This week's pictures from the past

Dig for victory! This photo was loaned by Mrs Bess Edwards, of Shifnal, whose parents Sam and Dorothy Harris lived at Sunnymede Farm, Nedge Hill, Stirchley, from 1936 until retirement in 1972.

It was taken in the garden towards the end of the war.

From left: Dorothy Harris; Edith Hewson, wife of Sid Hewson, who was an airman at Nedge Hill fixer station; her youngest daughter Carol, who is now Mrs Francis; older sister Pam, who became Mrs Pam Corbett; Sam Harris; and a chap who worked for him, John Rochelle.

The Hewsons were from Tooting and liked Shropshire so much that they stayed after the war.

Sunset over Nedge Hill. This wartime photo was taken from the bedroom window of the young Bess Harris, now Mrs Bess Edwards, of Shifnal, whose parents Sam and Dorothy Harris farmed at Sunnymede Farm, Nedge Hill, Stirchley.

On the right, the windmill-like structure is an RAF fixer station, which was a navigation aid for aircraft – we did a feature about it a little while ago. Bess used to take tea to the airmen on duty.

Here are some names to conjure with from Oakengates' past. The Royal Exchange Hotel, Marshall printers, T.E. Ikin...

This view from about 100 years ago was taken in Oxford Street and is a postcard which came from "L.W. Marshall Publisher, Oakengates", which is a business visible on the right.

Picture: Ray Farlow

How many Salopians can remember catching a train here, at Lawley Bank Halt? We're guessing that there will only be a handful.

We don't know the date of this photo but it may be around the 1930s – there are lots of train buffs out there who'll put us right if we're way off.

Picture: Ray Farlow

This was the scene at a former quarry at Cound, near Shrewsbury, on January 6, 1993, when this collection of ramshackle vehicles formed camp.

They were the homes of more than 150 New Age travellers who had been evicted from woodland on The Ercall, Wellington.

This picture was taken on March 2, 1971, and shows Mrs Irene Ruscoe at the water pump by the outbuildings at No 20 Offoxey, near Tong. We can assume then that she did not enjoy the luxury of running water at the cottage.