Transforming Telford

A book chronicling the history of a Telford housing estate, which is currently undergoing a huge regeneration, will be officially launched next week.

The Woodside Story, put together by a group of residents led by Jean Edwards and the Madeley Living History Project, provides a history of the local area and profiles the changing face of Woodside to the present day.

The team who collated the book - packed with photographs, copies of maps and history gleaned from long time residents of Woodside - will launch the A5 36 page booklet, on sale for just £1, at the community’s Park Lane Centre on Friday, March 7 at 12.30pm.

The launch coincides with the latest event in Woodside’s history – the turf cutting to mark the beginning of work for the new Extra Care development of 54 one and two bedroom homes by Wrekin Housing Trust on the former Wilton Court sheltered housing scheme.

There will also be the handover by residents of the archive of material collected about Woodside to the Park Lane Centre which will use it for displays and have it available for people to use for research. As well as photographs donated by local residents, there are maps, memories and recordings, including the BBC’s award winning Voices series which looked at life on the south Telford estate from the resident’s view.

Jean Edwards, who has lived in Wyvern in Woodside for more than 35 years, said: “It has been a really worthwhile project and showed what a good place Woodside has been to live in over the years.

“The history of the area was fascinating and speaking to residents showed how the area grew and changed and then how the current regeneration is making a positive difference. Speaking to residents, you realise lots of them have pride in the area.”

Shelagh Lewis, manager of Madeley Parish Council’s Living History Project, said lots had been discovered about the area during the course of researching the book.

“We found out about the mining history of the area and old tithe maps dating back to 1840. It has been great to put The Woodside Story together and the archive means lots of valuable information about the area will be available to the local community well into the future.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Jo Cunningham on 07815 913887 or info@jocunningham.co.uk.

• The 10-year Woodside regeneration project aims to breathe new life into the physical and social environment of the south Telford area. It is being delivered by a partnership of agencies, led by Transforming Telford for Telford & Wrekin Council. It includes national regeneration agency English Partnerships, The Wrekin Housing Trust, Advantage West Midlands, Government Office of the West Midlands and The Housing Corporation.