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.

  • 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.
An aircraft graveyard at RAF Shawbury in February 1961, where a de Havilland Vampire jet is seen being broken up for scrap, with Percival Provost aircraft standing in the background.

13. Shawbury, 1961

An aircraft graveyard at RAF Shawbury in February 1961, where a de Havilland Vampire jet is seen being broken up for scrap, with Percival Provost aircraft standing in the background. | Shropshire Star

Photo Sales
A nostalgic look back to March 14, 1961, with this archive image of Harlescott Church vicarage. The print is captioned on the reverse as “Harlescott Ch. vicarage”, believed to refer to Harlescott Church vicarage.

14. Harlescott, 1961

A nostalgic look back to March 14, 1961, with this archive image of Harlescott Church vicarage. The print is captioned on the reverse as “Harlescott Ch. vicarage”, believed to refer to Harlescott Church vicarage. | Shropshire Star

Photo Sales
Wroxeter Roman City, 1961, where amateur archaeologists took part in a “Roman holiday” in the heart of the Shropshire countryside. On a course in Romano-British excavation techniques, participants were busy digging at the site of Viroconium, uncovering a number of interesting finds. The original caption notes that Viroconium, near Shrewsbury, lay on the main route used by the Romans during their invasion of the Midlands and North Wales. A handwritten note on the print also references the older spelling “Uriconium”, reflecting how the site was once more commonly known.

15. Wroxeter, 1961

Wroxeter Roman City, 1961, where amateur archaeologists took part in a “Roman holiday” in the heart of the Shropshire countryside. On a course in Romano-British excavation techniques, participants were busy digging at the site of Viroconium, uncovering a number of interesting finds. The original caption notes that Viroconium, near Shrewsbury, lay on the main route used by the Romans during their invasion of the Midlands and North Wales. A handwritten note on the print also references the older spelling “Uriconium”, reflecting how the site was once more commonly known. | Shropshire Star

Photo Sales
A fascinating feature at Munslow Parish Church in July 1961, where a humble doorstop was in fact a brick said to have come from the Great Wall of China. Brought back to England in 1884 by a Royal Navy officer serving on HMS Cleopatra, it was later placed in the entrance to the Norman church in the heart of Shropshire’s Corvedale. A plaque on the brick recorded its remarkable journey from China to England.

16. Munslow, 1961

A fascinating feature at Munslow Parish Church in July 1961, where a humble doorstop was in fact a brick said to have come from the Great Wall of China. Brought back to England in 1884 by a Royal Navy officer serving on HMS Cleopatra, it was later placed in the entrance to the Norman church in the heart of Shropshire’s Corvedale. A plaque on the brick recorded its remarkable journey from China to England. | Shropshire Star

Photo Sales
Previous
4 / 5
Next Page
Related topics:Photo memories
Local news you can trust
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice