Whitchurch's Better Welcome committee and supporters re-enacted a 'cheese run' last month.

This is when cheese sold at the town's huge cheese fair was brought to the canalside and loaded on barges for distribution to towns and cities.

Neil Rees, who lives in Buckinghamshire, has been carrying out extensive research into the stories of the Czechs who were exiled to the UK during the Second World War.

He has already published a book called The Secret History of the Czech Connection: The Czechoslovak Government in Exile in London and Buckinghamshire.

Mr Rees is now seeking information about the Czech army presence in Cholmondeley Park in 1940 and the Czech state schools at Hinton Hall and Maesfen Hall.

It kicks off with a talk in the Civic Centre at 7.30pm by Tony Lewery of the Waterways Trust entitled The Saturn Project.

He was involved with the restoration of the last Shroppie Fly Boat, Saturn, which is now more than 100 years old, but once plied the Shropshire Union Canal day and night non-stop carrying perishable goods.

The talk coincides with the Waterways Trust weekend held at the Whitchurch arm in Chemistry this weekend, at which Saturn can be seen.

Formerly the Shropshire Sites and Monuments Record, the HER aims to be a record of all the archaeological sites, finds and features, and historic buildings, structures and landscapes in the county, and contains a wealth of supporting material.

Copies of all the HER's main records - including maps, reports, photographs and aerial photographs - are now available on the national 'Heritage Gateway' website - www.heritagegateway.org.uk.

The Shropshire HER records can be searched independently or viewed in conjunction with a range of national Heritage records maintained by English Heritage.

The North Shropshire representative, with members of the Big Lottery Fund and Shropshire Council, enjoyed a guided tour of the beauty spot to see the publicly funded work carried out there.

This included a visit to the newly revamped Boathouse Restaurant and Tourist Information Centre where Mr Paterson viewed the heritage shop and interactive displays, followed by a walk along the newly restored promenade.

With him was Cllr Stephen Charmley, portfolio holder for culture and leisure services, and local councillor Ann Hartley.

Phyllis Barnett, now a resident at Weston House residential home, Whitchurch, has received a Land Army medal for services to her country.

Staff at the home realised she was eligible for the award and applied on her behalf.
Mrs Barnett was born in 1921 at The Grove, Coton, and worked as a housemaid - work which she hated.

When war was declared in 1939 she was called up to work in a munitions factory in Hereford.

After three years she left the factory with TNT poisoning and joined the Land Army in 1942.

Years ago there was a Whitchurch Museum on the site of the current library, which also housed an art gallery floor.

Now Dr John and Mrs Judith Clayton are spearheading a drive to see a museum returned to the town.

There are many artefacts relating to Whitchurch's past, some dating back 2,000 years, which are presently stored in Ludlow as there is nowhere for them in town.

Mrs Clayton gave a presentation of the plans to Whitchurch Town Council last Thursday.

Her daughter Angela Edge is in the photograph.

The girls were in the fourth year at the junior school, and were coached by Tony White.
The team trained and competed at The Park Gym Club, Telford.

Team member Lisa Young went on to represent GB in the 1984 LA Olympics. She was captain of the gymnastics team, which was seventh.

Lisa travelled the world competing, and toured with the gymnastics team from Louisiana State University, where she spent a year studying for her sports science and psychology degree.

I AM trying to arrange a reunion for pupils who left Prees School in 1981 or 1982.

If this applies to you and you would be interested in attending, please get in touch on 0785 3345081.

JULIE OWEN (Brown)

We told last week how Wright Manley auctioneers is selling 16 watercolours by former teacher the late Kathleen Ann Parbutt, of Whitchurch.

Here we can show you two of them: the former Joseph Wright Auctioneers and Valuers in Watergate Street and the Bull's Head and Old Eagles Inn, looking toward Barkhill, Dodington; and the Old Shop in High Street, once a cooperage and now Walker's Bakery.

Some of the others show views of old timbered cottages in Station Road, now demolished, Sir Edward German's birthplace, St Alkmund's Church, The Horse and Jockey and Absolon's Confectioners, now Walker's Bakery, in High Street.

Miss Parbutt was born in 1911 at Worthington Street, Whitchurch.

She taught at Burleydam School and from 1943 taught music, art and other subjects at the new secondary modern school at Broughall, Whitchurch, as senior mistress.

Among the 16 watercolours are pictures of old timbered cottages in Station Road, now demolished, Sir Edward German's birthplace, St Alkmund's Church, The Horse and Jockey and Absolons Confectioners, now Walker's Bakery, in High Street.

Before the sale the watercolours will be on view in Wright Manley's office, which is at 16 Watergate, Whitchurch, from next Thursday to Saturday, June 11-13.

It was Miss Parbutt's bequest that proceeds of sale go to St Dunstan's War Blinded.
The actual sale of the paintings takes place on Thursday, June 25, at Beeston Castle Salerooms, near Tarporley.

Created by local artist Elizabeth Turner, the artwork is situated in the undercover walkway next to the town's Tesco supermarket.

It is the final piece of the arts trail devised by Elizabeth and residents, and is featured in an accompanying leaflet.

The trail incorporates 16 pieces of artwork across the town, and is designed to be both fun and informative for youngsters and visitors.

In 1932 he took part in the grammar school play Rising Generation, playing the part of the blonde lady sitting on the table.

Hubert Smith, ex-iron foundry director, played the young man in white flannels and blazer.

The theme will be Whitchurch during the life of Randolph Caldecott.

Caldecott (1846-1886) was a British artist who worked for six years as a bank clerk in Whitchurch before devoting himself fully to art.

He painted many pictures featuring Whitchurch scenes.

St Alkmund's Church is visible in the background of his picture of High Street in the picture book The Great Panjandrum Himself.

Programme secretary Heather Bayne gave details, including a visit to Cholmondeley Castle, at a recent meeting.

Peter Shephard provided information on the Shropshire Building Preservation Trust outing to Much Wenlock late this month.

The speaker for the evening was John Powell, who showed films of old Ellesmere between the 1930s and 1960s.

The films had been taken by Charles Davies and Mr Powell was able to show the type of camera used.