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Shrewsbury retro 1970: 16 pictures from in and around the county town to spark memories

Step back into 1970 with this nostalgic gallery.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

From a famous Australian yodelling country singer in Pontesbury to a large fibreglass-scaled hurricane outside a cinema, and a 14-month wait for a boiler repair, these photos offer a fascinating snapshot of the year.

Enjoy a step back in time with these images from the Shropshire Star’s archives. 

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The Nags Head pub, Pontesbury, January 24, 1970. The caption said: 'Shropshire's perfect pub, The Nag's Head at Pontesbury, was bursting at the seams today. Hundreds of people from all over the county crowded into the pub to see television star Frank Ifield present the awards in the Shropshire Star-sponsored competition to find the perfect pub for 1969.' The picture shows licensee Mr Henry Mitchell and his wife Betty, with Frank Ifield fixing the plaque to the wall.
The Nags Head pub, Pontesbury, January 24, 1970. The caption said: 'Shropshire's perfect pub, The Nag's Head at Pontesbury, was bursting at the seams today. Hundreds of people from all over the county crowded into the pub to see television star Frank Ifield present the awards in the Shropshire Star-sponsored competition to find the perfect pub for 1969.' The picture shows licensee Mr Henry Mitchell and his wife Betty, with Frank Ifield fixing the plaque to the wall.
February 1970: 'Miss Shropshire, Belinda Banks, of Shrewsbury, met Frank Ifield in his dressing room at The Grand, Wolverhampton, last night. Belinda presented Frank with an engraved tankard to mark his visit to the Nag's Head, Pontesbury, winner of the Shropshire Star's Perfect Pub competition,' reads the caption.
February 1970: 'Miss Shropshire, Belinda Banks, of Shrewsbury, met Frank Ifield in his dressing room at The Grand, Wolverhampton, last night. Belinda presented Frank with an engraved tankard to mark his visit to the Nag's Head, Pontesbury, winner of the Shropshire Star's Perfect Pub competition,' reads the caption.
The Chippie, Coleham, Shrewsbury, in 1970. It was demolished soon afterwards. Photo: S.J. Stowe.
'The Chippy', Coleham, Shrewsbury, in 1970. It was demolished soon afterwards. Photo: S.J. Stowe.
'Bayston Hill's common is a 'desolation of weeds' with a muddy patch in the middle like an 'arterial road', the residents say. And members of Bayston Hill Parish Council have agreed with the residents. But the one thing standing in the way of making the common a 'village feature' is money.' The story quoted one of the complaining residents, John Rea, of Saxonholme, Blakemore Bank, who shared the picture from March 1970.
'Bayston Hill's common is a 'desolation of weeds' with a muddy patch in the middle like an 'arterial road', the residents say. And members of Bayston Hill Parish Council have agreed with the residents. But the one thing standing in the way of making the common a 'village feature' is money.' The story quoted one of the complaining residents, John Rea, of Saxonholme, Blakemore Bank, who shared the picture from March 1970.