THE MARCH INTO SPRING

BY HEATHER LARGE

The days are getting brighter and signs of spring are popping up all over thecounty.Byearly March, the birds are treating us to their morning melodies and flowers such as daffodils and wood anemones have started making awelcome appearance.

Astronomically,the equinox –when daylight anddark hours become equal –marks the first day of spring.

This usually takes place on March 20,or one dayeither side. While meteorologistssplit the year into quarters based on annual temperature cycles for statistical purposes, with spring starting on March 1and lasting until May 31 of alandslide in Bridgnorth, March 5, 1977. The two homes affected were 8Ebenezer Row, the home of Mr and Mrs Harry Tolley andtheir twoyear-old daughter,and number 9, the home of Mr and Mrs Ken Mason. Harry Tolley looksatthe huge pile of rubble which coveredhis garden.

One thing is certain, at this time of year theweather is still very unpredictable and can throw everything at us from sunny days filled with blue sky to frosts and cutting winds to lashing rain showers.

But it’sthe time of year when many people start getting out and about after spending the winter monthshibernating indoors.

Seasonal sights startopening up andeveryone wants to make the most of the longer days.

Another new skyline was emerging in Bridgnorth in March 1980 as these old properties in Cliff Road were demolished in an effort to makethe access to the town’s sports and leisurecentreeasier. The former narrow entrance was ahazardfor service vehicles.

Highley’snew telephone exchange officially came into use in March 1976. The exchange in Bridgnorth Road took several yearstobuild. Preparing for the opening aretelephone engineers,fromleft,Paul Rawlings, Alan Edwards and Russell Morris.

Mrs LPerkins (left), Commandant of Bridgnorth 28 Detachment, Red Cross, is pictured receivingthe ViscountessBridgeman Bowl, awarded annually for the most efficient detachment, from Mrs TUrwick, honorary county VicePresident, at the Civil Defence HQ, Shrewsbury, on March 25, 1965.