Pictures from the past

Something a bit different for a change today. David Mitchell, of Bayston Hill, was so struck by the fine handwriting in this postcard from yesteryear that he emailed it in.

It was addressed to "Mr A. R. Mitchell, Radio Engineer, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury" and is dated December 5, 1932. It was sent by J.W. Lewis of The Mount, Higher Heath, Whitchurch.

David said: "As handwriting seems to be in the news at the moment I've attached a postcard my father received many years ago.

"If such attention was paid to a simple and mundane communication, how much care would have been lavished on a letter of condolence?

"I just thought the writing exemplified a slower pace of life."

For a larger image click here

Shrewsbury College of Arts of Technology has come across this picture which will surely feature some familiar Shrewsbury faces.

"It shows more than 300 staff and students at Shrewsbury Technical College in October 1949. The Tech was our predecessor and was based at what is now the Wakeman School," said Peter Staples of SCAT, which was built in London Road around 10 years after this photo was taken.

It's one of those extremely wide panoramic pictures ­ so we've had to crop it quite severely. Apologies to the 200 or so students we've chopped off!

Pete added: "It turned up when some of our departments moved offices." In the full, wide, version, the old Royal Salop Infirmary is in the background, which Pete says suggests that the students and staff went from the college next door to the Gay Meadow to have the photo taken.

Looks like a nasty accident, doesn't it? Actually, it's the removal of the old roof of Shrewsbury railway station. This picture was used in the Shrewsbury Chronicle of May 3, 1963.

The accompanying story said: "A huge 45-ton capacity crane and 16 men began the big task of dismantling the superstructure of Shrewsbury railway station's high roof early on Sunday. This is to make way for modern steel canopies which will be erected over each platform.

"While work is in hand a temporary covering will be put over the platforms.

Renewal of the roof, erected in 1904, is necessary because, due to smoke and steam, it has deteriorated badly. The main girders are 158ft long and span all seven platforms...

"...Shrewsbury passenger station was built in 1848. There were extensive alterations in 1904, including extra platforms and the overall roof at the south end, which has stood until now.

"At the northern end the original overall roof had two spans of wrought iron roof trusses covered with boarding and slates. This was replaced in 1924 by the separate canopies to each platform."

This picture of young Shropshire ladies far from home was emailed in by Mrs Diana Rhodes, of Highfields, Shrewsbury, who says: "I love looking at Pictures from the Past and thought this one may be of interest. It's 69th Company Territorial Army in 1962, taken when we were at camp.

"I am on the back row ­ Private Diana Williamson 415180.

"We met at Greenfields camp which no longer exists. Houses are there now. We were attached to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. We used to go to Plasterdown Camp in Newquay, where I think this picture was taken. The women came from the Wellington, Dawley, and Shrewsbury areas."

Mrs Rhodes says she can't remember all names now, but has come up with a partial list.

"From left, back row, standing: unknown (but she was a beauty queen), Pat from Trench, Eileen from Atcham (she had 17-year-old twins), unknown, Plant (can't remember her first name), Ivy Hartshorne, 'Eilen', Plant (again, can't remember first name), Valerie Burton, Diana Williamson, unknown, Marian Head (teacher), and two regular soldiers who worked at the recruiting office in town.

"Officers sitting down: two unknowns, Sergeant Major Cookson (Addie), and Major Griffiths.

"Front: unknown, 'Dawn', ? Whitehead from Armoury Gardens, unknown, Yolande Tipton (used to work as secretary at the police station in 1960s), Margery something, unknown."

Wot, no water? If you ever wondered what the lakebed of Holmer Lake, Stirchley, looks like, this is a good clue. This photo was taken in November 1990 when the lake was drained. The road carrying the traffic in the distance is the Eastern Primary Road, which is officially called the A442 Queensway. It looks like some sort of work is going on on the embankment, which may well have been the reason the lake was drained.

Here's a view across Telford centre dating from December 1986 when development was in its relatively early stages. Things have changed dramatically since this photo was taken. Lower left is Telford Central railway station, which was brand new at the time of the photo, while upper right is one of the first of the big new hotels for the new town. In the distance is The Wrekin.

This photo was emailed in by Edith Jones of Wem who tells us: "The picture I have sent you was taken at Wem Town Hall (before the fire!) around July/August 1985.

"The event was a whist drive to help raise funds for the Cobalt Unit at Shrewsbury. The organiser was Mrs Joan German, who is pictured left, holding a bottle nearest to the table (front row). This was part of several events which raised in excess of £1,000 in total.

"The people pictured are all helpers on the day. They are: back row, from left, Pauline Dee (Mayor), Edith Jones, Vi Jones, Winnie Williams, Norman Jones, Beryl Lea, Mair Pierce, Isabelle Slawson and Doris Richards

"Front row, Joan German (organiser), Agnes Hutchinson, Nancy Clorley, Mrs ?-can¹t remember first name Evanson, Elsie Downes and May Peake."