South Shropshire was the most rural district of one of the UK's most rural counties, the population of the district was 40,410 in 2001[1] spread out over 1,027 km2 of forest, mountains, moorlands, hills and mixed quality farmland. It bordered the unitary authority of Powys in Wales, which it closely resembled, economically, socially, culturally and historically. 65% of the district's area is part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
South Shropshire had many ancient monuments, with Mitchells Fold on the Welsh border being the most notable, and there is evidence of Neolithic quarrying in the Apedale.
The area seems to have been settled by the Ordovices, an Iron Age tribe of people in the last millennium BC, and was a stronghold of the Celtic chieftain Caractacus (Caer Caradoc is said to be named after him). The area was probably part of the "Military" division of the Roman occupation and locals claim that the Romans mined lead in the north west of the district.
In the Early Middle Ages, the area was a battleground between the Welsh and the Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and Offa's Dyke, which is partially in the district, is a permanent reminder of the areas border status. In the Middle Ages, South Shropshire was part of the Welsh Marches, a lawless area ruled by tyrannical feudal lords, who as Marcher Lords had de facto independence from the King of England.
During the English Civil War the area was generally spared from fighting, although there was a small massacre at Hopton Castle and Ludlow Castle was captured by Parliamentary troops.
During the Industrial Revolution, coal was mined around Clee Hill and lead was mined near the border with Wales, e.g. at Snailbeach. Church Stretton was a centre of textile manufacture and Ludlow thrived on the malting trade, while the rest of the area was populated by smallholders. The economy of the area was fragile, and most industry in the area had collapsed by 1900.
The District of South Shropshire covered an area of 1,028 square kilometres, or 397 square miles (1,030 km2), which was roughly one third of the administrative county of Shropshire as of 2008.
South Shropshire included mountains, valleys, hills, moors, forests and low grade farmland. The landscape is often rugged, with crags and rock outcrops very common, especially in the west and around the Clee Hills, and was for the most part gouged by glaciers during the ice age. The area's many rock types made it particularly interesting to geologists, with Wenlock Edge being especially noteworthy.
See the Shropshire Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) for more about the natural geography of the area.
Economics and demographics
Economically the district was largely dependent on tourism, partly due to the decline in the economic significance of farming and also the decline and subsequent end of local lead and coal mining industry. In addition to tourism, some light industry did exist in the district, in the Church Stretton and Ludlow areas, and in Burford, near Tenbury Wells.
Additionally, the local demographics show a large economic gap between affluent residents and poorer communities. Many of the affluent residents have moved into the area from other places, such as South East England on their retirement. This continues an older trend whose root was initially in the imbalance of wealth associated with the farming economy previously prevalent in the area.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1801
28,871
—
1811
31,731
+9.9%
1821
34,248
+7.9%
1831
36,961
+7.9%
1841
37,533
+1.5%
1851
37,334
−0.5%
1861
38,520
+3.2%
1871
39,705
+3.1%
1881
40,890
+3.0%
1891
38,131
−6.7%
1901
37,555
−1.5%
1911
36,989
−1.5%
1921
35,713
−3.4%
1931
34,481
−3.4%
1941
34,241
−0.7%
1951
34,003
−0.7%
1961
33,184
−2.4%
1971
32,284
−2.7%
1981
33,426
+3.5%
1991
38,586
+15.4%
2001
40,389
+4.7%
Population figures for South Shropshire. Source: [5]
Energy policy
In May 2006, a report commissioned by British Gas[1] showed that housing in South Shropshire produced the 13th highest average carbon emissions in the country at 7,156 kg of carbon dioxide per dwelling.
The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2009 was held by the following parties:[6]
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