This week's Pictures from the Past

We're taking another trip back in time today to the old Shrewsbury livestock market which used to be held in the centre of the town. In fact, at one time the animals used to be driven through the town streets on their way there.

This photo bears the date of 1960 but, as we have explained previously, that cannot be right as the cattle market had been superseded by a new one at Harlescott by then, so perhaps it is from the late 1950s. The photo was emailed to us by Bob Hanley of Telford. Thanks Bob!

Who remembers the Column Garage at Shrewsbury? As you can see, it specialised in cars like Austins and Rileys, and was part of the Charles Clark group.

This photo came to us from Shrewsbury historian David Trumper, and dates from around the 1960s.

But it comes originally from Cyril Done, of Shrewsbury, who started at Shukers Garage in 1930. Shukers was later taken over by Charles Clark.

Mr Done's career spanned 50 years.

This truck ­ and we're afraid we don't know the make ­ was operated by George Shuker & Son, of Horsehay, and is seen here in Horsehay around the 1920s.

In the background is what is today Horsehay Village Hall, but which used to be the canteen of the Horsehay Works. This photo was emailed to us by Shrewsbury transport historian Roy Pilsbury, but was in turn loaned to him by Dave Williams of D.W. Transport in Telford.

Another old truck for you today, and another interesting location, as the circumstances of this picture suggest that it was probably taken at the long-defunct Randlay brickworks. Shrewsbury transport historian Roy Pilsbury, who was loaned the photo by Dave Williams of D.W. Transport in Telford, says: "It shows a TK Bedford lorry from 'Boulton's Randlay Bricks'

with a Primrose steering conversion on it, which made it into a six wheeler in what is known as a 'Chinese six' in lorry terms, with twin steering and a single rear axle."

It would have been delivered by Vincent Greenhous at Wellington, he says, and the likely date is 1962. The writing on the lorry indicates that it was operated by John Sheward & Sons transport contractors of Dawley.

Exactly one hundred years ago today, on October 23, 1909, the Captain Webb Memorial was unveiled in Dawley, amid pouring rain.

The memorial has moved a few times over the years, and this picture emailed in by Mike Jordan, of Radbrook, Shrewsbury, shows one of those moves.

Mike tells us: "Following the replacement of the Captain Webb Memorial outside the Lord Hill last week, I was reminded of the time when I worked as an engineer for Dawley UDC and in 1968/69 was involved in the construction of the new council offices on Paddock Mound.

"The council had decided to move the memorial from its then position outside the library at the top of the Dun Cow Bank and re-erect it in front of the new offices.

"The picture shows fellow engineer George Chetwood (son of the council chairman, also George Chetwood) on the ladder inspecting the connection for the lamp to be placed on top of the memorial. I can't remember the name of the other person in the picture but he owned the garage at Blews Hill."

The historic Feathers Hotel in Ludlow must be one of the town's most photographed locations, but is seen here in a photo which seems to be around 100 years old, or perhaps a little more, judging by the appearance of the cars.

It was emailed in to us by our regular contributor Bob Hanley of Telford. A little crowd seems to have gathered ­ maybe it was the new-fangled motor cars which were the attraction.

We're flying high above Hadley, and this is the view below. We're not over the centre of the community, but above the Haybridge Steel Works, which are bottom right.

On the extreme left is Haybridge Hall and, as you can see for yourselves, there's work on a new road in the upper right hand corner.

The photo has a January 1984 date on the back, but that shouldn't be taken as gospel, as it might have been the publication date. The trees on the left seem to be still in leaf ­ but maybe they're evergreens.