This week's pictures from the past

"Kerry Express, Full Steam Ahead" it says on the front of this postcard which was produced by Park of Newtown.

Incidentally in the original, the lettering is in red, a sort of trademark of Park postcards, which generally date from the Edwardian period.

The exact location is not stated, but was no doubt on the line at, or near, to Kerry. Was this an inaugural run of the express? We can't tell you that for a simple reason ­– we don't know.

Picture courtesy of Sally Anne Richards.

Our regular contributor Ev Corfield, nee Challinor, tells us this photo was taken at Pontesbury Hill.

"The Wesleyan Sunday School was being built in the early 1930s and the foundation stones had just been laid. Here are the Sunday School scholars: back row, from left – Bert Andrews, Ern Rogers, Joe Williams, Harold Williams and John Henry.

"Third row: Unknown, Theresa Jones, Dolly Preece,two unknowns.

"Second row: Unknown, Nancy Maddox, Millie Evans, Ida Rogers, Edgar Evans, Dennis Jones, Violet Davies, Donald Davies, Doris, Muriel and Millie Jones, unknown.

"Front row: Edith Rogers, Edna Edwards, George Harris, Les Evans, Ted France, Leslie Jones, and Jim Davies."

What you see is what you get with this one, as Al Young who e-mailed it in says he knows absolutely nothing about it. It is though obviously the stand for Wrekin Agricultural Equipment at some unknown agricultural show, and from the wording on the front of the stand there was some connection with J.A. Harris & Sons, of Dawley.

During a clearout of the home near Shrewsbury of the late Mrs Kay Collier, her family came across a number of pictures of a royal event. They don't know how or why she had the photos, or the event in question, other than it was obviously a show of some sort.

In fact by comparison with other photos it can be identified as the visit of the Queen – who back then was Princess Elizabeth – to the Royal Show when it was held in Shrewsbury in July 1949.

Also with her was Prince Philip, who can be seen walking a couple of steps behind.

No doubt some older Salopians will recognise some of the others on the picture, who are likely to be local dignitaries and show officials.

This early postcard also has historical interest. It shows, according to a printed caption, "Newtown Free Library, shewing (sic) 'Owen Memorial' wing. Opened Oct. 29, 1903. F.H. Shayler, Archt." It was franked on October 31, 1903 – just two days after the opening.

The message was: "Dear Har (?? name unreadable), If you want to read now is your time. The library was opened yesterday. How do you like it. It looks smart, doesn't it?" The signature is unreadable.

It was addressed to Miss H (?) Rickards (or Richards), 26 Westbrook Terrace, Kirkby Stephen, Westmoreland. Picture: Sally-Anne Richards.

This line-up of trucks was operated by L Forrester's of Whixall, owned by Lizzie Forrester.

The picture at Whixall dates from the late 1940s or early 1950s, says transport historian Roy Pilsbury. He thinks Lizzie had two sons, and Cyril was the man who ran the business. Forrester's were taken over by a firm from Ellesmere Port, he thinks in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Roy says the photo was loaned to him by Fred Higgs, of Whixall, brother-in-law of Cyril Forrester. Roy says it shows Forrester's first fleet of vehicles.

He added that all the firm's vehicles were painted orange, and that this line-up includes two Bedfords.

Here is a view of Shrewsbury in the 1940s or 1950s, with F.W. Woolworth in the background.

The picture was submitted by Shrewsbury transport historian Roy Pilsbury, who says it is from the collection of Harry Turner of Newtown.

It was taken at the top of Pride Hill.