This year is an important year for one of Shropshire’s top beauty spots, as the National Trust marks fifty years since it acquired a large part of the Long Mynd by public subscription for £18,000.

Long Mynd sits within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for geology and biology. It is also now one of the most important habitats in the West Midlands for upland birds and is home to many other rare and significant species of plant and animal.

This is a huge success story for nature conservation, as back in 1965 many had written off the hill saying that it would simply never recover. Over the years the National Trust has worked with the Long Mynd Commoners and the Government to reduce the grazing with the support of European Grant funding, entering into their first agreement together in 1999.

Countryside, Gardens and Parkland Manager, Peter Carty says “The heather covered plateau has returned, there is a more diverse range of vegetation, wet flushes and boggy areas are thriving and species of wildlife are beginning to return and establish themselves. However, there are still species that are struggling, curlew in particular, once a common sight and sound on Long Mynd we now only have 2 breeding pairs. So are work is by no means done, there is still so much to do to protect this fragile environment.”

On Sunday 28 June the property, whose main hub is in Carding Mill Valley, look to celebrate the work achieved so far and to look ahead to the future. The day will provide an opportunity to meet the team, a lot of who have been involved in the property for a number of years and have been closely involved in turning around the condition of the hill.

Visitor Experience and Conservation Manager, Emily Knight says “Our celebration day is great way to find out more about the work that has taken place over the past 50 years, and to get out and enjoy the site. On the day there will be a mix of walks and talks looking at the conservation work and the wildlife found on Long Mynd. There will also be activities for children to get involved in, including pond dipping, bird watching and even bracken bashing! All the activities start and finish from Carding Mill Valley.”

The celebration day is on Sunday 28 June, from 11am – 4pm. For more information call 01694 725000 or email cardingmill@nationaltrust.org.uk