34. Harley Bypassed

The bypass (A458) was built in 1961 and by passes the village to the east. This replaced the previous road which ran through the village. The straight line of the new road, visible from both directions, cuts a dramatic section through the glacial valley which is very pronounced. 

A newspaper article for the Shrewsbury Chronicle (first published in 1772 and one of the oldest newspapers in Britain) was written by Phil Llewellin. It is  dated 12/05/62 and describes the village.

On a grey Godforsaken day’ when he and Chief Photographer Eddie Salter ‘walked up past the mellow houses in weathered brick of timber and thatch crowding onto the narrow canyon of road as it swings round a sharp blind bend by the ancient church. The trees along the steep slope of Wenlock Edge are truly lovely and the smells and sounds of the countryside walk with the visitor. Did Housman write about Harley? He should have done.

Shrewsbury Chronicle

The landlord of the Plume of Feathers, Mr. Alan Jellicoe and his wife were interviewed. At the time the new road was not finished and they said they were waiting for the day when their frontage ‘would not be a cat’s whisker from the road’. They said

Widening the road would have ruined what is a really pretty village. It used to be a death trap on that corner by the church – you literally took your life in your hands.

Alan Jellicoe

Another interviewee was Mr. and Mrs. George Smith who had lived at the village shop next to the Village Hall for only 13 months. Their neat little shop was, it was said, was stocked with everything from wellingtons to Weetabix. Mr.Smith of Harley Tower Cottage said:

It’s a great improvement – people were terrified before.

George Smith

Albert Brazier, known as ‘Son’ was next to be spoken to. He had he said, lived in the village all his life, and his home was on the corner by the church (No3 Harley). He said,

it’s a lot more pleasant now. I used to be woken up at four, five o clock in the morning by heavy wagons. It’s true we lost a cow on the new road, but by and large it’s much safer now.’

Albert Brazier

No story of the village, Phil Llewellin wrote, would be complete without comments from the oldest inhabitant, Mrs. Martha Brazier, Son’s mother, known to everybody as ‘Granny’.’ No 3 Harley was a black and white thatched cottage which would make a fine front cover for a book on all that is best in rural England. There are cobbles on the pathway and inside everything is neater than a ship awaiting inspection by the monarch. The red tiles gleam like mirrors, neighbours said ‘I’ve dined off plates a lot less clean than that floor.’

Here the writer thought would be someone who would welcome a return to peace and quiet. She remembers the days when a trip to Shrewsbury meant walking to Cressage to catch the train.

But no I don’t like it’ she says, eyes twinkling. ‘It’s too quiet now, too quiet and too lonely. The new road lets the traffic go too fast and it runs right across where I used to walk – along the lane to Wigwig. I don’t like having to cross the bypass because of the traffic.

Martha ‘Granny’ Brazier

Could she possibly slip outside for a few seconds to have her photograph taken in the lane? ‘Certainly’. ‘What about a coat?’ No she didn’t need a coat. This remarkable old lady was perfectly happy without a coat in the cold… She posed a few yards from her home. 

Yes this was my favourite walk, down this lane.  

Martha ‘Granny’ Brazier at 88.

Information from Shropshire Records and Research / now Shropshire Archives