Memoirs of Wellington from across the world

An Australian woman has travelled across the world to share the story of her father's life in Telford more than a century ago.

Jill Caskey has come over to Wellington from her home near Sydney to present the memoirs of George William Smith – entitled On the Idle Hill of Summer – to staff at Wellington Library.

She has also found a sign marking the place where her dad and grandfather Thomas worked as brush makers in Wellington during her visit.

George Smith was born in Wellington in 1900 and worked as a brush maker with his father Thomas in the town. After the First World War, he found it difficult to find work and so decided to emigrate to Australia.

Ms Caskey said: "He loved Australia and he married an Australian girl. He came back to Shropshire for a visit in 1949 shortly after his mother passed away.

"He became ill with multiple sclerosis which led to his retirement, and then he decided to start writing down his memories of Shropshire."

Amy Jones, senior librarian at Wellington library, said: "We are confident that a lot of people will be interested in this book and we're grateful to Jill for bringing it in."