Talk:Wem

Notable People

I query the statement that Wem is birthplace of comedian Greg Davies if his wikipedia biography asserts he was born at St Asaph, Wales before his parents moved into Wem. Which is correct, person in possession of best facts please come forward with citation if any.Cloptonson (talk) 20:49, 12 March 2012 (UTC) My understanding is that his parents lived in Wem, but travelled to St Asaph as they wanted him to be born in Wales. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Trigpoint (talk • contribs) 17:07, 26 May 2018 (UTC)

Should Barry Davies (British Army soldier) be added to the notable people?

My answer is he could as he has a wikipedia article already. I have added him into the list.Cloptonson (talk) 13:53, 18 January 2022 (UTC)

I question the relevance of Sir Rowland Hill, the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London. Born at Hodnet, he is surely more relevant to Market Drayton where he founded its grammar school. If whoever added him cannot detail what connection he has to this town, then I would be prepared to delete it. What I have read of him does not indicate the man who lived mainly in London lived here.Cloptonson (talk) 19:28, 12 April 2023 (UTC)

Found answer to own question - he built himself Soulton Hall between 1556 and 1560, although it may be debateable he actually lived there, given he died in London in 1561.Cloptonson (talk) 08:33, 13 April 2023 (UTC)

Sweet Pea

It is misleading to claim the sweet pea was "first born in Wem" when Eckford's (sketchy) wiki article mentions he was working on cultivating sweet peas as early as 1879 before he came to Wem, and the sweet pea must have existed as a species before Eckford's time. It would be more correct to state, as I will, that Wem is the first place it was commercially cultivated. The Eckford Sweet Pea was a variety produced from earlier strains.Cloptonson (talk) 19:34, 11 June 2012 (UTC)

(A) Richard Gough

I have removed an article link given to the Richard Gough (the writer of the 'History of Myddle') in this article because the link connects him with another Richard Gough, also an antiquary, who lived after the lifetime of the former (who died in 1723 but was unpublished until the 19th century).Cloptonson (talk) 19:35, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

Trivia: Burning town hall and ghost story

The town is known around the globe for the fires in its townhall in the 17th and 20th century and the related ghost story, see [] . There is also a German metal band which is called after that incident, "Ghost of Wem" [] . I think both deserve mentioning. Thurfur (talk) 10:58, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

 Done -although not the Daily Mail. No way Hose B. _Muffled ^Pocketed 19:44, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Greg davies.jpg.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 00:22, 14 May 2020 (UTC)

Wrong citation (section History, subsection 21st Century)

I point out that the Shropshire Star newspaper report used as citation to statement about a lost castle discovered near Wem is about an archaeological report on Sheffield Castle in Yorkshire. I think a wrong report has been used as it does not mention Wem or anywhere in Shropshire at all. If a relevant citation is not found, it will be deleted.Cloptonson (talk) 09:01, 13 April 2023 (UTC)

Wrong William Brereton pictured!

I point out that the Sir William Brereton whose portrait is used in illustration is not the Parliamentary commander who garrisoned Wem in the Civil War, but a namesake Elizabethan forebear as an inscription on the painting shown dates it 1579, 25 years before Brereton the Parliamentary commander was born! I have just identified him as William Brereton, 1st Baron Brereton who was not immediately, if ever, related so I will remove the picture. Sir William Brereton the Parliamentarian has a portrait in his wikipledia biography but I know not how to substitute it in the Wem article.Cloptonson (talk) 19:24, 16 July 2023 (UTC)

Cresswell (section History, subsection Norman and late mediaeval periods)

It says of William Pantulf:

Stafford Castle and Wem were granted to him with a further 28 manors in the area bounded by Clive, Ellesmere, Tilley and Cresswell, with some of the manors within this area belonging to other lords...

Cresswell is wikilinked to Cresswell Crags. I question that Pantulf owned Cresswell Crags, and point out that Crosswell Crags is not in the Wem area of Shropshire but in Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border area!Cloptonson (talk) 15:27, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

Brewery (section Economy)

I have added, from its own wiki article, that Wem Brewing Company ceased trading in 2010. However, I ask if brewing has continued to operate on a commercial basis in Wem since, albeit under different management? If so and there's a published source, please add (I don't live in Wem.)Cloptonson (talk) 09:03, 15 June 2026 (UTC)