A NOTTINGHAM woman whose family has strong historic connections to Ludlow is seeking readers' help in solving a mystery.

Wendy Williams has sent us a picture of her grandfather Wilfred James Cartwright taken outside what she believes was called Honeysuckle Cottage. She would be fascinated to know if the cottage still exists and, if so, where it is.

"The photograph would have been taken in the 1950s on a return visit to Ludlow," writes Wendy.

"It is one of the places where he lived as a boy with his family, and I believe it is called Honeysuckle Cottage.

"Wilfred was one of 14 children born to William and Eliza Cartwright over a period of 20 years starting in the 1890s, and only five of them lived to adulthood. These were, in order of age, Mabel, the twins Violet and Rose, Wilfred and Charlie."

The dangers of life in the early 20th century are perfectly revealed by a press-clipping turned up in Wendy's research.

This details the tragic death of George, one of Wilfred's brothers, who died aged less than two when his nightshirt caught fire at the hearth at home in 1902.

"The family moved to Birmingham just before the First World War because of a shortage of work in the Ludlow area: until then they had carried out every kind of manual work available," said Wendy, who also has sent a picture of Wilfred, Mabel and their parents around that time.

"Numerous members of my family still live in the Birmingham area, but regardless of where we are settled now, we all come back to visit Ludlow."

Anyone who can help in her research can contact Wendy Williams at 61 Sherwood Rise, Nottingham NG7 6JE.