Hales
Hales maps (2 available)
Map of Shropshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
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Hales books (4 available)
Hales memories
Read and share memories of Hales and Shropshire inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Shropshire below.
Shropshire memories
My life there
I remember the days when I lived on a farm that was owned by Mark Carter from Eccleshall Castle. I had so much fun living in Eccleshall that I didn't want to move when the farm was sold. I had loads of friends and good memories, I remember when all the children were given a Silver Jubilee coin at school, the walks to the church from Lonsdale School, and to the common at the top of the junction of Kerry Lane and we had to pass by the Jacksons' place, I was friends with their son Carl. I also remember the Royal Oak pub because my mum and Joyce Robinson worked there for Geoff Hurst the footballer who owned it at ...read more here
A memory of Eccleshall contributed by caroline owen
The Boat
The Boat is the name of the Inn on the left of the picture. As children we used to walk across the top of bridge wall and, as a further dare, across the pipes which ran just below the parapet, above the water.
Once, when I was serenely paddling the canoe back from Cowley Tunnel, a loaded barge came up behind me 'out of no-where'. It was MUCH BIGGER than I would have thought a barge could be, even if I had expected one, which I hadn't. I don't know who was the more horrified: me or the bargee!!!!
A memory of Gnosall contributed by Penny Trueman
Norbury Junction!
This is Norbury Junction, not far from but, definitely not Gnosall.
The boys in the woodwork class at school (Gnosall) built a canoe as a project which was afterwards stored in the old Mill on the opposite side of the canal to the Navigation Inn. (The Mill was the first in the area to be steam powered, I think). The canoe could be hired out for 6d, and it was very popular with me amongst others! (in the summer months I virtually 'hogged it'.) I used to paddle up and down the canal, sometimes reaching Norbury junction.
A memory of Gnosall contributed by Penny Trueman
Mason''s Lawn
We moved from the hamlet of Moreton/Bromstead to Gnosall, where my Dad worked, (based at the council wharf) in 1958, and Mason's lawn wasn't built then! We used to have our bonfires on the site and, if 1963 was the year it snowed really heavily (and I believe it was) - we were still building snowmen and rolling massive snowballs there!
A memory of Gnosall contributed by Penny Trueman
Extracts From Hales & Shropshire books
The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con-
structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked
Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous
canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to
compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con-
structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked
Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous
canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to
compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
One of the few thatched buildings in the area, the Duke’s Head is no longer
a public house. It has recently been renovated, and the timber-frame, probably
dating from the 16th century, is now exposed. For centuries Gnosall was a
small agricultural village, but in the 19th century many of the villagers also
made shoes for the Stafford shoe manufacturers.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
One of the few thatched buildings in the area, the Duke’s Head is no longer
a public house. It has recently been renovated, and the timber-frame, probably
dating from the 16th century, is now exposed. For centuries Gnosall was a
small agricultural village, but in the 19th century many of the villagers also
made shoes for the Stafford shoe manufacturers.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
The bishop was granted the right to hold a weekly market in 1153, and
later an annual fair. During the 19th century the market prospered; this
new market hall was built for £700, the money having been raised by
public subscription. It is now a shop. Note Tompkinson’s Garage with
its petrol pumps further up the street.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".