ALF Jenkins was born of the Titterstone Clee Hills in the 1930s, just five miles from Ludlow. Since 1981 he and his wife Ann have been publishing books about Industrial, social life and dialect of North Herefordshire and South Shropshire since 1983.

Alf attended Ludlow Grammar School and on his second day there the history master asked him if he had been born in a cave. This was because he did not understand the Clee Hill dialect. Alf lectures to all sorts of societies and clubs throughout the West Midlands and into Wales too about his publications and life's experiences. As a local historian he also conducts tours of the Titterstone Clee Hills and local villages. He was awarded an MBE a few years ago for his contribution to industrial, social history, dialect and education.

Ludlow Fringe is being held from June 9 until July 3 and Alf is conducting three tours of the Titterstone Clee Hill to promote it, the Titterstone Clee Heritage Trust and his publications.

The tours will take place on June 18, 25 and July 2. Each trip will begin at the Victoria Car Park at the top end of Clee Hill Village at 11am and will end at approximately 3.30pm. Each visit will include two sites of particular social and industrial importance. They will be Dhu Stone hamlet to see the original self-acting incline railway, the development of the hamlet, the opening of the first stone quarry; the site of a squatter's cottage; the ghostly sounds of Titterstone quarry; the present day quarry; working conditions; deep coal pit area; the site of Catherton's overhead railway; some of the 2,000 bell pits; the only remaining beehive brick kiln in the West Midlands; the Nuvvers lime industry and obsolete kilns.

Alf conducts partakers in cars very near to each site to minimise walking so enabling all ages to participate. He asks everyone to bring a picnic lunch, plus warm weatherproof clothing and good footwear (no high heels please).

All bookings are to be made through The Assembly Rooms Ludlow:- 01584 878141 or ludlowfringe.co.uk. Also contact Alf and Ann on 01568 780398 or Jenkinsam@sky.com if you wish to have further details.