Stories from Toby Neal | Shropshire Star

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Toby Neal

Feature Writer

A journalist in Shropshire for 40 years, mainly writes features and columns, especially about aspects of Shropshire history. Lives in Telford.

January 23, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton school's cruise on a former troopship was an educational trip of a lifetime

Wolverhampton school's cruise on a former troopship was an educational trip of a lifetime

January 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Think of the prestige if Shropshire wins Town of Culture - and think of the money!' - Toby Neal's view on the big battle ahead

'Think of the prestige if Shropshire wins Town of Culture - and think of the money!' - Toby Neal's view on the big battle ahead

January 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: As pupils started the new term amid winter darkness, snow, and ice, how about this for an idea - a schools cruise in the sun?

As pupils started the new term amid winter darkness, snow, and ice, how about this for an idea - a schools cruise in the sun?

January 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: What can we expect in 2026? Toby Neal shares his predictions for British politics, royals and public life

What can we expect in 2026? Toby Neal shares his predictions for British politics, royals and public life

January 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wolves v Tottenham, 1970, but that’s not what we’re looking at. Check out the modern building looming over old Molineux. It was destined to become an icon of the town, or city as it is these days.

Wolves v Tottenham, 1970, but that’s not what we’re looking at. Check out the modern building looming over old Molineux. It was destined to become an icon of the town, or city as it is these days.

December 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: Fascinating old postcards give unique snapshot into Shropshire in the 1910s and '20s

Fascinating old postcards give unique snapshot into Shropshire in the 1910s and '20s

December 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Jetting off for a Christmas break?

Jetting off for a Christmas break?

December 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Christmas whisky warning: Toby Neal's festive tale of drinking responsibly and the classic Wolverhampton humour of the multi-talented Roger Squires

Christmas whisky warning: Toby Neal's festive tale of drinking responsibly and the classic Wolverhampton humour of the multi-talented Roger Squires

December 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Desperate measures and new tax frontiers: Toby Neal on politics

Desperate measures and new tax frontiers: Toby Neal on politics

Supporting image for story: How Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody stormed the charts and turned four West Midland lads into global music legends

How Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody stormed the charts and turned four West Midland lads into global music legends

December 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Full of sympathy and a warm welcome': How Christmas was special for Hungarian refugees welcomed by the good folk of the West Midlands in 1956

'Full of sympathy and a warm welcome': How Christmas was special for Hungarian refugees welcomed by the good folk of the West Midlands in 1956

December 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Looking back at the original M54 fifty years on and how it became one of Britain's most troublesome motorways

Looking back at the original M54 fifty years on and how it became one of Britain's most troublesome motorways

December 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Financial forecast folly and vindication for Michael Gove: Toby Neal on politics

Financial forecast folly and vindication for Michael Gove: Toby Neal on politics

December 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier to pay emotional visit to West Midlands cathedral destroyed in Second World War Blitz

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier to pay emotional visit to West Midlands cathedral destroyed in Second World War Blitz

November 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: A particularly miserable Budget, lockdown inquiry hindsight and David Cameron's cancer revelation: Toby Neal on politics

A particularly miserable Budget, lockdown inquiry hindsight and David Cameron's cancer revelation: Toby Neal on politics

November 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Star-studded Shropshire: Remember when Ellesmere College was backdrop to a 1978 Richard Burton psychological thriller?

Star-studded Shropshire: Remember when Ellesmere College was backdrop to a 1978 Richard Burton psychological thriller?

November 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Excellent company with a sharp sense of humour' - Tributes pour in for former Shropshire Star and Express & Star business and travel editor Jim Walsh who has died after a short illness aged 73

'Excellent company with a sharp sense of humour' - Tributes pour in for former Shropshire Star and Express & Star business and travel editor Jim Walsh who has died after a short illness aged 73

October 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: The volunteer 'Pointsman of Prees' who kept traffic flowing for 16 years and 'undoubtedly saved many lives'

The volunteer 'Pointsman of Prees' who kept traffic flowing for 16 years and 'undoubtedly saved many lives'

October 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Well-known Shrewsbury hotelier, publican, and Charles Darwin expert Henry Quinn dies

Well-known Shrewsbury hotelier, publican, and Charles Darwin expert Henry Quinn dies

October 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: A better class of snake oil: Toby Neal on Starmer's conference speech

A better class of snake oil: Toby Neal on Starmer's conference speech

September 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Day Albion fans went on a Shrewsbury goalmouth rampage at mock funeral of Baggies' boss - and his coffin ended up in the groundsman's shed

Day Albion fans went on a Shrewsbury goalmouth rampage at mock funeral of Baggies' boss - and his coffin ended up in the groundsman's shed

September 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: One of Shropshire’s most respected journalists has died at the age of 95

One of Shropshire’s most respected journalists has died at the age of 95

September 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Patriotism 110 years ago: Flags and sacrifice as Clun did its bit for the war effort

Patriotism 110 years ago: Flags and sacrifice as Clun did its bit for the war effort

September 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'My ancestor was tried for witchcraft and drowned in Shrewsbury 400 years ago - I travelled 4,000 miles to pay my respects'

'My ancestor was tried for witchcraft and drowned in Shrewsbury 400 years ago - I travelled 4,000 miles to pay my respects'

August 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: When Sophia Loren swapped Rome for Bewdley - a star’s flying visit to West Midland Safari Park

When Sophia Loren swapped Rome for Bewdley - a star’s flying visit to West Midland Safari Park

August 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Colonial history, looking gunmen in the eye and Labour's not-so-dynamic duo - Toby Neal on politics

Colonial history, looking gunmen in the eye and Labour's not-so-dynamic duo - Toby Neal on politics

August 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: We look back on the work gone into maintaining the Buildwas Bridge from the 1950s to the present day

We look back on the work gone into maintaining the Buildwas Bridge from the 1950s to the present day

August 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I was quite surprised to win' - Growing success wins Top of the Plots for Don

'I was quite surprised to win' - Growing success wins Top of the Plots for Don

August 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Smearing over debating, adulation for England's Lionesses and Americanisms in football - Toby Neal on politics

Smearing over debating, adulation for England's Lionesses and Americanisms in football - Toby Neal on politics

July 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Will Britain pay for the Industrial Revolution? New climate change lawsuits could make it possible - warns Toby Neal

Will Britain pay for the Industrial Revolution? New climate change lawsuits could make it possible - warns Toby Neal

July 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: Shropshire Council's Shirehall: Final chapter looms for Shrewsbury's landmark building almost 60 years after Queen's grand opening

Shropshire Council's Shirehall: Final chapter looms for Shrewsbury's landmark building almost 60 years after Queen's grand opening

July 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Welcome to Britain’s Banana Republic – where justice is a joke and free speech is dead' - says Toby Neal

'Welcome to Britain’s Banana Republic – where justice is a joke and free speech is dead' - says Toby Neal

July 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on 900 years of common history, a mouche in the ointment and thermal shock in a heatwave

Toby Neal on 900 years of common history, a mouche in the ointment and thermal shock in a heatwave

Supporting image for story: Remembering the Telford visits of suave star Gerald Harper who made our Shirley weak at the knees

Remembering the Telford visits of suave star Gerald Harper who made our Shirley weak at the knees

June 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: A historian who unlocked untold human stories from a turbulent period of Shropshire's history has died aged 84

A historian who unlocked untold human stories from a turbulent period of Shropshire's history has died aged 84

June 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Art world pays tribute to a Shropshire-based sculptural potter hailed as one of the greatest and most influential of his era

Art world pays tribute to a Shropshire-based sculptural potter hailed as one of the greatest and most influential of his era

June 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on an army of the future, shoplifting statistics and playing hero on public transport

Toby Neal on an army of the future, shoplifting statistics and playing hero on public transport

May 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'He was such a gentle soul, a gentleman' - Tributes pour in for former newspaper editor John Griffiths who has died at his Telford home

'He was such a gentle soul, a gentleman' - Tributes pour in for former newspaper editor John Griffiths who has died at his Telford home

May 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on shutting down Reform, Keir Starmer becoming unpredictable and miserable children

Toby Neal on shutting down Reform, Keir Starmer becoming unpredictable and miserable children

May 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It was basic and short of creature comforts - but I loved it' - Memories of Shropshire's 19th century terraced rows demolished in 1960s

'It was basic and short of creature comforts - but I loved it' - Memories of Shropshire's 19th century terraced rows demolished in 1960s

May 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on VE Day spent abroad, national pride and what a flag can mean

Toby Neal on VE Day spent abroad, national pride and what a flag can mean

May 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: VE Day brought first ever tot of naval-issue rum for Shropshire Wrens

VE Day brought first ever tot of naval-issue rum for Shropshire Wrens

Supporting image for story: VE Day 2025: A family's fascinating link with a Shropshire airbase has inspired generations

VE Day 2025: A family's fascinating link with a Shropshire airbase has inspired generations

May 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Time will tell if I did the right thing' - Shropshire author took a sometimes rocky road to achieve his mill home dream

'Time will tell if I did the right thing' - Shropshire author took a sometimes rocky road to achieve his mill home dream

April 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: New 'seriously nutty' children's book from Telford author available now

New 'seriously nutty' children's book from Telford author available now

April 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Sir Keir’s Steel Revival: Strategic for industry or just a symbolic gesture?

Sir Keir’s Steel Revival: Strategic for industry or just a symbolic gesture?

April 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Lost' Telford's community remembered in new book after 25 years in the making

'Lost' Telford's community remembered in new book after 25 years in the making

April 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Remembering the Easter sun dance over the Wrekin which drew the crowds

Remembering the Easter sun dance over the Wrekin which drew the crowds

April 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Make the UK Great Again: A modest proposal for tariffs, teenagers, and the 'War on Americanisms'

Make the UK Great Again: A modest proposal for tariffs, teenagers, and the 'War on Americanisms'

March 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: Growth and change for Albrighton and beyond - but you can't please everyone

Growth and change for Albrighton and beyond - but you can't please everyone