In 1895 Alfred Edward Housman wrote

Clunton and Clunbury,

Clungunford and Clun,
Are the quietest places
Under the sun.

Was Houseman right? Maybe he was but Clunbury and the whole of the Clun Valley are much more than the quietest places under the sun. This area is a community, a vibrant, active community that looks after its own and its visitors too. When we moved here in September 2007 the villagers of Clunbury welcomed us with open arms - for that I can't thank them enough.

I didn't know where Clunbury was so I asked my friend Simon. He gave me directions but before he did he said 'you'll love it there.'

He was right.

Nestled in the valley between Craven Arms and Clun lies the ancient village of Clunbury. My Brigadoon I call it because other than a sign post on the Clun road, you really wouldn't know it was there.




Protected for centuries on one side by it's beautiful Norman Church








And on the other side of the village for eons by the fairy ring on the stunning Clunbury Hill.





Running through the far end of the village is the River Clun. Most of the time she trickles providing a comfortable haven for wildlife but within a matter of days she can go from little more than a stream to almost a raging torrent. Untamed but for those who have lived on its banks for years, she is predictable and like our church and our hill, her moods are part of our lives.






River Clun at peace.

And when she's not.

So besides being an incredibly beautiful place to live and the people are lovely, why do I find Clunbury so special?

It's magical, special but more importantly for me, it's healing and in the sixteen months we've been here Clunbury has certainly worked its magic.

Aren't I lucky?

Clunbury 'High Street' at lunchtime. The only sounds I heard were the children playing in the school playground, the breeze blowing through the trees and the birds singing.