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Shifnal through the years: 21 pictures of historic buildings, streets and faces remembered

Take a journey through the decades with our gallery of Shifnal, the much-loved market town.

By Tania Taylor
Published
Last updated

Enjoy this collection of iconic buildings, bustling streets, and faces from years gone by. 

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The Buttery in Shifnal during the 1930s. The picture shows the property in situ before it was moved.
The Buttery in Shifnal during the 1930s. The picture shows the property in situ before it was moved to Castlecroft Gardens in Wolverhampton.
Victoria Road, Shifnal, circa July 1939. The Union Inn, is on the left. Written on the back of this print is 'Original Proof, Victoria Road, Shifnal, July 39, Mansells 37452'. Picture loaned by Ray Farlow, Bridgnorth postcard collector.
Victoria Road, Shifnal, circa July 1939. The Union Inn, is on the left. Written on the back of this print is 'Original Proof, Victoria Road, Shifnal, July 39, Mansells 37452'. Picture loaned by Ray Farlow, Bridgnorth postcard collector.
Shifnal fire station and firemen. The former Shifnal fire station was built in 1913 and closed around the late 1970s. This picture is undated, but possibly taken in the 1930s. Picture: St Andrew's Archive Group.
Shifnal fire station and firemen. The former Shifnal fire station was built in 1913 and closed around the late 1970s. This picture is undated, but possibly taken in the 1930s. Picture: St Andrew's Archive Group.
Shifnal Toll House, with Park Lane, Shifnal, on the right, and the Wolverhampton road on the left. This picture is believed to date from the early 1930. The dog is an Alsatian called Rascal. The landmark toll house was demolished at some stage after it was struck by a lorry.
Shifnal Toll House, with Park Lane, Shifnal, on the right, and the Wolverhampton road on the left. This picture is believed to date from the early 1930s. The dog is an Alsatian called Rascal. The landmark toll house was demolished at some stage after it was struck by a lorry.
Shifnal in the 1930s. Among businesses visible are Smith saddler in the black and white buildings. Picture shared by Jackfield historian Ron Miles.
Shifnal in the 1930s. Among businesses visible are Smith saddler in the black and white buildings. Picture shared by Jackfield historian Ron Miles.
The photograph shows six children evacuees from Smethwick, complete with labels and luggage, with the Clerk to Shifnal Council, Mr G. Thomas.
The photograph shows six children evacuees from Smethwick, complete with labels and luggage, with the Clerk to Shifnal Council, Mr G. Thomas. September 1, 1939.
The demolition of the old Shifnal bridge and erection of a new one, was helping train spotters as it gave a good view of all the trains in November 1953.
The demolition of the old Shifnal bridge and erection of a new one, was helping train spotters as it gave a good view of all the trains in November 1953.
This picture is among the things of Ken Edwards, of 39 Victoria Road, Shifnal, TF11 8AF, 461132, who was born on July 7, 1939, and joined Shifnal Scouts aged 11, so in 1950 or 1951, and has continued his involvement in Scouting until the present day. This picture was taken in 1959 when Ken was doing his Wood Badge course, ie. his leader training, at The Wrekin camp site. Ken is first row down from top, second from the left of the four seated, i.e. with a bald man to his left as you look at the picture. In the 2016 St George's Day Awards of the Scout Association he received the Silver Wolf Award, which is given in recognition of services to Scouting of the most exceptional nature. It is the Scout Association's highest award for Scouting.
Ken Edwards joined Shifnal Scouts aged 11 and continued his involvement in Scouting. This picture was taken in 1959 when Ken was doing his Wood Badge course, ie. his leader training, at The Wrekin camp site. Ken is first row down from top, second from the left of the four seated. In the 2016 St George's Day Awards of the Scout Association he received the Silver Wolf Award, which is given in recognition of services to Scouting of the most exceptional nature. It is the Scout Association's highest award for Scouting.
nostalgia pic. Madeley. nostalgia pic. Dawley. nostalgia pic. Shifnal. The party of four who in August 1960 drove down to the Rome Olympic Games. From left, Roger Drury and Malcolm Davies, who were both 17 year olds from Cleethorpes and thought to have been school friends at Cleethorpes Grammar School; Len Roberts of Dawley (at that time), and George Bolton, of Shifnal. The photo is taken outside George Bolton's Shifnal home when they picked him up for the trip. Roger was the son of the car owner. This picture is from Mr Len Roberts, of Woodlands, Park Lane, Madeley TF7 5HJ, 580693, DoB February 18, 1935. In August 1960 he and three others, one of them being George Bolton from Shifnal, the other two being 17-year-olds from Cleethorpes, drove the 900 miles to Rome to see the Rome Olympics, and back again. At that time Mr Roberts, who was a PE teacher at Madeley Modern School, was living at 46 Chapel Street, Dawley. Old car. Old cars. The car is a 1938 Ford 8. Library code: Madeley nostalgia 2012. Dawley nostalgia 2012.
A party of four who in August 1960 drove down to the Rome Olympic Games. From left, Roger Drury and Malcolm Davies, who were both 17 year olds from Cleethorpes and thought to have been school friends at Cleethorpes Grammar School; Len Roberts of Dawley (at that time), and George Bolton, of Shifnal. The photo is taken outside George Bolton's Shifnal home when they picked him up for the trip. Roger was the son of the car owner. This picture is from Mr Len Roberts, who at that time was a PE teacher at Madeley Modern School and living in Dawley. The car is a 1938 Ford 8
An 18th century black and white building in the town was deemed unsafe and was being demolished in January, 1961.
An 18th century black and white building in the town was deemed unsafe and was being demolished in January, 1961.
Park Street Hospital, Shifnal, July 1961. The hospital was due to be replaced by two modern wards.
Park Street Hospital, Shifnal, July 1961. The hospital was due to be replaced by two modern wards.
15 Market Place, Shifnal. The 16th century premises was being restored thanks to a grant from the local authority and the Historic Buildings Council in October 1964.
15 Market Place, Shifnal. The 16th century premises was being restored thanks to a grant from the local authority and the Historic Buildings Council in October 1964. Today, The Wishing Star Cantonese takeaway occupies the building.
The Royal George pub, Shifnal, pictured on the last weekend it was open in 1970. It was demolished the next week. The picture was shared by Mick Williams. He is not on the picture but names them as, from left: John 'Turk' Ferriday, Tony Mountford, Les Jones, Les Davies, Ernie Cox, Colin Parker, Jim Howard, Bill Williams, Bert Massey, John Childs, Lenny Langford, Dave Forman, Arthur Howard, landlord Tony Harrison, Gladys Williams, Harry Brazier, Eddie Shelly, Bill Mountford, Robert 'Jock' Welch, Mick Patterson, Graham Cox, Alan Drew, Malcolm Mountford, Dave Drew, Ted Owen, Audrey Studd, Ken Wilkshire, landlady Marie Harrison, Alan Langford, and Alf Studd.'
The Royal George pub, Shifnal, pictured on the last weekend it was open in 1970. It was demolished the next week. The picture was shared by Mick Williams. He is not on the picture but names them as, from left: John 'Turk' Ferriday, Tony Mountford, Les Jones, Les Davies, Ernie Cox, Colin Parker, Jim Howard, Bill Williams, Bert Massey, John Childs, Lenny Langford, Dave Forman, Arthur Howard, landlord Tony Harrison, Gladys Williams, Harry Brazier, Eddie Shelly, Bill Mountford, Robert 'Jock' Welch, Mick Patterson, Graham Cox, Alan Drew, Malcolm Mountford, Dave Drew, Ted Owen, Audrey Studd, Ken Wilkshire, landlady Marie Harrison, Alan Langford, and Alf Studd.'
August 25, 1970, the caption reads: 'A new view of Shifnal has opened with the demolition of old shops in the town centre to make way for redevelopment.'
August 25, 1970, the caption reads: 'A new view of Shifnal has opened with the demolition of old shops in the town centre to make way for redevelopment.'
A fire broke out at the historic Manor House, Shifnal, in June 1974, in the building's 15th century Tudor wing, destroying the roof and damaging part of the first floor.
A fire broke out at the historic Manor House, Shifnal, in June 1974, in the building's 15th century Tudor wing, destroying the roof and damaging part of the first floor.
Idsall School, Shifnal, 1977. The caption reads: 'Mr Richard Duncan, teacher of mathematics and German, introduces fourth year pupils to the mysteries of a desk top computer which has been acquired by Idsall School, Shifnal, and is being used in the new science and maths block.'
Idsall School, Shifnal, 1977. The caption reads: 'Mr Richard Duncan, teacher of mathematics and German, introduces fourth year pupils to the mysteries of a desk top computer which has been acquired by Idsall School, Shifnal, and is being used in the new science and maths block.'
The Buttery, Shifnal. The property belonging to Eric and Rosemary Emerson had been due for demolition in the 1930s, when Major Kenneth Hutchinson Smith dismantled it beam by beam and brick by brick and rebuilt it in Castlecroft Gardens in Wolverhampton. The photograph shows the Emerson couple by the fireplace in September 1978.
The Buttery, Shifnal. The property belonging to Eric and Rosemary Emerson had been due for demolition in the 1930s, when Major Kenneth Hutchinson Smith dismantled it beam by beam and brick by brick and rebuilt it in Castlecroft Gardens in Wolverhampton. The photograph shows the Emerson couple by the fireplace in September 1978.
This undated photograph shows Shifnal railway bridge, with the premises of Pat Reeds, Staffordshire Building Society and Barclays in the background.
This undated photograph shows Shifnal railway bridge, with the premises of Pat Reeds, Staffordshire Building Society and Barclays in the background.
Youngsters from Poland were visiting the Lichfield diocese in July 1986, and spent time helping local children to look after St Andrew's Church, Shifnal. The photograph shows 17-year-old Jonathan Attfield of Great Wyrley, dusting one of the stained glass windows.
Youngsters from Poland were visiting the Lichfield diocese in July 1986, and spent time helping local children to look after St Andrew's Church, Shifnal. The photograph shows 17-year-old Jonathan Attfield of Great Wyrley, dusting one of the stained glass windows.
Signs which celebrated Shifnal's twinning with a French town, Machecoul, had to be rapidly altered as the name of the French town had been misspelt. The photograph shows Councillor Gerald Nickless (left) and Leonard Sherriff with one of the signs in April 1989.
Signs which celebrated Shifnal's twinning with a French town, Machecoul, had to be rapidly altered as the name of the French town had been misspelt. The photograph shows Councillor Gerald Nickless (left) and Leonard Sherriff with one of the signs in April 1989.
Wolverhampton jewellers T. A. Henn sponsored a charity dinner at the Park House in Shifnal, to raise money for the West Midlands Air Ambulance Service. The photograph shows Bob Seaward receiving a cheque from John Henn (left) and his wife, Julia.
Wolverhampton jewellers T. A. Henn sponsored a charity dinner at the Park House in Shifnal, to raise money for the West Midlands Air Ambulance Service. The photograph shows Bob Seaward receiving a cheque from John Henn (left) and his wife, Julia.

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