ELLESMERE will see one of its historic market charters returned to the town as it prepares for a new era in its long history of trading.
The Elizabethan Charter, signed by Queen Elizabeth I during the 40th year of her reign in 1598, will come into the possession of the Town Council after being held under the auspices of Shropshire Council since the dissolution of the old Ellesmere Urban District Council in 1978.
The charter is one of two belonging to the town, with the unitary council also currently searching for an even earlier charter, signed by Henry III, which is held somewhere in its annuls having previously also been held by the now defunct North Shropshire District Council.
With Ellesmere in the midst of forming its own Community Interest Company to run its own market, as well as the Market Hall that has also recently come under the town's control from Shropshire Council, town councillor Pat McLaughlin said it was a timely moment for the charter to return.
“We are gland to get back something that rightfully belongs to Ellesmere,” she said. “The charter is an integral part of the history of the town and it is right for it to be in the Town Council's possession.”
She said she remained hopeful that the charter from the reign of King Henry III would also be found and expressed new hope for the town's market under the guidance of Ellesmere's Community Interest Company.
The company will involve members of both the Town council and Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, as well as residents of the town and Cllr McLaughlin added “Hopefully we can make the markets and the market hall work more effectively.
“This Community Interest Company will be able to apply for more grants as a community funded enterprise and make more use of it as a real community centre.”