50 years of National Trust ownership of the Long Mynd

It is 50 years since the Long Mynd was acquired by the National Trust, reports the Shropshire Star.

No less than £18,000 was raised by public subscription to buy a large part of the hill.

The Star quotes Peter Carty from the National Trust (with whom I once drank with at the Bishop's Castle Real Ale Festival) on how it has fared since:

"The heather-covered plateau has returned. There is a more diverse range of vegetation, while wet flushes and boggy areas are thriving and species of wildlife are beginning to return and establish themselves. 

"However, there are still species that are struggling, curlew in particular – once a common sight and sound on Long Mynd. We now only have two breeding pairs.There is still so much to do to protect this fragile environment."

The anniversary will be celebrated at the National Trust hub in Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton, on Sunday 28 June.