Shrewsbury Matters: Golden age when showbiz royalty visited

In April 1971, during a visit to Shrewsbury, Morecambe and Wise popped into the Lion Hotel. They are pictured here in the hotel’s ornate ballroom.

“I got quite a shock, I can tell you. But she seemed completely unperturbed,” So explains John Holding as he tells me of the day he saw pop star Lulu in the nude writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Matron’s work immortalised with road sign

Brian Bennett next to the Montague Walk street sign.

It can be a little disconcerting when you’re lying there in agony and your doctor seems far more interested in your train set than he is in you.

Shrewsbury Matters: Shelton Hospital shows how attitudes have changed

The great James Stewart as mild-mannered Elwood P Dowd talks to his invisible friend, a six-foot tall rabbit, in the 1950 comedy, Harvey.

Shrewsbury’s rather grand, certainly imposing, and perhaps even just a little bit frightening Shelton Hospital is facing an uncertain future writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury marches to beat of new year drum

Besford House – Phil joined calls to save this historic Victorian mansion in Belle Vue... and the campaign appears to have worked. Its future now looks to be safe.

The pretty twinkling fairylights of Christmas are once again being switched off beneath the grey, grey skies of January, and we all must march on – hopefully with optimism, a sense of excitement, and a spring in our step – into another new year packed to overflowing with possibilities writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Special town was made for for Christmas

Shrewsbury is a great place to be at Christmas time. St Chad’s Church pictured in the snow in 2010. Picture: Ian Sheppard.

Shrewsbury was made for Christmas. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Looking up at perfect legacy from Wakeman School

Mike Griffiths, art director at the Wakeman School, in the art room surrounded by the work of students. Picture: staff photographer

Petrified paintpots! Crystallised cheesecakes! What a super-wacko-sonic idea! At least that’s how young Jennings might have reacted to the way in which Shrewsbury’s Wakeman School is readying itself to leave our county town a fantastic artistic legacy writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Spirits raised by fantastic tours in town

Scaffolding comes down from the front of Shrewsbury’s Music Hall on Monday this week. Picture: staff photographer

Like Scrooge, I too have been visited by three spirits. Although, in my case, they were the Ghost of Shrewsbury Past, the Ghost of Shrewsbury Present, and the Ghost of Shrewsbury Yet To Come writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: All change for historic sites around town

Rowley’s House – surely Shrewsbury’s single most iconic building?

Our football boots, caked in the mud of Frankwell recreation grounds, had been crammed with the rest of our kit into our battered shoulder bags writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Love of cinema lives on thanks to dear Empire

The Empire cinema – showing Confessions of a Driving Instructor in 1976.

We are a mere 10 days away from the anniversary of The Empire writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Little white lie is sometimes a better idea

An artist’s impression of the £4 million redevelopment of sheltered housing in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury

In architecture, as in all things, a little white lie is often better than the truth writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: More men needed to sparkle on stage

Men have not always been in short supply. Flashback to 1995 and, enjoying the chance to dress up with the operatic society, are Ted Smith, Alan Wisener and Rob Prince.

A man went into a pet shop and explained to the proprietor that he needed a parrot because he was playing the part of Long John Silver in the local amateur dramatic society’s latest production writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Mixed feelings ahead of demolition day

Demolition day at the bus depot in Ditherington, Shrewsbury.

We human beings are a funny lot. Believe it or not there are plenty of people out there who wouldn’t dream of curling up in front of an episode of Thunderbirds or Captain Scarlet writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: No beauty, but bus depot has its appeal

The 1920s bus depot in Ditherington, Shrewsbury.

Okay. I’ll be honest with you. St Paul’s Cathedral it is not. And, frankly, it’s somewhat unlikely that anyone has ever stood back from the old bus garage in Ditherington and sighed in quiet admiration or said to their companion: “Wow! Just look at that. Isn’t it lovely?” writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters - Move with the times but save what is finest

The Raven Hotel in Castle Street which was demolished in 1960.

Not all of Shrewsbury is beautiful. Not all of Shrewsbury is elegant and refined. How could it be?

Shrewsbury Matters: Fears that the battle to save house is lost

It’s important and it’s in a conservation area – but it could still be demolished.

That wrecking ball, I fear, is being prepared, and – if you listen very carefully – you might even hear the bulldozers revving up writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury Matters: Restoration of Abbey Foregate station back on track

A crane near the site of the Abbey Foregate station in the 1990s.

Stick around long enough and little miracles happen – like new life slowly being breathed into the long-derelict Abbey Foregate railway station writes Phil Gillam.

Shrewsbury matters: Folk festival a celebration of our heritage

Emily Barker on stage with Red Clay Halo

Phil Gillam begins his weekly blog on all things Shrewsbury with a look at the folk festival and the steam rally - two events that fought for his attention last weekend.