Memory Corner August 1st 2019

Friday August 1st, 1794

YESTERDAY passed through this place on his way to Liverpool James Scallon, shipwright of the Helen of Liverpool, taken by a French frigate in March last.  He made his escape from the prison at Quimper, Brittany with six others.  After marching for 17 nights they reached the sea, where they found a small boat. By converting their shirts into a sail, and with a piece of board for a rudder, having made a mast from a strong pole taken from a neighbouring wood, without food and water, they reached Sidmouth in Devon in three days.

 

Friday July 30th, 1819

ON TUESDAY a very large party of gentlemen and ladies from Bridgnorth and its neighbourhood, with a select band of music, went on an aquatic excursion down the Severn to Upper Arley, the beautiful seat of Lord Mountnorris.  They were highly gratified with an inspection of a very extensive collection of plants, both hardy and exotic, said to be the first [finest] private collection in the kingdom.  They were also permitted to view his Lordship’s oriental curiosities, which are extremely numerous, of considerable antiquity and great value, extending to most of the sciences, with a large assortment of minerals, [and] also the family paintings.

 

Friday July 30th, 1869

A BUTCHER FINED – John Millar, butcher, was charged at the Borough Police Court on Friday with neglecting to remove a quantity of offal from his slaughterhouse in Roushill. Sub-inspector Clune stated that he had received complaints of the nuisance from several persons in the neighbourhood, the smell arising from it being unbearable.  Defendant admitted the charge and added that for some days he had been out working in the hay and had left the slaughterhouse in charge of some lads, who had neglected to remove the offal.  Fined 40s, and 7s 6d costs.

 

Friday August 1st, 1919

Shrewsbury war memorial

SHREWSBURY’S CELEBRATION OF PEACE AND WELCOME HOME from overseas to Shropshire Sailors and Soldiers. Tuesday next, August 5th.  Athletic sports and water carnival in the Quarry.  The 1st KSLI, the Shropshire Yeomanry and other military bands will play in the grandstand from 2.30pm.  Vocal concerts in the large marquee from 3 to 8pm.  First-class Punch and Judy shows, ventriloquial entertainments, etc.  Dancing on the Quarry terrace at 9pm – the terrace and Quarry will be illuminated.  GOD SAVE THE KING.

 

Friday August 3rd, 1979

SHREWSBURY’S second big River Severn raft race proved such a success that the event is almost certain to take place again next year.  Nearly 70 craft of all shapes and sizes – double last year’s entry – took to the water on Saturday to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  Several thousand people lined the river for the race which started at Coton Hill and ended at Kingsland Bridge.  A number of “home-made” rafts capsized and sank, while others battled against a strong breeze, an organised bombardment of rubbish thrown from the new Frankwell footbridge and Port Hill bridge, and a Shropshire Fire Brigade raft armed with an engine-driven water pump, which proved a hazard for those on the water as well as spectators.

 

Thursday August 4th, 1994

A SMALL BOY and a young crow have become inseparable since the fledgling’s first attempt to leave the nest ended in near disaster.  Six weeks ago, ten-year-old Finn Macken discovered a hungry and distressed Biggles hopping around in his garden in Belle Vue.  The youngster took his new friend under his wing and gave him food and shelter.  Finn’s mother Jane said, “We didn’t think that the crow would last the night, but my son was determined that he would survive.”  Now the sight of Finn with Biggles perched lopsided on his shoulder has become a feature in the neighbourhood.  Finn has even taken his chum to school to show his classmates.  “The girls wouldn’t touch him,” said Finn, “but one or two of the boys did let him sit on them.”  The bird shares his pal’s affections with three dogs, two cats, two snakes and a pet spider.  What does Finn want to do when he grows up?  “I want to be a zoo-keeper or someone who works with animals,” he enthuses.

 

Thursday August 6th, 2009

CATTLE FARMERS across the area are seeing their herds hit by bovine tuberculosis.  The disease has reared its head again in recent weeks, with farmers losing cattle and being prevented from selling or showing healthy animals under restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the disease.  Peter Marsh, of Moston Farm, Preston Brockhurst, said, “TB has been a problem for years, but it has been made worse since the Government brought in legislation to protect badgers.  Badgers don’t have a predator, and because they are protected their population has got out of control.  TB can have a devastating effect on farmers and their concerns seem to fall on deaf ears when we express them to the Government.”