Shropshire Star comment: Treasures of working heritage

Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, who was the judge of hundreds of public nominations in the campaign by Historic England, said of the choice of the Old Furnace in Coalbrookdale: “The work of Abraham Darby was so revolutionary in providing the power, energy and might that would transform the steel industry and generate the wealth from which modern Britain emerged.”

If anything, Shropshire can be a little surprised that it has only one entry in the top 10, but we should not be greedy and will settle for one representative example.

See also:

• Coalbrookdale furnace blazes its way into history top 10

• Ironbridge Gorge Museums heralded as ‘beacon of industrial heritage’

That is the curse of living among treasures – you can forget just how special it is to do so, and that other places are lacking these heritage advantages.

It is 50 years since the trustees of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust met for the first time, on April 1, 1968. At that time The Gorge had various decaying relics of the Industrial Revolution which were in danger of being lost forever.

Heritage had been the stuff of grand mansions and castles until the museum and some key individuals played a leading role in a movement which saw the toil, dirt and grime of ordinary working life – and mines, foundries and factories – as worthy of being given status to be remembered and showcased.

The Ironbridge Gorge draws in thousands of tourists and will, if the weather is good, be busy this Bank Holiday.

Which brings us to ducks. Ten huge hand-painted ducks are descending on The Gorge as part of a family walking trail. It’s all part of the 50th birthday celebrations of Telford.

Now it would be difficult to argue that these ducks have any heritage importance to match, say, the Iron Bridge, or Abraham Darby’s Coalbrookdale Furnace.

But it is not difficult to see how children will find them a more engaging attraction. Something for everybody, as they say.