Tile mystery floors Marian
Marian Ralphs has had a mysterious tile for over 60 years and, despite trying to find out something about it, it's still got her floored.
So now she is turning to Shropshire Star readers to see if they can help.
The decorative tile depicts what may be an old mill, and the underside has the words "Co Benthall Works, Broseley, Salop" and "Floreat Salopia, Maw".
"I would love to know more about it, who painted the scene, and where it is," said Marian.
"I've had it since I was a little girl. I don't even know where I had it from. I've no idea whether my mother gave it to me and whether it belonged to her in the first place - it probably did.
"I was born on Bonfire Night in 1941 and we lived in Shifnal. My maiden name is Garbett. The tile has always intrigued me. Somebody might be able to help. The tile is wrapped up in my cupboard with all my other bits and pieces.
"It's been 20 years since my mother died and if she was still alive she might be able to throw light on it, but I don't think she knew. My father might have. I lost him in 1973.
"I've put it on Facebook but nobody has come forward, although only people who are friends of mine would see it."
A delve on the internet shows that tilemakers Maw's moved from their Benthall Works at Benthall, near Broseley, to Jackfield in 1883. The new site was also called Benthall Works but if the tile was produced at the original site - and as the tile bears the word "Broseley" it looks that way - it would make this a very old tile.
If you can shed any light on it, or where it depicts, drop me a line at toby.neal@shropshirestar.co.uk or ring 01952 241458.
