Welcome to the Friends of Shropshire Archives

We are a friendly group whose aim is to support our county records office, Shropshire Archives, and promote the preservation of the records in their care.

Some of our members are regular users of the Archives, others volunteer their services to help with conservation, indexing, transcription and other activities. We all share a common interest in Shropshire’s history and the importance of preserving the amazing collections of original records held by Shropshire Archives. All our activities support their valuable work.

What do the Friends do?

Fund raising

We raise vital funds to assist in the purchase of documents and specialist equipment.  If you have printed a document at the Archives, you have benefited from the print network system bought and maintained by the Friends.  Similarly individual Friends contributed to the digital magnifier in the reading room which can be used to magnify books or maps up to 14 times.

In 2019 the Friends raised over £2,000 through a fund-raising appeal to conserve a unique manuscript: The Life of Philip Sidney by Fulke Greville published in 1652. Sir Philip Sidney was one of Elizabeth I’s preeminent courtiers; Fulke Greville was an author and politician under Elizabeth I and James I. Both men were educated at Shrewsbury School and were lifelong friends. The precious volume required extensive and expert work to repair and conserve it including taking it apart and cleaning each folio, repairing damaged pages, and rebinding into its original cover. The manuscript has also been digitised so it can be viewed online.

The Salopian Recorder

Our lively newsletter, the Salopian Recorder, is mailed free of charge to members. This contains news and reports of activities as well as articles, book reviews, and features on members’ research.

Events

We organise a variety of events, usually at discounted rates for members. These include local history days in towns and villages around Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, visits to houses of historical interest and an annual lecture in the autumn.

Voluntary work

Volunteers are welcomed to assist the professional staff with cataloguing, digitising and conserving archives, photographs, maps and books so many skills can be useful. Also events organised by Shropshire Archives and the Friends need volunteers to help.

Get in touch to find out more about how you can help