New England countryside site is found in Shropshire and has an important history as a transport route and in industry.
Contents
Location
This site is located at the convergence of the Bind and Borle Brooks, between the Highley and Billingsley villages' in Shropshire.
About
New England was a small industrial community during the 19th Century and there is evidence of continuous human activity and settlement in the area spanning throughout at least a thousand years. Support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Highley Initiative has enabled the history to be researched, and uncover, and enhance historical features. Recently a historic bridge called The Donkey Bridge, named because of the fact that it was once part of a packhorse route, had to be closed due to the flood damage that occurred late in 2012 but repairs are underway.
In 2007, a community archaeology group commissioned by the Highley Initiative investigated the overgrown tree lined mound that included a row of demolished terrace cottages at the New England Site. Excavation of the site confirmed that the structure aligned east of the terraced cottages, is more likely to be a nineteenth century addition to the end cottage, possibly being another cottage, but may have ended up as an annex to the attached cottage. Other remains found also include a 19th-century pathway, garden, and a drain co-existent to the building.
Parking and Facilities
No parking is available at the site, and it is normally accessed on foot, or horse, but picnic tables are present at the site, and Cafés and tea rooms are available in either Billingsley or Highley. Parking is available at the Severn Centre at Highley, followed by a short 15-minute walk going through the village down Bind Lane heading for Billingsley. Then by following the Jack Mytton Way to New England the entrance is only a little bit before the Borle Brook ford.
Bird watching, and Wildlife
New England is situated in a wooded valley making it a good site for wildlife such as insects, and birds. In 2010, 44 of 53 nestboxes put up at the site were used, resulting in the successful raising of 352 young fledglings, an improvement from the previous year of 306 young raised. The young birds raised included a pair of stock doves which nested in one of the three owl boxes put up. Sightings of Mandarin ducks on the stream meant that three new large nestboxes suitable for them have been put up, but no nesting attempt was made in 2010.