Our Society, inaugurated in 1969 exists, to foster an interest in the histories of Albrighton, Donington, Boscobel, Tong and Boningale.
Our monthly talks run from January to June and September to December. In addition to this our Society has an archivist on the committee who collects and collates interesting documents, photographs and artifacts. These often form the basis of any exhibition or display the Society puts on. We provide information to anyone who requires support with family history through our database of parish records, census maps and photographs. Society members are encouraged to undertake local research and this work results in publications and talks from time to time.
Albrighton - a large village of around 4,000 people. Usually described as near Shifnal or Wolverhampton. Not to be confused with the hamlet north of Shrewsbury. Recorded in Domesday Book, it dates to the 7th century approx. Traditionally it was closely associated with The Earl of Shrewsbury. It was famous for its hunt and fair, but is now known more for being the home of the internationally renowned David Austin Roses.
Three miles south east of junction 3 of the M54 and the A41, it has kept its station on the Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury railway line. Anciently it was an independent borough within Shropshire, near the old London to Holyhead coaching road. It is surrounded by productive and attractive farmland, with local light industry and a busy high street. Its proximity to Telford, Cosford and Wolverhampton means it is described as a 'dormitory' village. Active parish churches include St Mary's (C of E) 12th century, St. Joseph's (R.C). 1960s, and a Victorian Methodist Church. Has a monthly Parish magazine and a Library with a good local history section. Wikipedia-Albrighton
Donington-with-Boscobel - a hamlet of around 3,500 people lying within a large rural parish dominated by RAF Cosford - the home of RAF engineering. The superb annual Airshow in June brings huge crowds to the area. The parish church is St Cuthbert's on the edge of Donington pool and nature reserve, and close to Albrighton's parish church. Its families and records often overlap with Albrighton, and both should be consulted if researching ancestors of either parish. Not to be confused with the many other Doningtons in the UK or the Donnington (with 4 'n's) near Telford. Older records often confuse the spellings.
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Donington is paired with Boscobel parish, where famously Charles II hid in an oak tree while evading capture by Cromwell's troops. The house, owned by English Heritage, is open to the public during the summer season and for weekend guided tours in the winter. Whiteladies Priory ruins lie close by. The 2011 population numbered just 12 people.
Boningale - hamlet with a population of 302 in the 2011 census. Its name was formerly spelled Boningall/Bonninghall and some older people in the area pronounce it with an 'all' ending. The notorious 18th century rogue Jonathan Wild was born here. The small parish church is St Chads. The village has a number of interesting half timbered and Georgian houses too. Anciently the Earls of Shrewsbury (the Talbots) lived close by at upper Pepperhill after they moved away from Albrighton, and maintained a deer park which is pictured on early maps of the county. It is close to the Holyhead road, a major coaching and drove route. The Horns of Boningale now 'The Cowshed' and the Summer House pubs are both on this busy road. County Lane next to the Summer House marks the eastern Shropshire boundary with Staffordshire.
Tong - pretty hamlet near junction 3 of the M54 motorway and A41. The population in 2011 census was 243. The village is remarkable mainly for its nationally important church, St Bartholomew's, (pictured below), which has a wealth of outstanding alabaster effigies of the Vernon and Stanley families amongst others, including an inscription said to have been written by William Shakespeare. It has an impressive central tower, spire and bell, as well as Crusader and English Civil War associations. See here
The cemetery contains the fictional 'grave of Little Nell', a character in Charles Dickens' book, 'The Old Curiosity Shop', a Victorian example of creative tourism in aid of church funds. Charles Dickens told Shropshire clerics that he had visited Tong. His grandmother had worked as housekeeper at Tong Castle (now demolished), many years before. Wikipedia-Tong