Museum enjoys glory of Olympics

A Shropshire museum has shot to international fame for its links to the modern Olympic Games.

Much Wenlock Museum says it has recently had calls from journalists from Japan, the US and Belgium.

The tourist attraction reveals how the game's inventor Baron Pierre de Coubertin was inspired by the town's own Olympian Games.

It will be joining world-wide celebrations of the 108th anniversary of the modern games on 6 April.

County councillor Peter Phillips, responsible for culture, said: "More than 14,000 people visit Much Wenlock Museum every year and many are amazed to discover the town's Olympian link.

"However, many journalists have done their homework and discovered how it all started.

Concern for his patients

"The museum has already been visited by journalists from Belgium this year, with calls coming in from media in the United States and Japan and the doors haven't even been opened yet."

In 1850, local doctor William Penny Brookes organised the first Wenlock Olympian Games because he was concerned about the health and fitness of his patients.

He saw the Games as a way of promoting physical exercise in the town and included athletic competitions which are still part of the games today.

Baron de Coubertin visited Much Wenlock in 1890 and was so impressed with the Games he established an international event on the same lines six years later.

Emma-Kate Burns, the curator of the museum, said: "The museum gives an insight into the fascinating history of Much Wenlock, and people can support the work that goes on there by joining the newly-formed Friends group."