A real "Shroppie" Town

Saturday, 28 March 2009 20:51

The Shropshire Union Canal was built past Market Drayton in 1835 (then the canal was known as the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal). The canal entrance to the town was carved through the red sandstone creating Tyrley lock flight. Market Drayton was one of the principal depots for the building of the canal.

The engineer John Wilson bought Grove House, near the canal, and Thomas Telford, the designer, visited him there.

Grove House

The town itself goes back to Saxon times (950 AD) when a church was built on a red sandstone precipice above the River Tern, a tributary of the River Severn. The church of St Mary's now stands on the same spot.

St Mary's Church

The first battle in "The Wars of the Roses" was nearby and in the Civil War King Charles passed through the town with his army. It became a prosperous town, partly due to the charter to hold a weekly market granted by Henry lll in 1245. The Wednesday Street Market is held to this day.

1651 was Market Drayton's own Great Fire with many of the half timbered buildings destroyed.

The Cheshire Cheese Inn survived, sadly no longer an Inn

Clive of India was born in 1725 just outside the town. Robert Clive attended the Grammar School in Market Drayton and his name is commemorated by Clive Steps near to St Mary's church.

The Old Grammar School at the top of Clive steps

It is strange to reflect that Clive's influence in creating the British Empire in India enabled the spice routes to be opened up bringing the spices used in the manufacture of gingerbread in his home town.

The railway came to Market Drayton in 1885 but was closed in 1964. This explains why Rogers and Son's flour and corn Mill now stands isolated, opposite Morrisons which is built on the site of the extensive railway station and junction.

Rogers and Son

The canal and railway are linked by the Corbet Arms (known as The Talbot until 1825) in the town centre. Telford stayed there in 1832 during the building of the canal. In 1862 the Nantwich and Market Drayton Railway was inaugurated in this important town meeting place.

The Corbet Arms

Modern Market Drayton boasts a swimming centre, looking very busy today

It is also the home to "Britain's favourite yoghurt"

45 products sold per second - that is some consumption! All made from local Shropshire milk.

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