Shifnal history day a tribute to Sylvia

The Sylvia Watts History Day is being held at Shifnal Village Hall on April 18.

It is a programme of talks, walks and exhibits to honour the life and work of Dr Watts. It has been organised by Shifnal Local History Group in memory of Sylvia, who died on April 11 last year.

Jenny Johnson, of the history group, said: "Speakers will include John Lewis Cullwick, who will tell the fascinating story of his famous ancestor Hannah Cullwick of Shifnal who secretly married Arthur Munby, a London lawyer and minor Victorian poet.

"Munby had a particular interest in photographing women farm labourers, pit-workers and servants in their working clothes. Throughout their marriage Hannah was his servant/wife and always referred to her husband as 'Massa'. She kept a diary, which was eventually published by Virago Press.

"Dr Sylvia Watts did an enormous amount of research into local history, with a particular interest in Shifnal. Sylvia published a number of books on Shifnal. Her last book, which was launched before her death, is a definitive history of Shifnal through the ages.

"The first print-run has almost sold out and Sylvia's family have kindly given us permission to have a reprint.

"Sylvia was a respected and much-loved friend to members of Shifnal Local History Group who are indebted to her for her scholarship. She translated our old charters from medieval Latin and also donated photographs and artefacts to our collection, which is housed in the Old Fire Station in Shrewsbury Road, Shifnal.

"She was widely known and admired by local history groups throughout Shropshire, some of whom will be exhibiting at the event. Wrekin Local Studies Forum, Shropshire Family History Society and Friends of Shropshire Archives are supporting the event."

The day will begin with "Remembering Sylvia", with contributions from her family, friends and colleagues. The speakers include Douglas Grounds, who will talk on the life of Archdeacon Joseph Plymley Corbett.

The day runs from 10am to 4pm and places can be booked priced £5 by applying to Alan Cartwright, 3 Lords Drive, St Georges, Telford TF2 9UE, via email at cartwright.alan@gmail.com or at the Shifnal local history exhibition at the old fire station in Shifnal, which is open on Fridays from 2pm to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to noon.