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History of Oswestry

Oswestry's tribute to the hill farmers of the Marches

"A Town for All ages" The following was presented  by Chairman, Mrs Kath Mellor, at the regional conference  held at the Wynnstay Hotel on the 25th June 2003, to an attendance of Members from Chester, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Newtown, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Wolverhampton, Wrekin and Oswestry.

WELCOME TO OSWESTRY

I am an Oswestrian - born in Oswestry, educated here, moving away only to attend College and begin my career. I returned to marry, raise a family and continue with my work in teaching until retirement. So, I suppose I might be seen to be biased!

Oswestry has always been known as a friendly place to live. On a shopping expedition into the town, you never fail to meet someone you know for a chat. Once you have lived in Oswestry, people are very reluctant to move on and this generates the atmosphere of continuity and community.

As the title of our day tells us, it is 'A Town for All Ages', set on the borders of Wales. A true country market town. Lying to the west are the foothills of Wales where the scenery becomes more and more mountainous the further west you go. In contrast, to the east are the rolling hills and pastures known as the Shropshire Plain. This makes it an excellent agricultural area.

EARLY HISTORY

Oswestry is only five miles from the Welsh border, and so, because of its situation has been in both Welsh and English hands. It finally settled under English rule in 1535. There is evidence of a settlement nearby at "Old Oswestry" long before this, however. The huge Iron Age hill fort is thought to have been occupied from 550 BC right up until the Romans arrived in 75AD. In 642 AD the Christian King Oswald was killed by the Pagan King Penda at the Battle of Maserfield, now the playing fields of Oswestry School. His body was hung from a tree - 'Oswalds Tree' - since corrupted to 'Oswestry'.

Offa's Dyke, which runs the whole length of the English/Welsh border, is very near to Oswestry. It is thought to have been constructed in about the 8th Century by King Offa, to keep the English in and the Welsh out.

The town was a continual victim of borderland fighting and was burnt to the ground on many occasions. The centre of the town was enclosed in town walls for protection until the 18th Century, which you will see on the guided walk, and hear about during the talk on 'The History of Oswestry'.

LATER HISTORY

The town expanded in 1860 when the Cambrian Railway based their headquarters here. Sadly, there is no longer a rail service in Oswestry, although the Cambrian Railway Society operates a transport museum - ironically near the old railway station. They aim to operate steam trains on the old disused line to Gobowen at some point in the future.

Oswestry was the temporary home of many soldiers who visited the Park Hall Camp from the Great War until its closure in 1968. Park Hall Camp was located between Oswestry and Whittington. The Hall itself was used as the Officers Mess, but was unfortunately accidentally burnt down in 1918. Many soldiers passed through the Camp and remember well their time spent here in Oswestry.

PIONEERS IN ORTHOPAEDICS AND RHEUMATOLOGY

In 1920/21, the Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital, founded by Dame Agnes Hunt & Sir Robert Jones (the Consultant Surgeon), moved from increasingly inadequate premises at Baschurch - Dame Agnes's home village, some ten miles from Oswestry - to the former military hospital at Park Hall. This has grown and developed to become the world famous Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic & District Hospital. It continues its founders' pioneering work in orthopaedics & rheumatology, and is the Spinal Injuries Centre for the Midlands.

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMECIAL CHANGE

In 1968 the town lost its last historic source of major industrial employment when the Ifton Colliery at St. Martins, the last remaining coal mine in North Shropshire, closed.

Oswestry did not stand still, waiting for 'something' to happen. Following the closure of its railway workshops, Army camp & colliery, which all gave so much employment to the town, work commenced on the construction of a new industrial estate. In the early 1960's, work began on some 50 acres of land in the Maesbury Road area of the town and has continued to grow ever since. With this new development came the removal of a very active livestock market from the centre of the town to new premises adjoining the industrial estates. This is now the country's largest sheep market and enjoys a substantial trade in cattle. Unfortunately, Oswestry is also remembered for its two outbreaks of Foot & Mouth Disease, which was the focus of media attention in 1968.

On the Bailey Head, the weekly Wednesday outdoor market attracts many stalls, offering a wide selection of goods and creating a lively sense of hustle, bustle, colour and excitement. There is something to capture the interest of any visitor or shopper, not least the mixture of Welsh and English being spoken, emphasizing our Border location.

Industrial development received a big boost with the opening of the A5/A483 Oswestry bypass in 1987, relieving congestion in the town and greatly improving access to the motorway network and to the major industrial & business centres. Easy access to Chester, Liverpool & Manchester to the north and Birmingham & the Midlands to the south has made Oswestry an attractive commuter town for many. It is also a busy holiday route to Mid & North-Wales, with the award winning Tourist Information Centre at Mile End becoming one of the busiest and most successful in Britain.

Some 1300 businesses are now based around Oswestry. Their products vary from manhole covers to hot air balloons, and from staircases to computer software. One of our biggest employers, upon whom so much of our local economy depends, is British Telecom. In September 1957 three men set up a telecommunications base at Brogyntyn Hall, which began a 42-year association between Oswestry & B.T. In 1990, Oswestry was chosen as the location for B.T.'s Worldwide Network Management Centre. Today we are still at the leading edge of technology - a showcase to the world for the management of complex but reliable fully digital integrated telecommunications network at Whittington House.

Oswestry is the third largest shopping centre in Shropshire, after Shrewsbury & Telford, and serves a very large rural area, stretching well into Wales and far beyond the boundaries of the Borough. There are some 250 shops in the town as well as the major covered and open-air market. Many of the national chain stores are represented, too. The town is also well supplied with branches of the main Banks & Building Societies.

The town centre is a designated Conservation Area and has many buildings of historical and architectural interest. Together with Cae Glas Park, for those who wish to take a rest from shopping and enjoy a spot of tranquillity, they make the town a pleasant place for tourist and shopper alike.

EDUCATION

Oswestry is blessed with a wide range of high quality schools and colleges in both the Independent and Maintained sectors.

Oswestry School, which some of you will be visiting this morning, is the most ancient in foundation and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest non-denominational schools in the country. It was founded in 1407 and has produced many distinguished 'Old Boys' (and girls!), including Rev. W.A. Spooner (spoonerisms) to Dr. Thomas Bray, founder of the Society for Propagating the Gospel.

Moreton Hall was founded in 1913 and is situated on the outskirts of Oswestry, whilst the Marches School is a large Comprehensive School serving Oswestry & surrounding villages.

The North Shropshire College, now one of 70 Tertiary Colleges in England & Wales and recently extended, provides a wide variety of academic & vocational courses for their students.

THE ARTS

Oswestry has a very strong tradition of amateur singing and music, no doubt gained by the area's connection with Wales. We have many choirs, bands and musical societies as well as a number of amateur dramatic societies. Professional theatre companies regularly visit the area and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, just over the border in Wales, is an excellent event each July.

With a flourishing Society of Artists and many other interest groups, the Arts are an important part of the town. Oswestry and district has been home to a number of notable personalities in the Arts field, including Sir Henry Walford-Davies, Master of the King's Music, distinguished organist and composer; & Wilfred Owen one of the greatest poets of the First World War, awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry. Sports & recreational activities are also well to the fore, with moves afoot for a new Leisure Centre.

There is so much to relate about Oswestry, with its history, traditions, development and beautiful countryside it is impossible to do it justice in the short time I have to speak to you.

I sincerely hope you all enjoy your visit to the town - "A Town for All Ages" - and that you will take away with you pleasurable memories of the time you have spent here with us today. Again, may I offer a warm welcome to Oswestry.

Kath Mellor (Chairman 2002/2003)