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Retro Shropshire: 21 vintage fundraising moments you might remember

From charity football matches and fashion shows to even smashing pianos, our readers have always gone the extra mile for a good cause.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

Here we take a look back at some of those moments captured in the Shropshire Star archives.

The picture was shared by Patrick Wood, it was from his father's archives. The date is 1935 and the picture was taken on the old Craven Arms football field which is now built on. The back of Barclays Bank, Coverdale Road, can clearly be seen in the background. The occasion is a charity football match. On the back of them the following caption on the one \ Fat Uns vee the Thin Uns \ and on the other \Thin Uns vee the Fat Uns\. Some characters from Craven Arms are mentioned...' (thepicture clearly shows the Thins team and the names he gives are 'in the Thins Jack Lloyd. Charlie Farr, Arthur Pendleton, Fred Smith Butcher, Tony, Croft 9th from left Mrs. Jane Wood my Grandmother Best Wishes Patrick Wood' jpwood13@gmail.com. Craven Arms footballers. Library code: Craven Arms nostalgia 2014.
This picture was shared by Patrick Wood, it was from his father's archives. The date is 1935 and the picture was taken on the old Craven Arms football field which is now built on. The back of Barclays Bank, Coverdale Road, can clearly be seen in the background. The occasion is a charity football match
A charity fashion show in aid of Helping Hand organised by Denise Wynne in the late 1950s/early 1960s Jean is seventh from the left. Jean Swift started working at the telephone exchange in Wellington as Jean Roberts in 1949
A charity fashion show in aid of Helping Hand organised by Denise Wynne in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Jean Swift is seventh from the left. Jean started working at the telephone exchange in Wellington as Jean Roberts in 1949
Albrighton ladies football team in 1959. The picture was brought in by John Gunnell of Oakengates. He used to live in Albrighton and his father James Gunnell used to be a photographer and took the photo. John's mother Mollie Gunnell is on the picture. It was a novelty or charity event. John names them as back row: Reenie Francis (sic), Joyce Polak, Annie Millward, Dot Humphreys, Jean Davies, Eva Medlyn. Front, Mollie Gunnell, Marg Millward, Joyce Bevan, Jean Churm, Doreen Hookey, Bill Crutchley and Jack Weston
Albrighton ladies football team in 1959. The picture was brought in by John Gunnell of Oakengates. He used to live in Albrighton and his father James Gunnell used to be a photographer and took the photo. John's mother Mollie Gunnell is on the picture. It was a novelty or charity event. John names them as back row: Reenie Francis (sic), Joyce Polak, Annie Millward, Dot Humphreys, Jean Davies, Eva Medlyn. Front, Mollie Gunnell, Marg Millward, Joyce Bevan, Jean Churm, Doreen Hookey, Bill Crutchley and Jack Weston
Driving tractors and smashing pianos were two of the attractions at Boningale Fair held on June 10, 1967. The caption continued: 'The fair was held on grounds opposite The Horns Inn. The highlight of the day was the tractor trials. The fair, held annually, is organised by the Horns of Boningale Club, to raise money for local charities which, for various reasons, cannot be helped by local authorities. Saturday's event, which was opened by Uncle Jim of the Wolverhampton Chronicle'
Driving tractors and smashing pianos were two of the attractions at Boningale Fair, Albrighton, held on June 10, 1967. The caption continued: 'The fair was held on grounds opposite The Horns Inn. The highlight of the day was the tractor trials. The fair, held annually, is organised by the Horns of Boningale Club, to raise money for local charities which, for various reasons, cannot be helped by local authorities. Saturday's event, which was opened by Uncle Jim of the Wolverhampton Chronicle'
Turning back the clock: Sir Henry Osmond Clark (standing) opening the hospital fete and league annual meeting in 1970. Shropshire's Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is well known throughout the country and many parts of the world as an outstanding centre of excellence. For many people involved with this great hospital the spirit of its co-founder, Dame Agnes Hunt, lives on. The very best in high standards of care and medical knowledge form the heart of the hospital. Meanwhile some 500 volunteers, mostly under the auspices of the League of Friends, work tirelessly providing the hospital with its soul \u2013 creating all those extras that make life easier for patients, staff and visitors alike.Formed in 1961 the League celebrates its golden anniversary in 2011 having raised more than \u00a34 million over the past 50 years. League president, Mrs Lyn O\u2019Connor, said many of the organisation\u2019s network of branches throughout Shropshire, Mid and North Wales evolved from after-care clinics established by Dame Agnes in the 1920s.To this day no other League of Friends in the country can boast a more widespread volunteer membership.The League\u2019s biggest single fundraiser is the annual summer fair and open day. Until two years ago the event \u2013 then known as the annual fete \u2013 was always held on a Thursday to coincide with early closing day in Oswestry.\u201cIt was held in a marquee on the hospital field with tables provided by the town council,\u201d Mrs O\u2019Connor explained. But in 2009 it was decided to stage the event on a Saturday and to combine it with an open day. The new look event has been a great success. It is hoped to organise a special fair this year to mark the 50th anniversary along with other events throughout 2011. The second biggest single fundraiser is Ludlow branch\u2019s Christmas Fair which has regularly raised up to \u00a37,000 a time since it was launched in 1997.Mrs O\u2019Connor praised the hard work of branch volunteers. \u201cAt our branc
Turning back the clock: Sir Henry Osmond Clark (standing) opening the hospital fete and league annual meeting in 1970. Shropshire's Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is well known throughout the country and many parts of the world as an outstanding centre of excellence
Singer Helen Shapiro receives a bouquet from Mrs Mary Bray, of Wellington (with her husband Horace), after a charity show at Oakengates. Helen has long-lasting links with the Bray family. She was once a close friend of their late daughter, Iris. The picture was taken on November 26, 1972
Singer Helen Shapiro receives a bouquet from Mrs Mary Bray, of Wellington (with her husband Horace), after a charity show at Oakengates. Helen has long-lasting links with the Bray family. She was once a close friend of their late daughter, Iris. The picture was taken on November 26, 1972