Stories from Toby Neal | Express & Star

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Toby Neal

Feature Writer

A journalist in Shropshire for 40 years, mainly writes features and columns, especially about aspects of Shropshire history. Lives in Telford.

December 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Christmas whisky warning: Toby Neal's festive tale of drinking responsibly and the classic Wolverhampton humour of the multi-talented Roger Squires

Christmas whisky warning: Toby Neal's festive tale of drinking responsibly and the classic Wolverhampton humour of the multi-talented Roger Squires

December 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Desperate measures and new tax frontiers: Toby Neal on politics

Desperate measures and new tax frontiers: Toby Neal on politics

Supporting image for story: How Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody stormed the charts and turned four West Midland lads into global music legends

How Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody stormed the charts and turned four West Midland lads into global music legends

December 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Full of sympathy and a warm welcome': How Christmas was special for Hungarian refugees welcomed by the good folk of the West Midlands in 1956

'Full of sympathy and a warm welcome': How Christmas was special for Hungarian refugees welcomed by the good folk of the West Midlands in 1956

Supporting image for story: Above the knee, or below the knee? That is the question

Above the knee, or below the knee? That is the question

December 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Looking back at the original M54 fifty years on and how it became one of Britain's most troublesome motorways

Looking back at the original M54 fifty years on and how it became one of Britain's most troublesome motorways

December 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Financial forecast folly and vindication for Michael Gove: Toby Neal on politics

Financial forecast folly and vindication for Michael Gove: Toby Neal on politics

December 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier to pay emotional visit to West Midlands cathedral destroyed in Second World War Blitz

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier to pay emotional visit to West Midlands cathedral destroyed in Second World War Blitz

November 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: A particularly miserable Budget, lockdown inquiry hindsight and David Cameron's cancer revelation: Toby Neal on politics

A particularly miserable Budget, lockdown inquiry hindsight and David Cameron's cancer revelation: Toby Neal on politics

November 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Excellent company with a sharp sense of humour' - Tributes pour in for former Shropshire Star and Express & Star business and travel editor Jim Walsh who has died after a short illness aged 73

'Excellent company with a sharp sense of humour' - Tributes pour in for former Shropshire Star and Express & Star business and travel editor Jim Walsh who has died after a short illness aged 73

November 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: The forgotten roll of honour: How Wolverhampton remembered 900 fallen heroes of the Great War in 1922

The forgotten roll of honour: How Wolverhampton remembered 900 fallen heroes of the Great War in 1922

October 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: A better class of snake oil: Toby Neal on Starmer's conference speech

A better class of snake oil: Toby Neal on Starmer's conference speech

September 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Day Albion fans went on a Shrewsbury goalmouth rampage at mock funeral of Baggies' boss - and his coffin ended up in the groundsman's shed

Day Albion fans went on a Shrewsbury goalmouth rampage at mock funeral of Baggies' boss - and his coffin ended up in the groundsman's shed

August 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: When Sophia Loren swapped Rome for Bewdley - a star’s flying visit to West Midland Safari Park

When Sophia Loren swapped Rome for Bewdley - a star’s flying visit to West Midland Safari Park

August 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Colonial history, looking gunmen in the eye and Labour's not-so-dynamic duo - Toby Neal on politics

Colonial history, looking gunmen in the eye and Labour's not-so-dynamic duo - Toby Neal on politics

August 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Smearing over debating, adulation for England's Lionesses and Americanisms in football - Toby Neal on politics

Smearing over debating, adulation for England's Lionesses and Americanisms in football - Toby Neal on politics

July 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Will Britain pay for the Industrial Revolution? New climate change lawsuits could make it possible - warns Toby Neal

Will Britain pay for the Industrial Revolution? New climate change lawsuits could make it possible - warns Toby Neal

July 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Welcome to Britain’s Banana Republic – where justice is a joke and free speech is dead' - says Toby Neal

'Welcome to Britain’s Banana Republic – where justice is a joke and free speech is dead' - says Toby Neal

July 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on 900 years of common history, a mouche in the ointment and thermal shock in a heatwave

Toby Neal on 900 years of common history, a mouche in the ointment and thermal shock in a heatwave

June 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on an army of the future, shoplifting statistics and playing hero on public transport

Toby Neal on an army of the future, shoplifting statistics and playing hero on public transport

May 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'He was such a gentle soul, a gentleman' - Tributes pour in for former newspaper editor John Griffiths who has died at his Telford home

'He was such a gentle soul, a gentleman' - Tributes pour in for former newspaper editor John Griffiths who has died at his Telford home

May 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on shutting down Reform, Keir Starmer becoming unpredictable and miserable children

Toby Neal on shutting down Reform, Keir Starmer becoming unpredictable and miserable children

May 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It was basic and short of creature comforts - but I loved it' - Memories of Shropshire's 19th century terraced rows demolished in 1960s

'It was basic and short of creature comforts - but I loved it' - Memories of Shropshire's 19th century terraced rows demolished in 1960s

May 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal on VE Day spent abroad, national pride and what a flag can mean

Toby Neal on VE Day spent abroad, national pride and what a flag can mean

May 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: VE Day brought first ever tot of naval-issue rum for Shropshire Wrens

VE Day brought first ever tot of naval-issue rum for Shropshire Wrens

Supporting image for story: VE Day 2025: A family's fascinating link with a Shropshire airbase has inspired generations

VE Day 2025: A family's fascinating link with a Shropshire airbase has inspired generations

May 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Time will tell if I did the right thing' - Shropshire author took a sometimes rocky road to achieve his mill home dream

'Time will tell if I did the right thing' - Shropshire author took a sometimes rocky road to achieve his mill home dream

April 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Stop the Wolverhampton express!' - How quick thinking spared Wolverhampton from a major rail disaster

'Stop the Wolverhampton express!' - How quick thinking spared Wolverhampton from a major rail disaster

April 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Sir Keir’s Steel Revival: Strategic for industry or just a symbolic gesture?

Sir Keir’s Steel Revival: Strategic for industry or just a symbolic gesture?

April 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Remembering the Easter sun dance over the Wrekin which drew the crowds

Remembering the Easter sun dance over the Wrekin which drew the crowds

April 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Make the UK Great Again: A modest proposal for tariffs, teenagers, and the 'War on Americanisms'

Make the UK Great Again: A modest proposal for tariffs, teenagers, and the 'War on Americanisms'

March 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: Growth and change for Albrighton and beyond - but you can't please everyone

Growth and change for Albrighton and beyond - but you can't please everyone

March 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Belfast’s Wallet Experiment: A lesson in community and honesty - but could residents in Telford or Wolverhampton say the same?

Belfast’s Wallet Experiment: A lesson in community and honesty - but could residents in Telford or Wolverhampton say the same?

March 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Things are looking up for a 21st century airship revival in Bridgnorth - but this new dawn has beckoned before

Things are looking up for a 21st century airship revival in Bridgnorth - but this new dawn has beckoned before

March 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'The greatest threat to is the climate politicians spouting nonsense' - Toby Neal talks pylon plans in the countryside

'The greatest threat to is the climate politicians spouting nonsense' - Toby Neal talks pylon plans in the countryside

March 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We should take Donald Trump literally and seriously' - Toby Neal warns

'We should take Donald Trump literally and seriously' - Toby Neal warns

March 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'If Sir Keir was a backslapper he could give himself a good congratulatory backslapping' - Toby Neal's assessment of that meeting

'If Sir Keir was a backslapper he could give himself a good congratulatory backslapping' - Toby Neal's assessment of that meeting

February 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Brexit, StarmerForce, and the UK's Role in Ukraine: A peacekeeper's dilemma

Brexit, StarmerForce, and the UK's Role in Ukraine: A peacekeeper's dilemma

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton-born author explains what should happen to 'forgotten Scots' artefact 'Book of Deer'

Wolverhampton-born author explains what should happen to 'forgotten Scots' artefact 'Book of Deer'

February 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'George Edalji - guilty or innocent?' - New research uncovers clues to unsolved mystery hanging over Cannock since 1888

'George Edalji - guilty or innocent?' - New research uncovers clues to unsolved mystery hanging over Cannock since 1888

February 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'The younger generation have advancements we could only dream of - but I don't envy them at all'

'The younger generation have advancements we could only dream of - but I don't envy them at all'

February 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'The Mogs are misunderstood - they're unlike the previous older generation' - Toby Neal says

'The Mogs are misunderstood - they're unlike the previous older generation' - Toby Neal says

February 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: How RAF Cosford nursed sick and battle-scarred prisoners back to health as they returned home

How RAF Cosford nursed sick and battle-scarred prisoners back to health as they returned home

February 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Toby Neal's take on the 'Rachel from accounts' misogny debate, council tax and Bonnie Blue's record-breaking OnlyFans career

Toby Neal's take on the 'Rachel from accounts' misogny debate, council tax and Bonnie Blue's record-breaking OnlyFans career

January 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: A £70 plane to beat the traffic? What could go wrong? - Toby Neal looks back on the fatally flawed 'people's plane'

A £70 plane to beat the traffic? What could go wrong? - Toby Neal looks back on the fatally flawed 'people's plane'

January 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Starmer may want us to embrace AI - but where does that leave us? - Toby Neal asks

Starmer may want us to embrace AI - but where does that leave us? - Toby Neal asks

January 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Child Abuse Bill may have opposite effect - and cancelling at Elon Musk and Donald Trump's criticism won't move us forward' - star columnist Toby Neal warns

'Child Abuse Bill may have opposite effect - and cancelling at Elon Musk and Donald Trump's criticism won't move us forward' - star columnist Toby Neal warns

January 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton's "white elephant" civic hall can trumpet decades of success

Wolverhampton's "white elephant" civic hall can trumpet decades of success

January 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Mid tournament snow failed to checkmate Shropshire's premier chess event which set a new record for entries

Mid tournament snow failed to checkmate Shropshire's premier chess event which set a new record for entries

January 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: Need a New Year's resolution? Hug a rightwinger and live life outside your phone camera

Need a New Year's resolution? Hug a rightwinger and live life outside your phone camera