“All friends round the Wrekin” is a traditional toast used in Shropshire, England, particularly at Christmas and New Year celebrations. It’s a way of raising a glass to friends and loved ones, specifically those who live in the shadow of the Wrekin, a prominent Shropshire landmark.
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The Wrekin is a prominent Shropshire landmark, and has a fascinating geological history.
Local folklore offers a more whimsical explanation for its formation – the legend of the giant. Folklore tells the tale of a fearsome giant who, angered by the prosperity of Shrewsbury, intended to dam the River Severn, flooding the town. He scooped up a vast amount of earth and set off on his destructive journey.
However, a clever cobbler he encountered on the way tricked him into believing Shrewsbury was much further away. Fearing a long trek with a heavy load, the giant abandoned his plan, dumping the earth where he stood, creating the Wrekin.
While the legend is charming, the Wrekin’s formation has a more scientific basis. Geologists believe the Wrekin is an outlier of the Cambrian period, formed millions of years ago from volcanic activity and subsequent erosion. The Wrekin quartzite, the rock type forming the hill, is significantly older than the surrounding sedimentary rocks.
