Shrewsbury A Journey Through Time
The colourful and historic Market Town of Shrewsbury is fortunate to have been the subject chosen by several local film-makers during the 20th Century. Thanks to their interest in the area, we are able to see for first time a compilation of films which chart the evolution of this beautiful town.
Amongst the earliest recordings included are Armistice Day 1934, Jubilee Day 1935, and a visit by the Duke of York (later King George V), as he presents the new 'Colours' to the KSLI.
The ever-changing landscape of the town is vividly illustrated through the use of film shot of many landmarks being either built or demolished: the construction of the Shelton Water-Works, the Granada Cinema, the New Market (and demolition of the old Market), as well as redevelopments of the 50's and 60's.
Delightful early colour images include the town's Coronation celebrations, War-time scenes, the Floods of 1947, Carnivals from 1937 onwards, crowds enjoying the Flower Shows of the 50's and the Smithfield Market in 1958.
The last steam Trains to run through Shrewsbury Station, the Queen's visit in 1967, and views of the town taken during the 1970's, together with present-day scenes, give a fascinating insight into this picturesque town.
This video gives viewers a unique opportunity to reflect on the history and changing scenery of one of the most enchanting of English towns.
Shrewsbury Remembered
At the beginning of a new millennium it is nice to look back and remember the recent past and to review the earlier history of our County Town, which spanned the whole of the last thousand years. In this video you will see unique paintings and prints, early photographs and rare archive and modern film that will bring to life the development of Shrewsbury and the changes that have occurred over the centuries.
We chart the history and development of the town from saxon times, through to the twentieth century touching on such topics as the Norman Conquest, the Battle of Shrewsbury, the Tudor Era, the Civil War and the progress of the town during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
We chart the history of the towns markets from its origins in St. Alkmund's Square through to the building and demolition of the old Victorian Market Hall and the construction of the new market hall in the 1960s. We also look at the cattle market in Raven Meadows and its removal to Harlescott.
We explore the River Severn around Shrewsbury, looking at ferries, bridges, boating, floods and great freezes, from the Riverside Cafe at Shelton to the weir in Castlefields.
We trace the large-scale slum clearance scheme of the late 1950s and the damage done to many of the town's ancient buildings that were torn down and replaced by modern structures of concrete and glass.
During the twentieth century we look at some of the old businesses that traded in the town from the smaller shops F. & T. Hammonds and Frank Newton to the larger establishments of Delia Porta, Maddox's Store and Morris's who are still trading in the town.
Finally we look at leisure from circuses to carnivals, and from sport to the cinemas of the town, building up a picture of how the people of Shrewsbury enjoyed themselves in the last century.
A delightful record of Shrewsbury's past. |
