Facilities and Services

The number and range of facilities and services enjoyed by the residents of Little Wenlock bear little relation to the size of the community and are a great testament to its vigour and spirit.

Contact details for those tradesmen that residents have found to provide particular value can be found under the Directory section, together with a whole host of useful local contacts.

Broadband Communications

Following the article in the February 2009edition of the Community News Mark Pritchard MP took up our case with the Chairman and Chief Executive of BT and made representations on behalf of the Parish. Mark felt that the letter he subsequently received from BT was rather disappointing and he is more than happy to go back to BT with any supplementary comments we might have. The letter Mark received from BT was fairly lengthy, but with his consent I have extracted the relevant paragraphs:

By way of background, broadband speeds are very much dependent on a number of factors, the key ones being cable distance and line quality. When I say line quality, I mean the type/thickness of the cable delivery service, the number of cable joints etc. If the cable distance is high, then users will receive slower broadband speeds. Those living near the exchange will receive higher speeds. However, the DSL technology we have deployed means that users will enjoy the best speed their lines will support.

In this particular case (Little Wenlock), there are no inherent problems with the local exchange or the network infrastructure. The broadband platform has been checked at the exchange and there are no inherent problems. The fault levels are low for the area, with no known problems. It may be that some of your constituents lines may be too long to support faster broadband and the speed currently being received is entirely in line with what we would expect.

You may be interested to know that we are currently spending more than £2 billion per annum to upgrade our national network to 21CN (internet protocol) and this project is due to be completed by 2012. The new 21CN based network should enable us to deliver new products and services—including broadband speeds of up to 24Mbps. Although the technology is still distance-based, we believe that the majority of users will enjoy higher speeds.

Additionally, you may be aware that in July 2007 BT announced proposals to invest £1.5 billion in the Next Generation Access (NGA) network to deliver super fast broadband speeds of up to 100Mbps to 10 million homes (40% of the UK) by 2012. The NGA will deploy fibre technology. Our intentions are to work in partnership with the Government, local organisations and regional development agencies to determine that areas that will benefit first. Unlike other countries, we want customers both in urban and rural areas to benefit from our investment."

The Huntsman

Introduction

The Huntsman Inn forms an important focus for Little Wenlock community life, and has been involved in a wide range of events and activities over many years.

In early 2010, the then owner Punch Taverns offered The Huntsman for sale.

Peter Morris, managing director of Peter Morris Cars Ltd in Wellington, purchased the pub on 15th April 2010 with plans to completely refurbish the building. Peter Morris said that The Huntsman is a popular pub and has been for many years.

He submitted a planning application to Telford and Wrekin Council Little Wenlock Parish Council which included B & B accommodation, re-positioned entrance and bar, new restaurant and toilets. A major element of the proposal was the building of three houses for letting on the open market, and a further one house as a holiday let. The pub would provide four permanent jobs, and up to ten part time jobs from within the local community.

Subsequently planning approval was granted, and work commenced on refurbishment and expansion in September 2010.

Following a tremendous effort from all associated with the project, The Huntsman was opened for business in late November 2011, and the first patrons were welcomed to an opening evening.

Our pub has been refurbished to an extremely high standard, and will be a welcome asset to the community life of the parish. The residents of Little Wenlock and the surrounding area wish The Huntsman every success for the future.

Facilities

Bed and Breakfast: 3 Rooms en suite Available from January 2012
Holiday Let: 2 Double rooms Available from Autumn 2012
Restaurant: Selection of good food. Extensive lunchtime and evening menus.
Bar: Range of Real Ales from local breweries
Celebrations - Weddings, Birthdays, Parties etc Available from January 2012

Contacts

Manager John Duncan Tel 01952 503300 e mail enquiries@thehuntsmanoflittlewenlock.co.uk

Link to The Huntsman website: http://thehuntsmanoflittlewenlock.co.uk