New Wem town square to be named in honour of Queen

The square in Wem will be formally named Jubilee Square to mark the end of the town's celebrations to commemorate the diamond anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday at 11.30am where the square will be introduced by Wem-born Martin Wood, town crier for Shrewsbury.

The square, which took about six weeks to complete last year, was created on land at the lorry park between the Co-op and White Lion pub.

The scheme was met with mixed reaction from people in Wem, with some claiming it would breathe new life into the town, while others said it was a waste of money.

Supporters of the project also believed it would give Wem a new venue for outdoor events such as car boot sales and farmers' markets.

The Wem Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Steering Group, made up of representatives from local groups, churches, schools and societies, has raised the funds for a plaque to be installed on the town square.

Group chairman Edward Towers said: "I would like to thank the townspeople of Wem who have generously supported the Jubilee weekend celebrations last year and the recent coronation variety night.

"The money raised by these events has been used to purchase the large plaque for the square and to help erect and put a plaque on the beacon we were given to use in 2012 on the Wem Recreation Ground.

"With any balance of the money raised we would like to purchase commemorative plaques to be installed in suitable locations around the town, such as our schools, as a lasting legacy of the great celebrations we have enjoyed here in Wem."

He added: "I hope that residents of Wem will attend the official naming ceremony which will mark the end of our year of special events."

Wem Jubilee Band will be supporting this weekend's ceremony by performing from 11.15am.

Following a short introduction, the Mayor of Wem, Councillor Connie Granger, will unveil the granite plaque that has been designed by resident Will Stephens.