This week's pictures from the past
A round-up of this week's Shropshire Star nostalgia pictures. [caption id="attachment_56814" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth at the 1949 Royal Show in Shrewsbury. Picture loaned by Mrs Sybil Waite"][/caption] Princess Elizabeth – the future Queen – and Prince Philip came to the 1949 Royal Show in Shrewsbury. This photo of the royal pair was loaned to us by Mrs Sybil Waite, of Shrewsbury, who says: "My late husband Bernard Waite took that of Prince Philip at the Royal Show. He sneaked into the royal enclosure, which he shouldn't have done." This photograph was taken on December 6, 1952, at Wards Café and Ballroom, then situated in Mardol, Shrewsbury. It is the annual dinner dance and prize presentation of the Mid Shropshire Wheelers Cycling Club. Several of these folk are still cycling today. Shrewsbury's Jim Leach says: "During the late 1940s and early 50s there was considerable cycling activity based in Shrewsbury and district, not only the Mid Shropshire Wheelers, but also the Cyclists Touring Club. "It has been suggested that those who were riding together during that period should meet for a mid-week lunch sometime during the late spring or early summer. "Anyone who cycled, even occasionally, with the above groups during the 1940s and 50s and would like to meet old friends will be made very welcome. "To confirm your interest please contact either me on 01743 232747 or Cliff Ash on 01939 250591 before the end of March." Wow, take a look at this – a brand new model is being unveiled. It's a Ford Zephyr Six, capable of 80mph and 23 miles a gallon. This photo is from the Furrows archive and was loaned to us by Shrewsbury transport historian Roy Pilsbury. As the sign by the head of the gentleman on the left says "Granada Cafe", it looks as if the Granada Theatre in Shrewsbury was the scene of this event. Actually, it's an assumption that it is an unveiling, based on the fact that cardboard is being removed from around the car, but it's possible it was some other occasion. Production of this model began in 1951, so the date is likely to be around then.
This photo was emailed in to us by Derek Jackson, and clearly coincides with some patriotic event. Derek says: "I send you this picture of Corra (Calverhall), which I think was taken in 1953.
"The old gentleman is my grandfather William Spragg. I'm not sure who the other man is, but maybe some of your readers will know."
If the 1953 date is correct, the event might be the Coronation.
We're taking a trip through time today to have a look at a sort of community within a community in Shropshire in the post-war period.
This photo, loaned by Telford historian Phil Fairclough, is one of a number which were given to him recently by the wife of a man from the Crimea who was at the European Voluntary Workers camp at Wellington, which was close to the current BRJ school. It was home to a large number of displaced people from Eastern Europe.
The photo must date from the late 1940s or early 1950s. Incidentally Phil is interested to hear from anybody with similar photos or tales from such camps, and is particularly keen to learn more about the camp which was at Cluddley. He can be contacted on (01952) 417633.
A little while ago we published a picture of the "Round House at Ruyton-XI-Towns", which has prompted historian Yoland Brown from the village to e-mail us this picture of the house, and at the same time clarify its exact location.
"The round house is actually in the parish of Baschurch as it is on the east side of the River Perry – not to worry though, as the people in that little community are over a mile from Baschurch and are felt to be part of Ruyton.
"The original five toll houses were built along the 1772 Burlton to Llanymynech turnpike but by 1840 money was needed to repair the road along the Brownhill.
"This road is a wonderful feat of engineering for its time. Just look at how the sheer cliff on the south side was cut and the road retained by a huge wall on the north side.
"The door of the round/toll house is now blocked off but was still extant when Mrs Silcock visited with her three evacuee children during the war years. They were probably visiting Mrs Francis.
"The tree on the left of the picture was felled three or four years ago."
