Loggerheads book now on sale

 

As 2025 marks the 600th anniversary of the coat of arms of Shrewsbury (three leopards' heads, known familiarly as 'loggerheads'), it's only fitting that a book telling their centuries-old story, from 1425 to the present day, is being published.

It's on the shelves now at three bookshops in the town - Pengwern Books, Second Chapter Books and the Bear Steps Bookshop - at £7.99 a copy.  Click here for details of the shops and their opening times (mail-order is available).

Although it's hot on historical fact, the book is a lot of fun, being told in an easy and accessible way with lots of photos and even a joke or two.  
It's called 'The Mysteries Of The Loggerheads' because it purports to unravel almost all the myths surrounding their story. 
Get your copy before they are sold out!

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

The Gild's pretty badge

 

The Gild of Freemen of Shrewsbury looks, from a distance, just like another exclusive club, but in fact it has an important role in monitoring the development of the medieval town.

 

The Gild has adopted as its badge an image of the ancient town Common Seal of 1425, which shows the loggerheads on the old town walls.
The Gild has taken a little artistic licence with the badge though, as the seal was not painted, so it had no colours.  The badge looks pretty though!  

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

Happy loggerheads anniversary

It's the 600th anniversary of the loggerheads this year.  They first appeared in history on the Shrewsbury Common Seal, which is dated 1425.

So... here's a birthday card! Liz Mellor, a self-confessed Proud Salopian artist, created this rather lovely tribute to the loggerheads.

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

 

Everything but the loggerheads

This postcard is on sale widely in Shrewsbury. It displays a list of the curious & particular words, places, people and aspects which are essential - and even unique - to the town,  But do you see what important and historic characteristic is missing?  Yes..., there is no reference to the loggerheads. It's bewildering.
In the last post we wondered (sadly) if the people simply no longer understood the role the loggerheads have played and do play in the town’s life. 

However ... the good news for loggerheads-lovers is that a new book, marking the 600 years since they appeared in history, comes out next month.  Entitled 'The Mysteries of The Loggerheads', it will explain much and reveal even more. It may even help townsfolk remember how central to Shrewsbury town the loggerheads are! Look out for our next post for details.

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

Noticeable by absence at the tree fest

 
Are the loggerheads losing their popularity?  Usually there are plenty of them to be seen, one way or another, at the Shrewsbury Christmas Tree festival.  (The festival is held at St Chad's, the town’s famous round church, every year).
However, although there were around fifty decorated trees this year, all identifying local businesses and organisations, there were no loggerheads to be seen.  Let's hope the absence is a blip!

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

Christmas baubles

 
The town council's Christmas tree has taken its usual place at this time of year in the centre of town, by the side of the indoor market. Around the base of the tree is its protective wrapping - complete with images of loggerhead baubles...

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form

Where are the souvenirs?

 
If you're looking for Xmas stocking fillers, you may be wondering where all the Shrewsbury loggerheads souvenirs are. When one sees the large amount of Shropshire loggerheads on sale in souvenir shops (see photo above), it's a sort of mystery.

Part of the answer is that Shropshire County Council wisely allowed its arms to be used in a community flag project, which is why these Shropshire arms are everywhere, even on flags.
By contrast, the Shrewsbury loggerheads (the plain three leopards faces on a blue background, i.e. the arms of the town) can't be found.  Shrewsbury Town Council has so far not come to a similar community arrangement... which is a great shame.
If you have more information on why this is, we'd love to know. Please use the comments box below or email us.

+

To comment on this post, just use the Comments field down this page or email us direct.

To get an email alert into your inbox every time we make a new post (about once a week), just click 'Subscribe & Follow' (at the top of the column to the right on this page) and just fill in the form