Wading through murky, swirling waters in heavy rubber waders, two determined local men hoist 17-month-old Caroline Abell high in her pram to keep her warm and dry during the severe winter flooding of January 1968. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Shrewsbury's historic timber-framed buildings submerged to their doorways, the heartwarming rescue captured the resilient community spirit that always surfaced when the River Severn burst its banks. Were you or your family caught up in the great floods that swept through Shrewsbury in the late 1960s?placeholder image
Wading through murky, swirling waters in heavy rubber waders, two determined local men hoist 17-month-old Caroline Abell high in her pram to keep her warm and dry during the severe winter flooding of January 1968. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Shrewsbury's historic timber-framed buildings submerged to their doorways, the heartwarming rescue captured the resilient community spirit that always surfaced when the River Severn burst its banks. Were you or your family caught up in the great floods that swept through Shrewsbury in the late 1960s? | ©PA

33 pictures take you back to Shropshire in the 1960s

By Tania Taylor
Published 6th Nov 2026, 02:00 GMT

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Shropshire in the ‘60s

Take a look back at Shropshire in the 1960s, a decade of change, memorable moments and everyday life across the county.

From the transformation of towns and major roadworks to traditional country shows and life in rural communities, these photographs capture a county balancing its past with an increasingly modern world.

The collection features some fascinating moments from the decade, including Queen Elizabeth II arriving by Royal Train, a star-studded cabaret night with Diana Dors, celebrations marking the Salopia coach company's jubilee and local characters taking on daring transatlantic challenges. There are also quieter glimpses of life in Shropshire, from walks across the Stiperstones to gatherings in busy parish halls.

Together, these archive photographs offer a snapshot of the people, places and events that made Shropshire in the 1960s such a memorable time.

Do you recognise any of the places or people? Share your memories in the comments.

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Every seat is taken as an upbeat coach party departs the Stag's Head pub in Market Drayton on the evening of Friday, October 25, 1968, embarking on a 300-mile journey to Falmouth. The 45 supporters, including wife Daphne Heath, family, and local regulars, made the overnight trek to wave off Woodseaves lorry driver Derek Heath as he set out to cross the Atlantic in a tiny 12ft rubber dinghy named Shropshire Star. Although Heath's courageous attempt was cut short just 11 hours later following a collision with a French fishing vessel in heavy fog, the spirited send-off captured the adventurous heart of the local community. Were you on board that famous 45-seater coach to Cornwall or do you recall following Derek Heath's daring dinghy adventures in the paper?

25. Coachload of cheers for an ambitious transatlantic voyage

Every seat is taken as an upbeat coach party departs the Stag's Head pub in Market Drayton on the evening of Friday, October 25, 1968, embarking on a 300-mile journey to Falmouth. The 45 supporters, including wife Daphne Heath, family, and local regulars, made the overnight trek to wave off Woodseaves lorry driver Derek Heath as he set out to cross the Atlantic in a tiny 12ft rubber dinghy named Shropshire Star. Although Heath's courageous attempt was cut short just 11 hours later following a collision with a French fishing vessel in heavy fog, the spirited send-off captured the adventurous heart of the local community. Were you on board that famous 45-seater coach to Cornwall or do you recall following Derek Heath's daring dinghy adventures in the paper? | Shropshire Star archive

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Peering curiously over the woven rim of a wicker basket on a kitchen tabletop, a delightful litter of Japanese Spaniels poses for the camera in January 1964. Bred by local enthusiast Major Reggie Waugh Harris in the village of Pontesbury, these charming, wide-eyed pups were prized examples of the rare and elegant toy breed flourishing in rural Shropshire. Did you ever own or meet one of the Major's prized Japanese Spaniels around the Pontesbury area?

26. A basket full of prize pups warms up Pontesbury

Peering curiously over the woven rim of a wicker basket on a kitchen tabletop, a delightful litter of Japanese Spaniels poses for the camera in January 1964. Bred by local enthusiast Major Reggie Waugh Harris in the village of Pontesbury, these charming, wide-eyed pups were prized examples of the rare and elegant toy breed flourishing in rural Shropshire. Did you ever own or meet one of the Major's prized Japanese Spaniels around the Pontesbury area? | ©PA

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A man makes his way through the courtyard gates of Park Street Hospital on Wednesday, July 12, 1961. Managed under the Wolverhampton Hospital Management Committee, the austere brick building, originally erected in the 19th century as the Shifnal Union Workhouse, stood on the brink of significant change, with ambitious £80,000-plus plans set to replace its aged facilities with two modern hospital wards. Do you or your relatives remember visiting or working at Park Street Hospital before its major redevelopment?

27. Victorian building faces modernisation at Park Street Hospital in Shifnal

A man makes his way through the courtyard gates of Park Street Hospital on Wednesday, July 12, 1961. Managed under the Wolverhampton Hospital Management Committee, the austere brick building, originally erected in the 19th century as the Shifnal Union Workhouse, stood on the brink of significant change, with ambitious £80,000-plus plans set to replace its aged facilities with two modern hospital wards. Do you or your relatives remember visiting or working at Park Street Hospital before its major redevelopment? | Shropshire Star archive

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Cradling her little dog Sparkie in her arms, Emily Griffiths, later Williams, pauses among the rugged quartzite crags of the Stiperstones during a breezy afternoon in the 1960s. High above the rolling hills and patchwork plains stretching towards the distant horizon, the striking snapshot captures a peaceful moment taking in the wild beauty of one of Shropshire's most dramatic upland landscapes. Have you ever braved the rocky heights of the Stiperstones to take in those breathtaking views across the Shropshire hills?

28. Windswept heights and sweeping vistas atop the Stiperstones

Cradling her little dog Sparkie in her arms, Emily Griffiths, later Williams, pauses among the rugged quartzite crags of the Stiperstones during a breezy afternoon in the 1960s. High above the rolling hills and patchwork plains stretching towards the distant horizon, the striking snapshot captures a peaceful moment taking in the wild beauty of one of Shropshire's most dramatic upland landscapes. Have you ever braved the rocky heights of the Stiperstones to take in those breathtaking views across the Shropshire hills? | Shropshire Star archive

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