RIOTS on the Greencroft, the day St Edmund’s Church tower collapsed, and the mayor’s efforts to limit the effect of the plague, were among the historical nuggets members of Salisbury of Wiltshire Family History Society learned about during a guided walk in the city.

Blue Badge guide Ruth Newman led the group around St Edmund’s, the parish of weavers and fullers which was the largest in the city, but also the poorest.

She drew attention to buildings in the Winchester Street and St Edmund’s Church Street area – including the former cathedral porch standing in the grounds of the Council House – and spoke about aspects connected with them.

At the next meeting on September 17 at 7.30pm members are in Wilton Community Centre for a talk by Ted Udall from Somerset and Dorset Family History Society on research into his 20th century family.