Shrewsbury Edwardian fair plan to mark Great War

Officials from the Western Front Association met in Shrewsbury yesterday to discuss ideas for how the town could commemorate its fallen soldiers during next year's centenary.

Ken Bishop, a member of the St Michael's War Memorial Conservation Group, who helped to organise yesterday's visit, said one idea was to hold a traditional Edwardian fair in the centre of Shrewsbury on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War on August 3, 2014.

He said local traders would be encouraged to dress in traditional costume for the event, which would also feature a collection of Edwardian photographs taken in Shrewsbury around the outbreak of the war.

Mr Bishop said he hoped hundreds of people would attend the fair – to commemorate the sacrifice made by local soldiers.

"At the St Michael's Street memorial alone, 72 men who lost their lives are remembered, meanwhile in Castlefields there are another 70 men remembered," he said..

"That gives an idea of the scale of loss across the whole town and we need to remember their sacrifice."

Around 30 members of the Western Front Association, based in the West Midlands, met members of the St Michael's War Memorial Conservation Group at Shrewsbury Castle yesterday.

They were given a talk on the town's First World War history as well as a tour around the Shropshire Regimental Museum. This was followed by a guided tour around Shrewsbury.

Anyone interested in getting involved in next year's commemorations should contact Mr Bishop on (01743) 363098.