town was based on agriculture and forestry and the processing of its output. Brewing, initially a cottage industry, was carried out in Wem as early as 1700, when Richard Gough wrote of a contemporary in his History of Myddle a Latin aphorism he translated: Let slaves admire base things, but my friend still/My cup and can with Wem's stoute ale shall fill. By 1900 a Shrewsbury and Wem Brewery Company traded on a widespread scale after acquiring the brewery in Noble Street previously run by Charles Henry Kynaston. The company was taken over in turn by Greenall Whitley & Co Ltd but the brewery was closed in 1988. From 1986 to 1988 the brewery was the shirt sponsor for Shrewsbury Town. There is a mid-sized industrial estate to the east of the town. Governance Wem was historically the centre of a large parish, which became a civil parish in 1866. In 1900 the outer parts of the parish were separated to form the civil parish of Wem Rural, and the town itself became the civil parish of Wem Urban, coextensive with Wem Urban District. In 1967 the urban district was abolished and became part of North Shropshire Rural District. From 1974 to 2009 it was part of North Shropshire district. The parish council of Wem Urban has exercised its right to call itself a town council. The electoral ward of Wem for the purposes of elections to Shropshire Council also covers part of Wem Rural parish. The population of this ward at the 2011 Census was 8,234. Geography The River Roden flows to the south of the town. The Shropshire Way long distance waymarked path passes through Wem. Culture and community Recreation areas There are recreation areas at the Wem Recreation Ground and the Millennium Green (Wem Millennium Green being the smallest such green in the country). Sport and Clubs Sports clubs within the town include: Wem Town Football Club Wem Cricket Club Wem Tennis Club Wem United Services Bowling Club Wem Bowling Club Wem Albion Bowling Club Clubs and societies include: Wem Amateur Dramatics Society (established 1919) Sweetpea society Rotary Club of Wem and District Wem Sports and Social Club The Senior Club Wem & District Garden Club The United Services Club Wem Jubilee Band (established 1977, with origins on the 1930s) Events Each year Wem holds a traditional town carnival which is held on the first Saturday of