‘JOIN us to help the hills we love’ was the open invitation of Friends of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty when they met in Aston-on-Clun.

The 30 ‘Friends’ attending the event visited local conservation projects their membership is supporting.

They explored an arts-in-the-countryside programme and saw initiatives conserving threatened butterflies, managing roadside verges for wildlife and improving access to local wetlands.

The group also heard about projects ranging from a mobile farm visiting schools to invasive plant removal along vulnerable riverbanks.

“Our Conservation Fund supports these and many other projects each year from Friends subscriptions, together with much appreciated donations from the Millichope Foundation and Jean Jackson Trust,” said Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Trust treasurer George Chancellor.

“Our initial target is to build our Friends membership to 1,000. At just £25 a year for an individual, £36 a year for a family and £50 a year for an organisation this would make all the difference to the number of highly worthwhile community projects we can help.

“Charitable status makes all subscriptions and donations as tax efficient as possible and allows us to boost them with Gift Aid. Please help us to conserve the wonderful landscape, wildlife and heritage of the Shropshire Hills."

Information about becoming a Friend is available at www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/a-special-place/friends/ or by ringing the AONB Partnership on 01743 254740.