Carriage parade's tribute to stalwart

Shrewsbury's annual carriage parade will take place next month with a procession through the town, leaving from Attingham Park and heading to the Quarry.

The event on September 14 will see the State Coach on display - a replica of a ceremonial coach of the 1830s.

There will also be a new trophy dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Austin, of Stapleton, who died on June 23 2007.

She was a member of the Shropshire area of the British Driving Society, which organises the event.

Her husband George Austin, today said he would pick the best carriage to award the trophy to.

He said: "My wife was a great one for driving. We used to drive with the carriages and we had two. She enjoyed the carriage parade and she would have been there. She loved the driving and the spirit of it and dressing up."

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Philip Holder, spokesman for the carriage parade from the driving society, said: "We shall be driving from Attingham Park through Cross Houses and into Shrewsbury and down into the Quarry for around lunch time."

He said the Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Anne Chebsey would attend and travel back to Attingham Park after the event.

The aim of the event is to recall the heydey of the coaching trade. Last year, the historic carriages on display included a Phaeton, a sporty carriage popular during the 18th and 19th centuries and a "chairback" gig, a comfortable two-wheeled vehicle of the 1900s.

People will be able to see the carriages in the Quarry and Attingham Park.

Attingham Parks house and visitor services manager Catherine Turnbull said: "We are delighted to be able to take part in the Shrewsbury Carriage Parade and are looking forward to seeing the carriages travelling around Attingham Park as they would have done in the Regency period.

"Our visitors can take a close look at the horses and the carriages as they gather here for the start of the parade, and when they return in the afternoon," she added.

By Rebecca Lawrence