This article is about the town of Shrewsbury in England. For other places of the same name, see Shrewsbury (disambiguation)
Shrewsbury (pronounced both Shroozbury and Shrowzbury) is the county town of the county of Shropshire, England.
History
Shrewsbury may have been founded by the Romans who had the city of Viroconium (Wroxeter) nearby, but the Saxons are more likely to have founded the town, roughly in the 8th Century (there are unfortunately no records of when exactly it was founded). The earliest written mention of it existing is from the year 901. At that time it was part of the the Kingdom of Mercia. It grew in stature quickly and became the county town of Shropshire and even had a mint. It is known as the "town of flowers" and an alternative name is Salop (which is also an alternative name for the county). The town has borough status and for many centuries it was run by the Corporation of Shrewsbury. The local authority is now Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
The centre of Shrewsbury is located in a meander of the River Severn and the town is located only 12 miles from the Welsh border. The town centre has a pronounced hill upon which sits Shrewsbury Castle, built shortly after the Norman Conquest, though the present day castle dates from the 13th century. There are many well-preserved half-timbered black-and-white houses here, among them the Abbot's House of c.1500 on Butcher Row, and Rowley's House (now home to the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery) on Barker Street. The town avoided the bombing of World War II and so many of its ancient buildings remain intact and there was little redevelopment during the 1960s and 1970s (which destroyed the character of many historic towns in the UK).
During the English Civil War, the town was a royalist stronghold and only fell to Parliament forces after they were let in by a traitor at the St Mary's Water Gate (now known as Traitor's Gate).
The town did not experience the same massive growth that other English towns experienced during the industrial revolution and few large factories grew up in the town. In fact, during the 1830s and 1840s, the town actually decreased in populance - mainly due to the lack of good transport links and little industry. The railways, however, became a major employer by the end of the 19th Century, as Shrewsbury became an important railway town. Today, the town is still not industrial and the railways no longer play such a major part in employing its people.
See also: Battle of Shrewsbury (1403).
Population
The population of the town of Shrewsbury is approx 70,000 although the population of the borough is higher, at around 100'000. The A5, A53, A49 and 5 railway lines connect the town to most corners of Shropshire and the town is regarded as the "Gateway to Wales", which is certainly true for those travelling from the West Midlands connurbation to the Principality. In 2000 and again in 2002, Shrewsbury unsuccessfully applied for city status. The borough council is expected to apply for city status again, whenever the next round of cities are to be made (normally at a royal occassion).
Attractions
The historic town centre still retains its medieval street pattern and many narrow streets and passages remain. Some of the passages, especially those which pass through buildings from one street to the next, are called “shuts” (this is because they were once shut at night). Many specialist shops and local restaurants can be found in the hidden corners, squares and lanes of Shrewsbury. Many of the street names have also remained unchanged in centuries – names such as Dogpole, Mardol, Frankwell, Roushill, Grope Lane, Gullet Passage, Shoplatch and Bellstone.
In the centre of the town lies the The Quarry. This 29 acre riverside park attracts thousands of people throughout the year and is enjoyed as a place of recreation.
Shrewsbury is also home to one of the largest and oldest horticultural events in the UK - the annual Shrewsbury Flower Show (Shrewsbury Flower Show website http://www.shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk ). A two day event, the Flower Show takes place in mid August, has been running for more than 125 years, and attracts around 100,000 visitors each year. Set in the Quarry park, there are a multitude of events, exhibitions and displays, with a magnificent fireworks display at the end of each day. Some people dislike the fact that there is an admission charge to enter the park during the flower show (which is of litte interest to many of the people of Shrewsbury) - there is usually no admission for entering the park.
Shrewsbury has a growing alternative music scene, with many bands based within the town or county. Dance and house music also has a large following amongst young people.
Shrewsbury School, a leading public school in the country, where Sir Philip Sydney, Charles Darwin, Michael Palin and Michael Heseltine were educated, is located on large commanding site ("Kingsland") just south of the town centre overlooking the loop of the Severn.
Administrative functions
Shrewsbury is the administrative centre for both Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough and Shropshire County (which does not include the Telford and Wrekin borough, which is now a unitary authority). The County Council have their headquarters in the Shirehall, on Abbey Foregate and the Borough Council have their new headquarters in the Guildhall, on Frankwell Quay. The Borough Council have recently moved from their old Guildhall, which is on Dogpole. For an explaination of how the town (and its borough) is run, click here.
The town also serves as the administrative headquarters of the British Army's 5th Division.
Future
Shrewsbury won the West Midlands Captial of Enterprise award in 2004. The town has two expanding business parks - the Shrewsbury Business Park and the Battlefield Enterprise Park. There are many developments currently under construction in the town, mainly residential (the town is becoming a place where many commuters who travel to Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham live). The borough council has also recently added to this building activity in the town, by building the new Guildhall and the council is planning on building a large new theatre and a sports village too.
The town centre has two shopping centres - the 'Pride Hill' and 'Charles Darwin' centres - and the company which owns them has announced plans to expand these two and link them together. Plans for the first phase of this work are being unveiled at the moment.
Suburbs of the town
Suburbs and districts surrounding the town centre:
(North)
Ditherington
Castlefields
Sundorne
Harlescott
Mount Pleasant
Battlefield
Greenfields
Coton Hil
(East)
Underdale
Cherry Orchard
Abbey Foregate
Telford Estate
Monkmoor
Belvidere
(South)
Sutton Farm
Reabrook
Sutton Park
Meole Brace
Belle Vue
Coleham
(West)
Copthorne
Frankwell
Porthill
Kingsland
Gains Park
Radbrook
Bicton Heath
Famous residents
The Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters, aka Edith Pargeter, take Shrewsbury Abbey for their setting.
Links
- Discussion forum http://www.shrewsburyforum.co.uk
- Local info site http://www.shrewsbury-guide.co.uk
Shrewsbury Town
In 2004, the local football team, Shrewsbury Town F.C., were promoted to the Football League Division 3 (now called League 2) from the Nationwide Conference. They were in the Conference for just one year and became the first team in 10 years to bounce straight back up just one year after relegation.
External Links
- Official STFC Web Site http://www.shrewsburytown.co.uk
Crest and motto
Floreat Salopia - latin; "may Salop flourish" (Salop can mean both Shrewsbury and Shropshire)
This crest is that of the borough of Shrewsbury and Atcham - Shrewsbury's town crest is the same but without the bridge (which is the Atcham Bridge). Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury and Atcham, Shrewsbury Town FC and Shropshire all use the same loggerheads and motto.
Last updated: 02-07-2005 13:28:17
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55
