Council services on show for The Queen

Shropshire Council’s Museums, Archives and Library services will be on show for The Queen as part of the Shropshire Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Thursday 12 July at Cosford.

The centrepiece of the Shropshire Council stand will be a half size traditional Gypsy Caravan hand made by craftsmen at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm. Demonstrators from Acton Scott will also be on hand to show off traditional rural skills, such as corn dolly making. Shrewsbury Museum staff will be offering a selection of entertaining activities for young visitors inspired by Charles Darwin and his enthusiasm for collecting.

Shropshire Archives will be highlighting how the county celebrated the Coronation in 1953, as well as hoping to collect Coronation memories of those attending. Shropshire Library staff will present story-telling and promote the range of services and events that take place in your local library.

Also represented will be a selection of the county’s independent museums including Whittington Castle, and the Oswestry Orthopaedic Experience Museum.

Councillor Mike Owen, Portfolio Holder Economic Growth and Prosperity said:

“The pageant will provide a wonderful showcase for Shropshire’s outstanding heritage and culture. We are proud that Shropshire Council services can be part of this wonderful celebration, and have the opportunity to highlight their activities and the fantastic collections supporting this work.”

Around 35,000 people are expected to attend the event, so drivers are being advised to be prepared for some traffic congestion around RAF Cosford on Thursday morning.  Gates open at 8am, with entertainment starting at 10am and the pageant procession taking place at 1.40pm.

For further details about the pageant go to www.shropshirejubilee.co.uk, and for information on Shropshire Council services go to www.shropshire.gov.uk