A nostalgic look back to Newport in 1961, when the Women’s Institute ran a market stall in the town’s Indoor Market. Now known as Newport Country Market, the stall has since marked over 50 years in the community. Seen here from left are Mrs Lea (assistant controller), Mrs Williamson (secretary), Mrs Miller (controller), Mrs Rugman (treasurer) and Mrs Vallings (committee member), proudly representing the Newport WI. The stall carried the sign “Shropshire Women’s Institute Markets Ltd”, reflecting a long-standing tradition of local produce and community enterprise.placeholder image
A nostalgic look back to Newport in 1961, when the Women’s Institute ran a market stall in the town’s Indoor Market. Now known as Newport Country Market, the stall has since marked over 50 years in the community. Seen here from left are Mrs Lea (assistant controller), Mrs Williamson (secretary), Mrs Miller (controller), Mrs Rugman (treasurer) and Mrs Vallings (committee member), proudly representing the Newport WI. The stall carried the sign “Shropshire Women’s Institute Markets Ltd”, reflecting a long-standing tradition of local produce and community enterprise. | Shropshire Star

Take a look at 19 retro photos of people and places in Shropshire, 1961

By Tania Taylor
Published 29th Apr 2026, 09:22 BST
Updated 29th Apr 2026, 10:00 BST

A look back through the archives, 65 years on.

This gallery revisits the stories making the news across the county in 1961.

Drawn from the Shropshire Star archive, these photographs capture familiar faces, everyday moments and remarkable curiosities steeped in local history — from a village doorstop said to be a brick from the Great Wall of China, to hospital patients being wheeled outside to enjoy a sports day. Together, they are sure to spark a wave of nostalgia.

Don’t forget to share your own memories with us in the comments.

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October 1961: The photograph shows Shropshire author Edith Pargeter, who lived in Madeley at the time and also wrote under the name Ellis Peters. Despite damage to the original caption, it records members of a Library Association branch being shown around Shrewsbury and later entertained at Shrewsbury Castle with a buffet tea hosted by the Mayor, Councillor R.J.H. Edwards. In the image, Miss Pargeter is seen (centre) displaying the manuscript of her historical novel The Heaven Tree, set in the 13th century with Shrewsbury Castle featuring prominently, alongside Birmingham branch chairman Mrs SMT Stone.

5. Madeley / Shrewsbury, 1961

October 1961: The photograph shows Shropshire author Edith Pargeter, who lived in Madeley at the time and also wrote under the name Ellis Peters. Despite damage to the original caption, it records members of a Library Association branch being shown around Shrewsbury and later entertained at Shrewsbury Castle with a buffet tea hosted by the Mayor, Councillor R.J.H. Edwards. In the image, Miss Pargeter is seen (centre) displaying the manuscript of her historical novel The Heaven Tree, set in the 13th century with Shrewsbury Castle featuring prominently, alongside Birmingham branch chairman Mrs SMT Stone. | Shropshire Star

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February 2, 1961, Mr Gordon R Norris was marking 50 years as custodian of the clock at St Nicholas’s Church, Newport. Every Friday, he would cycle to the church and climb the 54 steps of the tower to the clock room, where he carefully wound the heavy weights by hand to keep the mechanism ticking over for another week.

6. Newport, 1961

February 2, 1961, Mr Gordon R Norris was marking 50 years as custodian of the clock at St Nicholas’s Church, Newport. Every Friday, he would cycle to the church and climb the 54 steps of the tower to the clock room, where he carefully wound the heavy weights by hand to keep the mechanism ticking over for another week. | Shropshire Star

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June 1961: This small group of pupils from Harley Church of England Primary School, were captured hard at work in class. With just 12 children on the school roll, the entire attendance is seen here during lessons. The caption notes that the school was due to close, with pupils soon to be moved to a new school at Cressage, marking the end of an era for this rural village classroom.

7. Harley, 1961

June 1961: This small group of pupils from Harley Church of England Primary School, were captured hard at work in class. With just 12 children on the school roll, the entire attendance is seen here during lessons. The caption notes that the school was due to close, with pupils soon to be moved to a new school at Cressage, marking the end of an era for this rural village classroom. | Shropshire Star

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A nostalgic look back to around 1961, when staff from the Shropshire District of the West Midlands Gas Board gathered for their annual dinner at the Adam Ballroom in the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury. Some readers recall it as the Gas Board Sports and Social Club dinner, a popular fixture in the calendar at the time. Seated at the top table, from left, are Jack Collins, Cliff Bailey, Derek Fallows, an unidentified guest, Bill Oldham, another unknown attendee, Ted Ryder and Jack Onions

8. Shrewsbury, 1961

A nostalgic look back to around 1961, when staff from the Shropshire District of the West Midlands Gas Board gathered for their annual dinner at the Adam Ballroom in the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury. Some readers recall it as the Gas Board Sports and Social Club dinner, a popular fixture in the calendar at the time. Seated at the top table, from left, are Jack Collins, Cliff Bailey, Derek Fallows, an unidentified guest, Bill Oldham, another unknown attendee, Ted Ryder and Jack Onions | Shropshire Star

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