Maesbury in the 20th Century (followed by the 21st so far...)

What came down . . . .

1905 - the 'Paint Mill' closed, became derelict and by the 1930s was demolished and replaced by houses, the Mill Pond was filled in

Ball Mill closed in the 1960s, now used as a store.

Maesbury Hall Mill burned down in 1911, was rebuilt then burned down again in 1971. Milling finally ended in Maesbury after at least 700 years.

The canal sprang a leak in 1936 and remained closed for the rest of the century.

Ball Methodist Capel closed in the 1960s, now a store room.

The Congregational Chapel was demolished in the 1980s and replaced by a house.

The C of E School closed in 1923, became a young men's institute for a while then converted to a dwelling.

The Congregational School also closed 1923, became a village hall for many years, but demolished in the 1980s and replaced by a house.

The Horsehoe Inn was converted to a house in the 1920s after 100 years as a licensed premises.

The New Inn was converted to a house in the 1920s.

Two blacksmiths, at Ball and the Marsh closed and were replaced by houses.

The Corner Shop (Main Rd/Waen Lane) closed and converted to a house.

The Post Office moved but was reduced to just 4 hours per week.

. . . and what went up:

St, John's Church built in 1906. Sunday services had been in the school since 1838. Struggling to survive by the end of the century.

Maesbury Primary School built in 1923 to replace the two older schools. Running out of pupils by the end of the century.

WI Hut built (date...?)

Ashfield B&B opened (date...?)

- and about 100 new houses were built (including conversions), doubling the 100 households in Maesbury in the 1901 census.

Despite all the new houses the population actually declined slightly as there were lass than half the number of people in each house.

Throughout this time the Planning Officers maintained that new houses were a good way of maintaining local services.... seemingly unaware of the population drop. hmm... see left!.

The Navigation and the Original Ball struggled on, but only just.

By the end of the 20th Century Maesbury was little more than a dormitory area for Oswestry.

and the 21st Century, so far...

Downs . . .

The last remaining part of Maesbury Hall Mill burned down in 2002.

. . . and ups:

The Canal re-opened (it might connect to Welshpool by the end of this century...).

Maesbury Marine Services opened at the Maesbury Mill site.

Two new warehouses built on the same site.

Canal Central opened - new PO, shop, tea room and self catering.

British Waterways built a service centre for boaters by the bridge, the towpath was gravelled, and the new lift bridge opened..

Maesbury Community Group started.

Maesbury Broadplace launched.

Maesbury Primary School succeeded in attracting pupils from Oswestry and is now thriving.

The Navigation became a smart restaurant, with a beer festival and other events.

Body & Face Beauty Treatment opened in Waen Lane.

White House veg B&B opened; Ashfield self-catering added.

9 new houses built in the first 7 years of the century:
- 4 in Sycamore Court;
2 in Waen Lane (house plus barn conversion);
1 in Swan Meadow; 1 near the Navvy.
1 in Gwernybrenin
In 2007 Planning permission granted for another house and barn conversion.
- if building continues at the same rate there will be at least 150 more houses in Maesbury by the end of the century...

All the above has happened with no increase in population as all the businesses, and even the school and WI, have learned to attract customers from further afield.

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