A familiar face who helps keep Telford Town Park looking its best is taking off his gardening gloves as he resigns as chairman of a popular voluntary group.

Chris Pettman has retired from his role at Friends of Telford Town Park (FOTTP) after 18 years at the helm – but he will continue to be a volunteer with the group.

The 82-year-old, who has been a member of the Friends for 20 years, has stepped down to spend more time with his family including his wife Brenda, 79, four children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren – soon to welcome a fifth.

Chris has been cultivating the group that tends to the Chelsea and Maxell Cherry Gardens in the award winning park with the help of Telford & Wrekin Council’s park rangers.

Under Chris’ leadership the group have won three awards from Fields in Trust, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and had a hand in securing Telford being voted the UK’s Best Park in 2015 and Best Park in the West Midlands on a number of occasions.

Chris said: “It has been an honour to lead the group for so many years.

“We have a small but dedicated group of volunteers who actively work on the grounds each week and they have been a pleasure to work with.

“I have seen many changes in my time as chairman and seen the group grow and grow, it is amazing to look back on what we have achieved throughout these years and I have many fond memories I can treasure from my time as chairman.

“Brenda and I recently celebrated our 60^th wedding anniversary and I am looking forward to spending more time with her and the wider family.”

Chris helped celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary last year and has overseen the organisation and implementation of new features, gates and gardens, restoring flower beds, bird boxes and historic ruins and moving statues, gardens and even time capsules across the 170 hectare park.

Alongside the council’s park rangers and contractors, the FOTTP have unearthed archeological finds, won campaigns to stop development and created murals to celebrate royal jubilees and coronations.

After six years of campaigning the Friends saved the QE2 Arena by helping it get protected by Fields in Trust (formerly The National Playing Fields Association) in 2011.

Chris edited and helped publish two new guides to the park, created a unique map and worked with the public litter picking, worked on a scheme to help 16-24 year olds learn skills to help get a job and launched Friends 4 Health where GPs across Telford can socially prescribe joining the Friends.

And he also stood as chairman while the group started the much loved Santa Run in 2005 which has raised thousands of pounds over the years for the RNIB, Guide Dogs and Midlands Air Ambulance.

Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Shaun Davies, and Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment and Cultural Services.

They wrote: “You have chaired the group with dedication, enthusiasm, and energy, and have been a true friend to the park and the local community.

“You have initiated and organised many successful events that have brought people

together and encouraged visitors to explore more of the park.

“Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. You will be greatly missed, but the lasting legacy you leave will be remembered.

“Thank you, Chris, for everything you have done for the park.”

Incoming chairman Adrian Smith added: “Chris has left very big boots to fill as he was a dedicated and passionate chairman of our group.

“I feel I have learnt from the best and I just hope I can have the same impact he has had during my time as chairman.

“He will be sorely missed and the group of volunteers send Chris our very best on his retirement from this role and hope he has more time to spend with his family or in the garden – whether his own or that of Telford Town Park!”

There are 40 members of FOTTP and around 16 who regularly work on the gardens each week, meeting every Wednesday morning.

By Andy Giddings

BBC News, West Midlands

A shopping centre built to provide a focal point for Telford is about to celebrate its 50th birthday.

Telford, created as a New Town, gained the Telford Centre complex on 29 October 1973.

Current manager Glynn Morrow said it was both a regional shopping destination and the equivalent of a local high street.

Having worked there for 31 years, he said: "It's a beast of a place but it's such an interesting place to work."

Today, about 2,500 people work there, with a footfall of 15 million visitors a year.

Mr Morrow said it made the centre one of Telford's biggest employers.

He previously worked in an engineering role at the centre and grew up in the town, remembering how it looked in the early days.

The rest of the management team had similar stories and he said: "Most of them have done 15 to 20 years, so we've all seen the place grow and we've all grown with it."

Mr Morrow said the centre was "everything to everybody".

At weekends, he said, it was a regional shopping centre, with visitors coming from north Wales and the wider West Midlands.

During the week, he said it was more like a high street, with "the same faces" regularly returning to use the banks or post office and to have a cup of coffee.

"It is the heart of Telford," he said.

Since it was created by the Telford Development Corporation, the centre has seen changes in ownership, new areas of the mall open and shops come and go.

Jewellers FH Hinds can claim to be one of the stores which has been there since day one, along with Boots and the banks, Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds.

Mr Morrow said a "massive game-changer" had been the creation of an entertainment, eating and drinking area known as Southwater, which had brought in visitors for reasons other than shopping.

But there have also been changes the shoppers do not see, such as the introduction of an autonomous cleaning machine the size of a small car, which spruces things up after the centre closes.

The weekend will see birthday celebrations and prize giveaways in the shopping centre. A time capsule buried in 1994 has been opened and new contents added.

On Monday, a team lunch is planned. Mr Morrow said it would be a chance for staff to share and write down their own memories.

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Ludlow and Telford were named in a list of the prettiest and ugliest places in the UK by The Telegraph this week, and I don't think I need to tell you which was which.

Reading James March's damning description of the town that I call home sent me on a wild rollercoaster of emotions.

Now I realise I am among a very small percentage of Telford residents who consider this town lovely, but I do not for one moment believe we deserve to be third from the bottom of a list that doesn't even include Milton Keynes. They don't even put art on their roundabouts.

In his description of Telford, the travel writer penned: "Napoleon spent his final years stranded adrift on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena, though he may have been even more miserable had he been subjected to Telford and its risible personality-free architecture.

"Thankfully for Le Petit Caporal, Telford didn’t exist until the 1960s..."

He went on to describe Telford as a "hodge-podge of dismal high streets, dour retail parks and a cookie-cutter urban sprawl."

Well, sir, this is why I think you're wrong.

Just this year, Telford was ranked in the top ten of England’s greenest urban centres - ranked in second place for air quality and sixth for green space in the public realm.

And that was a planning choice, when developers were mapping out Telford back in the 60s, the idea was to incorporate as much of Shropshire's greenery into our "urban sprawl".

If you'll allow me to talk about my favourite Telford topic, our penchant for adorning our roundabouts with statues and greenery started in the 1970s, as a concerted effort by planners to insert more art into the public realm. Art! On the roundabouts!

When I moved to Telford from Bolton when I was 11, I was amazed at how much greenery this place had. In Bolton, I barely knew anyone with a front garden. Yet, James gave us a 5/10 for greenery.

Even from the depths of Brookside and Woodside, you don't have to look far for a green space. And I'm not just talking a patch of grass to walk the pooch, I'm talking woodlands and streams and acres and acres of parkland.

Telford, albeit a mass of roundabouts and houses that were considered modern in the 1960s that yes, probably weren't meant to be around for this long, is still quite clearly in Shropshire. The Wrekin, Apley Woods, Telford Town Park, even Donnington has the Granville.

And our "hodge-podge" of high streets includes many historic towns that I don't think should be scoffed at.

Personally, I believe the juxtaposition of "ugly" post-war architecture nestled up against historical buildings is actually a really beautiful sight - but for the purpose of appealing to the masses, I'll pocket that for now.

Wellington alone, which proudly dates back to at least the 11th century, includes more than 40 listed buildings. Among them, timber-framed Tudor shops that wouldn't feel out of place in the beloved Ludlow.

Dawley and Madeley too are steeped in history that you don't have to look hard to see. Yet, James gave us a two for historic architecture.

So, this is my open invitation to you, James March. Please, let me show you how beautiful this dour and dismal town really is.

Government data has revealed the most delayed A-roads in Shropshire.

Last updated 3 hours ago

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Recently updated data from the Department for Transport has revealed the most delayed A-roads around the country.

We've collated those in Shropshire to find out which roads were causing the most delays on home soil in 2023 - the most recent statistics available.

1. A5191

The Shrewsbury town centre road, which runs from Heathgate roundabout in Ditherington through the town centre, over the English Bridge and on towards Meole Brace, was recently dubbed one of the country's "most high-risk roads" and is soon set to have a £650,000 safety facelift.

According to the data, it's the most delayed A-road in the whole of Shropshire, with a whopping average delay of 118 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

2. A5

The delays to the A5 in Telford & Wrekin put this road towards the top of the list. When it's not navigating Telford's towns in Shropshire Council territory, cars have an average of 21.3 seconds less of a delay than when within Telford & Wrekin.

Cars on the A5 in Telford face an average delay of 39.5 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

3. A5064

One of the shortest A-roads on the list, the A5064 in Shrewsbury is also one of the most delayed.

The road, which goes from Lord Hill's Column to Emstrey Island has racked up an average delay of 36.3 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

4. A5223

This road runs from the roundabout at the top of Jiggers Bank, through Lawley to Shawbirch Roundabout with the A442.

Vehicles on this road saw an average of 30.7 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

5. A5112

The third Shrewsbury town centre A-road on the list, this route runs right the way through the county town from Battlefield to Bayston Hill roundabout.

It's the fifth most delayed road according to Government data, with cars delayed for an average of 28.3 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

6. A488

This winding 50-mile road stretches from Shrewsbury to Llandrindod Wells - but it's just the Shropshire bit that this data is concerned with.

Those heading to or from the border faced an average of 25.1 second delay, per vehicle per mile.

7. A528

The Wrexham to Shrewsbury road passes through Ellesmere and Coton Hill - and was once described as of of Wales' most dangerous roads.

Now, it's been revealed as one of Shropshire's most delayed - with drivers facing an average delay of 23.8 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

8. A4640

Also known as Redhill Way in Telford, this short road runs from Limekiln Bank roundabout in Priorslee to the Granville roundabout in Donnington.

It's also the eighth most delayed road according to the stats - with drivers facing an average delay of 23.5 seconds per vehicle per mile.

9. A464

Starting at the A41 at Oaken, near Wolverhampton, this windy road runs almost parallel with the motorway to Shifnal, and on towards the Eastern Primary near Telford Town Centre, thereby passing through both Shropshire Council territory and Telford & Wrekin.

Those wishing to avoid the M54 could face delays of around 23.1 seconds per vehicle, per mile on the Shropshire side, or 22.4 seconds by the time you reach Telford & Wrekin.

10. A495

Another border straddler has made it into the top 10, the A495 runs from Llanfair Caereinion to Whitchurch.

Those travelling along it could face an average delay of around 20.9 seconds per vehicle, per mile.

They have played a vital part in protecting and improving one of the county's most valued parks – and now a friends group is marking its 20th anniversary.

Published Aug 29, 2023

Last updated Aug 29, 2023

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The volunteers who make up The Friends of Telford Town Park (FOTTP) have been key in developing the 170-hectare award-winning site – creating new features, gates and gardens, restoring flower beds, bird boxes and historic ruins, and moving statues, gardens and even creating time capsules.

Working alongside the council’s park rangers and contractors they have been a major part in what thousands of people enjoy every week – and an exhibition will be opening to celebrate their efforts.

Joan Noel, who passed away in 2019, launched the group back in 2003 with the help of a few other eager volunteers.

At the start she probably didn't realise they would be unearthing archaeological finds, winning campaigns to stop development, and creating murals to celebrate royal jubilees and coronations.

But the group is still going strong and two decades later, they are giving an update on all the progress they have made with a special display on the first floor of Southwater Library in Telford Town Centre from September 15-29, sponsored by the Southwater Event Group.

Chris Pettman, who has been chairman of the FOTTP for seventeen years, said all 40 members are looking forward to the celebration.

“Our 20th anniversary year is set to be a great celebration,” he said.

“Our group love to make a difference to the already incredible surroundings at our award-winning park and we love to see the impact it has on the public – whether it’s seeing families enjoy the gardens, people at our events or visitors from all over the Midlands seeing what has been done here.

“We want to share this beautiful part of our town with you all and we’re looking forward to showing you what we’ve done over the years.”

It is no surprise that 20 years of hard work has brought the friends three awards from Fields in Trust, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and a hand in securing Telford being voted the UK’s Best Park in 2015 and Best Park in the West Midlands on a number of occasions.

There are around 16 members of FOTTP who regularly work on the Chelsea and Maxell Cherry Gardens each week, with many more supporting their efforts.

The initial objective for the group was to promote and conserve the sustainable use of Telford Town Park, the biodiversity of the park, the existing boundaries of the park, the built structures in the park – and to protect it from inappropriate use or development.

The group wanted the 450 acres of play area and woodland, lakes and open scrub land not to be lost with the development of Telford New Town – and their aim has been a success.

The exhibition charts the evolution of the group features successes such as preserving and protecting a local nature reserve, the Chelsea and Maxell Cherry Gardens, overseeing the opening of the Twin Tracks, an archeological dig to uncover Stone Row house foundations and the Tarslag works, and rebuilding the access bridge across to The Crannog at Grange Pool.

Guided walks helped generate interest and membership of the group in the early years as well as events such as litter picking, a Bat Walk with the Bat Conservation Trust West Midlands, a 4am Dawn chorus walk, a Green Festival and a Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival, among others.

After six years of campaigning the Friends saved the QE2 Arena by helping it get protected by Fields in Trust (formerly The National Playing Fields Association) in 2011.

They have also overseen the ‘Stream of Life’ statue and Telford’s time capsule being moved into the Chelsea Gardens due to the redevelopment of Southwater.

Other efforts include replanting Southall Pool with new aquatic plants as well as creating a new sensory garden, a memory tree, a bug hotel, replacement bird boxes and hedge laying – an ongoing job – and restored fountains, water features and statues, such as the one of Anne Boleyn.

“When you think of everything this group has achieved over 20 years, it really is remarkable,” added Chris.

“This is a relatively small band of volunteers working in a large area.

“But for all our members, the area means a lot to us. We work hard for the people of Telford, for the success of our group and it is also a great benefit to our own mental health too.

“We all enjoy being outdoors and everyone who joins us says the same, it has a great positive impact when we are all together working towards a common aim and we look forward to the next 20 years.”

The group has published two new guides to the park, created a unique map, worked with the public litter picking, worked on a scheme to help 16 to 24 year olds learn skills to help get a job, and launched Friends 4 Health where GPs across Telford can socially prescribe joining the friends.

And as if that’s not all the Friends have raised money for charity too. The group started the much-loved Santa Run in 2005, which has raised thousands of pounds over the years for the RNIB, Guide Dogs and Midlands Air Ambulance.

Volunteers meet every Wednesday morning.

For more information or to join them visit the website www.friendsoftelfordtownpark.org, or follow them on Facebook.