Cover 1959.
50 years ago
Dorothy Carran told the unusual story of a great house, designed by a famous architect, which stood for a puzzingly short time.
Preen Manor House was designed and built by 1870 by R Norman Shaw (also responsible for Adcote at Little Ness), and was inhabited by the Sparrow family. Arthur Sparrow was High Sheriff for the county in 1886.
The house certainly seems to have been ‘state of the art’. Dorothy Carran wrote: “The occupants . . . enjoyed the luxury of central heating, rare in those days, while the rooms were brilliantly lit by gas, which was manufactured about a quarter of a mile from the manor.
“. . . Water was supplied from a reservoir fed by natural springs, built on high ground and falling by gravity to the house.
“. . . A swimming pool makes one think of an up-to-date American house, yet one existed at the manor even in those far-off days. We live at so rapid a pace today that the 1870s seem almost back in the ice-age.”
Dorothy concluded: “How tragic that the magnificence of Preen Manor House should endure for so short a time; it was demolished about 1920.”
Unfortunately, no suggestion is given for the reason for Preen Manor House’s demolition – perhaps The Shropshire Magazine’s readers can come to the rescue with more information . . .
Cover 2009.
Aside from the articles you can browse on this website, the print magazine contains a wealth of fascinating feature pieces and regular items to keep you entertained and informed. This month, you can also read about:
A touch of glass . . . The Shropshire Magazine in association with Tanners Wines of Shrewsbury, is delighted to launch a Wine Club, with news, views and, every other month, a recommended case of wine on offer at a discount
Village voices . . . In a new series, Ben Bentley visits county communities armed with nothing but notepad and camera, and lets local folk be his guide
Happy birthday Hermione! . . . 105 years young, Hermione Cock shares some memories with Shirley Tart
Heritage: Stokesay Castle . . . How Laurence of Ludlow turned wool into bricks and mortar
The (almost) unknown soldier . . . Amateur historian Michael Webb turned detective when he came across records of a World War I commanding officer who lived in Shropshire in the early twentieth century. Here he tells that officer’s story
One man and his dog . . . Carl Jones begins a series of monthly musings with some thoughts on Other People’s Children
Education supplement . . . Introducing you to the county’s premier seats of learning
Out and about . . . Shirley Tart looks around the county social scene and records some of your events
Kinnerley is Ben Bentley’s first port of call in his new Village Voices series.
Food and drink . . . Andy Richardson’s news round-up; Neil Thomas visits The Raven in Much Wenlock; Lucy Corry on value tipples
Competition . . . Win tickets to this year’s Cosford Air Show
Spring fashion . . . Susan Cushing predicts the look for a new season; Nathan Rous on the legacy of Phil Collins; Sue Austin offers some advice on dressing for the school prom
Maurice’s variety show . . . Ken Tudor talks to a grower with a knack for cyclamen
County antiques round-up . . . News from the salerooms
Travel . . . from Caribbean beach to alpine peak, via luxury spa
Motoring . . . a father-and-son motorsport phenomenon
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