New Book: Historic Much Wenlock Photographs
Published 5 February, 2012The history of Much Wenlock is being brought to life in a book made up of photographs taken straight from the albums of the residents themselves.
Much Wenlock: Past to Present in Photographs is a book of old pictures of Much Wenlock and its people from c1860 through to the present day. It is the result of a community project which has seen people of the town coming forward with amazing pictures and long-forgotten stories.
Ina Taylor, of Much Wenlock-based Ellingham Press, is one of the authors and says it has been a joy to be part of the project.
She said: “It has been great fun for all of us and those who have contributed have really enjoyed the trip down memory lane that the project this has entailed.
“Because most of the photographs have come from private albums they have never been seen publicly before.
“Our oldest photograph is of a butcher in the High Street in the 1860s so we start with that and we end with one of the things Much Wenlock is well known for today 'Paddy's queue', outside Paddy Ryan the butchers.
As part of researching information about old photographs, batches of photocopies were put in the hairdressers in the Square and when customers came in they were offered the magazines but many said they would prefer to browse the photographs.
“Residents wrote names and information on the back of the photocopies and that way we added to our knowledge and their enjoyment,” added Ina.
“There has been so much interest in the book that Jenny the hairdresser has already got a big list of orders.”
The only other book of photographs of Much Wenlock was published in 1910 so this is the first publication of its kind for more than 100 years.
The project started after an encounter between residents Joy Sims and Ina Taylor in the Spar shop in January. The pair began to chat about the “olden days” and Joy began talking about the photographs she had.
Ina said: “We set out to collect 100 good quality images in order to do a book but we now have in excess of 500 and more keep coming out of the woodwork so this will now be book one.
“Book two will come out just before Easter next year with more of a games and Olympic theme.”
The photographs go from 1860 to present day and include the last day at Wenlock Post Office sorting office, the old William Brookes School in a heap of rubble, the new one opening and the official Olympic Games mascot visiting.
Much Wenlock: Past to Present in Photographs by Joy Sims & Ina Taylor costs £9.99 and is now available from Wenlock Books Ellingham Press and various outlets in the town.