Ludlow river trail centre aiming to 'inspire and engage'

The educational centre will form part of a Teme Valley Trail running the length of the river.

Plans for the centre and trail are being drawn up by Severn Rivers Trust. It has secured backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a four-year project aiming to educate people from all walks of life about the river environment and wildlife, as well as projects to tackle flooding.

The building is planned on what is currently an empty field next to Dinham Weir, on the opposite bank of the Teme to Ludlow Castle. It expected to create one job and multiple student posts, plus volunteer roles.

Tony Bostock, chief executive at Severn Rivers Trust, said: "This purpose-built venue will be a hub creating a space for the whole community along the river to come together and inspire, share knowledge and experience.

"By improving and linking existing rights of way and roads we will allow locals and visitors to the area to walk the entire length of the main river, gain access to, and experience views over the stunning Teme Valley."

The trail and visitor centre will be put in place alongside a drive to reduce pollution, improve wildlife habitats, get rid of invasive species and help tackle flooding on the river.

Mr Bostock said: "A significant amount of time will be spent engaging with schools and local communities that are linked together by the river. The project will allow people to engage with others throughout the catchment, to learn about the common points shared by those who live within the influence of the Teme."

He said the project will need one community engagement officer, employed to oversee the outreach works from the second year through to the end of the project.

There will be four trainee river officer positions for each year, for budding ecologists and river conservationists to become trained in river management, as well as gaining experience in education and liaison roles associated with the project.

Volunteer river wardens will also be needed. Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said: "I think we are at the beginning of a very exciting project.

"When I first heard of these plans, I wasn't certain how this scheme would work – we don't have much space available at Dinham. But after meeting Mike Morris, deputy director of Severn Rivers Trust, on site last week, I am thrilled by the idea."