Family hopes for good portents as it refurbishes landmark Shropshire pub
A Shropshire family is getting ready to reopen a pub near one of Shropshire's most popular beauty spots.
Despite buying The Wenlock Edge Inn at the 13th hour of the 13th day in the 13th year, the Murray family hope the omens will be good when they finally open its doors.
The family, who also own The Longville Arms, near Much Wenlock, bought the disused pub last September for an undisclosed sum.
It has been closed for some time and the family is currently restoring it ready for reopening "sooner rather than later".
The pub is in a popular location as Wenlock Edge draws thousands of walkers and climbers from all around the county and beyond.
In a statement the Murrays said they bought the pub on September 13 at 1pm – or 1300 hours.
"We are planning to restore it back to a traditional family pub," the statement added.
"Ippikins Rock is just round the corner and that's used as a centre for rock climbers from all over the place.
"Anything we do will be in keeping with the historic area. Our priorities are to improve the kitchen and add a disabled access. We are refurbishing it together as a family, which includes the function room outside, currently used for storage.
"A lot of pubs have closed in recent years but it hasn't put us off at all."
One of the best-known local features is Ippikins Rock in a wooded section of Wenlock Edge where a steep cliff drops away to the valley below. According to legend it is the haunt of Ippikin, a robber knight who lived in the 13th century. He and his gang are said to have terrorised the area from their cave on Wenlock Edge. But during a thunderstorm lightning struck the Edge, triggering a rock fall that left the gang trapped. Their spirits are said to haunt the area and, according to legend, only the brave or foolhardy will stand at the rock and say "Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin". Anyone who does so can expect Ippikin to rush out and push them over the cliff to their death.
