Don's old map 'shrowes' way with new twist in the Shrewsbury debate
An old map might finally put the debate about Shrowsbury and Shroosbury to bed.
The argument about how to pronounce the name is almost as old as the town itself.
But this old map might provide a clue – and it hints that the less popular Shrowsbury might have the advantage.
The argument raised its head when a charity debate was held this week at the University Centre Shrewsbury.
The Shropshire Star set up a poll in which more than 1,000 people voted – and more than eight out of 10 said they believed Shroosbury was the correct pronunciation.
Enter into the debate 86-year-old Dan Phillips, who has produced an old map that he claims provides a clear verdict.
It describes the town as Shrowesbury – even though Mr Phillips admits that he himself prefers Shroosbury.
Mr Phillips says the document is a copy of an undated map of Shropshire.
He said: "I can't give you any details about the map. We had it for years and years, and it was probably from my parents. They must have had it a long time.
"I've been reading in the paper about it and thought that I was sure that I had got a map somewhere. It gives the spelling as Shrowesbury."
Mr Phillips' map does not include the date of the original from which it must have been printed. Many of the spellings would be unfamiliar now - such as Clunne, Hopton Wafre, and Bridgenorthe.
It also includes an island of land immediately to the east of Brown Clee Hill which is marked as "part of Herefordshire".
The subject of Shrowsbury versus Shroosbury is one that has been raised nationally.
It was debated by new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans on his Radio 2 show last year after he revealed his confusion about the pronunciation.
