Activities in and around Shropshire
Abseiling To Carriage Driving
Abseiling
This activity takes place at the Red Ridge Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Cefn Coch near Llanfair Caereinion set in the beautiful Powys countryside. The centre offers holidays and short breaks to individuals (both supported and independent), families, small and large groups during certain weeks each year. It has a policy of inclusion and has welcomed visitors with a wide variety of disabilities since 1978. It is based on a hostel style approach with bunk rooms. There are a good range of other activities on offer from artificial caving and zip wire to canoeing.
Archery
Builthy Hill Farm, Middletown on the Shropshire/Powys border overlooking the beautiful Shropshire landscape is the setting for this activity. There is level access to the area from the car park and there are trained staff on hand to assist those new to the sport. Sessions usually last an hour and are available to small or large groups. To make a special day out, this can be combined with other activities available at the farm and lunch can be included.
Bowls (short mat)
There are Bowls clubs in various parts of the county that include short mat bowls in their programme between September and April (check with your local club for wheelchair accessibility). If you are able to bend sufficiently, it is quite possible to play this game from a wheelchair and for those new to the sport most clubs will lend a set of bowls for people to practise with. There are aids that you can purchase to assist you to pick up the bowls if you have difficulty bending. The game is played indoors on a long narrow mat instead of a bowling green.
Shrewsbury indoor Bowls Club 01743 890470
Bowls (indoor flat green)
The Flash Leisure Centre at Welshpool has an indoor bowling green that has ramped access and is available all year round. The game is played in a similar way to conventional flat green bowls.
Tel 01938 555952
The Shrewsbury sports village in Sundorne Road Shrewsbury also has plans to provide an indoor green for 2007. Tel 01743 281550
There is also the British Wheelchair Bowls Association that provides useful information.
Canal boating
There are three places that you can hire day boats from in and around the county.
The Llangollen Canal Boat Trust based at Trevor Basin, the Heulwen Trust at Welshpool and the Lyneal Trust at Lyneal Wharf, near Ellesmere. The Llangollen and Heulwen Trusts do not have a fixed fee but donations to the appropriate trust help ensure they are able to continue. There is also no width restriction for wheelchairs and most can be accommodated. The Lyneal Trust has a set fee for day boat hire and a width restriction of 24 inches for wheelchairs, if you can transfer it may be possible to use one of theirs. Skippers are provided for all boats and parties of 12 people can be accommodated. It is recommended that these are evenly proportioned between able bodied members and those with disabilities. Booking in advance is important as they are very popular. Each boat contains a basically equipped galley and you are welcome to bring along picnic meals to prepare and enjoy on the journey. The photographs show an afternoon trip from Trevor aboard the Glas-y-dorlan, during which we passed over the Poncysyllte Aqueduct. We provided our own cream tea and had a really enjoyable experience.
As you do really need a small party to make the trip worthwhile and many people may not be in that position. We as a group have decided to organise several trips next year (2007) that individuals and couples are welcome to join. If you are unable to form your own group and would like to take part and can arrange transport to the wharves please send your name and address to the P.O.Box mentioned at the beginning of the guide. We will let you know details for the trips early in 2007.
If you would like to read a personal account of canal boating click here.
Canoeing
Drummond Outdoor Activities hold a drop-in session for canoeing on a Monday evening from 7pm until 9 pm April to September (Start times may vary at the beginning and end of the season). They meet on the far side of Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury where there is ramped access down to the river Severn. Individuals and families are welcome but young people under the age of thirteen will need a parent/carer accompanying them. It is a good idea to ring beforehand and discuss your particular disability or impairment requirements with them as special adaptations can be made to the canoes for those with very limited mobility. Once you are proficient at the sport there are opportunities to take part in more ambitious projects. The organisation also offers group courses, for further details use contacts at end of guide.
You can also try The British Canoe Union for more information on the sport.
Carriage Driving
The Riding for the Disabled Organisation offer carriage driving at several venues in the county including Whitchurch, Ludlow, Montford Bridge and The West Midlands Showground Shrewsbury. Our researcher went to the West Mid Showground where the driving is organised by Perry Riding Stables, this session takes place on a Wednesday morning from 10 am (during school term times). The carriages are especially adapted to be able to wheel up into. The wheelchair is then fixed to the floor of the carriage with straps. The instructor is seated beside you and it is possible to drive if you only have use of one hand. The horses are very gentle and readily adapt to a new person’s instructions. Please note that the carriages provide an uneven ride and might not be suitable for those who cannot cope with jarring.