Campaigners are staging a symbolic hug of the 3,000 year old Iron Age monument on February 14 while a decision is awaited on proposed housing in its shadow.
Now the social media campaign #hugyourheritage is calling for the nation to join in the spirit of the event by tweeting selfies with the ‘I love heritage’ logo.
Launch details (at hugyourheritage.tumblr.com) reveal: “History and heritage are important. Support Old Oswestry Hillfort and hug your heritage on Valentine’s Day! We are urging as many people as possible to take part in person or online and demonstrate their support for an iconic and nationally important hillfort.”
Participants are being asked to reserve their tweets at Thunderclap, the crowdspeaking platform which will mass-share the message on Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile, the live hug on Old Oswestry, organised by Hands Off Old Oswestry Hillfort (HOOOH), will take place at 1pm, meeting first at Gatacre playing field.
Anyone interested in helping to steward the event should contact HOOOH on 01691 652918 or go to www.facebook.com/OldOswestryHillfort
Dr George Nash, an archaeologist and adviser to HOOOH, said: “What happens at Old Oswestry is being seen as a test case that could open the floodgates to indiscriminate development exploiting heritage sites and areas of natural beauty across Britain.
If you can’t be there in person, pledge to join in through the hashtag #hugyourheritage and share a picture of you with your favourite heritage site, monument or building in the days leading up to the 14th February!
