The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs.placeholder image
The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs. | Express & Star archive

Shropshire in the Victorian era: 37 pictures capturing life over a century ago

By Toby Neal
Published 28th Oct 2026, 10:08 GMT

A window into the Shropshire world of the Victorians

Thanks to photography, we have a window into the world of Shropshire’s Victorians - how they lived, what they looked like, and the towns they inhabited.

It was the first era to be documented by photography. And you know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words.

So let’s take a trip back in time and take a look through the lens at the life of our Salopian forebears who were immortalised for posterity by something which still feels a bit special even today - the simple act of having our picture taken.

  • Shrewsbury in 1979: 25 pictures of football glory and life around town - see them here
  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here
The triumphal arch says "All Hail to the Ancient Familes of Beamand and Price." After we carried this picture previously a reader wrote in to say it was the wedding of Richard Beamand and Betsy Price at Clun in 1871. The Beamand family was of Vron End, Newcastle-on-Clun, and big landowners. Richard Beamand MAY be the tall gentleman on the right. This appears not to be the actual wedding, but it is suggested it could be the family viewing the arch.

37. A marriage made in Clun

The triumphal arch says "All Hail to the Ancient Familes of Beamand and Price." After we carried this picture previously a reader wrote in to say it was the wedding of Richard Beamand and Betsy Price at Clun in 1871. The Beamand family was of Vron End, Newcastle-on-Clun, and big landowners. Richard Beamand MAY be the tall gentleman on the right. This appears not to be the actual wedding, but it is suggested it could be the family viewing the arch. | Shropshire Archives

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