Business spreads festive spirit

Schools and churches in and around a Shropshire village have been given a free Christmas tree as a nearby business gears up for the festive season.

Apley, on the A442 between Telford & Bridgnorth, has spread Christmas cheer by donating trees to local primary schools such as Worfield Endowed CE Primary School and St Mary’s Bluecoat C of E Primary School, St. Leonards Primary School and St John's Catholic Primary School, all in Bridgnorth.

They’ve also handed trees to St Leonards Church and the two St Mary’s churches nearby. And for every tree they donate or cut down to sell at Apley Farm Shop or the shop Apley on the High Street, in Bridgnorth, they plant another.

It comes as the popular estate hosted the biggest Christmas Market it’s ever put on with 18 stalls around the courtyard as well as the resident independent shops, food hall, kitchen café and playbarn open for visitors. 

The butchery at Apley is now open for hamper and meat orders in time for Christmas and the kitchen cafe has now begun it's Christmas dinner menu too.

Apley is also the custodian of 1,500 acres of woodland, a further 3,500 acres of in hand farmland farmed to high environmental standards and 3,500 acres of let farmland, as well as award winning wedding venue Stockton House.

Each venture is run and managed with a vision for heritage, environment and community, with each decision carefully considering restoration, sustainability and developing relationships.

Pictured: Rachel Banks and Oli Morris (who work in the kitchen cafe at Apley) and Daniel Morton (0perations manager)