking loop, organisers have spruced up the trail ready for this year’s influx of visitors.
“We’ve repainted the plinths, added some historical plaques, and revamped our free Trail map,” explains cllr Julia Buckley, chair of Bridgnorth Art Trail.
Volunteers Donald Wightman and Cliff Bassett (pictured) installed the additional plaques onto the plinths to raise more awareness about the historic role played by Richard Trevithick. The 12 new plaques inform people about the world’s first fare-paying passenger railway locomotive, Catch Me Who Can, designed by Richard Trevithick and built by John Urpeth Rastrick at Hazledine’s Foundry in Bridgnorth.
“It’s an excellent way to educate local young people about the historical importance of Bridgnorth in the railway industry,” says Brian Jones, trustee of the Trevithick 200 charity which is rebuilding the replica.
Cathy Fox, who prepared the revamped maps, explains, “We’re continuously improving our maps based on feedback from visitors and residents, and are extremely grateful to Kathryn Holloway of Promofix for her excellent design and production work.”
To take part, collect your free map from one of 20 outlets in the town (or get the app) and explore Bridgnorth to find the locomotives over the two-mile loop.
Charity fills summer with fun
More than 800 children and 300 families had a busy summer thanks to holiday activities run by a county charity. As part of the Holiday
