Market Drayton Museum mystery over tin donation

Market Drayton Museum has recently been given a large tin box labelled ‘Market Drayton Cheese Fair Association’.

Ian Picton-Robinson, from the museum, said he had not heard of this association before and no-one he has spoken to has any memory of it.

He said: "Many people remember the cheese maker Thomas Jones of Longslow Road here, and his partner George Lewis. They were operating from 1913 to well after the Second World War.

"W H Gunstone was in Shropshire Street in 1900, and Gunston and Son were in Stafford Street in 1895.

"We had several dairies, most recently the Maypole Dairy Company, first in Stafford Street in 1900, then for many years in Shropshire Street through to the 1960s.

"The Kremo Dairy operated in Cheshire Street from 1913, and Henry Edwards and Son was inn Stafford Street in 1909 through to the Second World War.

"Any or all of these could have belonged to this Cheese fair Association."

Mr Picton-Robinson is hoping Shropshire Star readers can help him get to the bottom of the mystery.

The box is in the museum on Shropshire Street, which is now open for the summer, four mornings each week -Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10.30am to 1pm.

Entry is free and the stewards are always pleased to talk about the history of the town, and to help with tracing relatives who may have been active here.

Anyone who may be able to help solve the mystery should call 01630 654300, email ipictonr@talktalk.net or pop into the museum.