WELCOME to another edition of bygones.

Today we are venturing back in time as far the 1990s to share a selection of pictures showcasing Oswestry and border life.

As ever we encourage all our readers to get in touch and share their own pictures from the past by emailing gavin.grosvenor@newsquest.co.uk today.

The 1990s were a time of “new” in Britain.

New conflicts, new travel options, new government, a new peace, and even a new millennium helped mark the years from 1991 to 2000.

A tap dancing class in Oswestry in 1994.

OTHER NEWS:

For many, the 90s were certainly a golden time for Britain at home and abroad, and the changes helped bring a better quality of life to the United Kingdom.

After then-Iraq leader Saddam Hussein invaded the sovereign nation of Kuwait in 1991, Britain became part of an international coalition to liberate the small country on the Persian Gulf.

 Chirk School St David's Day celebrations in 1991.

Under the operating name “Operation Granby,” 53,462 members of the British Armed Forces participated in the larger Operation Desert Storm and successfully freed Kuwait from the influence of the Iraqi Army.

The Chirk Bridge Viaduct opening walk in 1991.

Also known as the Eurotunnel or the Chunnel, the Channel Tunnel is an underground tunnel below the English Channel. Opened in 1992, it has been a vital link for the trade of goods between the UK and Continental Europe as well as a major player in passenger travel.

 Chirk School St David's Day celebrations in 1991.

One of the worst virus outbreaks in Britain until COVID-19, popularly known as “Mad Cow Disease”, was a neurodegenerative disease that struck cattle.

The virus had been identified as early as 1984 but experienced an alarming surge in 1995, with the United Kingdom experiencing 14,562 cases. It was also discovered during this time that a variant of the virus could be passed to humans by eating BSE-tainted meat.

Chirk Normandy veterans parade in 1991.

As the Conservative Party slid further under the premiership of John Major, Tony Blair took charge of Labour’s leadership and formed a more centre-left coalition that was dubbed “New Labour.”

The results were striking as Blair’s Labour Party won 145 new seats in the 1997 General Election and reduced the Tories to a mere 165 seats to Labour’s 418.

The Labour government would last for the next thirteen years until the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010.

Oswestry's 10th anniversary of twinning with Combs la Ville 1991

Meanwhile life in Shropshire and the borders continues as ever.

We begin this week’s collection with a picture of the Chirk Bridge Viaduct opening walk in 1991.

Next we share a picture of Rhyd y Groes Panto in 1991.

Rhyd y Groes Panto players in 1991.

We leap to 1994 next for a tap dancing class in Oswestry. Recognise any familiar faces?

We share two pictures from the Chirk School St David’s day celebrations in 1991 and a picture of the Chirk Normandy veterans parade in 1991.

 Hygeine certificates were presented to the catering team at Oswestry School in 1994.

Next we share a picture from the10th anniversary of Oswestry’s twinning with Combs la Ville in 1991.

Finally we share a picture of Oswestry School catering team receiving hygiene certificates in 1994.