18/10/2018 - Permalink

Let’s talk history – Local history day returns to Shirehall

Related topics: Community / Leisure, culture and heritage

Saturday 20 October 2018 will see the return of the popular Local History Day, organised by Shropshire Archives of Shropshire Council.

The free event is being held at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury from 10:30am to 4:00pm.

A black and white image of the unveiling of a War Memorial at Castle Gates, Shrewsbury in 1919. In 2018, the Wilfred Owen 100 commemoration reflects on Shropshire's role in the Great War and Wilfred Owen's relationship with the county. This will be discussed at the Local History Day on Saturday 20 October at Shirehall.

Unveiling of War Memorial, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, 1919

A wide variety of local history groups from across the county will be present with stalls and displays showcasing their research and interests.

As well as updates from Shropshire Archives and the Victoria County History of Shropshire, there are talks throughout the day. These will examine the uniform of a First World War infantryman; describe the experiences of the women from Shropshire who worked in the munitions; explore the remains from the First World War as they appear on the Historic Environment Record; and uncover the stories behind the Myddle War Memorial.

In addition, the keynote speaker, Helen McPhail, will talk about Wilfred Owen’s Shrewsbury, with her recently published book of the same name available for purchase.

This year it forms part of the Heritage Lottery Fund funded Wilfred Owen 100: Shropshire Remembers project.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said

“This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity to discover all about the heritage of our county, and especially, in this centenary year of his death, to hear about Wilfred Owen’s links with Shrewsbury.”

Free parking and tea and coffee available all day.

For more details of the Local History Day contact archives@shropshire.gov.uk  and see www.shropshirearchives.org.uk.

For more details of the programme of events to commemorate the centenary of the death of Wilfred Owen, see www.shropshireremembers.org.uk.