Archives
Click on the headings below to view the Archives.
History (Oswestry History)
The Guildhall
The Catalogue
How to use Archives
The Council’s archives date from 1324, when the Earl of Arundel granted two shops (‘duas schoppas’ in the Latin original) in Leg Street to the Burgesses of Oswestry. Comparatively few records survive before 1674, the year of the charter granted to the Town by King Charles II, but they include deeds and charters, and accounts and memoranda of the Bailiffs, who received the tolls and other payments due to the Town. Between 1674 and 1835 records are more plentiful, consisting of minutes of the Council, accounts of the Mayor and other Town officers, proceedings of the Quarter Sessions and Court of Record, and various correspondence and papers relating to the Guildhall, the gaol, markets and fairs, and other matters of local interest. The nineteenth century from 1835 was a period of great development in Oswestry. New markets were built in the late 1840s; reservoirs were built in the late 1860s and the late 1880s; the Guildhall was rebuilt in 1892. The voluminous minutes of the Council and its Committees, and the numerous bundles of deeds and documents which complement them, reflect these major developments as well as the more routine, and sometimes trivial aspects of the administration of Town affairs. Major and minor developments of the twentieth century are likewise documented – housing estates between the Wars; the modernisation of Powis Hall (the indoor market) in 1963; the new Smithfield in 1968; the changes brought about by local government reorganisation in 1974.
The majority of the Council’s older archives were at one time stored in Oswestry Library, which until 1959 was based in the town’s municipal buildings, the Guildhall. Others, and more recent records, were in the Powis Hall. In 1985-9, all the archives were brought together in the Guildhall. The Town Council took the decision to keep all the records in Oswestry and to apply for it to become a recognised place of deposit. An air-conditioned strong room was installed, search room facilities were provided for in the public rooms, a conservation programme was set up and a part-time archivist appointed to catalogue the archives. The Guildhall was appointed a place of deposit in 1989 under the Public Records Act 1958.
In 1999, following a successful application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund the Guildhall was renovated for Council and community use. An additional room was equipped for storage of archives, and improved searchroom facilities were provided. The catalogue of the archives was published to mark the re-opening of the building.
In 2005-6 the first Town Council Archivist, Eileen Simpson, retired. Shropshire Archives was appointed to provide the services of a part-time Archivist, Helen Haynes, to attend the archives on a regular basis. Additional advice is also provided by the Shropshire Archives’ conservation, outreach and reprographics departments.
Scope of the Catalogue
The catalogue is complete and lists the older borough records to 1974, with a small collection of local records such as photographs up to c 2005. To search the catalogue on this website go to the links under Archives/the Catalogue. Printed copies of the catalogue are also available at Oswestry Library and Shropshire Archives. The catalogue can also be searched on www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a.
The published catalogue excludes the post 1974 records of the Town Council. A list of these is available in the search room. Requests for access to the Town Council’s records under the Freedom of Information Act should be made in writing to the Town Clerk.
Restrictions on Access
Personal records under 100 years old are restricted under the Data Protection Act and requests for access to them should be made to the Archivist.
Items which are fragile and would be further damaged by handling are not available for consultation until they have been repaired. Photocopies will not be made of any items which, because of their condition or format, would be subject to risk of damage in the photocopying process.
It may be possible to allow customers to take photographs of maps or documents within conservation guidelines. We can also arrange for digital images to be made of documents at the Shropshire Archives conservation studio. A price list is available on application.
Transcripts and microfiche
Extracts from and transcripts of some of the pre 1835 records were printed in The Records of the Corporation of Oswestry, edited by Stanley Leighton (reprinted from Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological Society, 1879 – 1883) and in Bye-gones relating to Wales and the Border Counties (1879 – 1939). These works are cited in the catalogue as "Leighton" and "Bye-gones" respectively.
Microfiche copies have been made of many of the earliest and most fragile 17th and 18th century borough books, maps and documents to preserve the originals from further damage. These will be made available in our search room and can also be used at Oswestry Library and Shropshire Archives for the added convenience of our customers. We are embarking on a continuing programme of microfilming and digitisation to meet modern demands, in addition to specialist repair and conservation work to the documents.
General Information
Search room opening hours 09:30 to 12:45, 14:15 to 16:30 every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Friday 09:30 to 12:45, 14:15 to 16:00 except public holidays. By appointment only.
Please provide proof of identity and/or CARN or Shropshire Archives card.
Guided tours are offered to local groups (numbers restricted to 20). Talks and study days can be arranged – please contact the Archivist.
Contact details:
Town Council Archivist - Helen Haynes
Archives champion - Joanne Needham
Tel. 01691 680222
Email enquiries@oswestry-tc.gov.uk