Abraham Darby’s Old Furnace in Coalbrookdale is among 10 industry, trade and commerce places chosen in May by Tristram Hunt of the Victoria and Albert Museum for inclusion in Historic England’s campaign Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places.
The campaign aims to find the 100 places that bring to life England’s rich and extraordinary history. The Old Furnace is widely regarded as the catalyst for the start of the Industrial Revolution, which transformed England and the world, and it was here that Abraham Darby I pioneered the method of smelting iron fuelled by coke (heated coal), rather than charcoal (heated wood), which meant high-quality iron could be produced on an industrial scale.

Royal event planner to inspire young artists
Shropshire’s young people are being called on to create an exhibition of artwork honouring the distinguished life of a man who grew up in the



