Pictures from the Past

The cricket season will soon be in full swing, so let's get into the mood with a look at these chaps from "Wrekin College XI cricket team, 1957, summer term."

Written on the picture frame is "A grand bunch of fellows, I loved them all. From P."

There are names written around the frame, but it's difficult to work out who is who. But we'll give them to you anyway as they might stir memories.

Underneath, reading from left, are written the names: Lingard, with Hartley written underneath; Baldwin, with Robertson written underneath; N Growfell (Capt); Robertson with an upward arrow, perhaps suggesting he is at the back; Joe White; ER Edwards; and on the far right FG Pierpoint, Surrey SCC coach.

On the top are written N Hartley above the far left back player, BJ Edwards, above the player back row fourth from left, and what looks like FGP, far right.

We know our readers love their steam trains, so here's a treat. It is "Granville Colliery steam engine," which is the sum total of our knowledge about it.

The Granville pit was, of course, on the outskirts of Telford. The picture is from Shrewsbury author and historian David Trumper, but it was one of a number in an album he was given by a woman who does not want to be identified.

Judging by the long shadows, it must have been late evening when this photo was taken of an Elizabethan masque held at the Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury, in June 1935.

It is not clear though if this was a rehearsal or the real thing. The picture was loaned by Mrs Sybil Waite (nee Moore), of Shrewsbury, whose sister Hilda Moore was among those who took part.

These are, in the foreground, Miss Shropshire winners for 1964, 1963 and 1962, at Shrewsbury Castle, along with other competitors or attendants.

They are, left, Miss Shropshire 1964 Joan Taylor (now Joan Sandford, who loaned us this picture), Miss Shropshire 1963 Irene Claffey, and Miss Shropshire 1962 Pat Fisher.

We don't get the chance to visit Hopton Wafers all that often in this spot, so let's enjoy this view of the village from long ago. We don't know exactly how long ago as this postcard is not dated, but we should imagine that it is pre-World War One. The postcard has "Kripp" printed on the back, who might be the publisher or the photographic studio. Can anybody tell us who or what Kripp was?

Picture: Ray Farlow

Enjoy this classic rural scene from the Shropshire borders over 70 years ago.

A blacksmith is shoeing a horse, while a gentleman seated on a milk churn watches proceedings with interest. This picture was taken at Middletown in 1938, and shows the local blacksmith's shop.

The picture was loaned to us by Sally Anne Richards.