NEWSLETTER NO 52August 2013
Once again it is time to send out the form for people to join the History Society for the 2013-14 year.
With another very successful year behind us we look forward to our new Programme for 2013-2014 when we start off in September hearing about the Dukes of Sutherland; moving on to lost villages of the Middle Ages; Aston Hall in Birmingham, and then Ghosts and Haunted houses to accompany our mulled wine and mince pies at Christmas.
2014, the centenary of the Great War, begins with our own contribution when we are delighted to welcome back Dr Andrew Lound with another of his superb dramatised performances. On this occasion he will be looking at the First World War through the eyes of the people who worked at Avery's, where he is curator of the Museum. In February Lady Jane Grey, the ill-fated 'Nine Day's Queen', is the subject of Dianne Mannering's talk. This is one of our 'Special' evenings. There will not be a meeting in March as this co-incides with the Arts Festival. In April we have a talk about the Nailmaker's cottage, the latest addition to the Avoncroft Museum. In the last event of the year Dr Paul Collins will be tackling the history of the British Car industry.
Looking back over the last year we began with TV producer Nick Barratt giving us behind the scene stories about the making of the TV series 'Who Do You Think You Are'. We moved from there to the Back- to Back Houses in Birmingham under the able guidance of Mac Josephs. The next venue was the Wrekin Hill with Allan Frost when we learnt about Iron Age settlements and the thriving tourist industry of last century. In December Paul Hand amused us with a medley of country crafts and tales.
January's evening was much more serious as Andrew Lound recreated the impact of the Second World War on the people of Birmingham. His dramatised evenings are always something special.
There was a complete change in February when the subject was clay pipe making .Anyone who has enjoyed TV programmes like Lark Rise to Candleford will have seen characters smoking clay pipes, all of these have been made by Rex Key. Besides talking about them he gave us a demonstration of how they were made.
In March we enjoyed an excellent presentation by Tony Crowe of the life and work of Carl Fabergé. We came closer to home for our last two talks. In May Chris Cobb demonstrated the Staffordshire Past Track website, showing us some of the wonderful archive material which it contains. The last evening talk was in May when Paul Collins took us in words and pictures on a superbly illustrated ride along the Kinver Light Railway. The final event was another entertaining coach trip to Hay on Wye with Brian Draper.
Beating the Bounds. 2013 saw the revival of an old Codsall tradition that of Beating the Bounds last carried out in 1935. Stephen Skinner was the person responsible for its organisation and he was delighted when about 30 people turned out on a beautiful May morning. Some stalwarts completed the whole 12.3 miles of the boundary, starting from St Nicholas Church to Gunstone, Bilbrook, Wrottesley, Kingswood and back to Codsall. Most people managed a section of the walk, but a good time was had by all.
Purchases. Your committee have purchased a digital projector during the year to facilitate the increasing popularity of powerpoint lectures.
Website. We have invested in professional help from Jon Burgess to update our website. It is hoped we can follow his instructions to update information. Already we have had several orders from other parts of the country for our books.
Publications. No large publications have been produced, but small individual memories are now available from interviews Judy carried out with Ken Mackie ( about Bilbrook) George Peck (about working at Sunbeam) and Cyril Porter (about Codsall). All these are available for £1. To these will be added Doreen Cooke (nee Woodroffe about Codsall Wood) and Mr Leedham (Bilbrook)
Requests for information
With the anniversary of the First World War next year we would love to hear stories of the involvement of family members in this conflict or that of the Second World War, particularly if anyone has any details of local men and of those whose names are on our War Memorial in Codsall and Bilbrook.
Woodhall Farm Moat Project
Reminder that the'dig ' is planned to start on Monday 19th August and last for four days. The first day will no doubt involve using machinery to take off the top soil. The names of the volunteers have been passed to Keith Shropshire for him to draw up a rota.
Parish Registers
Newly printed this year:
Kingstone, St John the Baptist 1679 – 1873
Alrewas Part 2 and 3 1671 – 1841
Tipton, St Martins Parts 2 and 3 1754 -1812
If you are interested in borrowing any of them please contact Judy.
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RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION 2013-2014
Please make your cheque for £8 per person payable to Codsall & Bilbrook History Society and return it to Mrs Margaret Dean, 162 Wood Road, Codsall, WV8 1DW.
An addressed envelope, but not necessarily stamped, would be very helpful.
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