It’s that time of the year again for action to meet legal requirements, reflect on what has happened since the last AGM, and anticipation of the coming year.

Considerable time is spent in preparing our annual accounts to satisfy the legal requirements of the Charities Commission and Companies House.  Our draft final accounts have to be certified by our auditors; notification of the AGM has to be issued to members and draft accounts made available for inspection.  Many thanks are due to our Treasurer, Finance Committee and auditors. We also ensure that we comply with asbestos regulations, fire and legionella precautions and meet electrical safety requirements.

The weather this year has been exceptional bringing many visitors to Shrewsbury from near and far, who are always amazed at our building, galleries and shop, tucked away in a peaceful corner of the town.  Looking at our visitors’ book, I never cease to be amazed at the number of nationalities who visit us.

The society has been represented at a number of events: Powering Tourism in Shropshire; Remembrance Day Parade; Shrewsbury Town Council Climate Change Committee; Shrewsbury Celebration; Vibrant Shropshire Celebration Event; BID Annual Review; Bus Round Table; Morris Hall Listing inspection; Shropshire Visual Arts Forum; Shrewsbury Christmas Tree Festival; the Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Summer Event and more.

For several years Shrewsbury has held the Darwin Festival, however, there was a risk that this would not take place as the organisers withdrew.  The society stepped in and made sure that the Darwin Festival took place hosting meetings and co-ordinating activities.  For our part we staged an exhibition on ‘Young Charles Darwin’ curated by Bibbs Cameron and Russell Game gave a talk on Shrewsbury in the time of Darwin.

The ever-popular talks on the history of Shrewsbury, given by Russell Game, are well attended and the new season has just started.  In addition, Russell has also given history talks to the U3A, the Parkinson’s Society, the Hard of Hearing, the Ladies Luncheon Club and he is also conducting historic pub tours.  All of these are a very valuable income stream to our society.  Russell is also our IT manager and uses his knowledge to save us considerable IT consultancy fees.  He is also introducing AI to our society to enhance our ‘offer’ to the public.

Regular gallery visitors may recall that we occasionally show our collection of watercolours of Shrewsbury painted by the late Richard Philpott in 1983.  These paintings were specially commissioned by the Shropshire Society of Architects as part of the national 1984 Festival of Architecture and then given to us to keep as a permanent collection.  The paintings show how much/little Shrewsbury has changed over 40 years.  Although we own the paintings, we have never owned the copyright, so we have been unable to sell prints of popular views.  However, the owner of the copyright has very generously gifted this to the society.  We are now considering printing some of these for sale in the shop.

The galleries, managed by Dave Lupine, continue to be a sought-after location for local existing and aspiring artists and there is a long waiting list of exhibitors: there is a lot of local talent out there.

Our shop, managed by Nesta Orrells and staffed by volunteer stewards is the ‘meet & greet’ point to visitors for Bear Steps.  The shop sells craft items by local creators as well as acting as a tourist information office. 

The society continues to oppose the demolition of the Shirehall: the best example of a Modernist (not Brutalist) building in Shropshire as cited by Pevsner, with a desire to see it repurposed in line with modern architectural thought.  Indeed, this is exactly what is happening with the former Sentinel Works, of which we had concerns for its future, and involved the 20th Century Society.  We recently staged a well attended exhibition on the Shirehall with associated new art including a unique piece by Charlie Adlard.  Our campaign continues and we watch developments closely especially with a new administration at Shropshire Council.

I mentioned above, the assessment of the Morris Hall by an Historic England inspector.  We worked with the trustees of the Morris Hall and Historic England.  As a result, earlier this year, Historic England granted the Arts & Crafts style Morris Hall Grade 2 listing. 

Our cleaner of long standing, Janet White, decided to retire after many years of loyal service and we wish her well for the future.

I have to sadly report that John Brown, a long-standing trustee of our society passed away at home on 25/12/24.  John was a trained signwriter who specialised in wallpaper design, His works are exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and, more locally, John painted the sign for the Three Fishes pub.  John was passionate about Shrewsbury’s buildings – particularly the churches – being a guide at St Mary’s and the Abbey.  He will be missed.

Our volunteers who steward the shop, exhibitions, help with talks, assist artists and join in committee work are our greatest asset, without which we could not function – thank you to everyone..

Mike Dinneen 2025