See regular updates on the Pals efforts to keep the site as friendly for wildlife and people as they can, here. And view the results of inspiring visits to paddock mound on our gallery and the Inspirations page. Thanks to all contributors!

Welcome

to Ketley Paddock Mound

The 11 acre Ketley Paddock Mound site is public open space owned by Telford & Wrekin Council. It was formed by iron ore working in the 18th century but nature has now reclaimed the abandoned pit mounds. From the main mound, with its elevation of 500 feet, there are magnificent views to the West and North.

The vegetation is predominantly mixed woodland and acidic grassland. The site also has three bodies of water, the largest of which is the remnant of the former Ketley Canal, seen here in bright sunshine and full of tadpoles, perhaps feeding the kingfisher which is often spotted!

Image of the canal pool in summer, built in 1787 to take ironstone, limestone and coal from the mines to the Ketley ironworks, the canal once saw thirty tub boats laden with coal or ironstone pass through each day. Now in spring it is a quiet haven full of wildlife, very different from its original purpose over two hundred years ago – find out more on the History pages.

The Friends of Ketley Paddock Mound

What We Do

We work with our partners, Telford and Wrekin Council, who own the site, and Ketley Parish Council who support our work – we hold quarterley meetings under a tripartate agreement. The parish council commissioned a managament plan in 2015, which is the basis of work which the friends group have managed or carried out in our working parties ever since. The Parish Council contribute towards projects, e.g. the installation of two dipping platforms whilst Telford and Wrekin manage regular maintainance such as hedge and grass cutting.

We have worked with other groups who have expertise to support us in activities like our annual moth survey.

We have also had tree, mammal and eDNA surveys undertaken, so that we can better understand what wildlife exists, and how to care for and improve habitats.

Our working parties, which meet on the 1st Sunday and 3rd Thursday each month, carry out work which we hope will enhance Paddock Mound as a valuable wildlife habitat and a breathing space of beauty valued by the community – it has definitely been valued in 2020!

We managed a major improvement to access – paths, steps rails and information boards. This was funded by the Community Pride Fund in 2015.

Paddock Mound through the seasons

Distant views of the Wrekin and the Welsh Hills

Why we care for this site

This photograph, taken by one of our original friends, Mike Wilkinson, shows Paddock Mound in 1985, and has the site outline marked. You can see the very straight Red Lees Path, which marks its southern boundary, and continues past Ketley Garden of Rest. Most of what was fields further to the south, is now built on – making Paddock Mound even more valuable to the community than it was in 1985.

This more recent Google aerial image, is copyright 2021 but probably taken in c.2015. It shows the Millennium Community development which eventually covered most of the area shown to the north of the Holyhead Road, except the wooded sections The other wooded area, to the west of Paddock Mound, is a remnant of the grounds to Ketley Hall, the former residence of William Reynolds, Iron master, of the late 18C. Follow the story on development of Paddock mound pages.

In 2014, the area of actual horse paddock within the Paddock Mound site was earmarked for housing development.

This would have changed the nature of much of the site, and reduced the number of species which might be found there. Large numbers of the local community attended the consultation to give their views, and the planning application was dropped.