New England Countryside Sites

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New England countryside site is an historic site in Shropshire, United Kingdom, of the former village of New England. It is located between the villages of Highley and Billingsley.

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About

The New England area of Shropshire appears to have been continuously used and settled for least 1000 years. In the 19th century, it was a small industrial community [1]

The Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Highley Initiative have funded research, excavation and restoration of historical features at New England. [2] In 2007, a community archaeology group investigated the overgrown tree lined mound that included a row of demolished terrace cottages. [3] It confirmed that the structure aligned east of the terraced cottages was probably a nineteenth century addition to the end cottage. [3] Other remains found also include a 19th-century pathway, garden, and a drain co-existent to the building. [3]

In 2012, the historic Donkey Bridge, named because it was once part of a packhorse route, was closed temporarily due to flood damage. [1]

Bird watching, and wildlife

New England is situated in a wooded valley making it a good site for wildlife such as insects, and birds. [2] In 2010, 44 of 53 nestboxes put up at the site were used, resulting in the successful raising of 352 young fledglings, versus 306 in 2009. [4] The young birds raised included a pair of stock doves which nested in one of the three owl boxes put up. [4] Sightings of Mandarin ducks on the stream meant that three new large nestboxes suitable for them have been put up. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 BBC News Shropshire "New England Donkey Bridge shut as floods leave it unsafe". Date retrieved: 14/8/2013
  2. 1 2 Shropshire Council "New England Countryside Site". Date retrieved: 14/8/2013
  3. 1 2 3 Shropshire Council "Highley Initiative, Excavation Interim Report". Date retrieved:14/8/13
  4. 1 2 3 Chelmarsh Ringing Group "Birdboxes/Bats". Date retrieved: 14/8/2013

52°27′05″N2°24′17″W / 52.4515°N 2.4048°W / 52.4515; -2.4048