Cover: August 1959.
50 years ago
• A six-week regional press printing strike – which paved the way for print and paper workers to become the first to secure a 40-hour working week – meant delays to the production schedule for The Shropshire Magazine. It was decided, therefore, to merge the August and September issues into a single publication, resuming the monthly print run in October.
• M Wight detailed some of the ‘Good and evil beliefs surrounding the holy wells’ in the county.
“The veneration of water, so essential to all life, is a feature of pre-Christian Celtic religion that still survives, especially in Wales and neighbouring counties,” the article began.
Because the conversion of the Britons to Christianity was a slow process, a mission headed by St Augustine in 597AD was instructed to not abolish the old meeting places, but to convert them to Christian usage. This is why many churches stand near ancient springs.
The most famous Shropshire spring is probably St Milburga’s Well at Stoke St Milborough on the Clee Hills. At West Felton, a medieval building was erected over St Winifred’s Well – much valued for eye troubles. A curious mix of good and evil was reported to attach to the Frog Well, near Acton Burnell. It too was said to be good for the eyes, but Satan and two of his imps would appear in it in the form of frogs!
Cover: August 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:
• Propagating perfection . . . The world’s longest-running horticultural extravaganza is set to open its gates again. Shirley Tart expects the standard to be as high as ever
• Village voices . . . Ben Bentley stops off at Lydbury North and, as usual, finds there’s more going on than appears on the surface . . .
• Pushing the boundaries . . . Rachael Hayhoe-Flint has enjoyed watching the England women’s cricket team achieve huge success of late – but she’s done it all before, writes Shirley Tart
• Nowt so dear as folk . . . Alan and Sandra Surtees from Bridgnorth will see the fruits of all their efforts when this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival kicks off – and it’s bigger than ever, hears Neil Thomas
Members of Chelmarsh Sailing Club enjoying an ‘away day’ at Aberdovey. Andy Richardson visited the club at its home water, Chelmarsh Reservoir.
• Boom time at the boathouse . . . Andy Richardson takes to the water at Chelmarsh Reservoir
• Lady Wilbraham’s legacy . . . Shirley Tart marvels at the grandeur of Weston Park in the latest of her heritage reports
• Arts and books . . . Lady authors have our regular slot pretty much to themselves this month, with three widely differing markets in their sights
• Out and about . . . Our photographers record your social events
• Food and drink . . . Wine Club recommendations; news round-up; Lucy Corry’s cocktails; Neil Thomas dines out at Cound; and Inn-former samples The Admiral Rodney, Criggion.
• Fashion focus . . . Susan Cushing comes over all formal
• Gardening . . . Ken Tudor relishes a visit to Margaret Bill’s garden near Bridgnorth
• Travel . . . Neil Thomas recognises that, on a family holiday, you need something for the family to do – and he has the solution. And Frank Corless discovers Gran Canaria
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