Pictures from the past

There has been a revival of services in Waters Upton in recent years, but this is the post office and garage as seen in a postcard which was franked on August 21, 1936.

Note the petrol pump on the far right for ROP petrol. Just in case anybody recognises it, the licence plate on the old car is VT 1558.

This postcard message was: "Dear Alice, I hope you are having a good time and feeling better. We are all right here. We should like to stop here for good. Florrie & Joe." It was posted to Miss A. Hurst, Storth Farm, Simmondley (or maybe Simmondby), Glossop, Derbys.

Picture courtesy of Ray Farlow

You've probably noticed that we've been dipping into the fantastic postcard collection of Bridgnorth's Ray Farlow over the past few days.

Here is another of his gems.

It is, according to a note on the card, a picture of Shifnal Hospital Saturday, June 1908. The location must be Shifnal town centre.

This postcard was franked at Shifnal on August 19, 1908. The message was: "We will meet the train as named in your letter on Friday, 1.30 at Shifnal." It was signed with the initials M L and was posted to Mrs J Griffiths, of Weston Lullingfields. The sign on the pillar on the left is unreadable even in the original but seems to say something like Teas Provided, (then the price) Each.

Attention! This is Ironbridge Drill Hall, as seen in a photo dating from around the late 1980s or early 1990s, taken shortly before the building was demolished to make way for houses.

It was e-mailed in by our regular contributor Paul France who says: "It was situated at the top of Lake Head Bank on the road which went towards the Ironbridge Gas Works.

"It became the home of the pyjama factory. I'm not certain of the date, but would guess the late 50s and early 60s. I well remember walking past, particularly in the summer when doors and windows were open and hearing loud music.

"It was later used by a company called Staircase and Balustrades Ltd and after them Pegg and Smith Engineering Ltd."

Something is going on at Glazeley Church, near Bridgnorth, but we're afraid we can't tell you what it is because we don't know.

As you can see the scaffolding has gone up and there's also a ladder going up to the little tower. Was it a restoration? An extension, maybe? The photo is undated but is probably from the first decade of the 20th century.

Picture: Ray Farlow

Here's a Shropshire photo riddle which comes all the way from America. It was e-mailed to us by Nancy Robinson, of Mercer Island, Washington, who thinks this picture was taken in Rodington. She wants to confirm that and find out exactly where.

Nancy tells us: "My great-grandfather and great-grandmother, Thomas and Emma (nee Leeke) Robinson were married in Rodington on October 4, 1873, at the parish church. Two of their children were born in Rodington – William in 1874, and Emily in 1877. I have an old photograph of my great-grandmother in front of a building that I have been told is in Rodington, and am hoping that possibly you can identify this building and tell me where it is in Rodington. I am planning a trip to England, and specifically the Shropshire area, and would like to know if this building is in Rodington and if it still exists."

Well, can anybody answer her? Drop us a line if you can help in her quest.

Does this ring a bell? It's the building of the new Oakengates Telephone Exchange. This photo from our files has the date stamp of May 15, 1970, on the back.

Remember – many pictures used throughout your Shropshire Star every night are available for order. Ring Doreen Benford on 01952 241482 for details.