History Society tomorrow

Thursday 20 February

Chalk and Cheese

Robert Ginder's illustrated talk is about changes in trade and agriculture in the Shropshire/Cheshire border region during the 'Canal Era' – taken roughly to be between 1790 and 1840.

Growth in the North Shropshire towns of Ellesmere, Whitchurch and Wem is shown to have been much greater than in Nantwich. This was due to agricultural improvements, particularly in grain production, and lower transport costs resulting from the opening of the Ellesmere canal.

The Nantwich area remained largely tied to cheese-making and benefited less from agricultural improvements and from its canal. As a result, Whitchurch gained in prosperity and overtook Nantwich as the principal local town and coaching centre in this era.

Our meetings take place in the Scout and Guide Hall in Cheshire Street and start at 7.30pm. All welcome.