Anth Rowley
@anthrowley.bsky.social
Exploring locally on foot & bike. Cartophile, worryingly obsessed by toposcopes, trig stations & benchmarks. Tendency to wander & wonder - supporting The Harry Johnson Trust
https://rowleyanth.wordpress.com/
https://rowleyanth.wordpress.com/
For #benchmarkmonday on the Wrekin's north-face, adjacent to the hill's Sentry Path is a Boundary Stone dating that dates from C19th that originally stood on the hill's lower ridgeline
Cut into the Boundary Stone is a Datum Line Bench Mark and (potential) Pivot mark
See Photo ALT for more details
Cut into the Boundary Stone is a Datum Line Bench Mark and (potential) Pivot mark
See Photo ALT for more details
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 AM
For #benchmarkmonday on the Wrekin's north-face, adjacent to the hill's Sentry Path is a Boundary Stone dating that dates from C19th that originally stood on the hill's lower ridgeline
Cut into the Boundary Stone is a Datum Line Bench Mark and (potential) Pivot mark
See Photo ALT for more details
Cut into the Boundary Stone is a Datum Line Bench Mark and (potential) Pivot mark
See Photo ALT for more details
25th October St Crispin's Day - along with his twin brother Crispinian - the Patron Saints of Shoemakers & Cobblers
Should probably be known as Saviours Day in Shrewsbury
Should probably be known as Saviours Day in Shrewsbury
October 25, 2025 at 8:43 AM
25th October St Crispin's Day - along with his twin brother Crispinian - the Patron Saints of Shoemakers & Cobblers
Should probably be known as Saviours Day in Shrewsbury
Should probably be known as Saviours Day in Shrewsbury
Best viewed in Landscape
From 1732 the South Prospect of Bridgnorth by Samuel and Nathanial Buck
Eleven features are picked out & numbered - the Index is in the bottom right-hand side of the picture's text
Panpudding Hill is on the left-hand centre side of the picture
From 1732 the South Prospect of Bridgnorth by Samuel and Nathanial Buck
Eleven features are picked out & numbered - the Index is in the bottom right-hand side of the picture's text
Panpudding Hill is on the left-hand centre side of the picture
October 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Best viewed in Landscape
From 1732 the South Prospect of Bridgnorth by Samuel and Nathanial Buck
Eleven features are picked out & numbered - the Index is in the bottom right-hand side of the picture's text
Panpudding Hill is on the left-hand centre side of the picture
From 1732 the South Prospect of Bridgnorth by Samuel and Nathanial Buck
Eleven features are picked out & numbered - the Index is in the bottom right-hand side of the picture's text
Panpudding Hill is on the left-hand centre side of the picture
For #benchmarkmonday the cast-iron 'Cut Mark' at the Museum of Iron in Coalbrookdale - soon to be run by the National Trust. No evidence that its an official OS Bench Mark but I'd happily buy one if they were on sale at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums - Grid Reference SJ 66760 04705
October 20, 2025 at 5:41 AM
For #benchmarkmonday the cast-iron 'Cut Mark' at the Museum of Iron in Coalbrookdale - soon to be run by the National Trust. No evidence that its an official OS Bench Mark but I'd happily buy one if they were on sale at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums - Grid Reference SJ 66760 04705
A mosaic of the Wrekin, created by The Arts Society Wrekin in 2018 to mark the Gold Anniversary of The Arts Society that was established in 1968 by Patricia Fay as the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) The mosiac is mounted in Weston Park, Staffs
October 2, 2025 at 7:29 AM
A mosaic of the Wrekin, created by The Arts Society Wrekin in 2018 to mark the Gold Anniversary of The Arts Society that was established in 1968 by Patricia Fay as the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) The mosiac is mounted in Weston Park, Staffs
For #mondaymaps an extract from Plate-V of Robert Baugh's 1808 map of Shropshire showing the various Tub Boat Canals and the Incline Planes & Tunnels of what is now Telford.
Not showing is the Newport Canal - this wasn't constructed until 1835.
More details of the Canals are provided in ALT
Not showing is the Newport Canal - this wasn't constructed until 1835.
More details of the Canals are provided in ALT
August 4, 2025 at 6:55 AM
For #mondaymaps an extract from Plate-V of Robert Baugh's 1808 map of Shropshire showing the various Tub Boat Canals and the Incline Planes & Tunnels of what is now Telford.
Not showing is the Newport Canal - this wasn't constructed until 1835.
More details of the Canals are provided in ALT
Not showing is the Newport Canal - this wasn't constructed until 1835.
More details of the Canals are provided in ALT
I was on the Wrekin this morning for the Solstice Sunrise - here the rising sun is seen looking over the summit's Trig Pillar's Spider
June 21, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I was on the Wrekin this morning for the Solstice Sunrise - here the rising sun is seen looking over the summit's Trig Pillar's Spider
For #benchmarkmonday the Cut Mark within Exchange House in Oakengates, Telford. The Cut Mark dates from 1961 while the former Labour Exchange, aka Dole Office, was built & finished in March 1938 and officially opened in May of the same year #localhistory #oakengates #telford
June 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
For #benchmarkmonday the Cut Mark within Exchange House in Oakengates, Telford. The Cut Mark dates from 1961 while the former Labour Exchange, aka Dole Office, was built & finished in March 1938 and officially opened in May of the same year #localhistory #oakengates #telford
Two Benchmarks on Timlet Bridge on Neachley Lane in Shropshire. The first is the Pheon from the original C19th Pivot cut into one of the coping stones on the SW Parapet. The second Benchmark is the Cut Mark on the NE Parapet that was Levelled in 1961. More details in ALT
May 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Two Benchmarks on Timlet Bridge on Neachley Lane in Shropshire. The first is the Pheon from the original C19th Pivot cut into one of the coping stones on the SW Parapet. The second Benchmark is the Cut Mark on the NE Parapet that was Levelled in 1961. More details in ALT
8th May '45 Newport, Shrops - Thanksgiving Services were held in all the town's churches, the bells of St Nicholas's rang riotously & E. Riley recorded in the lead of St Nicholas's roof's pyramidal centre how he fixed the lights that allowed the Church's Tower to be illuminated #VEDay80
May 8, 2025 at 6:02 AM
8th May '45 Newport, Shrops - Thanksgiving Services were held in all the town's churches, the bells of St Nicholas's rang riotously & E. Riley recorded in the lead of St Nicholas's roof's pyramidal centre how he fixed the lights that allowed the Church's Tower to be illuminated #VEDay80
For #benchmarkmonday the Cut Mark in a buttress of St Georges Church, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, Shrops. The benchmark was cut during the Primary Levelling of GB between Oct-1857 to Jan-1859. The Church is a former OS Trigonometrical Station - lost during the mid-C20th Retriangulation of GB #losttrigs
May 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
For #benchmarkmonday the Cut Mark in a buttress of St Georges Church, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, Shrops. The benchmark was cut during the Primary Levelling of GB between Oct-1857 to Jan-1859. The Church is a former OS Trigonometrical Station - lost during the mid-C20th Retriangulation of GB #losttrigs
St Michael's Church, Lilleshall - worn into the wall of the Chancel are grooves from the medieval period formed by the scratching away of powder for use in local medicines & potions
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones, which are a myth
Info added to > rowleyanth.wordpress.com/2022/07/04/l...
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones, which are a myth
Info added to > rowleyanth.wordpress.com/2022/07/04/l...
May 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
St Michael's Church, Lilleshall - worn into the wall of the Chancel are grooves from the medieval period formed by the scratching away of powder for use in local medicines & potions
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones, which are a myth
Info added to > rowleyanth.wordpress.com/2022/07/04/l...
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones, which are a myth
Info added to > rowleyanth.wordpress.com/2022/07/04/l...
The I-Spy series of booklets were published in the UK from 1948 with children encouraged to go out to find & tick-off objects within the booklet
The attached images are from the booklet 'The Land' showing that even in 1958 Trig Pillar and Benchmark bagging (two things I do) were recognised things
The attached images are from the booklet 'The Land' showing that even in 1958 Trig Pillar and Benchmark bagging (two things I do) were recognised things
May 1, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The I-Spy series of booklets were published in the UK from 1948 with children encouraged to go out to find & tick-off objects within the booklet
The attached images are from the booklet 'The Land' showing that even in 1958 Trig Pillar and Benchmark bagging (two things I do) were recognised things
The attached images are from the booklet 'The Land' showing that even in 1958 Trig Pillar and Benchmark bagging (two things I do) were recognised things
Shifnal Road, Priorslee, Telford - now used as decoration, within the roadside walls are some fine examples of Cone-in-Cone sedimentary structures that were formed in the stone & coal-measure nodules by diagenesis during the Upper Carboniferous Period of 327-299-million years ago.
April 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Shifnal Road, Priorslee, Telford - now used as decoration, within the roadside walls are some fine examples of Cone-in-Cone sedimentary structures that were formed in the stone & coal-measure nodules by diagenesis during the Upper Carboniferous Period of 327-299-million years ago.
I was in Dudley at the weekend & took the opportunity to go fossil hunting at the Wren's Nest.
I was absolutely chuffed to find two examples of sea-shell fossils from 420-425 million years ago when a tropical sea covered the area during the Silurian Period
I was absolutely chuffed to find two examples of sea-shell fossils from 420-425 million years ago when a tropical sea covered the area during the Silurian Period
March 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I was in Dudley at the weekend & took the opportunity to go fossil hunting at the Wren's Nest.
I was absolutely chuffed to find two examples of sea-shell fossils from 420-425 million years ago when a tropical sea covered the area during the Silurian Period
I was absolutely chuffed to find two examples of sea-shell fossils from 420-425 million years ago when a tropical sea covered the area during the Silurian Period
For #steeplesaturday the C12th crenelated Tower of the Grade-I Listed Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock, Shropshire.
In early C18th (maybe earlier) a Spire was added to Tower. The Spire was dismantled in Aug-1930 after extensive damage to the Tower was discovered.
In early C18th (maybe earlier) a Spire was added to Tower. The Spire was dismantled in Aug-1930 after extensive damage to the Tower was discovered.
March 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
For #steeplesaturday the C12th crenelated Tower of the Grade-I Listed Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock, Shropshire.
In early C18th (maybe earlier) a Spire was added to Tower. The Spire was dismantled in Aug-1930 after extensive damage to the Tower was discovered.
In early C18th (maybe earlier) a Spire was added to Tower. The Spire was dismantled in Aug-1930 after extensive damage to the Tower was discovered.
For #adoorablethursday the Cooke Clock in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Donated by Mayor Thomas Cooke to commemorate The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in June 1897. It was restored in 1993 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth-II's accession to the throne.
March 20, 2025 at 6:47 AM
For #adoorablethursday the Cooke Clock in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Donated by Mayor Thomas Cooke to commemorate The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in June 1897. It was restored in 1993 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth-II's accession to the throne.
Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock - worn into the south face of the Chancel are grooves from the medieval period formed by scratching away of powder for use in local medicines & potions
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones which are a myth > triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones which are a myth > triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
March 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock - worn into the south face of the Chancel are grooves from the medieval period formed by scratching away of powder for use in local medicines & potions
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones which are a myth > triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
Not to be mistaken for Arrow Stones which are a myth > triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
In Feb-1938, the Wellington Journal published an article on the C19th exploits of Penny Farthing cyclist Will Ryder of Wrockwardine Wood, Shropshire
Over six races in St Georges in 1885 & 1886, Will had five first places & two second places becoming the Penny Farthing Champion of Shropshire
Over six races in St Georges in 1885 & 1886, Will had five first places & two second places becoming the Penny Farthing Champion of Shropshire
March 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In Feb-1938, the Wellington Journal published an article on the C19th exploits of Penny Farthing cyclist Will Ryder of Wrockwardine Wood, Shropshire
Over six races in St Georges in 1885 & 1886, Will had five first places & two second places becoming the Penny Farthing Champion of Shropshire
Over six races in St Georges in 1885 & 1886, Will had five first places & two second places becoming the Penny Farthing Champion of Shropshire
For #benchmarkmonday the forgotten Cut Mark within the roadside wall of the Holyhead Road in Wellington, Telford. Dating from the C19th, it was recorded on the OS maps from 1882 until 1957.
It was replaced in the early-1960s & has remained there unnoticed for over 60-years
It was replaced in the early-1960s & has remained there unnoticed for over 60-years
March 3, 2025 at 6:41 AM
For #benchmarkmonday the forgotten Cut Mark within the roadside wall of the Holyhead Road in Wellington, Telford. Dating from the C19th, it was recorded on the OS maps from 1882 until 1957.
It was replaced in the early-1960s & has remained there unnoticed for over 60-years
It was replaced in the early-1960s & has remained there unnoticed for over 60-years
Central Park, Snedshill in Telford was once the site of the Lilleshall Co's Priorslee Steel Works - evidence of this can still be found including, with a volume of over 3m³, a Blast Furnace Core Plug made up of Slag materials.
To help find it see this video > youtu.be/xUKMxEvQ8zc?...
To help find it see this video > youtu.be/xUKMxEvQ8zc?...
March 1, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Central Park, Snedshill in Telford was once the site of the Lilleshall Co's Priorslee Steel Works - evidence of this can still be found including, with a volume of over 3m³, a Blast Furnace Core Plug made up of Slag materials.
To help find it see this video > youtu.be/xUKMxEvQ8zc?...
To help find it see this video > youtu.be/xUKMxEvQ8zc?...
For #steeplesaturday the Grade-II Listed St John's Church in Lawley, Telford. Designed & built by John Ladds in 1865, it has a pyramidal tiled roof with the Church constructed in a Romanesque style with polychromic brickwork
The OS Benchmark in the base of the Tower was cut between 1865 - 1881
The OS Benchmark in the base of the Tower was cut between 1865 - 1881
March 1, 2025 at 8:28 AM
For #steeplesaturday the Grade-II Listed St John's Church in Lawley, Telford. Designed & built by John Ladds in 1865, it has a pyramidal tiled roof with the Church constructed in a Romanesque style with polychromic brickwork
The OS Benchmark in the base of the Tower was cut between 1865 - 1881
The OS Benchmark in the base of the Tower was cut between 1865 - 1881
I visited the Grade-I Listed ruins of Lilleshall Abbey this weekend. I'm always fascinated by the graffiti within a sandstone stairwell - John Cowper's from 1747 is the earliest I've found - and the beauty of the C12th processional arch that leads from the Cloister into the Abbey's Church
February 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I visited the Grade-I Listed ruins of Lilleshall Abbey this weekend. I'm always fascinated by the graffiti within a sandstone stairwell - John Cowper's from 1747 is the earliest I've found - and the beauty of the C12th processional arch that leads from the Cloister into the Abbey's Church
For #benchmarkmonday The Cut Mark & separate Arrow in the north parapet of the High Street Bridge in Coalport Telford
The parapet has been partially re-built with the Header containing the Datum Line repositioned, the Stretcher containing the Broad Arrow is three courses lower in the parapet
The parapet has been partially re-built with the Header containing the Datum Line repositioned, the Stretcher containing the Broad Arrow is three courses lower in the parapet
February 17, 2025 at 7:21 PM
For #benchmarkmonday The Cut Mark & separate Arrow in the north parapet of the High Street Bridge in Coalport Telford
The parapet has been partially re-built with the Header containing the Datum Line repositioned, the Stretcher containing the Broad Arrow is three courses lower in the parapet
The parapet has been partially re-built with the Header containing the Datum Line repositioned, the Stretcher containing the Broad Arrow is three courses lower in the parapet