Friday September 7th, 1792
YESTERDAY ARRIVED in Brighton from France, Madame Noalies; this lady, who husband is among the emigrants, has gone through incredible hardships, with a fortitude almost unparalleled. She reached Dieppe about a week ago with an infant child and its nurse. These got away without much difficulty, the woman passing the infant as her own, but it was not till yesterday the mother could effect her escape. During the whole time she was obliged to appear in male and mean attire. She once offered herself to a collier to work her passage as a sailor, but was refused. At length however, urged by despair, and disclosing her real situation to the Captain of one of the packet ships, he, with much humanity, contrived to bring her off by concealing her under a coil of cable upon the deck (where she was obliged to lie for 14 hours). She landed yesterday, exhausted with fatigue and the terrors she had undergone.
Friday September 5th, 1817
LORD HILL’S COLUMN – The staircase within this beautiful memorial of his Lordship’s services being now completed, the public is respectfully informed that it is now opened for inspection. Hours of admission from 6 o’clock in the morning till 7 in the evening, JOHN STRAPHEN, builder. A description of the Column, with a print, may be had from the door-keeper, price 6d.
THE TAKING DOWN of the Buttercross, which has long been considered a hideous nuisance in this town, is commenced yesterday.
Friday September 6th, 1867
THROWING FLOUR UPON A PREACHER – At the Borough Police court on Tuesday, Isaac Colley, who lives in Fire-Office Passage, High Street, was charged with throwing a paper bag of flour over the Rev T Guttery, the senior minister of the Primitive Methodists in the district, who stated that “At about 8 o’clock in the evening of that day I was engaged in addressing an audience assembled for religious worship in front of the Market Hall, when I observed on my right hand the defendant. I observed him the more particularly because I recollected that he was the man who, twelve months ago, came among an audience of mine with a jug of ale in his hand. After observing him for an instant, I turned my head, and instantly I felt a blow upon the side of the face, and found myself covered with flour. I jumped down from the chair on which I was standing, and I saw the defendant running away, and a woman and a crowd of men running after him…” A fine of £1, and 12s 6d costs, or 14 days’ imprisonment, was enforced. The fine was paid.
Friday September 7th, 1917
FARMER FINED – In Spalding on Tuesday Mr George Thompson, a farmer, was summed by the Food Controller for selling potatoes at a price above the permitted maximum. There were 55 summonses, and the defendant pleaded guilty. Prosecuting counsel said the transactions cover the sale of over a thousand tons of potatoes, the average price obtained being £5 10s above the legal maximum. The total illegal profit, added counsel, was over £5,000. The court imposed the maximum penalty of £100 on each of the 55 summonses, making £5,500, together with £250 costs.
Friday September 9th, 1977
ST JULIAN’S PLAN – Shrewsbury’s 12th century St Julian’s Church in the town centre, up for sale at £25,000 earlier this year, could be bought by the borough council for a heritage centre at the give-away price of £5,000. The church, which became redundant at the end of last year, is the centrepiece of an exciting £23,000 plan for the heritage centre which was unveiled to members of Shrewsbury and Atcham Council’s planning committee this week. It has been offered to the borough council at £5,000 because the Lichfield Diocese, which is selling the building, would prefer to see it used as a heritage centre – a display point for showing pictures, plans and models of the town’s history and development. The planning committee has agreed to pursue the plan and council officers are to look into the possibilities and consult all interested parties.
Thursday September 10th, 1992
MARTIN GOES FOR GOLD – Shrewsbury town crier, Martin Wood, will be shouting a message about the town in the Isle of Wight next week. He is making a bid to become European Champion Crier against 65 other competitors from Britain, Holland, Germany and Belgium. The competition will last three days, and Martin will also be visiting schools on the island. At 7ft 2in he is still the tallest town crier in the world, and is on good form after winning the Wales and Marches championship.
TROLLEY COLLECTOR RETURNS – A Shrewsbury man who started work collecting trolleys from the Safeway store at Abbey Foregate has been appointed manager of the company’s new superstore in town. Konrad Berkowy (37) and his staff are preparing the new store in Old Potts Way for opening on September 29th.
Thursday September 6th, 2007
NEW £160,000 DAY CENTRE – Ex-prisoners, drug addicts and the homeless will soon benefit from a new £160,000 day centre in Shrewsbury, after a charity unveiled plans to convert a former newsagent’s shop. The Shrewsbury Ark is a new venture by the Shrewsbury Christian Centre Association (SCCA), which is in final negotiations to lease the former Station News premises in Castle Foregate. Leaders behind the scheme say it will provide a safe haven for homeless and vulnerable people who have nowhere to go following the closure of facilities such as the Christian night shelter and Gordana House. The Shrewsbury Prison Chaplaincy will also use the day centre to help ex-offenders find a welcome ‘on the outside’ and re-establish themselves in the community.