Ightfield

Ightfield is a small village and civil parish in North Shropshire, Shropshire, England.

Within the parish boundaries is another small village - Calverhall.

Ightfield is situated in one of the most rural areas one could expect to find, with many of its roots being in farming. Over the years, the number of farmers in the area has declined, with only a handful remaining. Due to the reduced amount of agricultural activity, the village expanded slightly, with the addition of two new housing estates, built on previously agricultural land.

Many years ago, Ightfield had a local public house for travelers to break up their long journeys by horse and cart. It is now long gone, and was converted into a private home some years ago.

The church forms a focal point in the village, with its fantastic outlook over the surrounding countryside, it's a real place of beauty.

The loss of the Post Office in 2002 left the villagers in fear over the economic and structural growth of the village with many now having to buy groceries in the nearby Whitchurch, Shropshire. Fortunately, this didn't hinder the development of multiple new housing estates.

The yearly 'chasing of the otter' takes place every May 9 at dawn, with many villagers gathering together to run from Ightfield to the nearby Calverhall chasing after a man dressed as an otter (a local volunteer). To date, not one of the villagers has completed this gruelling run or caught the otter. Whilst the ritual is ridiculed amongst some of the younger generation, the heritage and tradition involved in the run brings the villagers closer together. Recently, this legendary tradition has been augmented with the addition of a second (female) otter, who jeers from the famous 'Otter hill' which gives a wonderful view of the running course.

Ightfield is also home to Tom Leonard, one of the vets from Vets in Practice, a BBC television programme from the late 90's. He has a veterinary practice in the local town of Whitchurch.