Memory Corner February 7th 2019

Friday February 7th, 1794

THE VERY MILD and gentle thaw that succeeded the late severe weather caused a swell in the River Severn, but providentially not to occasion so high a flood as has been frequently experienced after a heavy fall of snow.

THE MAIL COACH on Monday night arrived here in good time, considering the misfortune it experienced by one of the horses having dropped down dead about nine miles from this town.

ON WEDNESDAY MORNING last the Chester coach overturned going up Coton Hill, near this town. Providentially the passengers received no other hurt than being a little bruised.

 

Friday February 5th, 1819

A BASSETT, water-closet and engine pump maker, plumber and glazier, Mardol, Shrewsbury, begs leave to return her most sincere thanks to her friends for the numerous favours conferred upon her since the death of her husband, and most respectfully informs them, and the public, that she has just commenced SIGN, FURNITURE AND HOUSE PAINTING.  She flatters herself that, with the assistance of her son, who has been for improvement at the first shops in London, she shall be able to give every satisfaction to those who may be pleased to favour her with their orders.

 

Friday February 5th, 1869

DEATH FROM STARVATION – some distressing particulars were brought to light recently with regard to the destitution which exists in the east of London.  An inquest was held in the Isle of Dogs on the body of a married woman and her child, both of whom died of starvation.  The husband has had no work since 1866, and on making application to the Guardians, he was ordered to work in the stone-yard at 8 pence a day. By and by the poor fellow became insane, and a day or two ago his wife and infant child died within a few hours of each other.  There was no food in the house, and the last meal of the woman was ‘a piece of salt’ with which she endeavoured to appease the pangs of hunger.

 

Friday February 7th, 1919

SALE OF ARMY HORSES – during the coming fortnight there will be sales by auction of surplus army horses in Shrewsbury and Craven Arms.  Forage coupons issued by the Board of Trade will be available to enable purchasers requiring them to purchase forage for any of the animals bought at the sales.  Animals can be seen on the day before the sale at the Remount Depot Stables, Coleham, Shrewsbury.

Old Theatre, Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY COUNTY THEATRE – the great peace play “Tommy’s Best Pal” is proving a strong attraction this week.

 

Friday February 9th, 1979

YOUNG SHREWSBURY swimming champion Tim Bourne was back in the water this week – just three months after being given only a five per cent chance to live.  Miracle boy Tim, 16, received critical head injuries last year when he fell nearly 200 feet down a cliff face while walking at Hawkstone Park.  He was rushed to hospital in Shrewsbury where doctors gave him little chance to live, and he was later transferred to North Staffordshire Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, where he made a rapid recovery. On Wednesday – only three months after the accident – Tim again took the plunge at Shrewsbury Baths, watched by his father and officials of Shrewsbury Amateur Swimming Club.

 

Thursday February 10th, 1994

COUNCILLORS have taken action to reduce poll tax arrears of around £2 million owed by more than 14,000 charge-payers in Shrewsbury and Atcham.  Borough treasurer John Morgan told the borough finance and general purposes sub-committee, “There are people out there who still owe the community charge, and I could be forced into building a surcharge into the council tax, which would be most unfair to those who have paid the community charge in the past.”  Mr Morgan recommended, and it was agreed, that to help collect the debt, 15 fixed-term contracts in his department be extended to March next year.  “It is important that we follow this through to the bitter end,” said Mr Morgan.

 

Thursday February 12th, 2009

TWO HUNDRED CANDLES will be lit today on the biggest cake Shrewsbury has every seen to wish the town’s most famous son, Charles Darwin, many happy returns.  Students Stephen Lovell, Joanne Simmons and Mel Taylor, along with chef Dan Gibbons, from Shrewsbury College, have worked incredibly hard to finish the sweet treat, which will be in the Square at 2pm.  Town Crier Martin Wood will lead well-wishers in a chorus of Happy Birthday, before the cake is cut and free slices given out.  Mr Gibbons said, “The cake has taken at least 12 hours to bake, and decorating it has taken eight hours in total, including three hours just to do the icing.  We have used 64 eggs, three kilos of flour, butter and brown sugar, eight lemons, two kilos of cherries, six kilos of raisins, sultanas and currants, 800 grams of mixed peel, not to mention a mountain of treacle and a litre of brandy!”