This week's pictures from the past

You'll not recognise this view as being anywhere in Shropshire, but there is a strong Shropshire connection.

This is the spot, as the sign tells us, that Dawley-born Captain Matthew Webb was killed, trying to swim the rapids below Niagara Falls. The photo is dated October 17, 1969. Does anyone know if the notice is still there today?

Oh dear, don't get carried away. Bank cashier Carol Evans is hoisted off by Henry Tudor's army after it stopped off in Newtown on August 12, 1985, during its long march to Bosworth. Carol was hoisted on to the shoulder of Kim Hayes in Pool Road while Carl Spriggs made a grab for the money bags. The Battle of Bosworth was on August 22, 1485, so you don't need to be a genius to work out that this march was some sort of anniversary re-enactment.

The old and the new. In this picture, taken on June 9, 1981, we can see the shell of the former village school at Diddlebury, near Craven Arms, which had been completely gutted for refurbishing and to which a new classroom and lavatory block was being added.

The new complex was to be called The Corvedale School and when completed at the end of the year, would serve many more of the smaller villages of the area.

The almshouses at High Ercall are seen here on or about June 29, 1961.

Remember, many local pictures used in your Shropshire Star can be ordered.

For details contact Doreen Benford in our photo orders department on (01952) 241482.

Written on the back of this print from our files is "Salop Metals Ltd" and the date it was taken, December 30, 1966.

Also added is "Shearing platforms for battery cages by guillotine at the Battlefield works, 2.1.67."

That latter date would have been the day it was published.

A party of Asian and English people went to Chester Zoo, leaving from Hadley and Wellington on August 5, 1971, according to the caption to this picture – actually, the picture used in the Shropshire Star was of them on the bus, so perhaps this photo has never been used.

The caption said the trip was organised by the Community Council of Shropshire, Shropshire Committee Against Racialism, and Community Service Volunteer Mark Goyder.