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{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Market town in Shropshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
|static_image_name= Church Stretton Ragleth 2010 1.jpg
|static_image_caption= Church Stretton viewed from the Ragleth
|country= England
|coordinates = {{coord|52.539|-2.808|display=inline,title}}
|official_name= Church Stretton
|population= 4,671
|civil_parish= Church Stretton
|unitary_england= [[Shropshire (district)|Shropshire]]
|lieutenancy_england= [[Shropshire]]
|region= West Midlands
|constituency_westminster= [[Ludlow (UK Parliament constituency)|Ludlow]]
|post_town= CHURCH STRETTON
|postcode_district= SY6
|postcode_area= SY
|dial_code= 01694
|os_grid_reference= SO453937
|london_distance= 158 miles (254 km)
|website= [http://www.churchstretton.co.uk churchstretton.co.uk]
|local_name= Stretton
}}

'''Church Stretton''' is a market town and [[civil parish]] in [[Shropshire]], England, {{convert|13|mi|km|0}} south of [[Shrewsbury]] and {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} north of [[Ludlow]]. The population in 2011 was 4,671.<ref name="parish 2011 census">[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11121994&c=Church+Stretton&d=16&e=61&g=6461029&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1383558096668&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 National Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040029/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11121994&c=Church+Stretton&d=16&e=61&g=6461029&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1383558096668&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 |date=4 March 2016 }} Church Stretton 2011 population area and density</ref>

The town was nicknamed [[Little Switzerland (landscape)|Little Switzerland]] in the late [[Victorian era|Victorian]] and [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] period for its landscape, and became a health resort.<ref name="LittleSwitzerland"/> The local geology includes some of the oldest rocks in England and a notable [[Fault (geology)|fault]] is named after the town.<ref name="TownSiteGeology"/>

Church Stretton is in the [[Shropshire Hills AONB|Shropshire Hills]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].

==History==
[[File:The market at Church Stretton - geograph.org.uk - 84494.jpg|thumb|right|Market on High Street, which has been held in the town since 1214; in the background is the tower of St Laurence's Church]]
People have lived in the Stretton Gap (or Dale) for thousands of years; an [[Iron Age]] hillfort on [[Caer Caradoc Hill|Caer Caradoc]]<ref name="MegalithicSite">{{cite web | title=Caer Caradoc (Church Stretton) – Hillfort|website = The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map|url= http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=4931|date = 12 November 2004 }}</ref> overlooks the town. The name "Stretton" is derived from the [[Old English]] words ''stræt'' meaning "Roman road" and ''tun'' meaning "settlement";<ref>{{cite book|last =Mills|first = David |date =2011|title=A Dictionary of British Place Names|publisher = OUP Oxford |page= 442|isbn = 9780199609086}}</ref> a [[Roman road]], [[Watling Street]] runs through the Stretton Gap, though the town (and adjacent settlements) were not historically located on this road – during the "[[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Ages]]" the settlements grew a short distance away from the old thoroughfare, for defensive purposes. Today the modern [[A49 road]], which was constructed on its current alignment through the Stretton Gap in the late 1930s, runs along a similar course to the Roman Road. The Roman road was historically known as Botte Street.<ref name=History>{{cite book| first1 = A P |last1=Baggs|first2= G C|last2=Baugh|first3= D C|last3= Cox|first4= Jessie|last4= McFall |first5= P A |last5=Stamper |chapter-url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22861 |via =British History Online|chapter = Church Stretton|title = A History of the County of Shropshire: Volume 10, Munslow Hundred (Part), the Liberty and Borough of Wenlock|editor-first =G C|editor-last = Baugh|location  =London|date = 1998|pages = 72–120}}</ref>

The settlements of [[Little Stretton, Shropshire|Little Stretton]], Church Stretton and All Stretton (until the late 19th century regarded as separate townships) formed the [[manorialism|manor]] of Stretton or Stretton-en-le-Dale.<ref name=History/> The [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 recorded 35 households and a [[watermill|mill]] in the manor.<ref>[http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO4593/church-stretton Open Domesday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180043/http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO4593/church-stretton/ |date=14 July 2014 }} Place: (Church) Stretton</ref> Church Stretton became the largest of the settlements, with the manor's [[parish church]] and market located there, and being where Bristol Road had a junction with the road to [[Much Wenlock]] and the Burway – a route over the Long Mynd. At the time of the Domesday Book, the manor came under the [[hundred (county division)|hundred]] of [[Culvestan]], a Saxon hundred that was amalgamated during the reign of [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] — the Strettons then came within the upper division of the hundred of [[Munslow (hundred)|Munslow]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SAL/Hundreds.html#h11 |website = GENUKI: UK & Ireland Genealogy|title =  Shropshire Hundreds (taken from Gregory's 1824 Gazetteer): THE HUNDRED OF MUNSLOW }}</ref>

The town was first granted a [[market charter]] by King [[John, King of England|John]] in 1214, for a weekly market on Wednesdays, but by 1253 the market day had changed to Tuesdays. In 1337 a new charter was granted by [[Edward III of England|Edward III]] and it authorised a weekly market to be held on Thursdays.<ref name=markets>{{cite book|last1 = Crowe |first1= Tony|last2=  Raynor|first2= Barrie|date =2011 |title = Church Stretton through the ages| pages= 2–3|publisher= Greengates Press|isbn = 978-0956801807}}</ref> The market is still held every Thursday, in the [[Town square|square]] on the High Street, which has been the town's market place since the 13th century.<ref name=markets/> Much of the town was destroyed by fire in 1593<ref name="Been there done that site">{{cite web | website=BeenThere-DoneThat |url= http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/shropshire/churchstretton.html |title = Church Stretton area, Shropshire|first =Barry|last = Samuels }}</ref> and many of the present [[timber framing|half timbered]] buildings in the town centre date from the time of the rebuilding.<ref name="Been there done that site"/>

The High Street was for many centuries known instead as the Bristol Road, being the road from Shrewsbury to [[Bristol]]. It was once a much wider street within the town, with the churchyard of St Laurence bordering directly onto the street. Over time buildings were erected on the street, in a similar fashion to other English market towns, such as in Ludlow. The High Street, which is a narrow street, is effectively only the eastern side of the original Bristol Road thoroughfare through the town. It was made more open when the old market hall was demolished to form the present town square.<ref name="Crowe"/>

===18th century===
[[File:Carding Mill Valley from the Road By Burway Hill - geograph.org.uk - 258158.jpg|thumb|right|Carding Mill Valley, named after the textile mill there, now a notable tourist spot]]

====Carding Mill Valley====
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2022}}
Historically the town was known for its textiles, using the abundant local [[wool]], and a notable location for this industry was Carding Mill Valley ({{gbmapping|SO442945|SO442945}}).  The [[carding mill]] there was built in the eighteenth century, and named after a stage in making cloth, the three stages being [[carding]], [[Spinning (textiles)|spinning]] and [[weaving]].  Carding would have been done by children, and involved using a hand-card that removed and untangled short fibres from the mass of raw material.  The cards were wooden blocks with handles and covered in metal spikes, which were angled (to make it easier to untangle) and set in leather.  When untangled, the material would be spun, and then woven into the final product.

The carding mill closed and was demolished at the beginning of the twentieth century, though the adjacent factory building remains in the valley today.{{When|date=August 2019}}  The valley it is in took the name "Carding Mill Valley", and is now a tourist attraction and well-known starting location for walkers (being at the heart of the [[Long Mynd]] range). Those who follow the valley to its summit are greeted by the sight of the Lightspout waterfall. The valley is owned (along with the entire hill range) by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], who have a visitor centre there. The mill building itself has been converted into flats and a number of other private houses exist near it and the visitor centre, forming a small settlement in the valley.  Vehicles (and therefore most visitors) have to drive up from the town, from Shrewsbury Road, to access the valley.

Cars may drive as far as the car park situated about a mile up the valley.  This car park was at one time an open-air swimming pool.  A sign indicating water depth still stands in its original position.

===Victorian and Edwardian times===
[[File:Church Stretton Ragleth 2010 2.jpg|thumb|right|Hills and woodland to the west/southwest of the town, as seen from the slope of the Ragleth hill. The Edwardian ''Long Mynd Hotel'' is the large, white building amongst the woodland to the left]]
Church Stretton was nicknamed "[[Little Switzerland (landscape)|Little Switzerland]]" in late-Victorian and Edwardian times, because of its surroundings and the way many houses hug the hillside.<ref name="LittleSwitzerland">{{cite web |url=http://www.shropshiretourism.info/church-stretton/ |title=Church Stretton: Walkers are Welcome in Church Stretton |work=Shropshire Tourism |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080827185947/http://www.shropshiretourism.info/church-stretton|archive-date = 27 August 2008}}</ref>

[[Church Stretton railway station]] opened on 20 April 1852 as part of the newly created [[Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway]].  It was originally to the north of (what is now known as) Sandford Avenue and the old station building still remains, but is no longer in railway use.  Sandford Avenue had been for centuries called Lake Lane and became Station Road with the arrival of the railway in the town, before becoming Sandford Avenue in 1884.<ref name=Crowe>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages''</ref>

In 1914 the railway station was moved just to the south of the Sandford Avenue road bridge, where it continues to the present day.  New railway station buildings were built, but these were demolished in 1970, the station having become unstaffed in 1967.<ref name=Crowe/>

Local property developer [[Ralph Beaumont Benson]] (1862–1911), who lived at [[Lutwyche Hall]] in nearby [[Easthope]], is responsible for the naming of Easthope Road, Essex Road (after his wife), Beaumont Road and Lutwyche Road, all in the centre of the town and part of the town's expansion in the early twentieth century.<ref>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages'' p 149</ref>

====Longmynd Hotel====
The Longmynd Hotel on Cunnery Road opened in 1901, originally as "The Hydropathic Hotel" (or "the Hydro"),<ref>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages'' p 110</ref> at a time when the town was popular as a spa. Today it continues as a hotel and has a number of features and activities in its woodland grounds;<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/church-stretton/|website = HF Holidays|title = Shropshire Hills: Longmynd House|access-date = 8 January 2018}}</ref> it is also a wedding and conference venue.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} In 2012 it was sold by the local Chapman family (who ran it since 1977) to 'HF Holidays', a national company.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/02/03/longmynd-hotel-sold-in-multi-million-deal/|work = Shropshire Star|title= Longmynd Hotel sold in multi-million deal |date =3 February 2012|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231030/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/02/03/longmynd-hotel-sold-in-multi-million-deal/|archive-date = 3 March 2016}}</ref> It is no  longer a hotel but a hostel and used exclusively by HF members.

===Mid-twentieth century===
During and just after the [[Second World War]], from 1940 to 1946, [[Blind Veterans UK|St Dunstan's]] (now Blind Veterans UK) was based in the town. The charitable service (for blinded armed forces personnel) was moved from [[Sussex]] as Church Stretton was thought to be a safe location. Some 700 people were trained during this period in Church Stretton<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/about-us/our-history/timeline/|title = Timeline|website = Blind Veterans UK|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909112005/https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/about-us/our-history/timeline/ |archive-date=9 September 2018 |access-date = 8 January 2018}}</ref> in an industrial training centre set up at a malthouse in Sandford Avenue.<ref>{{cite book|last=Crowe, Raynour|first=Tony, Barrie|title=Church Stretton through the ages|year=2011|publisher=Greengates, Church Stretton|page=190}}</ref> The Long Mynd Hotel, the Denehurst Hotel, the Brockhurst Estate and Tiger Hall were the most notable buildings taken over by St Dunstan's in the town.<ref>''Shropshire's War'' (publication by [[Shropshire Archives]]) p 32</ref> A residential cul-de-sac is named St Dunstan's Close in recognition of the charity's place in the town's history. The Long Mynd was considered to be a potential landing place for German parachutists, although Church Stretton avoided the aerial bombing of the war;<ref>''Shropshire's War'' (publication by [[Shropshire Archives]]) p 13</ref> the only death recorded in the district by the [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]<ref>[http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/4004984/CHURCH%20STRETTON,%20URBAN%20DISTRICT] CWGC Cemetery Record, Church Stretton Urban District.</ref> of a civilian war casualty was of a firewatcher from [[Manchester]] who died while being treated at the St Dunstan's Hospital.<ref>[http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/314763/DEARDEN,%20FREDERICK] CWGC Casualty record.</ref>

===Late 20th century===
[[File:St Laurence's, Church Stretton - geograph.org.uk - 553837.jpg|thumb|right|St Laurence's Church, a largely [[Norman England|Norman]] structure, but with [[Anglo Saxon|Saxon]] origins]]
A small [[market house|market hall]] stood on the High Street but was demolished in July 1963 and the site has become a [[town square]], and is still used to hold markets on. The first market hall – a timber-framed construction – was built in 1617; this was replaced by the second market hall (called the Town Hall) in 1839, which was a stone and red-brick construction.<ref>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages'' pages 52–54</ref> Today the Silvester Horne Institute (extended and refurbished in 2011)<ref>[http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2011/11/silvester-horne-institute-re-launch/ Shropshire Council] Silvester Horne Institute relaunch (2 November 2011)</ref> is the town's main meeting place for societies, [[polling station|polling]], public meetings and exhibitions. Additionally there is the Mayfair Community Centre on Easthope Road and the St Laurence's Parish Hall on Church Street.

In recent years volunteer members of the Community Group have transformed Church Stretton into the Town of Flags: thanks to local grants they have purchased over 120 flags – English, [[Union Flag|Union]] and foreign – and these are regularly flown in the town centre on special occasions throughout the year.

===Conservation===
Most of the town centre and large parts of the town both to the east and to the west of the A49, including Carding Mill Valley, is covered by the Church Stretton [[Conservation Area (United Kingdom)|Conservation Area]].<ref>[http://shropshire.gov.uk/environment.nsf/viewAttachments/RPAY-8RWNTT/$file/church-stretton-conservation-area-map.pdf Shropshire Council] Church Stretton Conservation Area: map</ref> The Conservation Area contains all of the town's [[listed buildings]] and smaller structures, approximately 40 in total. St Laurence's Church is Grade I listed.<ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/shropshire/church+stretton/map British Listed Buildings] Church Stretton parish: map</ref>

===Population===
At the [[2011 UK Census|2011 census]], the parish's population was 4,671.<ref name="parish 2011 census"/> The population of Church Stretton parish (including All Stretton, Little Stretton and Minton) was recorded in official UK censuses as being:<ref>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages'' p 196</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year<br />
!Population<br />
|-
| 1801 || 924
|-
| 1811 || 944
|-
| 1821 || 1,226
|-
| 1831 || 1,302
|-
| 1841 || 1,604
|-
| 1851 || 1,676
|-
| 1861 || 1,695
|-
| 1871 || 1,756
|-
| 1881 || 1,683
|-
| 1891 || 1,707
|-
| 1901 || 1,749
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year<br />
!Population<br />
|-
| 1911 || 2,435
|-
| 1921 || 2,652
|-
| 1931 || 2,637
|-
| 1941 || ''no census'' (war)
|-
| 1951 || 3,513
|-
| 1961 || 3,640
|-
| 1971 || 3,514
|-
| 1981 || 3,945
|-
| 1991 || 4,184
|-
| 2001 || 4,186
|-
| 2011 || 4,671
|}

{{col-3}}

[[File:Church Stretton population to 2011.png|thumb|Graph showing the parish's population since 1801.]]

{{col-end}}

The population remained steady between 1841 and 1901, but then boomed in the first two decades of the 20th century as the town became a desirable rural retreat. Another spate of growth occurred in the period 1931–1951. Since then there has been unremarkable growth, with some expansion in the 1970s and '80s and more recently in the 2000s.

==Geography==
[[File:Lawley.jpg|thumb|right|View of the Lawley hill (looking north) from the top of [[Caer Caradoc]]]]
[[File:A summer stroll in Church Stretton - geograph.org.uk - 1447913.jpg|thumb|right|High Street, near the junction with Sandford Avenue. The building in the centre was once the town's main hotel, until the 1960s.]]
Church Stretton is located approximately {{convert|13|mi|km}} south of Shropshire's county town, [[Shrewsbury]].<ref name=survey>[[Ordnance Survey]] mapping</ref> The town is dominated by the surrounding hills, including the huge [[Long Mynd]] massif to the west, and [[Caer Caradoc]] and the adjacent hills (Hazler, Ragleth, ''et al.'') to the east.

Church Stretton effectively lies at a [[saddle point]] – the railway station lies roughly at this position, which is at {{convert|614|ft|m}} [[elevation|above sea level]]. The High Street through the town centre runs at an elevation of 636 feet.<ref name=survey/> Because of its position at a saddle point, water drains away from the town in two directions – towards the north (to the [[Cound Brook|Cound]] and then the [[River Severn|Severn]]) and towards the south (to the [[River Onny|Onny]] and then the [[River Teme|Teme]]) – roughly Sandford Avenue in the town centre forms the [[Drainage divide|watershed]].

===Localities===
The historic core of the town lies around the parish church and along the High Street. With the building of the railway line and station in 1852, the town began to grow towards the new station, along what is today Sandford Avenue. Since the first half of the 20th century the two main streets of the [[town centre]] are the High Street and Sandford Avenue. In the later decades of the 20th century a number of shops on the southern end of High Street changed use to restaurants or purely residential, as Sandford Avenue became the pre-eminent shopping street.<ref>Crowe and Raynor (2011) ''Church Stretton through the ages'' p 77</ref> The B5477 takes the name Shrewsbury Road north from the town centre, High Street within the town centre, and Ludlow Road south of there.

Cunnery is a hillside and collection of houses to the west of the town centre and includes the Long Mynd Hotel. World's End is where the Ludlow Road curves round the foot of the hillside to the south of the Long Mynd Hotel. To the north of the town centre is an area called Ashbrook; here the Carding Mill Valley meets the town, with the stream (known as the Ashbrook as it runs through the town) running between the town's two main recreation fields (named Russell's Meadow and Richard Robinson Field). Two other notable areas of public parkland are Rectory Field & Wood, situated to the west of the town centre off Church Street, and the town's formal park between the A49 and the railway line, which is managed by the town council and includes tennis courts and a bowling green.

On the eastern side of the A49 road are three named areas: Battle Field, Snatchfield and Hazler. On Hazler Hill is a [[transmitter]] for local radio ([[BBC]] [[Radio Shropshire]] broadcast from here on 90FM). Battle Field is named for the legend that [[Caer Caradoc]] was the site of the last stand of [[Caractacus]] against the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] legions during the Roman conquest of Britain, and that after [[Battle of Caer Caradoc|the battle]] he hid in the cave near its summit.

===All Stretton and Little Stretton===
The villages of [[All Stretton]] and [[Little Stretton, Shropshire|Little Stretton]] remain separate settlements to Church Stretton. The B5477 connects the three settlements, with Church Stretton roughly midway between – All Stretton is {{convert|1.0|mi|km}} north of the centre of Church Stretton, whilst Little Stretton is {{convert|1.3|mi|km}} south.<ref name=survey/> Although there is some [[ribbon development]] along the B5477, the three settlements are not joined, although the gap between the nearest buildings of All Stretton and Church Stretton is a mere {{convert|170|m|ft}}<ref name=survey/> and the road signs (on the B5477) welcoming people into those two settlements lie back-to-back. The B5477 continues as Shrewsbury Road as it passes through All Stretton and likewise continues as Ludlow Road as it passes through Little Stretton. The three settlements are sometimes known collectively as "the Strettons", a name also given to the wider area including the surrounding hills.

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Destinations from Church Stretton'''
|Northwest = [[Picklescott]], [[Pulverbatch]], [[Minsterley]]
|North     = '''[[Shrewsbury]]'''<br />[[All Stretton]], [[Dorrington, Shropshire|Dorrington]]
|Northeast = [[Telford]]<br />[[Cardington, Shropshire|Cardington]], [[Acton Burnell]], [[Much Wenlock]]
|West      = ''[[Long Mynd]]'', [[Wentnor]], [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]]
|Centre    = Church Stretton
|East      = [[Hope Bowdler]], [[Rushbury]], [[Bridgnorth]]
|Southwest = [[Cwm Head]], [[Bishop's Castle]], [[Clun]]
|South     = [[Little Stretton, Shropshire|Little Stretton]], [[Craven Arms]], [[Ludlow]]
|Southeast = [[Ticklerton]], [[Munslow]], ''[[Clee Hills]]''
}}

==Governance==
[[File:Church Stretton Novers Hill 2010.JPG|thumb|right|Church Stretton viewed from Nover's Hill; the Hazler and Ragleth hills are behind]]

===Parish and town council===
The town is located within the [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] of Church Stretton, and is administered by a [[Parish councils in England|parish council]] called Church Stretton [[Town council]]. The parish (and the town council) also cover the neighbouring villages of [[All Stretton]], [[Little Stretton, Shropshire|Little Stretton]], and the hamlets of [[Minton, Shropshire|Minton]] and [[Hamperley]],<ref name=mayor>{{cite web |url=http://churchstretton.co.uk/directory/view/1_Church_Stretton_Town_Council |title=Church Stretton Town Council |work=Church Stretton Directory |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518101824/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/directory/view/1_Church_Stretton_Town_Council |url-status=dead }}</ref> and other outlying settlements including [[Botvyle]] and part of [[Marshbrook]].<ref name=survey/> The parish has an area of {{convert|3132|ha|acre}}<ref name="parish 2011 census"/> and is divided into four [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]]: Church Stretton North (represented by four councillors on the town council), Church Stretton South (represented by five councillors), All Stretton and Little Stretton (each represented by two councillors).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2000/20001420.htm |title=Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 1420 |work=Office of Public Sector Information |access-date=4 July 2008}}</ref> Between 1966 and 2002, the parish council was not termed a town council and there was no mayor, a situation which was remedied by a resolution of the council in May 2001.<ref name=Councilhistory>[http://churchstretton.co.uk/about-church-stretton/history/ Church Stretton Town Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212175046/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/about-church-stretton/history/ |date=12 February 2012 }} History of Church Stretton</ref>

Sometimes the parish is referred to as "Church Stretton and Little Stretton";<ref>[http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/counciltax.nsf/open/B1A071E4AB3ACE3C802576E900330D0D Shropshire Council] Council tax (parish precepts) 2010/11</ref> the present-day parish was formed by the addition of the former Little Stretton parish and part of All Stretton parish (the remainder still exists as a separate parish). This is effectively a return to the situation before 1899, when the old civil parish of Church Stretton was split into three, though the modern parish does not include that part of All Stretton parish that was not transferred in 1934.<ref name=History/>

The Town Council have their offices at 60 High Street and hold their meetings at the nearby Silvester Horne Institute, also on High Street.<ref>[http://churchstretton.co.uk/our-community/council-meetings/ Town Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518101453/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/our-community/council-meetings/ |date=18 May 2012 }} – meetings</ref>

====Mayors====
Below is a complete list of mayors of Church Stretton. Formally the mayor of a town council is a Town Mayor. One of the town councillors is elected by the council (at the 'Annual Meeting' in May) as jointly chairman and Town Mayor. Although Church Stretton's parish council became a town council in 2002, the title of Town Mayor was not bestowed upon the chairman until 2004.<ref>[http://www.strettonfocus.co.uk/focus-archive Stretton Focus] Archive</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Term!!Chairman and Town Mayor!!Ward!!Note
|-
|2003–2006||Leslie McIntyre||All Stretton||The first Town Mayor, from 2004
|-
|2006–2007||Beryl Smith||Church Stretton South||
|-
|2007–2012||Bob Welch||Church Stretton North||
|-
|2012–2013||Tom Beaumont||Church Stretton North||
|-
|2013–2015||Michael Braid||Church Stretton North||
|-
|2015– ||Michael Walker||Little Stretton||
|}

===Local government===
From 1894 to 1966 the town was an [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]] (a form of local government) in its own right, before becoming part of [[Ludlow Rural District]] (the separate [[Church Stretton Rural District]] had already been abolished in 1934) and the contemporary civil parish was then established. The Urban District Council was based at offices on Beaumont Road, where Beaumont Court now is.<ref name=historicOS>[[Ordnance Survey]] historic maps</ref> In 1974 the system of urban and rural districts was replaced and the town came under [[South Shropshire]] non-metropolitan district and Shropshire non-metropolitan county. The most recent change in local government occurred in 2009 when Shropshire became a [[unitary authority|unitary area]] with [[Shropshire Council]] replacing South Shropshire District Council and Shropshire County Council.

Church Stretton is part of the Shropshire Council [[Wards of the United Kingdom|electoral division]] (or ward) of 'Church Stretton and Craven Arms'. The population of this ward at the 2011 Census was 8,936.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/church-stretton-and-craven-arms-e05008153#sthash.0DmfKMB8.dpbs|title=Ward population 2011|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> In the [[2009 Shropshire Council election|2009 council elections]] the electorate of this ward returned two councillors, both [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]].<ref>[http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/democracy.nsf/viewAttachments/JHAS-8QCD7K/$file/Church-Stretton-and-Craven-Arms.pdf Shropshire Council] Church Stretton and Craven Arms election result (2009)</ref>

===Member of Parliament===
On a national level, Church Stretton is located within the [[Ludlow (UK Parliament constituency)|Ludlow constituency]], and the current Member of [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] ("MP") for that constituency is [[Philip Dunne (Ludlow politician)|Philip Dunne]], a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upmystreet.com/local/my-council-reps/my-reps/l/church+stretton.html |title=Local Area |work=Up My Street |access-date=2 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719203249/http://www.upmystreet.com/local/my-council-reps/my-reps/l/Church+Stretton.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

==Geology==
{{See also|Geology of Shropshire}}
The local geology is complex; the area lies astride the Church Stretton [[Fault (geology)|Fault]]<ref name="TownSiteGeology"/> and atop some of the oldest rocks in England – formed over 560 million years ago. On 2 April 1990, another nearby fault – the [[Pontesford]]-[[Linley, More|Linley]] Fault – registered an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]], known as the [[1990 Bishop's Castle earthquake|Bishop's Castle earthquake]].<ref name="TownSiteGeology">{{cite web| title=Official Town site| url=http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/visitors/index.php?page=geology| access-date=20 November 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106125258/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/visitors/index.php?page=geology| archive-date=6 January 2008| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The area also plays a part in the history of geology, [[Comley]] Quarry is about {{convert|2.5|mi|km|0}} from the town and the first site in the British Isles where [[trilobite]]s were recorded, and gave its name to a regional subdivision of the [[Cambrian]] period.

==Transport==
[[File:ChurchStretton003.JPG|thumb|right|The northern parts of the town, from the Burway; the entrance to Carding Mill Valley is below on the left]]

===Roads===
The [[A49 road|A49]], a [[Roads in the United Kingdom#Classification|primary route]] and [[trunk road]], runs through the Stretton Gap, connecting Shrewsbury to the north with [[Ludlow]] and [[Hereford]] to the south. The B5477 runs through the villages of All Stretton and Little Stretton, as well as the historic core and town centre of Church Stretton. The B4371 starts at the B5477 in the town centre and heads east, crosses over a crossroads junction with the A49, then up to Hazler and on towards [[Much Wenlock]]. The B4371 in the town, on both sides of the A49, is known as ''Sandford Avenue'' and is partially lined with [[lime tree]]s.

The B5477 had been the northern section of the B4370, which was renumbered in 2004; this renumbering to B5477 is anomalous in two ways: the number does not comply with the [[Great Britain road numbering scheme]] (it is [[Anomalously numbered roads in Great Britain|''out-of-zone'']]) and was already (and remains) in use in [[Wallasey]].

====The Burway====
The Burway is an ancient route which leads up from the town to the plateau on the Long Mynd. It is Shropshire's highest public road, reaching {{convert|492|m|ft}} [[elevation|above sea level]] and passing close to the highest point of the Long Mynd, called Pole Bank (516 m).<ref name=survey/> Running along the plateau of the Long Mynd is another ancient route called the Portway, though not all of this is open to motor traffic. The Burway is a through route, allowing traffic (though not goods vehicles, caravans or similar) to cross over the Long Mynd westwards to [[Ratlinghope]] or [[Asterton]] (the route splits into two at Boiling Well).

In winter, deep snow sometimes makes the Burway impassable. In 2015, snow gates were installed at various points of access onto the Long Mynd to deter motorists from using the routes in wintry conditions.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-31111095 BBC News] ''Long Mynd snow gates are working'' (3 February 2015)</ref><ref>[http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/regional/11745195.Snow_gates_installed_at_the_Long_Mynd Evesham Journal] "Regional: Snow gates installed at the Long Mynd" (23 January 2015)</ref> The gliding club at the southern end of the Long Mynd can be accessed via the Burway from either Asterton or Church Stretton. The part of the road within the town is called Burway Road and begins at the crossroads in the town centre, where the B5477 and B4371 meet.

===Railway===
{{See also|Church Stretton railway station}}

[[File:Church_Stretton_railway_station.jpg|thumb|right|A view of the station, looking north towards Shrewsbury]]

The [[Welsh Marches Line]] runs through the town<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Marches_Line2.aspx |title=Ride the Marches line with Arriva Trains Wales |work=Arriva Trains Wales |access-date=4 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624054842/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Marches_Line2.aspx |archive-date=24 June 2008  }}</ref> parallel to, and west of, the A49 road. The town's station is off Sandford Avenue, just east of the town centre, near to the junction of the A49 and B4371.

The railway was built originally as the [[Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway]] in 1852. Trains on the [[Heart of Wales Line]] also call at the station. Today, there are direct train services to [[Shrewsbury railway station|Shrewsbury]], [[Chester railway station|Chester]], [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]], [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]], [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester]], [[Ludlow railway station|Ludlow]], [[Hereford railway station|Hereford]], [[Newport railway station|Newport]], [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff]] and [[Swansea railway station|Swansea]]. The station has a large number of passengers using it,  considering the town's population; it is the [[Railways of Shropshire#Stations|eighth busiest station in Shropshire]] (2017-18 figures).

===Buses===
[[File:Bus emerging from Beaumont Road into Sandford Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 1449239.jpg|thumb|right|A Minsterley Motors bus turning off Beaumont Road onto Sandford Avenue]]

The town is served by the 435 bus route, which runs between Shrewsbury and Ludlow; it is operated by [[Minsterley Motors]] Monday-Saturday.<ref>[http://www.minsterley-motors.co.uk/435%20Time%20Table.html Minsterley Motors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518071221/http://www.minsterley-motors.co.uk/435%20Time%20Table.html |date=18 May 2015 }} 435 timetable</ref> This connects the town with All Stretton, [[Dorrington, Shropshire|Dorrington]] and [[Condover]] towards Shrewsbury, and Little Stretton, Craven Arms and [[Bromfield, Shropshire|Bromfield]] towards Ludlow.

In addition, there are two Shropshire Hills Shuttles services that operate at weekends and on [[Bank Holiday]]s during the spring and summer. One route runs over the Long Mynd to [[Ratlinghope]] and Bridges, [[Stiperstones]], [[Habberley, Shropshire|Habberley]], [[Pulverbatch]], [[Minsterley]] and [[Pontesbury]]. The other route, called the ''Wenlock Wanderer'', runs to [[Much Wenlock]] via Little Stretton, [[Marshbrook]], [[Acton Scott]], [[Ticklerton]] and then along the B4371 which runs along the top of the [[Wenlock Edge]] to the market town of Much Wenlock.<ref>[http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/things-to-do/shuttles Shropshire Hills AONB] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703011047/http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/things-to-do/shuttles/ |date=3 July 2011 }} Shuttle bus service</ref>

All bus services call at Beaumont Road in the town centre. The Shuttles services also both call at Carding Mill Valley.

===Cycling===
[[National Cycle Route 44#Regional Route 32/33|Regional Cycle Route 32/33]] runs through the town, on its way from Shrewsbury to Craven Arms. The route avoids cycling along the busy A49 main road, with the exception of a stretch north of Craven Arms. The area is popular with mountain bikers, due to the number of [[bridleway]]s and country lanes in the hilly countryside.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/cycling/search/?keywords=church%20stretton|website= Shropshire's Great Outdoords|title = Church Stretton Cycle Rides |access-date = 8 January 2018}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Stile on North side of Caer Caradoc. - geograph.org.uk - 687967.jpg|thumb|right|A [[stile]] and footpath with view of the Long Mynd; tourism based on the surrounding natural landscape has been important for the town's economy since the late 19th century]]
The [[mineral water]] extraction and bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been operating since 1883; since 2004 it has provided [[Princes (company)|Princes]] with mineral water.<ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2007504 Geograph] Stretton Hills Mineral Water Company</ref> It is a notable local employer<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Food Agency 
 |url=http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/applicense/mineralwaters 
 |access-date=20 November 2007 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609172755/http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/applicense/mineralwaters 
 |archive-date=9 June 2007 
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref> as is the [[Polymer science|polymer laboratories]] off Essex Road, currently owned by [[Agilent Technologies]]<ref>{{cite web | title= Agilent
|url= http://www.agilent.com/| access-date=20 November 2010 }}</ref> (until 2009 by [[Varian, Inc.|Varian]]). There is a designated light industrial area between the A49 and the railway line, known as Crossways, with a number of businesses, many of which are in the motoring trade, including an independent petrol/diesel filling station.

The town benefits from tourism, which is a growth industry in the area, as well as attracting local trade. A recent survey showed that the town has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are independently owned, with a diverse range of shop types.<ref>[http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/news/index.php?page=items&news=472 Church Stretton Town Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415162816/http://churchstretton.co.uk/news/index.php?page=items&news=472 |date=15 April 2011 }} ''Church Stretton – voted a home town'' (April 2011)</ref> These include two butchers, several outdoor activities shops, a baker, a delicatessen, several clothes and shoe shops, three banks, and two supermarkets ([[The Co-operative Group|Co-op]] and [[Spar (retailer)|Spar]]). There is a large [[antiques]] market, situated in a former [[malthouse]] on the corner of Sandford Avenue and Easthope Road. There are four [[public house|pubs]],{{ref|a|a}} as well as a number of cafes and small restaurants. In June 2011 the town was officially declared to be a "[[Fairtrade Town]]" with 34 businesses selling [[Fairtrade certification|fair trade products]].<ref>[http://churchstretton.co.uk/news/index.php?page=items&news=563 Church Stretton Town Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619091103/http://churchstretton.co.uk/news/index.php?page=items&news=563 |date=19 June 2011 }} ''Church Stretton – A Fairtrade Town!'' (June 2011)</ref> There is a small art gallery in the former hotel on the corner of Shrewsbury Road and Sandford Avenue. The town also has a number of professional services, such as solicitors, accountants and estate agents, confirming its status as a local centre of business.

The town continues to benefit from its reputation as a [[spa town]], and a desirable place to live, especially in retirement. House prices are above the county average and have seen similar increases in recent times to other spa towns in the UK.<ref>[http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/03/03/spa-towns-tap-in-as-house-prices-double/ Shropshire Star] Spa towns tap in as house prices double (3 March 2012)</ref>

The [[2001 UK Census|2001 census]] recorded the parish's employment rate at 54.2%, whilst unemployment was at 1.9% (both are percentages of residents aged 16–74), and 18.7% of all residents were retired. The largest sector of employment was "wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles" with 16.7% of all employment in that sector.<ref name="parish 2001 census">{{cite web |url=http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/factsfigures.nsf/viewAttachments/DOC-D8BE2C42FAFC3D1F80256FAC0040D5A5/$file/P01_39UF015.htm |title=2001 Census Profile |work=Shropshire County Council |access-date=2 July 2008}}</ref>

==Culture and sport==
[[File:Church Stretton church.jpg|thumb|right|St Laurence's Church – the town's ancient [[parish church]], which distinguished the town from the two neighbouring settlements called Stretton, giving the town its "Church" affix]]
The novelist [[Henry Kingsley]] (1830–1876) wrote ''"Stretton"'' based around this area, and [[Oliver Sandys]]' book, ''"Quaint Place"'' is set in Church Stretton.<ref name="County Council">{{cite web
 |title=County Council 
 |url=http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/churchst.htm 
 |access-date=20 November 2007 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008134753/http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/churchst.htm 
 |archive-date=8 October 2007 
 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref> [[Mary Webb]]'s works also made reference to the town, under the name "Shepwardine". The [[Lone Pine Club]] series of children's books by [[Malcolm Saville]] is also partly set in the area.

Church Stretton is a major centre for the sport of [[archery]],<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Shrewsbury Council
 |url         = http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/Public/Sport/Activities/Archery.htm
 |access-date  = 20 November 2007
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://archive.today/20060927061338/http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/Public/Sport/Activities/Archery.htm
 |archive-date = 27 September 2006
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> and there is also a gliding air field and station atop the Long Mynd, owned by the Midland Gliding Club. As well as [[gliding]], the activities of [[paragliding]], [[hang gliding]] and similar aerial pursuits take place from the Long Mynd. Church Stretton became a Walkers Are Welcome town in 2009, the first in the West Midlands, and its many well-maintained footpaths over the Long Mynd and the Stretton Hills help make it a major walking centre for Shropshire.
In the town itself, sports facilities are provided adjacent to the schools, just off Shrewsbury Road, which include a swimming pool and a recently opened 4 court sports & leisure centre,<ref>[http://www.teme-leisure.co.uk/teme-leisure-church-stretton.html Teme Leisure] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508054511/http://www.teme-leisure.co.uk/teme-leisure-church-stretton.html |date=8 May 2011 }} Church Stretton</ref> and the town council provide facilities (such as a BMX facility, [[crazy golf]], hard tennis courts, a bowling green and a [[croquet]] pitch) at the town park (situated between the A49 and the railway).<ref>[http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/visitors/index.php?page=town-park Church Stretton Town Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404030030/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/visitors/index.php?page=town-park |date=4 April 2011 }} – Town Park</ref>

===Summer festival===
In recent times, on a June Saturday the town holds a summer festival ("Summerfest"), organised by volunteers and the town's [[chamber of trade]]. The town centre's streets and car parks are closed to traffic, as stalls, entertainment and activities take place throughout the town, including a [[classic car]] and [[traction engine|steam]] rally. In the evening there is a concert in Rectory Field.<ref>[http://churchstretton.org/events/ Church Stretton Chamber of Trade] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813144949/http://churchstretton.org/events/ |date=13 August 2011 }} — Events</ref>

===Churches===
{{main|St Laurence's Church, Church Stretton}}
The town has four churches. In the centre of the town is the historic [[parish church]] dedicated to [[Lawrence of Rome]], situated on the corner of Churchway and Church Street, and with its own small graveyard surrounding it. (This graveyard was succeeded by a cemetery at the foot of Cunnery Road, which in turn has been replaced by one near Brockhurst.) It is the town's [[Church of England]] church and is one of three in the [[ecclesiastical parish]] of Church Stretton, along with the churches in All Stretton and Little Stretton (which were built around 1900).<ref>[http://strettonparish.org.uk Parish of Church Stretton]</ref> The parish is part of the [[Diocese of Hereford]]. The church's name is written either as "Lawrence" or "Laurence", though the latter is used more for the church itself. St Laurence's Church has a remnant of its [[Anglo-Saxon]] origins: a stone carved fertility symbol called a [[Sheela na gig]].<ref name=Councilhistory/>

The other three churches in the town are: the [[United Reformed Church]] on Ludlow Road; a [[Roman Catholic]] church dedicated to [[Mildburh|St Milburga]] (a local saint), situated on the corner of Sandford Avenue and Watling Street; and a [[Methodist]] church situated on the corner of Crossways and Watling Street.<ref>[http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/local/index.php?page=church Church Stretton town website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404001113/http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/local/index.php?page=church |date=4 April 2011 }} – Churches and services</ref>

===Golf course===
[[File:Aerial photo of Church Stretton in 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial photo of part of the town in 2008, showing the entrance to Carding Mill Valley and the Golf Club's clubhouse]]
There is an 18-hole [[golf course]] about a km from the town centre, the Church Stretton Golf Club. The course is 5,030 yards long and has a [[par (golf)|par]] of 66.<ref>[http://www.churchstrettongolfclub.co.uk/course Church Stretton Golf Club] The Course</ref> It is one of the highest golf courses in the country, being located on the side of the [[Long Mynd]] hill range (the course is situated on the slopes of Stanyeld Hill and Bodbury Hill). The [[wikt:clubhouse|clubhouse]] is at approximately 230&nbsp;m (755&nbsp;ft) [[above sea level]] and the hilly [[links (golf)|links]] course rises up to around 375&nbsp;m (1,230&nbsp;ft). Apart from the clubhouse, putting green and first hole, the course is situated on [[common land]] owned by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] (who own most of the [[Long Mynd]] upland area).

The town's golf course is the oldest 18-hole course in Shropshire, with the club starting in 1898 and the final holes being completed around 1904. The course was primarily designed by John (Jack) Morris and James Hepburn. [[James Braid (golfer)|James Braid]] and [[Harry Vardon]] later made changes to the course.<ref name="history">[http://www.churchstrettongolfclub.co.uk/history Church Stretton Golf Club] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905110212/http://www.churchstrettongolfclub.co.uk/history |date=5 September 2010 }} History</ref>

[[The Open Championship|Open Champions]] James Braid, Harry Vardon and [[John Henry Taylor|J. H. Taylor]] (together referred to as the [[Great Triumvirate (golf)|Great Triumvirate]]) all played at the course many times, albeit at different times, during the pre-World War I years of the club's existence.<ref name="history"/>

===Football===
[[File:Russells Meadow Shropshire 2011.jpg|thumb|right|The town centre viewed across Russell's Meadow; the Long Mynd is on the right]]
Church Stretton Town F.C. (usually called simply "Stretton")<ref name=stretton>[http://www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/sport/9482054.Church_Stretton_Football_Club_topple_leaders___but_boss_Corfield_warns__disco_defenders_/ Ludlow Advertiser] 21 January 2012</ref> is a [[association football|football]] team who currently play in the West Midlands Regional League Division 2.<ref>[http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=287177213 Full-Time League Websites] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126130741/http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?divisionseason=448491932 |date=26 November 2015 }} ([[The FA]]) The Mercian Regional Football League</ref> Home games are played at Russell's Meadow, located near the centre of the town off Lutwyche Road ({{gbmapping|SO455939|SO455939}}). The home kit is black and white (thick) vertical stripes.

There has been a football field at Russell's Meadow since the 1930s, though the pavilion moved (c. 1950s) from the other side of the Ashbrook to its present location near Lutwyche Road.<ref name=historicOS/> There is a community project on-going to raise funds and then build a new pavilion at Russell's Meadow.<ref>[http://www.churchstrettonpavilion.org.uk/ Church Stretton Pavilion]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2011 funding was secured from [[Sport England]] to improve the five existing football pitches and create two new training pitches, on both Russell's Meadow and neighbouring Robinson's Field.<ref>[http://www.sportssolutionsgb.co.uk/uploads/documents/fc_sportssolutions_newsarticle_playingfieldprotectionfund_final(0).doc Sports Solutions GB]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Press release 31 October 2011</ref> Russell's Meadow is also home to a separate football club for under-16s – the Church Stretton Magpies<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.churchstrettonmagpies.co.uk/ |title=Church Stretton Magpies |access-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317103328/http://www.churchstrettonmagpies.co.uk/ |archive-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> — and to [[Sunday league football]]. The home colours of both the Town and Magpies teams is black and white.

===Cricket===
During the summer, Russell's Meadow and its pavilion are used to play [[cricket]]. Church Stretton Cricket Club have a Saturday First XI playing in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Five and a Friendly XI that play on Sundays against Shropshire teams and touring sides.<ref>[http://churchstretton.play-cricket.com Church Stretton Cricket Club]</ref>

==Media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC West Midlands]] and [[ITV Central]]. Television signals are received from the [[The Wrekin transmitting station|Wrekin]] TV transmitter and one of the two relay transmitters (Hazler Hill <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Hazler_Hill|title=Freeview Light on the Hazler Hill (Shropshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=11 February 2024}}</ref> and Whittingslow). <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Whittingslow|title=Freeview Light on the Whittingslow (Shropshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=11 February 2024}}</ref> 

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Shropshire]] on 90.0 FM, [[Free Radio Black Country & Shropshire]] on 103.1 FM, [[Capital North West & Wales]] 103.4 FM, and [[Signal 107|Greatest Hits Radio Black Country & Shropshire]] on 107.4 FM. 

The town is served by the local newspaper, ''[[Shropshire Star]]''. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/ |title=Shropshire Star |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>

==Public services==

===Education===
Church Stretton has two state-funded schools: [[Church Stretton School]], a secondary school with 750 pupils<ref>{{cite web |title= Church Stretton School|url= http://www.churchstretton.shropshire.sch.uk/| access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref> and a primary school (named "St Lawrence") with 210 pupils.<ref>{{cite web | title= St Lawrence School|url= http://www.st-lawrence.shropshire.sch.uk/| access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref> The two schools neighbour one other and are situated just off Shrewsbury Road, on the northern edge of Church Stretton. The Council also operates a public library, on Church Street, situated in former, Victorian school buildings, which is also the town's tourist information centre and information point for [[Shropshire Council]] services.<ref>[http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/library.nsf/open/00acb9afa89205b48025709300492e3b Shropshire Council] – Church Stretton library</ref>

===Emergency services===
[[File:Church Stretton fire station - geograph.org.uk - 266846.jpg|thumb|right|The town's fire station on Sandford Avenue]]
At the junction of Sandford Avenue and Essex Road, in the centre of the town, is a police station ([[West Mercia Police]]) staffed Monday-Friday<ref>[http://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact-us/find-a-police-station/shropshire-police-station-opening-times.html West Mercia Police] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509083114/http://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact-us/find-a-police-station/shropshire-police-station-opening-times.html |date=9 May 2012 }} Shropshire Police Stations</ref> and a fire station ([[Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service]]) with two [[fire engine|engines]] and staffed by [[retained firefighter]]s.<ref>[http://www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/node/26750 Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111015001646/https%3A//www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/node/26750 |date=15 October 2011 }} Church Stretton</ref> The present fire station was built in the early 1970s – it was previously on Beaumont Road, where Beaumont Court now is – whilst the police station was built in the 1990s – it was on Shrewsbury Road where Longmynd Place now is.<ref name=historicOS/>

===Health===
There is a doctors' surgery and medical clinic on Easthope Road.<ref>[http://www.churchstrettondoctors.co.uk/ Church Stretton Medical Practice]</ref> The nearest ambulance station is in Shrewsbury (following the closure of the Craven Arms Community Ambulance Station in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trigg |first=Keri |date=2021-09-03 |title=Two 'rarely used' ambulance stations in Shropshire to close |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/health/2021/09/03/ambulance-trust-confirms-closure-of-two-stations--but-says-decision-will-not-affect-service/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |language=en}}</ref>) and the nearest major hospital is the [[Royal Shrewsbury Hospital]].

===Public conveniences===
The town council operate the two [[public toilet]]s in the town, on Lutwyche Road and on Easthope Road.<ref>[http://www.churchstretton.co.uk/assets/councildocs/Budget_Leaflet_2012_13_final_version_approved.pdf Church Stretton Town Council] Budget report 2012/3</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:ChurchStretton001.JPG|thumb|right|Shrewsbury Road (the B5477), looking south towards the town centre]]
Sir [[John Thynne]] (c.1515 in Church Stretton – 1580) was the steward to [[Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset]] (c. 1506 – 1552) and a member of parliament. He was the builder of [[Longleat House]] and his descendants became [[Marquess of Bath|Marquesses of Bath]].

[[Roger Maynwaring]] (c.1589/90 in Church Stretton - 1653) was [[Bishop of St David's]] 1636-49.

[[John Mainwaring]] (1724-1807 in Church Stretton), theologian and first biographer of [[George Frideric Handel|Handel]], was Rector of Church Stretton from 1749.

[[Hesba Stretton]] came to Church Stretton often before moving away from Shropshire, becoming an established author. There is a plaque to her memory in St. Laurence's Church together with a window depicting the figure of "Jessica" from her immensely popular story ''Jessica's First Prayer''.<ref name="County Council"/> A sister owned a house, Caradoc Lodge in neighbouring [[All Stretton]], the latter village (within Church Stretton parish) said to be the source of her pen-surname.<ref name=Dickins>{{cite book|last=Dickins|first=Gordon|title=An Illustrated Literary Guide to Shropshire|year=1987|publisher=Shropshire Libraries|pages=71, 87}}</ref>

Although he did not live there, artist Sir [[Frederic Leighton]] took his peerage title of Baron Leighton of Stretton in the County of Salop, created the day before his death in 1896, from this place. There is a window to his memory in St Laurence's Church.

[[Tristram Speedy]], explorer and adventurer, died on 9 August 1910 at Chatsworth, Church Stretton.
<ref name="Tristram Speedy">{{cite web |title=Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy (also known as Captain Speedy; November 1836 – 9 August 1910) was a well-known English explorer and adventurer during the Victorian era. |url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/18361158:1904 |website=Ancestry.com |publisher=England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) |access-date=22 May 2023 |date=10 September 1910 |quote=Chatsworth, Church Streeton, Shropshire. Death 9 August 1910}}</ref>

The 'White House' [[nursing home]] on Sandford Avenue, demolished in 2006 to make way for a housing development, was previously the family home of [[Silvester Horne]] a [[Congregationalist]] minister, [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] MP for [[Ipswich (UK Parliament constituency)|Ipswich]], and father of the BBC broadcaster [[Kenneth Horne]]. The town's Silvester Horne Institute, on the south end of High Street, commemorates his name. He is buried in the cemetery on Cunnery Road. Amateur footballer [[Frederick Green (footballer)|Frederick Green]] (1851–1928), winning side veteran of [[FA Cup Final]] of 1874 for [[Oxford University A.F.C.|Oxford University]] and of 1877 and 1878 for the [[Wanderers F.C.|Wanderers]], died at his last home in the town, The Uplands.<ref name="Warsop">{{cite book|last=Warsop|first=Keith|title=The Early F.A. Cup Finals and the Southern Amateurs|publisher=Tony Brown, Soccer Data|year=2004|page=81|isbn=1-899468-78-1}}</ref>

Residents of the town did include [[Pete Postlethwaite]], who used to live in Minton, near Little Stretton, which was the home of [[Oliver Sandys]]. Greg Hearle, the renowned clarinetist, is a local resident. Also, the Olympic bronze-medal archer, [[Alison Williamson]] lives in All Stretton and is a member of the town's archery club.<ref>{{cite news |title= BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/archery/3572290.stm |access-date=20 November 2007 | date=17 August 2004 |work=BBC News}}</ref> [[John Jones (rower)|John Jones]] (born 1930 in Church Stretton-2011) was a British rower who competed at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] in [[Helsinki]] with the men's coxless four where they came fourth. In the 1930s, [[E. M. Almedingen]], the biographer and children's writer, lived in the town,<ref name="County Council"/> and, following retirement, the writer [[Kenneth Bird]] (also known by his pen name Fougasse) moved to Church Stretton.

Two [[Archdeacon of Ludlow|Archdeacons of Ludlow]] were also resident Rectors of Church Stretton, [[Henry Dixon (priest)|Henry Dixon]] in 1923-36 and [[Herbert Whately]] from 1937 to his death in 1947.
[[George Nickson]], former [[Bishop of Bristol]] died in retirement at Church Stretton in 1949.<ref name=venn>{{acad|id=NK884G|name=Nickson, George}}</ref>
[[William Parker (bishop)|William Alonzo Parker]], former [[Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury]], lived in retirement at Church Stretton before his death in 1982.<ref name=ww>{{Who's Who | id= U167875 | title=Parker, William Alonzo }}</ref>

Archaeologist [[Lily Chitty]] died at the Hillside Rest Home in Church Stretton in 1979.<ref>{{cite ODNB |last1=Carr |first1=A. M. |title=Chitty, Lily Frances (1893–1979) |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/57046 |date=2004|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/57046 }}</ref>

[[Stephen P. Laurie|Stephen Laurie]], a notable amateur [[astronomer]], lives in the area and has discovered a number of [[asteroid]]s from [[List of observatory codes#966|observatories at Church Stretton and nearby Ragdon]] (the area not suffering from much [[light pollution]]). One of the asteroids discovered has been named after the town — [[11626 Church Stretton]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=11626 | title = JPL Small-Body Database Browser | access-date = 24 May 2008 | publisher = [[NASA]]}}</ref>

Former [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] chief test driver (and brand ambassador) [[Norman Dewis]] lived in the town after his retirement in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/nostalgia/2018/01/12/normans-jag-to-fetch-11-million/|title = Norman's Jag to fetch £11 million| date=12 January 2018 }}</ref>

Stuntman [[Justin Pearson (stuntman)|Justin Pearson]] was born and raised in the town and educated at Church Stretton School, leaving in 1988 to attend [[Ludlow College]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awaywithmedia.com/buy-books/Justin-Pearson/|title = Rolling With The Punches by Justin Pearson}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|England|United Kingdom}}
*[[Listed buildings in Church Stretton]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Footnotes==
:{{note|a}} King's Arms (High St), Buck's Head (High St), Housmans (High St), Old Coopers Malt House (Shrewsbury Rd)

==Further reading==
* ''My Story of [[Blind Veterans UK|St Dunstan's]]'' (1961) by [[Ian Fraser, Baron Fraser of Lonsdale|Lord Fraser of Lonsdale]]

==External links==
{{commons category|Church Stretton}}
{{Wikivoyage|Church Stretton}}
* [http://www.churchstretton.co.uk Church Stretton – official Town Council website]
* [http://www.strettonfocus.co.uk The ''Stretton Focus'' website]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22861 Extract from ''A History of the County of Shropshire'': Volume 10 (1998)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180043/http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO4593/church-stretton/ Open Domesday] (Church) Stretton
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SO4593 Geograph – SO4593]

{{Strettons}}

{{Shropshire}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Church Stretton| ]]
[[Category:Market towns in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Towns in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Towns of the Welsh Marches]]
[[Category:Spa towns in England]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Geology of Shropshire]]
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