New BBC pilot to focus on treasured park
One of the Midlands' most treasured parks is to be featured in a new BBC programme.
Severn Valley Country Park, at Alveley, near Bridgnorth, will be included in a pilot episode of River Walks, in a show that looks at the River Severn between Bewdley and Bridgnorth.
The programme, presented by actor Shobna Gulati of Coronation Street, Dinnerladies and, more recently, Doctor Who fame, has a similar format to the series Coast.
The country park is managed by Shropshire Council and the site was chosen when the authority's outdoor partnerships team was approached by Paul Barnett of GOSH! TV productions.
Mr Barnett had been commissioned by the BBC to film a 30-minute pilot episode of the series.
Passionate
Ed Andrews, country parks and heritage officer, took a stroll with Shobna and explained about the heritage and countryside conservation work carried out on the site by the council's team of volunteers.
Mr Andrews said: “I really enjoyed working with Shobna and the TV company making the documentary. I am passionate about the scenery, heritage and wildlife of this quiet stretch of the Severn Valley. I believe the walking route between Bewdley and Bridgnorth is as good as any in the country.
"Hopefully this programme will help to showcase this amazing landscape and encourage more people to get out and explore it.”
The production team also wanted to tell the story of the coal mining history of the site before the transformation from coal spoil to country park.
Alveley Mining Heritage Management Committee Member, Trevor Jones, who had worked in the mine, was also interviewed by Shobna.
The programme will be shown on BBC1 on December 10 at 7.30pm.
