The Dawley ‘Mounting Block’

A large stone discovered as part of the ground clearance work at Paddock Mount has left experts and residents divided about is historical importance.

The stone was discovered as part of the ground preparation for the new Dawley Sports and Learning Community and was originally thought to be a mounting stone used for helping people of importance to mount their horses.

But experts have now had a closer look at the stone and thinking it may not be as old as originally thought.

Councillors have shown an interest in the stone and it is thought it may have been used by Thomas Botfield, a local industrialist who built the Old Park Ironworks in the 1790s.

Hinkshay Forge belonged to Thomas Botfield, along with two pits near the railway below the Gerry pub. There was an arched tunnel which may still be in existence leading under ground up to Hinkshay Road from the forge.

There was also a chimney stack which was brought down in about 1951 using the old method of propping and burning. A large red brick office and the forge were also destroyed around that time with explosives.

The stone was the mounting stone and no doubt Mr Botfield would have probably used it to mount his horse when visiting the forge. The steel bars that were used to bind the stack to prolong its life were used by a local man to strengthen the footings of his home after the stack was dropped.

But an archaeologist who visited the site recently said the sandstone block, was not as old as first thought.

A report says: A quick examination showed one side to have drill marks which indicate how it was quarried. The drill marks suggest that it is unlikely be older than the late 19^th century when steam powered drilling was first introduced. The undressed stone is probably the result of quarry waste.

At about 400mm, the stone is too high to act as a single step mount and would have needed a step up onto it. It is probably too low to be of use as an aid to mounting a horse. The undressed ‘top’ surface again suggests that this is not its original intended use.

Any Dawley resident who can shed more light on the history of the stone is asked to call one of the local ward members or email bti@telford.gov.uk

Pothole Busters

Press relase from Telford and Wrekin Council 29th February 2010

Telford & Wrekin Council is launching a campaign to ask residents and partners to help us crackdown on potholes on public roads in the borough.

The Council will launch its major Pothole Busters campaign on Monday as its pumps extra resources in to deal with more potholes.

Borough drivers and residents are being asked to help by reporting to the Council as many potholes as possible, and the Council will in turn get out and repair them as quickly as it can.

To report potholes, call the Pothole Busters hotline on (01952) 384000 which from Monday will be open at the extended times of 8am – 7pm. Or you can report a pothole online 24 hours a day at www.telford.gov.uk/potholebusters

The Council is beefing up its Pothole Busting teams to deal with reports from the public and council inspectors across the borough.

This will mean the Council will be able to fill around 300 potholes a week but will give top priority to dangerous potholes which will be repaired by the end of the next working day. Other potholes will be prioritised and dealt with according to their severity.

There’s been a surge in the number of potholes in the borough following the recent cold snap.

Councillor Adrian Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Area, said: “Tackling potholes on public roads across the borough is a real issue – that’s why we are putting a lot of extra resource into this.

“We want the public to help us by being our eyes – because the residents usually know where the problems are. You spot the potholes, tell us where it is and we’ll fill it.

“Give as much information as possible, regarding the location of the pothole or damage to the road so that inspectors can respond effectively.

“We have inspectors out every day on the roads but we need your help reporting them.”

The Council’s Pothole Buster campaign is expected to run until the early spring. For further information visit www.telford.gov.uk/potholebusters

Great Dawley Parish Council

Great Dawley Parish Council represents residents of Dawley and Malinslee.

The website for Great Dawley Parish Council is www.greatdawley.org