Date

Event

1086

In the Domesday Book, Preston Gubbals being the Parish which included Bomere Heath is described as:-

“Now a parish, the name Gubbals is from the 1066 holder Godbold. It was in Baschurch Hundred (2) in 1086, later in Pimhill, where the Abbot of Lileshull holds 4 hides in Preston Gubald belonging to the Church of St Alkmund in RH ii p. 75a; see Pimhill Roll p. 119, FA iv p. 231 and Eyton x p. 171. Lea [GR SJ 4921] was a member, as was an unidentified ‘Charlton’, not the same as 3g,9: see Ch. 3g note. 4 HIDES.... In the MS a gap suitable for about 5 letters has been left after hide; see 1,5 note.”

Merrington nearby also appears in the Domesday Book and is described as follows:-

“DB Gellidone. Later forms of the name are Guidone, Murydon and Muridone, see VCH I p. 336 note 89 and DEPN s.n. It is now in Preston Gubbals parish and lay in Baschurch Hundred (2) in 1086, later in Pimhill. Picot de Sai gave two-thirds of the demesne tithes to Shrewsbury Abbey (Salop. Cart. pp. 7-8, 43, 45, 276-279 etc.) and the manor itself was later given to Haughmond Abbey: in the Pimhill Roll (p. 121) the Abbot of Haughmond holds Meryden in free alms by gift of Robert Girreis; see TE p. 260b and Eyton x p. 154.”

Both above paragraphs are English translations of the original and are taken from Domesday Book - Shropshire published by Phillimore 1986 ISBN 0 85033 586 8

see also http://www.infokey.com/Domesday/Shropshire.htm

1199

The Manor of Preston Gubbals passed to Lilleshall Abbey, tenure confirmed by King John.

(Source: Printed Parish Register)

16^th Century

Families began to squat on the common or heath lands. (Shropshire Village Book - Bomere Heath by R.D. 1987)

1540

John Somerfield is earliest recorded Incumbent of Preston Gubbals church. (Printed Par. Reg.)

1544

Grant to Edward HOSYER in fee of all lands in Preston Gubalds and all tithes in the township of Meriden and he, being late parcel of the possessions of the Abbey of Lilleshall. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1560 Apr 18

Edward, son of John Williams baptised at Preston Gubbals church. This is the earliest known entry from the register, now lost, but is taken from the Geo. Morris’ Register extracts in Shropshire Archives. (Printed Par. Reg.)

1564

Edward HOSIER conveyed the Manor of Preston Gobalds and lands these to his daughter and heir Elizabeth who married John DRAYCOTT of Paynsley, Co. Staffs. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1578

John DRAYCOTT conveyed the Manor and Rectory to Edward BASSET and others to certain uses. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1607

DRAYCOTT died seised of the Manor of Preston Gobalds, his heir being his son John a recusant. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1609

John PEERSALL had a lease of the Manor (of Preston Gubalds) for 61 years. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1639

John DRAYCOTT appears to have been in at least nominal possession of the Manor as late as this year, but soon after it had passed to the LEES of Langley and Lea Hall, who owned it during the Civil War, for in the Sequestration Papers of Sir Richard LEE mention is made among his estates of the Manor of Preston Gobalds. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1660

Sir Richard LEE died and his estates divided between his two daughters; Mary, wife of Edward SMYTHE, and Rachel, wife of Ralph CLAYTON (or CLEATON), second son of Ralph CLAYTON of Oneley in Woore. The Preston Gobalds property went to Mrs CLAYTON. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1682

The son of Mrs CLAYTON, Richard CLAYTON (d.1684) suffered a Recovery of the Manor and of Lea Hall. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1716

Richard CLAYTON (son of Ralph) settled these properties on his marriage with Mary JEFFREYS. His daughter and coheir Jane married Watkin Williams WYNNE of Voelas. They had two daughters: Jane wife of the Hon. Charles FINCH, and Elizabeth wife of Thomas Assheton SMITH, who (in 1760) sold the Manor of Preston Gobalds and Lea Hall to Sir Thomas Tyrrwhitt JONES of Stanley, nephew and heir of Sir Thomas JONES, Sherriff of Shropshire. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1777

By his Will of 1777 Richard BRETHEN set up a Charity for local residents.

c.1790

Map of the Parish of Preston Gubbals showing water (a bow shaped lake or mere) between Preston Gubbals Road and Windsor Lane. (Source: Tyrwhitt Jones collection)

1801 Mar 8^th Sun

Census (Numbers only - no names taken)

1811 May 26^th Sun

Census (Numbers only - no names taken)

1813

Leaton Enclosure map (Ref: B35)

1821 May 27^th Sun

Census (Numbers only - no names taken)

1817-1827

First Ordnance Survey Map drawn at a scale of 2 inches to 1 mile (1:31,680) and later published at a scale of 1 inch to 1 mile (1:63,360) and showing about 40 houses with Albion Hayes (farm) being the only named property. (British Museum - Sheet 320)

1819

Map of “Estate at Merrington in the Parishes of Preston Gubbals and Baschurch” (Shows north part of village from cross roads) (Ref: 93)

1826

Map of the Estate of Tyrwhitt Jones (Ref: 169)

Map of Preston Gubbals parish (Ref: 248)

1827

Chapel erected at the junction of Shrewsbury Road and Baschurch Road. A sandstone building. (Date stone: Zion’s Hill 1827) see also http://www.users.waitrose.com/~coxfamily/bomerezn.htm

1831 May 29^th Sun

Census (Numbers only - no names taken)

1836

Wesleyan Chapel built in Baschurch Road. It was rebuilt in 1868 (Date stone: Wesleyan Chapel erected 1836. Rebuilt 1868) see also http://www.users.waitrose.com/~coxfamily/bomerwe1.htm

1840

Tithe Map and Apportionment of Preston Gubbals Parish compiled. This included the northern and eastern parts of Bomere Heath.

1841 June 6^th Sun

Census

c.1845

The Red Lion Public House then known as the Lion Inn was built about this date. The first licensee was BURROWS. It is not known when the original Licence was granted but according to the Return of Licensed Houses in the Petty Sessional Division of Albrighton 1896 it had been granted more than 50 years. The similar return for 1901 says it had been granted for more than 55 years.

1848 Oct

The Shrewsbury - Chester Railway line opened (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 pp1 & 7. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1851 Mar 30^th Sun

Census

1859

Date Stone on School built at junction of Preston Gubbalds Road and Merrington Road.

1859

Leaton Church built and Parish formed in 1860.

1860

The Cottagers’ Garden Society for the parishes of Albrighton, Baschurch, Fitz, Leaton, Little Ness, Weston and Preston Gubbals was established under the auspices of John Arthur Lloyd Esq. of Leaton Knolls and other resident landowners, for the purpose and in the hope of encouraging cottagers and their families to be neat, cleanly and industrious by offering prizes for the better cultivation of small gardens and for other kindred objects. (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p14. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1861 Apr 7^th Sun

Census

1862

Hand (water) pump erected at Dunn’s Heath bearing the following inscription:-

This pump was erected A.D.1862 / as a memorial of the late Charlotte Sophia LLOYD / of Leaton Knolls. / Who by her Christian benevolence and unwearied charitable / exertions contributed so much to the comforts and welfare / of her poorer neighbours.

1863

There was a Royal Marriage which no doubt meant there was much merry making in the village. (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p9. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1863

The local roads, 1863-1893.

('Highway Districts ' were virtually imposed on the county under an Act described by some people as 'a Gentleman's Act ' for 'the upper ten thousand') but the surveyor of the Pimhill Highway District Board for 32 years was the much respected James Truman Howell. He died on 23^rd January 1895, two days before the dissolution of his Board, after serving diligently for the greater part of his life, since the Board’s creation in l863. Those present at his funeral included the Vice Chairman, Mr A. Mansell, Mr Davies of Yeaton, waywarden, Mr Davies of Little Ness, ex-waywarden, and many others for the whole area. (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p24. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1868

Wesleyan Chapel re-built in Baschurch Road. A sandstone building. It was originally built in 1836 (Date stone: Wesleyan Chapel erected 1836. Rebuilt 1868)

1870

Licensee of Lion Inn - Mrs Isabella Burroughs.

Post Office - sub-postmistress Annie Rogers. (Kelly’s Directory)

1871 Apr 2^nd Sun

Census

1871 (Sept?)

The Cottagers’ Garden Society held their annual show at Leaton Knolls (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p14. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1872

Tower added to Leaton Church. Foundation stone engraved 1871.

1878

Weather Station at Leaton - The Meteorological Society’s new station at Leaton Vicarage, which is under the charge of Rev. E.V. Pigott F.M.S., was officially inspected on the 30^th ult. by Mr Marriott, the assistant secretary, who was accompanied by Mr Graves, the president, and found to be in a satisfactory condition. The observations include the reading of the barometer, dry and wet bulb thermometers, with the highest and lowest temperature in the shade, the highest in the sun’s rays and the lowest on the grass, as well as the rainfall, direction and force of the wind, the amount of cloud etc. They are made twice daily, viz. 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and copies are forwarded on monthly forms to the Meteorological Society for publication in its quarterly journal. Weekly returns are also furnished, giving the highest and lowest temperature in the shade, rainfall and weather, for incorporation with other returns from the various grazing and wheat-producing districts of the county, which are published on Thursdays for agricultural purposes.

(Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p14. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1878 Sep

Tale of a stolen duck.

At the Albrighton Petty Sessions on Thursday before G.M. Campbell and T.S. Eyton Esq., Richard Evans and William Evans were charged with stealing a duck, the property of John Bromley, at Leaton on 7th August. Emma Bromley deposed to missing a duck, and identified a duck produced as that which she lost. The prisoners were working for her brother at the time, William as an indoor servant. Police Constable Samuel Taylor said he received information of the loss of the duck and went to the house of the elder prisoner at Bomere Heath. Upon asking for the duck, the prisoner's daughter brought a duck downstairs and gave it to him. He then went to Mr Bromley's farm and apprehended both prisoners, charging them with stealing the duck.

William Evans said he threw a stone at the duck and struck it, and Richard Evans struck it with a knife on the head and took it home. They did not intend to steal the duck. This statement was repeated and he said the duck had got into an oat stack, and in throwing stones to drive them (sic) out William Evans accidentally struck the duck, while the other prisoner took it home with the intention of concealing, not stealing it.

The elder prisoner said he had belonged to the Foresters Society for 23 years, and if he should be convicted of felony he would be turned out of the society and lose the benefit of his subscriptions. He said he would pay any amount of damages the magistrates might order. William Evans said he also belonged to the Order of Foresters and should forfeit the membership if sent to gaol. The magistrates ordered them to pay the value of the duck and costs of 12 shillings and tenpence each. Mr Campbell had great misgivings whether they were acting rightly in not sending them to gaol.

(Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p17. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1881 Apr 3^rd Sun

Census

1881

Ordnance Survey Map First Edition at 1:2,500 (25 inches to 1 mile).

1886 Apr 23

Chapel anniversaries at Bomere Heath

On Good Friday the annual tea in connection with the Zion Hill chapel was held. The chapel, which had been refurbished for the occasion by Mr Payne of Prescott, looked very neat and quite surpassed any other chapel in the neighbourhood for comfort and accommodation. It was filled three times. The ladies who presided at the tables were mostly from the Davies and Evans families. After the tables had been cleared, a service of songs entitled ‘Bunyan’s Holy War’ was rendered by the choir. Mr W.F. Davies referred to the need to clear the chapel of debt. Subscriptions would be gladly received by Mr E. Davies, butcher, of Bomere Heath.

The anniversary of the Wesleyan chapel was held in May, and a selection of hymns from Moody and Sankey’s edition was sung by the scholars, the service being conducted by Mr Emberton of Liverpool.

(Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p19. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

1887 June ?? Wed

Queen Victoria’s Jubilee - there were celebrations in other villages so no doubt there were similar festivities here.

1890

The village consists of about 70 houses as shown on the Ordnance Survey map at a scale of 6 inches to 1 mile. Places named on the map are:- Methodist Chapel (Wesleyan) (Baschurch Road), The Grove (house), Bomere Villa, School (corner of Preston Gubbals Road and Merrington Road), Methodist Chapel (Calvanistic) (corner of Shrewsbury Road and Baschurch Road), P.O. (Post Office in Shrewsbury Road), Lion Inn, Sefton Cottage.

1891 Apr 5^th Sun

Census

1893

Mission Church built in Shrewsbury Road. At this time it was a ‘black and white’ construction and consisted of just the portion which is parallel with the road. see also http://www.achurchnearyou.com/venue.php?V=4351 and http://users.breathe.com/nick.todd/page4.html for a photograph.

1894

The school at the junction of Merrington Road and Preston Gubbals Road was enlarged. (Kelly’s Directory 1922 & 26)

1896 July 23^rd

According to the Return of Licensed Houses in the Petty Sessional Division of Albrighton 1896 the “Lion Inn” had its licence granted more than 50 years. The owner was Henry J Hearn, Brewer, Shrewsbury and the occupier / licensee was Sarah Peers. Its accommodation was ‘Good’ with 5 rooms down and 4 upstairs with Stabling for 3 horses.

1897 Jun 22 Tues

Local villages celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (Source: The Baschurch File by N. Rowley 1994 p24. ISBN 0 9503979 4 6)

c.1900

Sir Raymond Robert TYRWHITT was Lord of the Manor of Preston Gobalds and Patron of the benefice. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

Early 20^th Century

The Preston Gubalds Estate passed to the family of BIBBY of Sansaw. (Source: Printed Parish Register)

1900

By her Will Mrs LACEY set up a Charity for local residents.

1901 Mar 31^st Sun

Census

1901 June 28^th

According to the Return of Licensed Houses in the Petty Sessional Division of Albrighton 1901 the “Lion Inn” had its licence granted more than 55 years. The owner was Shrewsbury and Wem Brewery Co. and the occupier / licensee was Sarah Peers. Its accommodation was ‘Good’ with 5 rooms down and 4 upstairs with Stabling for 3 horses.

1902 Sept. 29^th

The Presbyterian Church bought the church building at the junction of Shrewsbury Road and Baschurch Road from the Congregationalists for the sum of £150.

1903

Bomere Heath Methodist Chapel erected in Baschurch Road. A red brick building. (Date stone: Bomere Heath Methodist Church erected 1903) see also http://www.users.waitrose.com/~coxfamily/bomerwes.htm

c.1903

Extension built on the south end of the Mission Church and the original part clad in brick covering the original black and white structure. Known as The Wale Room in memory of Vicar Wale of Leaton.

1904 Sept 27^th

The first Marriage to take place in the Methodist Chapel, Baschurch Road was on this day between George Edward Owen BRISBOURNE aged 34 years and Hester Ann TEECE aged 30 years.

[Source: Bomere Heath and District Parish News March 2006]

1911 Apr 2^nd Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2012)

1915

Bomere Heath Women’s Institute formed.

c.1920's

Wilding’s Series photographs taken in the village.

1921

Bomere Heath Brass Band formed.

1921 Jun 19^th Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2022)

1922

Mrs F.E. Webster was the School Mistress.

Post Office - sub-postmaster Henry Charles Edwards.

(Kelly’s Directory)

c.1922-3

Mr Egerton of The Grove, Baschurch Road had the first car in the village.

1923

Frank BIBBY died and the Preston Gubbalds Estate sold. Catalogue and Plan showing property in the village included New House Farm, Merrington Road plus 9 other Plots.

1926

The telephone had arrived at Bomere Heath sometime between 1922 and 1926. Kelly’s Directory of 1926 shows that Brig-Gen A.H.O. Lloyd of Leaton Knolls had the number Bomere Heath 2. It is not known who had No.1 but that could well have been the Post Office for the telegraph.

1926

The barn at the south end of the Red Lion Pub was converted into part of the pub.

1926

Mrs A. Lindsay was the School Mistress.

Post Office - sub-postmaster Henry Charles Edwards.

(Kelly’s Directory)

1930 June 30^th Monday

Village Hall opened by Mrs Bibby. It had been constructed at a cost of £925 plus another £200 for fences, furniture, china, etc. Full report in the Shrewsbury Chronicle 4^th July 1930, text on page 3, pictures on page 10.

1931 Apr 26^th Sun

Census - destroyed by fire in World War II.

1930's?

Tennis Courts built.

1936

Borehole for Water put down and Electricity brought to the village so that water could be pumped to the reservoir. Water was then available at street conduits (Shrewsbury Road at least two, Preston Gubbals Road) but not necessarily to the majority of houses. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1937

Licensee of Red Lion Inn - Hy. Chas. Edwards. (Kelly’s Directory)

1940 Dec 9th

Those people who lived in Bomere Heath during WWII and who are still living in the village say that a single seater fighter aircraft crashed on the southern outskirts of the village on this date and one person states that the following grave stone inscription which will be found at Leaton Churchyard refers to this incident.

“In loving memory of Flying Officer William John Boston WADIE Royal Air Force of Teddington, Middlesex killed on active service December 9th 1940 aged 23 years.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site < www.cwgc.org > records the death of Flying Officer 73050 William John Boston WADIE Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 9 Dec 1940 age 23 buried at Leaton, north of the church.

1941

Licensee of Red Lion Inn - Harry C. Edwards (Kelly’s Directory)

1950 about

A new estate of Council Houses is built in what was to become known as The Crescent. The accommodation included semi-detached houses and some maisonettes with two dwellings downstairs and two upstairs.

1950 May

New Tennis Courts opened by Village Hall.

1951 Apr 8^th Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2052)

early 1950's

Grocers/Bakery on Shrewsbury Road closed and became a Butchers. [These premises later became a chip shop]

1954

The village consists of about 76 houses from Ordnance Survey 6 inch to 1 mile map.

1954 ~ 1973

The Garage was built in the Village between 1954 and 1973.

1957

New School built in The Crescent.

1958

A Scout Hut is built on land off Whitehouse Lane, the actual structure being a former military wooden hut.

1960

Passenger Halt at Leaton Station closed by British Rail. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1961 Apr 23^rd Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2062)

1962-3

Sewers Installed. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1963

Percy Thrower’s bungalow built at Merrington

1964

Brook Road (Phase 1) built also Cob Grove and Pump Road.

1965

Up to the beginning of 1965 the Garage was merely a filling station. It changed hands and the new owner had a large workshop built by Browns of Wem onto the back of the existing building and started doing repairs and maintenance.

March saw a heavy fall of snow and the village isolated.

New houses were built on the main road opposite the pub.

In May the original village stores and Post Office changed into Jones’ Grocers and Off Licence.

The Post Office moved to a bungalow in Windsor Lane.

The new grocery shop (Sefton Stores) expanded and in September opened a new shop next door, selling children clothes, wool and toys.

New flats built for older citizens by the Council in The Crescent (around the loop)

In July extensions (including committee room) to the Village Hall were finished and the hall was re-opened.

Also in July a BBC Midlands film unit visited the village to make a short documentary which was shown in August.

In October the ‘New Venture Club’ was formed with an initial membership of 43 but soon increased to 53.

The over 60 club started this year.

The old school building at the junction of Preston Gubbals Road and Merrington Road was being used as a Men’s Club.

In September the new school was enlarged to four classes from its original three.

At the end of the year the footpaths and roads are laid in Pump Road - the last new bungalows to be finished in 1965.

(Source: WI Scrapbook and Conveyance for No.6 Pump Road, dated 5 November 1965 when the property cost £3,300.00)

1966

Number of houses 237. Population 783 persons. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

Bet.1966 & 1976

The Bakery closed.

Wet Fish shop closed. [Is this correct?]

Grocery shop closed.

Surgery closed.

Mobile laundry stopped.

Mobile vegetable delivery stopped.

Mobile groceries stopped.

Fish & Chip shop opened (on pub car park)

Hairdressers opened.

(Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1967-8

Magnolia Close built

1969

OS Aerial photograph taken of village.

1970

Brook Road (Phase 2) built.

1970

Midland Red bus services withdrawn. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1970's

Bar and Committee Room extensions built on Village Hall.

1971 Apr 25^th Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2072)

1973

Preston Gubbals Church declared redundant when the main part of the building had fallen into disrepair and the church was little used because most people lived over a mile away. The nave, chancel, porch and massive tower were demolished in 1973 and the [remaining] low walls mark out the outline. (Source: Redundant Churches Fund Leaflet)

1973

The village consists of about 302 houses.

1973

The village was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Shropshire Journal in the Shropshire Best Kept Village Competition

1976

Number of houses 447. Population 1,207 persons. (Source: The Urbanisation of Rural Settlements)

1977

The village was awarded a Certificate of Merit by Shropshire Weekly Newspapers in the Shropshire Best Kept Village Competition

1978

Grove Estate built.

1978

The village was awarded a Certificate of Merit by Shropshire Weekly Newspapers in the Shropshire Best Kept Village Competition as winner of Section B

1978 Dec 12^th Tuesday 1.15pm

The new Bomere Heath telephone exchange was brought into service and at the same time the dialling code changed from 09396 to 0939 and individual telephone numbers changed from three figures to six figures by adding 290 in front of all existing numbers so that Bomere Heath telephone numbers from this date would be 0939 290???. [Source: Letter from Post Office Telecommunications - Shrewsbury Telephone Area.]

1980 May

Bomere Heath Garage ceased to supply petrol and the fuel pumps were removed later in the year. The workshops continue to operate.

1980's Mid

Bomere Heath Quilters Group formed

1981 Apr 5^th Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2082)

1980's

The Magnolia’s, Merrington, home of Mr & Mrs Percy Thrower, is open to the public on several Sundays during the summer. All proceeds in aid of Leaton Church. On one particular Sunday queues of traffic stretched right through Bomere Heath towards Harlescott. The open days were so popular.

1982

Deep Snow and Icicles.

1982

Blacksmith’s Shop, Baschurch Road closed and sold up.

1985

A 30 m.p.h. speed limit is introduced throughout the village with signs being erected on all roads leading into the village.

1988 June 5^th

Leaton Signal Box removed and crossing fitted with automatic barriers. The signal box was taken to Glyndyfrdwy on the Llangollen Railway to be re-erected there.

1990 May 15^th

The New Venture Club host the Shropshire Association of Women’s Clubs Drama Festival at the Village Hall.

1991 Apr 21^st Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2092)

1991 before Jul

Chip Shop in small building removed from Red Lion Pub car park.

1991 Jul-Sep

Extension built on south end of Sefton Stores.

1992 Spring

Gas mains laid in the village.

1992 Autumn

New Roof put on Village Hall.

1993 Summer

New digital Telephone Exchange brought into use serving the Bomere Heath exchange area. Existing six figure telephone numbers will remain the same and the national dialling code remained as 0939. [Source - letter from BT dated 11 August 1992]

1993 Sept 12^th

Leaton Church Festival - many exhibits from local people, clubs and businesses in the church.

1993-6?

Cornfield Estate built.

1994 Dec 2^nd Friday

The Butchers Shop in Shrewsbury Road closed for business for the last time.

1995 April

Water mains in village re-lined.

1995 Apr-Jul

Telephone dialling code for Bomere Heath exchange changes from 0939 to 01939.

1995 Sept 30^th

New Chip Shop opened on Shrewsbury Road in former butchers shop.

1997 June 29^th

Official opening of new Cricket field near Leaton crossing.

1997

Mission Church completely renovated.

1990's (late)

Red Room and Storeroom extensions built on Village Hall.

1990's

The New Venture Club is renamed Bomere Heath Ladies Club.

2000

The village consists of about 502 houses.

2000 July 21^st

Leaton Flower Festival in church.

2001 Apr 29^th Sun

Census (Not available for public viewing until 2102)

2002

Scout Hut off Whitehouse Lane demolished and site cleared.

2003

New House Farm, Merrington Road - demolished.

2003

The tennis courts next to the Village Hall were re-surfaced with green Tarmac.

2003 Dec 3^rd

British Telecom announce that high speed Broadband Internet access will be available in Bomere Heath from this date.

2004

Building starts on new estate of mixed houses on former New House Farm site, Merrington Road.

2005 May 9^th

Ground work started for the new housing estate on the ‘Pool Meadow’.

2005 May - June

Residents start moving into the new houses on the site of the former New House Farm, Merrington Road.

2005 May 22^nd

The Licensee of the Red Lion Pub changed.

2005 May

The 50^th wedding was celebrated in the Methodist Chapel, Baschurch Road - the first was on 27^th Sept 1904.

[Source: Bomere Heath and District Parish News March 2006]

2005 June

The grass has been cut on the new Football field on Shrewsbury Road adjacent to the Cricket Club ready for the forthcoming season.

2005 August

The main talking point in the village for a large part of the month was the noise and vibration from the driving of large concrete piles on the new building site at Pool Meadow between Windsor Lane and Preston Gubbals Road. There appear to be several of these for each house and they are driven down until they reach firm ground. Many people experienced items rattling in their houses while this was going on. It didn’t stop until the end of the month.

2005 August

The goal posts were erected on the new football field over the August bank holiday weekend.

2005 Sep 4^th Sun

At 10am the Football Club played their first home match on their new football field in Shrewsbury Road.

On the same afternoon about thirty people from the village met in the Village Hall for a birthday tea to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the opening of the Village Hall. A special guest was a lady from Myddle, who as a child in 1930, had presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Bibby who had officially opened the Village Hall all those years ago. The youngest guest in 2005 was my granddaughter who was just four weeks old.

2006 May

The Bomere Heath Cricket Club now have their own web site.

2006 May

A pedestrian foot bridge was installed over the re-aligned stream at the northern end of the Pool Meadow building site by the Preston Gubbals Road so that pedestrians could cross the stream into the site and then follow the road to the other end into Windsor Lane.

2006 May-June

The Leaton Level Crossing was closed from 30^th May until 11^th June 2006 whilst repairs and improvements were carried out to the approach road leading from the Harlescott to Bomere Heath road near the Cricket Club. This resulted in an enormous increase of traffic through the village during this period.

2006 June 11^th

On this Sunday there is another chance to enjoy a walk in the countryside at the Leaton Forest Open Day by kind permission of the Hon Charles Bridgeman. It starts at 2.30pm from Leaton Sawmill with admission costing £4 (£10 family) including refreshments and is organised by Leaton & Mission Churches.

2006 July 16^th

This Sunday afternoon, in extremely hot sunshine, a village garden walk had been arranged by Leaton Parochial Church Council. Ten gardens actually in the village of Bomere Heath were open to visitors, plus one at Old Woods and two at Walford Heath. All proceeds in aid of charity.

2006 Autumn

A footbridge was installed over the stream at the northern end of the Pool Meadow building site to allow pedestrian access from the Preston Gubbals Road to the unfinished road through the site.

2007 January

The Parish Council employed someone to lay the hedge between the children’s playground in Preston Gubbals Road and the new housing estate on the Pool Meadow.

2007 February

A web site of Ballads about Bomere Heath came on line at http://www.bomereheathballads.co.uk This was the result of work done by Dave Reeves in connection with the Parish Plan. The Ballads site includes lots of interesting material about our village and comments from residents.

2007 March

Although no work has been done on the new housing estate on the Pool Meadow for several months the builders spoke on Radio Shropshire to say that they do intend to resume work, perhaps towards the end of 2007.

2007 Mar 26

Commencing this date the road from Bomere Heath to Shrewsbury was closed for two weeks between its junction with Magnolia Close and the junction to the level crossing whilst drainage work and road re-surfacing is carried out at the edge of the village.

At the same time some repairs and surfacing were carried out on the footpaths alongside the Shrewsbury Road through the village.

2007 Apr

On the 16^th, 18^th and 21^st April a series of Facilitated Workshops were held in the Village Hall by a group called Neighbourhood Initiatives who are undertaking work on behalf of Galliers Homes who may build more homes around the edge of the village.

2007 Apr 29

An early-voting unit will offer voters the chance to go online and register their vote using special consoles at Bomere Heath from 9 am to 12 noon. This is the first time that such online facilities for voting have been available in the village. Full storey at http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/10424

 2008 Oct 1

The Red Lion public house in Shrewsbury Road closed, possibly for the last time, after several changes of licensee in the last few years. This possibly brings to an end just over 160 years of a pub in Bomere Heath.

 2008 Nov 7

After being closed for just over a month The Red Lion public house in Shrewsbury Road, Bomere Heath re-opened on Friday 7th November 2008 and is now being run by a family who moved from Hadnall.