Friday July 11th, 1794
THE PROPRIETORS of dogs of every description cannot be too often exhorted, particularly in hot weather like the present, to be careful that their dogs have free access to plenty of water, and that they be not permitted to run beside a horse or a carriage on a hot dusty road, as excessive heat is, in many instances, the cause of canine madness [rabies].
ONE DAY LAST WEEK a child was most miserably bitten in the face in Thakenham, Sussex. The dog was afterwards killed at Pulborough. Another mad dog was shot at Heene, near Worthing, and a third has been killed at Findon.
Friday July 9th, 1819
A MONKEY was brought to Marlborough Street Office [London] on Saturday, charged as a vagrant. While in the office, it picked a handkerchief from a gentleman’s pocket. It appears that old thieves have trained up monkeys to commit such crimes, and as those men have been driven from London, we understand they are travelling the country. Two foreigners, one with a monkey, were begging in this town yesterday, and two attempts were made on Tuesday night to break open houses on St John’s Hill.
Friday July 9th, 1869
A COMMENDABLE EXAMPLE – on the turnpike road to Hanwood, and about a mile and a quarter from Shrewsbury, is one of the most delicious bits of shade that a weary traveller under a summer sun could desire. With disinterested kindness, the proprietor, John Briscoe, Esq, of Radbrook, has here recently erected, at an evidently large expense, a public drinking fountain and shady seats, the only condition upon the free use of which is an inscription requesting that, “those who use may not abuse”. We doubt not that many a market woman, under her heavy load, will find here that which the worthy owner has kindly provided – “rest for the weary and water for the thirsty”.
Friday July 11th, 1919
IN THE COURSE OF THE WORK OF RESTORATION at Whitehall [Monkmoor Road] lately some very interesting wall-paintings have been discovered in two of the rooms on the first floor, which have probably always been used as bedrooms. One has paintings on its western wall, but the other room has all four walls covered with frescoes. This one appears to be Elizabethan, but the other seems of a somewhat later date. The walls are timber-framed with wattle and daub panels, but the painted patterns cover the whole surface, without any regard to the form of the panels.
Friday July 13th, 1979
A CONTROVERSIAL SCHEME to take part of Shrewsbury’s Quarry for an extension to the public baths’ car park was heavily defeated at Monday’s meeting of the borough council. When the scheme was first suggested some weeks ago, Percy Thrower described it a “pure sacrilege”.
A SCHEME TO SELL COUNCIL HOUSES to tenants – some of them at half price – has been approved by Shrewsbury and Atcham councillors. One of the Tory Government’s election pledges was to encourage the growth of home ownership – including the sale and long leasing of council properties at massive discounts. The council has also agreed to make mortgages available under its existing mortgage lending scheme.
Thursday July 14th, 1994
A SHOPKEEPER in Shrewsbury has been entertaining his customers with his own brand of mediaeval humour. Fed up with the build-up to the Brother Cadfael television series, Mr Sam Evans, who owns Magpie in Roushill Bank, decided to fight back. He plastered his shop, which sells ethnic clothing, jewellery and gifts, with mickey-taking notices, disparaging the sleuthing monk. One such sign, advertising a rubbish bin, reads, “Brother Cadfael wastepaper basket – monks were renowned for their frugality, and rarely, if ever, threw anything away; modern technology has brought us the wastepaper basket, for which Brother Cadfael would have had little if any use.” Mr Evans said, “I have nothing against Ellis Peters or Brother Cadfael, and I am all in favour of promoting the books and the Quest, but is Brother Cadfael to be the be-all and end-all of Shrewsbury? I am trying to show that he is not the only thing that Shrewsbury has to offer.”
Thursday July 16th, 2009
PUB REGULARS have been left choking on their pints after being told they cannot comment on the future of their local – because they live too far away. A host of residents from Spring Gardens, Ditherington, Harlescott Grange and Sundorne have written to Shropshire Council’s licensing team ahead of a review of the premises licence for the Rock and Fountain in Castle Foregate. But of the 124 letters sent in, only three were accepted because they were sent by people living within 100 metres of the pub. Licensing officials have sent letters explaining the situation to everyone who wrote in. They have pledged to forward all letters onto review applicants West Mercia Police, and have insisted they could still be used as part of a hearing next Friday. The pub was raided in May as part of Operation Clear, which saw police arrest 24 people from across town for drug related offences.