Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council

 

For a number of years this was the website for the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council in the UK. In 2013, a group of residents in the small village of Lilleshall located near Newport called for its own breakaway council. Three hundred forty people signed a petition calling for a new council serving solely Lilleshall.

Campaigners argued that independence for the village would bring a number of benefits, including fewer councilors and more money to spend on local amenities. The Telford & Wrekin Council carried out a review to see what the villagers think of the idea.  They said: “We will look at consulting with residents particularly in Lilleshall but we will also be talking to people in Donnington and Muxton. We will look at whether the parish would be viable and whether the community would be served well by the proposal.” At the time Philip Hawkins, of Church Meadow, Lilleshall, who led the campaign, said: “But for the misinformed petitions raised during its first Community Governance Review, Lilleshall would have had a far more representative, inclusive and better funded community parish council since 2011. We would be sitting with about nine councillors behind a secure parish boundary as a satellite village of Newport alongside Church Aston and Edgmond.” Apparently, the campaigners were successful since there is now a new website for just the Donnington and Muxton Parish Council : http://donningtonmuxtonpc.org.

The old ldmpc.org website’s domain eventually expired once the usefulness of the site was over. Lilleshall was no longer part of the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council. Recently I discovered that the domain was available, so I bought it with the goal of recreating as much of its original content as possible from archived pages. I did not want someone else to purchase the domain and re-purpose the site for something that had nothing in common with the original website.

I always try to visit Lilleshall and see my great aunt whenever I'm in Manchester, UK, for work. As a passionate online casino enthusiast, I travel frequently to consult with various gaming establishments on their digital offerings, particularly focusing on online slots. My expertise in this field has led me to collaborate with clients across the globe, helping them enhance their virtual casino experiences and maximize player engagement. During these trips, I often share insights on the latest trends in online gambling and provide tips on how to create more immersive and rewarding slot games. It's a thrilling industry that's constantly evolving, and I'm fortunate to be at the forefront of it. By the way, my great aunt lives near the famous Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre, which adds a nice personal touch to my business travels in the area.

Recreating the old website for me is for nostalgic purposes, but others might consider the information on this site for historical purposes. Please be indulgent, since it does not contain all the original information. Instead it gives a snapshot of what the old site offered its parish members. Enjoy!


 

"As a local business owner and future entrepreneur in Muxton, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council for their exceptional assistance in navigating the complex landscape of licensing, zoning, and various bureaucratic hurdles. Your support has been invaluable in laying the groundwork for my startup, which leverages my connections to the esteemed Welch family to spotlight Rachel Welch's enduring popularity. Our inaugural promotion target will be Rachel Welch Wigs, the best selling wig brand. We're partnering with ElegantWigs.com, Our campaigns aim not only to celebrate a legacy but also to foster prosperity in Muxton through innovative joint marketing campaigns. This partnership is a testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in our community, thanks to the council's proactive and supportive approach." Reggie Ross

 

About

The Parish of Lilleshall and Donnington is made up of three wards and is one of the largest within the Borough of Telford and Wrekin. These Wards are:

Donnington

Donnington is the largest village within the parish consisting of a population of 4477 (Dec 02) and is situated north east of Telford Town centre.


It was once a mining community but this ended in 1979 when the Granville Colliery closed. The Parish Council offices and community hall is located here in Turreff Avenue sharing the same building as the library. Donnington has a small number of shops on Wrekin Drive and Albert Place. It is also home to the War Departments Brigade Ordinance Depot (BOD) which moved here prior to World War 2 when it was known as the Central Ordinance Depot –COD.

This ward is represented by six councillors on the parish council.

Lilleshall

Lilleshall is a small village situated 4 km south-west of Newport just off the A518 Newport-Telford road in Shropshire.


Together with Church Aston the population in December 2002 was 967. There is a recently formed Residents Association, which is working together with the Parish Council and the Borough Council to improve the village. Its most famous landmark is the Lilleshall Monument, which stands on top of Lilleshall Hill. The tenants of the village erected this structure in memory of their landlord George Leveson Gower, First Duke of Sutherland.  It was completed in 1833. During the 1800’s most of the houses and farms in the village were tenanted and remained so until a major sale in 1917 when most properties were bought by their tenants. Today the village population mostly consists of commuters and the retired.

Two miles to the south of the village is Lilleshall Hall. The Hall, set in secluded surroundings, was originally built in 1831 as a Hunting Lodge for the Duke of Sutherland. It is now the home of the National Sports Council for England. Located in the Centre is a Sports Injury Rehabilitation Clinic where many famous athletes have spent time recuperating from injuries.  The Centre is also the base of the British Archery Association and the British Gymnastics Association.

Lilleshall is represented by three councillors on the parish council.

Muxton

Muxton, originally a small village dating back to Saxon times, lies between Lilleshall and Donnington in Shropshire, England. It has now grown with new residential dwellings constantly being erected and now forms part of the new town of Telford. In 2002 the population was 4245. As of the 2011 the population was 6,557.

In the early 2000’s residents fought against plans for the Coal Board to start open-cast mining. Fortunately for the area, the residents won.


This ward is also represented by six councilors on the parish council.

 

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FAQ

 

What is a Parish Council?

Parish Councils are local authorities first created by statute in 1894 and is the tier of local government closest to the people. Its members are elected by the electors in the Parish area and serve for four years.

How is the Parish Council funded?

Parish Councils are funded through Council Tax by precepting for a sum to be raised by the Borough Council and by income from any service they provide, for example, hire of a community hall. They then use this to help improve the local community.

How do I report a street light not working?

On every street light is a code, usually beginning with a letter and followed by some numbers. Note the number and either ‘phone the parish clerk on 608001 or ‘phone Telford and Wrekin Council on 384000.

How can I get bulk refuse removed?

Just by phoning 384384 and inform them of the type of refuse that you require to be removed.

 

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2011

LDMPC Bulletin Board

13th Apr 2011
Estate Walkabout: An Estate Walkabout will take place at 1.30pm meeting at the junction of Leonard Close and Winifred’s Drive, Donnington. Residents are invited to join the walkabout and discuss issues with representatives from the Wrekin Housing Trust, Parish Council, Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council

20th Apr 2011
Estate Walkabout: An Estate Walkabout will take place at 1.30pm meeting at the junction of Hayward Avenue and New Road, Donnington. Residents are invited to join the walkabout and discuss issues with representatives from the Wrekin Housing Trust, Parish Council, Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council.

27th Apr 2011

Estate Walkabout: An Estate Walkabout will take place at 2pm meeting at the Lifelong Learning Centre, St Matthew’s Road, Donnington. Residents are invited to join the walkabout and discuss issues with representatives from the Wrekin Housing Trust, Parish Council, Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council.

11th May 2011
Estate Walkabout: An Estate Walkabout will take place at 2pm meeting at the Community House, The Glebelands, Donnington. Residents are invited to join the walkabout and discuss issues with representatives from the Wrekin Housing Trust, Parish Council, Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council.

18th May 2011
Estate Walkabout: An Estate Walkabout will take place at 10am meeting at Monarch Fields opposite Wyevale Garden Centre. Residents are invited to join the walkabout and discuss issues with representatives from the Wrekin Housing Trust, Parish Council, Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council.

 

Guest Book

2011 Posts

Message: Would like to invite anyone who was a teenager in Donnington and Oakengates during the 1950s & 60s to our six monthly reunions in April & October. The next reunion is at the

Posted: 01 March 2011 by Jim Austen

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Message: why is donnington a forgotten estate? we have no flowers no community spirit most people are low. outside of houses and in a run down..the school near st mathews need attending to rubble glass and local rubbish is being dummped here.why isnt there help?

Posted: 15 April 2010 by mrs harris

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Message: Could any one help with my family tree please, my grandmother born 1865, Lilleshall or Wrockwardine area, her name Sarah Jane Talbot married my grandfather Edwin Bourne,had 7 children and died in childbirth at 38, in 1903, my fathers name was George Cecil

Posted: 18 March 2010 by Helen Green (Bourne)

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Message: My great great grandmother was Jane Doody born about 1824 in or around Lilleshall. Her father was James Doody. Can anyone help with more information. Thank you

Posted: 18 July 2009 by Christine McIlvenna

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2 Covers of the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council Newsletters

 

More Background On LDMPC.org

 

LDMPC.org was once the official website of the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council, a multi-ward local authority in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin in Shropshire, England. Although the domain later expired and was revived for archival and historical preservation purposes, the website originally served as a crucial hub for civic information, community engagement, and communication between residents and their elected representatives. Over time, LDMPC.org became both a snapshot of a particular era of local governance and an evolving record of parish history, demographics, activities, and identity. This article provides a full examination of the site, its history, content, context, and broader cultural significance.

Historical Background of LDMPC.org

The Parish of Lilleshall and Donnington was historically composed of three distinct wards: Donnington, Lilleshall, and Muxton, all of which were represented through the LDMPC structure. Parish councils in England date back to the Local Government Act of 1894, which formalized these institutions as the lowest and most community-focused tier of local government.

LDMPC.org functioned as the digital home for this combined parish before later governance changes resulted in a separation. A campaign in the early 2010s advocated for Lilleshall to have its own parish governance, arguing that a standalone parish would offer greater focus, representation, and fiscal control. Over 300 residents supported this initiative, and the Borough of Telford and Wrekin launched a Community Governance Review to explore the proposal. Advocates—among them local resident Philip Hawkins—argued that a separate Lilleshall parish council would enable stronger boundaries and improved community representation.

Ultimately, the transition did take place. Lilleshall later formed its own parish council, while Donnington and Muxton continued jointly under a different organizational structure. This development shifted the function of the original LDMPC.org domain, ultimately leading to its expiration and later rediscovery.

Today, LDMPC.org serves primarily as a historical archive, preserving as much of the original information as could be recovered.

Ownership and Community Stewardship

Originally, LDMPC.org was owned by the Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton Parish Council. After the restructuring, the domain’s original purpose ended, and the site expired. It was later acquired by an individual with personal ties to the area who sought to restore the lost material for posterity rather than allow the domain to be misused or repurposed into something irrelevant to its origins.

This personal stewardship reflects a broader cultural trend in England: the desire to preserve local heritage, parish identity, and the historical narratives of rural and semi-rural communities. The revival of LDMPC.org as an archival project underscores the importance of civic memory and the role digital preservation plays in modern historical research.

Village Profiles Featured on the Website

Donnington

Donnington, the most populous village within the former parish, was once a mining community. The Granville Colliery operated until 1979, after which the area experienced economic and cultural shifts. Donnington later became home to the War Department’s Brigade Ordnance Depot, formerly known as the Central Ordnance Depot, which played an important role during the World War II era.

By the early 2000s, Donnington had a population of approximately 4,477. It included small clusters of shops on Wrekin Drive and Albert Place, as well as the parish council offices and community hall. Six councillors represented Donnington on the former LDMPC.

Lilleshall

Lilleshall is a picturesque village located several kilometres from Newport. With a combined population of 967 in 2002 (including Church Aston), the village is known for its rural character and historical landmarks.

The most notable of these is the Lilleshall Monument, erected in 1833 to honour George Leveson-Gower, First Duke of Sutherland. Historically, many of the village’s homes and farms were tenanted until the major property sale of 1917, which allowed many residents to buy the land they had long worked.

Lilleshall also hosts the Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre, originally built as a hunting lodge and later transformed into a national facility for training, rehabilitation, and elite athletic development. The centre is home to British Gymnastics and the British Archery Association and has treated many well-known athletes recovering from injury.

Three councillors represented Lilleshall on the former LDMPC.

Muxton

Muxton is the third ward of the former parish and has roots dating back to Saxon times. Initially a small village, it expanded rapidly during the development of the new town of Telford and saw its population grow from 4,245 in the early 2000s to 6,557 by 2011.

Muxton residents in the early 21st century fought against proposed open-cast mining plans and were ultimately successful in preventing the development, preserving the environment and local quality of life. Six councillors represented Muxton on the former LDMPC.

Content and Features of the Website

LDMPC.org functioned as a practical resource for residents and included important civic content such as:

  • Announcements and Bulletin Boards
    Estate walkabouts, meetings, police liaison events, and discussions with housing authorities were shared regularly. These gatherings allowed residents to address issues directly with councillors and local agencies.

  • Council Information
    The site included descriptions of councillor responsibilities, ward representation, contact points, and frequently asked questions about parish governance.

  • Community History and Heritage
    Descriptions of village origins, demographics, landmark histories, and population data formed a crucial component of the site. This helped new and long-term residents understand the cultural identity of the parish.

  • Guest Book Posts
    Residents left messages on topics ranging from family history research to local community concerns. These posts today provide a valuable snapshot of local sentiment and social life during the website’s active years.

  • Practical Guidance and FAQs
    The website explained how to report issues such as broken streetlights, arrange bulk refuse removal, or contact council offices.
    It also described how parish councils are funded through local taxation and service income.

Audience and Usefulness

The website primarily served residents, councillors, local historians, business owners, and community members who needed access to practical information. Its relevance extended to:

  • Residents wishing to report problems or attend council sessions

  • Local businesses seeking governance support

  • Individuals researching family histories connected to Shropshire

  • Volunteers and activists involved in housing, conservation, and community improvement

  • Students or academics studying rural governance or English local history

Additionally, the revived version of LDMPC.org now also appeals to heritage enthusiasts and digital archivists.

Cultural and Social Significance

The surviving content from LDMPC.org reflects broader themes in English community life:

1. Rural Identity and Continuity

Many localities in Shropshire have centuries-old traditions. LDMPC.org helped maintain these by documenting everyday civic activity and preserving historical context.

2. The Importance of Local Government

Parish councils often coordinate community halls, footpath maintenance, cemetery upkeep, community events, sports facilities, and neighbourhood initiatives. LDMPC.org served as a window into these essential—though often overlooked—functions.

3. Resistance to Overdevelopment

Muxton’s anti–open-cast mining movement illustrated the capacity of local communities to resist developments perceived as harmful. Such stories provide insight into rural activism.

4. Genealogy and Heritage

Guest book entries show how many people traced family roots to Lilleshall, Donnington, and Muxton. Through messages about ancestors, births, and local history, the website helped preserve genealogical knowledge.

5. Sociocultural Integration

The posting of community walkabouts, policing meetings, and resident associations emphasized efforts to bridge communication between residents, authorities, and civic institutions.

Press & Media Context

The reorganizations surrounding LDMPC and the proposal for Lilleshall’s separate governance received local media attention. Resident petitions and governance reviews were discussed through regional authorities, highlighting the importance of parish autonomy and representation in rural England.

Although the site itself was not a journalistic platform, it became a primary source documentation hub for reporters, residents, and researchers seeking primary information on parish affairs during the early 2000s and early 2010s.

Reasons for the Site’s Popularity

While LDMPC.org was not a commercial or entertainment website, it was popular within its community due to:

  • Easy access to council information

  • Clearly presented historical and demographic details

  • Regular updates on village activities

  • Public input forums through guest book entries

  • Opportunities for residents to participate in estate walkabouts

  • The combination of official information and community-driven content

Its straightforward design reflected many early-2000s municipal websites, prioritizing clarity and accessibility.

Legacy and Archival Value

Even though LDMPC.org no longer functions as the active site of a governing body, its revived archival form plays several important roles:

Historical Record

It offers a snapshot of governance, civic issues, and community identity during a period of significant administrative change.

Cultural Memory

The preserved guest book entries and village descriptions capture concerns, pride, and nostalgia that define rural community life.

Civic Documentation

For researchers studying English local government, it provides real examples of how councils interacted with residents and documented public events.

Personal Connection

The site’s modern curator mentions visiting a great aunt in Lilleshall and having personal ties to the area. This adds a layer of authenticity and community-driven motivation to the project.

 

LDMPC.org represents far more than a simple parish council website. It is a window into the evolving identity, challenges, and strengths of three Shropshire communities. Through its historical descriptions, public-service information, community messages, and recovered archival material, the site preserves a valuable chapter of local civic life. In a time when many small-town histories risk being lost or overwritten, LDMPC.org stands as an important example of digital heritage conservation, reflecting not only governance but also the social bonds that define village life.

LDMPC.org