The Mary Webb Society

Shropshire, Land of Inspiration
  Mary Webb's love and intimate knowledge of the county permeates all her work. She had an extraordinary perception of the minutiae of nature, and it is this keen observation that gives her prose its unique quality. In her introduction to Precious Bane she writes" Shropshire is a county where the dignity of ancient things lingers long, and I have been fortunate not only in being born and brought up in its magical atmosphere, and in having many friends in farm and cottage who, by pleasant talk and reminiscence have fired the imagination, but also in having the companionship of such a mind as was my father's- a mind stored with old tales and legends that did not come from books, and rich with an abiding love for the beauty of forest and harvest field..." She would frequently change place names in her novels, often to convey the atmosphere of the location.

Shrewsbury and Location of Mary Webb’s Grave

The Mary Webb Society realised a dream in 2016 when the bust of Mary Webb was unveiled in the grounds of Shrewsbury library. This was achieved in the centenary year of the publication of The Golden Arrow. The Mary Webb bust on its elegant Grinshill stone column, created by Jemma Pearson was unveiled by Dr […]

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Lyth Hill

Lyth Hill is situated within a public country park and is a popular area for walkers due to its spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills; Clee Hills, Wenlock Edge, the Wrekin, the Stretton Hills, Long Mynd and Stiperstones. The scrub and woodland support a variety of birds such as great – spotted woodpecker, wood […]

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image courtesy of Gordon Dickins - Long Mynd to Church Stretton

Church Stretton

Church Stretton lies between the Long Mynd and The Stretton Hills: Ragleth Hill, Caer Caradoc and The Lawley. It is a small, attractive market town whose dramatic scenery has made it an ideal base for walking. Mary Webb called Church Stretton, Shepwardine; she often changed place names in her work. Mary and Henry regularly walked […]

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Stiperstones

The Stiperstones is a spectacular 10 kilometre ridge in south-west Shropshire. Much of The Stiperstones is a National Nature Reserve which provides an outstanding combination of geological, landscape and wildlife features; wild dramatic scenery; a fund of myth, folklore and literary connections; and a history of mining and farming. The Stiperstones, and in particular the […]

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Pontesbury

Pontesbury is a village 9 miles south-west of Shrewsbury near Pontesford Hill , at the foot of the ranges of The Stiperstones and The Long Mynd. Mary and Henry lived at Rose Cottage (now Roseville) from 1914-1916. It was during the years of the great War that Mary was writing her first novel The Golden […]

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Leighton

The pretty village of Leighton, the birthplace of Mary Webb  is situated at the southern foot of The Wrekin and close by the meandering river Severn. It is situated on the Ironbridge to Shrewsbury road Mary Webb was born Mary Gladys Meredith at Leighton Lodge on 25th March 1881 (Lady Day). The Lodge in the […]

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Much Wenlock

Not only is Much Wenlock a stunningly beautiful medieval town, it also played a part in the birth of the modern Olympic Games. Much Wenlock is the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society. In recognition of our sporting heritage, the 2012 […]

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