Shrewsbury’s Annual Carriage Parade on Sunday 14th September sees around twenty horse drawn vehicles in procession from Attingham Park to The Quarry as part of the town’s contribution to the national Heritage Open Days programme.
The appeal of the parade is partly in the nostalgic sight of horse drawn vehicles returning to the town’s streets and also in the range and variety of carriages and horses on show.
The twenty turn outs on display include carriages old and new. These include the State Coach, a replica of a ceremonial coach of the 1830’s, which is a splendid sight and will convey the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Anne Chebsey from The Quarry back to Attingham Park.
Spectators will also be able to see some of the many different breeds of horse used for carriage driving, including the tiny native ponies which will join the parade at the Column.
The Parade starts in the grounds of Attingham Park at 12 noon and proceeds via Cross Houses, the A458 and Wenlock Road to the Lord Hill Column where the smallest turn-outs will join the procession. All the turn-outs will then enter town via Abbey Foregate, English Bridge and Town Walls. Arrival time at the Welsh Bridge/Victoria Quay entrance to The Quarry is estimated at 1pm. The Parade will rest in The Quarry (near to the Hercules statue) for about 45 minutes. Drivers and grooms will be presented with commemorative horse brass by the Mayor of Shrewsbury & Atcham.
The Shrewsbury Carriage Parade is a free spectacle and people are encouraged to watch and wave on the turn-outs anywhere along the route, in The Quarry or at Attingham Park. Full route details and timings are available from the Visitor Information Centre, The Square, Shrewsbury tel: 01743 281200.
The Carriage Parade is organised by the Shropshire Area of the British Driving Society assisted by Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council.
Further information about Heritage Open Days is available from the Visitor Information Centre or at www.heritageopendays.org
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