Churches Tourism Association

Shropshire Tourism Group has become a fully constituted organisation following a special meeting in Shrewsbury Abbey. Shropshire Churches Tourism Group, which has member churches all over the County, was formed about a year ago and already has more than eighty (80) members.

“I think this group has got off to an amazing start and will make a great contribution to an industry which is a vital part of Shropshire’s economy,” says Anni Holden. “Church buildings which are at the centre of every rural community have an extra dimension to add to our visitor’s lives and we definitely intend to continue that in the future,”

As well as producing twenty thousand brochures, which have flown out of churches and Visitor Information Centres, they have produced a newsletter for members and hope to have a website up and running later this year. The group is working very closely with other the County Tourism organisations.

Tim King, Tourism Officer for Shropshire, has advised the group and the speaker at the AGM was Katie Foster, who until recently chaired the Shropshire and Telford Tourism Strategy Board. She encouraged them to look at the wider picture and realise they are part of one of the biggest industries in the country and to make their churches as welcoming as possible.

 “One of the really good things about this group is that there is no shortage of keen and enthusiastic volunteers, so when we asked if anyone would like to take over as Chair, someone offered to do the job,” said Anni. “Christine Tinker from Clungunford is the new Chair and Stewart Ballantyne from Ruyton XI Towns is continuing as an excellent Treasurer. Lorna Taylor from Rushbury near Church Stretton is Membership Secretary and I am continuing as Secretary for another year. We have a good geographical spread in the Officers never mind the whole group.”