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(0) 1948 662539 
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| Whitchurch is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the country. It has been a busy town since Roman times, when it was called Mediolanum. The town's High Street was built over the original Roman road known as "Watling Street" that connected Chester to London. Emperors such as Hadrian and Constantine would certainly have passed through Whitchurch on their travels. Sir John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury, had is heart buried under the porch of the parish church St Alkmund's at his request. One of the greatest soldiers of his time he fought for King's Henry IV, V, VI until he was killed in 1453 at the battle of Castillion, near Bordeaux - the last major battle of the hundreds year war. Another famous son is Sir Edward German, the renowned composer of "Tom Jones" and Merrie England" was born in St Mary's Street in a building that is now a popular public house. This eminent son was laid to rest in his home town in 1936. Randolph Caldecott, the famous Victorian illustrator lived and work in Whitchurch for several years and many of the town's buildings feature in his popular drawings. Caldecott gained worldwide acclaim when he illustrated the works of American author Washington Irving. Whitchurch continues to be proud of its title as the "Home of Tower Clocks" . The firm of JB Joyce has been making these quality timepieces since 1690 and there are examples of their work in places from Singapore to Kabul. The "Whitchurch Clock Trail" starting at the Heritage Centre allows visitors to see examples of the firms work around the town. For further information why not call into the Whitchurch Heritage Centre or telephone 01948 665432 |
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