Shrewsbury memories
Here are memories of Shrewsbury and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Shrewsbury or a Shrewsbury photo.
The Dingle And Percy Thrower
My frandfather, Ernest Thomas Sloane, was the Editor of the Shrewsberry Chronicle for many years. During this time he was approached by someone from the BBC who asked if he had a local story of interest. Grandad mentioned how a young gardener by the name of Percy Thrower whho had designed and made The Dingle the place of beauty it is today. As Ernest Sloane was unavailable on the day, my father, Ernest Patrick Sloane, was sent to interview My Thrower, who agreed to the interview which in turn led to his fame.
The Victorian Market Hall
I was brought up in Shrewsbury in the 1950s. The Theatre Royal had already gone then, although my mother used to tell me about it, but the wonderful Victorian gothic market hall on the left was still there. I loved it. There were lots of interesting little shops inside including a pet shop where I used to buy goldfish for my aquarium. At Flower Show time there were outdoor traders all around the market hall, it was like a carnival had come to town. You could see the clock from almost everywhere in the town. They pulled it down just after I left the town and I've never felt that Shrewsbury was the same place since. The 1960s market hall that replaced it is just plain boring!
Shrewsbury
I lived here for a while before I moved to East Anglia. My mother still lives here and I visit her at least twice a year. On my last visit we went up to the top of the Lord Hill momument - it looks relatively small until you get up to the top - we crept nervously around the railed parapet! I worked at Hall Engineering where I served an apprenticeship and was in Shropshire`s top `group` at the time - 'The Karacters' (well, we were on an equal par with the Astronauts). I have fond memeories of my time in this historic town.
Abbey Foregate
I was born in no 112 in 1940 and lived there until 1960. I have distinct memories of cattle market days when cattle being driven down to the market left unpleasant reminders all across the road. Remember too when the trees were cut down and the sewer was excavated along the old 'Potts' railway cutting. Remember Ann who lived almost opposite - a bit nearer town than Mill Road - born same day as me in September 1940. Other memories Fred Jones,the newsagent, Neville Hughes, the Bell Inn. I left Shrewsbury in 1965. James Carter (Tony).
Lion Hotel
My granny got a job as a waitress at the Lion Hotel so that she could be near her young man to whom she had just got engaged in 1927. I doubt if it has changed much since that time.
Ken Dodd
This date is approximate.
My mother used to work in the Raven, as a school girl at St Mary's on Town Walls I used to wait for her to finish work. I can remember the place as being very beautiful.
Once my mother came home with a signed photograph of Ken Dodd, she said he was a gentleman, but I remember she wasn't very keen on Norman Wisdom she said he was very miserable, which was a shame to hear because I thought he was a very funny man.
Runaway Sheep
This date is approximate.
As children my brother John and I attended St Mary's on Town Walls and after school we would make our way towards Barker Street to catch the bus to Springfield, we would spin around the revolving doors at the Hotel across from the Old Victorian Market Hall (I think it was called the George) and be hurled into the street, then across we would go to the old market hall and scrounge broken fruit and bits of toffee from the vendors (brilliant fun), then we would divert down to the old Smithfield Cattle market to watch the various livestock (poor things) being slaughtered by peeping over the doors and frightening ourselves to death, only then to be chased off by the big burly slaughtermen. My brother John went on to work at the Smithfield on Saturdays, I went along to keep him company once only to witness him being unceremonously dragged on the wet cobble stones the full length of the market by an... Read more
Hornimans Tea
I used to live at No 52 on the left of the picture, in a flat on the 4th floor. I was only 7, I remember the first night while lying in bed I heard a screech of brakes and a dog yelping. The next morning my mum told me that a dog had got killed on the road. I can remember wanting to go back to my old house, but I was very cautious of that main road, especially after having moved from a quiet country lane, but as I grew up, I was allowed to cross that road to go to the little grocer's shop, where I couldn't wait to buy the Hornimans tea for another free card inside to stick in my book. The trees always looked pretty and heavy with leaves, and it did block a lot of views, but when they were cut down because of disease, we could look right out over to the hills of Church Stretton. I remember across the road and... Read more
Fish And Chips
My nan used to live in Darwin Street, just up from this picture. I always used to stay at her house on school holidays, and she used to send me down into Frankwell to buy fish and chips and mushy peas, from one of the houses left of the road which was converted to a chip shop. There used to be another chip shop on the other side of the road, but I wasn't allowed to cross the road. I always used to spend the change on 1d sweets, in Everyman's, the shop which seemed to stay open for ever, or just around the bend in the photo, to the paper shop to buy a comic, you used to have to go down a couple of steps to get into the shop, which was always the first to get flooded out when the river burst its banks. I remember loads of times having to walk the planks with my nan......scary stuff then.
Renewing The Farmers' Overdrafts at The Bank!
I spent a couple of weeks as a relief manager during the 1980 summer holidays for branches of Williams & Glyn's Bank and have happy memories of my time in Shrewsbury. The bank accommodated me at the Lion Hotel where the old coaching inn ambience was really lovely.
However the word got round the farming community that the manager was away so several farmers took their chance to come and see me instead to renew their annual overdrafts facilities! They didn't do anything quite so crude as to bribe me but their hospitality was magnificent! I loved the place and the town but the farmers kept me so busy I hardly had enough time for sightseeing.
Expensive Christmas
My great grandfather Edward Harris was arrested outside this public house on Christmas Eve 1904 trying to rescue his stepson from the strong arm of the law. He was subsequently fined 50 shillings!
Ancesters From Shrewsbury
I am tracing any info about my ancesters. My granddad James Partridge was born in Shrewsbury 30.12.1885. He worked for GWR as an engine driver. His mom and dad were James Partridge, born in 1862, a gas fitter, and married to Rose Kemsley, born in Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury 20.4.1854. James's dad was William Partridge, born in 1831, his mom Susan (nee Fox) was born 1831. William's mom was Mary Partridge. Susan's mom was Sarah Fox, born in 1785 in W Pbe Blind Montgomershire (does anyone know what this is?). Rose Kemsley's dad was John Kemsley (born in Kent in 1818), her mom was Charlotte Kemsley, born in Maidstone 04.02.1821. They all lived in Spring Gardens. Does anyone know anything about them? On the other side of the family, my granddad James married Minnie Eliza who was born at the Engine House in Pontesbury. Her dad was Sam Evans and her mom Eliza Evans (nee Richards). The family names are Davies, Blower and Thromblin. Any information would be gratefully received.... Read more
Memories of Shropshire
Shelton House
I was working at Shelton House during 1962 when it was Dr Barnados. Last week I went back for the first time since leaving the area to look for it and cannot find it. Does anyone know what happened to it?
Bomere Pool Near Bayston Hill
I grew up at the Masonic Arms in Belle View, Shrewsbury. When I was a child my mother and I used to cycle to Bomere Pool near Bayston Hill to pick primroses in the spring. She used to tell me about the legends that it was bottomless and also that some people said there was a village at the bottom and sometimes you could hear the church bell ring. It was a wonderful wild and mysterious place. We left Shropshire when I was 14. I tried to take my husband there in the 1970s when we were visitng for the flower show but we couldn't find it. I recently discovered the work of Mary Webb and am reading 'Precious Bane'. I recognised the setting as Bomere Pool. It brought back so many memories. I've heard it is now owned by a water sports company, what a shame!
A Long Time Ago
I lived in Codsall Wood between 1944 and 1952 I attended Albrighton Infants School between 1950 and 1952, I still have my school cap, the only names I can remember was the dinner lady a Mrs Orange and 2 other pupils Darryl Massey and George Carrington, I remember we used to go on nature walks and play soccer across the road, I seem to recall there was a factory with a soccer field attached and occupied by cows which meant dodging not the cows but their droppings, I used to go to school by taxi (Knotts in Albrighton) come to think of it I shared the taxi with Audrey & Margaret Parks next door neighbour in Codsall Wood and John Lewis who became a Solicitor in Bridgnorth, I remember sharing the taxi with them but not being at school, we used to play a game in the taxi, see who could remain standing when we went round corners, on one occasion I fell on John and he fell out ,... Read more
Atcham Schoolhouse
I only knew Atcham as the place where my grandfather's family lived in 1901. My grandfather lived there with the rest of his family in the Atcham Schoolhouse because his dad was the local School Master at that time. I recently crossed the globe and visited that same house in the beautiful setting that is Atcham. In doing that I finally feel I've in some way touched a part of my grandfather's life even if he was only a little boy there at the time.
St Margaret's School, Yeaton Peverey
I was a pupil at St Margaret's School for Girls about this time, it was run by a Miss Hainselin and Mrs Scott. A most beautiful place to be, although I can't say I learnt anything but to speak well and behave like a lady! It was taken over by a Mr Chadwick and his family. Lots of stories and history. But I was rather a wild child - say no more. The beautiful house was owned by Sir Offley Wakemen who I believe died in 1991. I do wonder what has happened to the lovely building now?
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