NEWSLETTER NO 63April/May 2017

We now have the details of our July Coach Trip, once again to be led by the ever popular Brian Draper. The coach will leave Codsall Village Hall at 8.30am on Saturday15thJuly.

This year the trip has a slightly different theme. Instead of visiting places we are heading for the feeding of the Red Kites at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader. Several of our members have already seen this spectacular sight and are more than happy to see it again.

The tour takes in the Upper section of the Wye valley from Herefordshire, with a coffee stop at Oakchurch Farm Centre and lunch in Builth Wells. We need to be at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader by 2.00pm to be in the hides for a 3.00pm feed. The cost to enter the bird feeding hides is £4.50p per person. We will leave Gigrin a 3.45pm and call at Cross gates for a tea stop before returning home via Leominster.

The normal booking form is at the end of the Newsletter.

The cost per person is only £14 for the coach and the services of Brian Draper with his wonderful commentary, plus an extra £4.50 for entrance to the hide. Completed forms and the appropriate money / cheques should be returned to Fred Turley, 42 Princes Gardens, Codsall. WV8 2DH Tel: 843586 as soon as possible.

Website– Please use codsallhistory.com to access the site.

Bilbrook Parish Council Minute Books

Judy has received permission to look at the Minutes of Bilbrook Parish Council which date back to 1894. They cannot be taken out of there storage area in Bilbrook Village Hall, but if anyone else was interested we might be able to set up a study group to look into them and note down items of interest. They are particularly important for dating when things have happened in the area. Please use the form at the end of the Newsletter or get in touch with Judy if you are interested.

'Beating the Bounds Walk'The successful reinstatement of this walk in 2013 has ensured that it will become an annual event. The date for this year is Saturday 20th May starting from St Nicholas Church at 9.30am. The route this year will start at St Nicholas Church, Codsall, to Gunstone, Bilbrook, Dam Mill, Wergs, Perton, Bradshaws Estate, Kingswood Common, Codsall Wood and finish back in Codsall.

If you wish to join in later email: to arrange times.

The walk normally finishes at St Nicholas Church at about 3 o'clock.

The walk around the whole of the parish boundary covers 12.4 miles. Last year nearly 30 people started off and most of them completed the whole route – in very gentle fashion.

Penn History Day

For anyone interested in the history of Wolverhampton this is an event not to be missed.

The annual Penn History Fair will be held at Penn United Reformed Church,333 Penn Road,Wolverhampton,WV4 5QFon Friday 9th June, 10.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m., and Saturday 10th June, 9.00 a.m until 4.00 p.m.

Free admission, light refreshments, ample car parking.Donations gratefully received and equally divided between Penn URC and Compton Hospice.

So far, there will be displays onold Penn, old Wolverhampton, old Wednesfield, old Wombourne, The Black Country Living Museum, Guy Motors, Chubb, Sunbeam Record Breakers, Turner Sports Cars, Old Time Cinema, Schools, The Royal Hospital, The Fire Brigade, Industry, Family History, World War One, World War Two - The Home Front, Locally Made Vehicles, Archaeology, Rag Rug Making, Canals and Railways, and locally made Coffee Grinders.

We are thinking of setting up a display of our local history, but would like a couple of volunteers to help. If you are able to give a hand, fill in the form at the end or contact Judy Davies.

Volunteering Opportunities at Stafford Archives – Contact Judy if you are interested. She has a list of days and times when volunteers are required.

Fossa Events for 2017 Our Membership number is 25.

If you would like to go to any of these events please send your name and address and telephone number, a cheque made out to FoSSA and the membership number 25 to: Richard Totty, Rock Cottage, Redhill, Rugeley. WS15 4LL.

Historical Evening Guided Walk around the market town ofStone

Wednesday 24th May 6.15pm. The cost to members - £5

Visit to Tong St Bartholomew followed by afternoon tea in the village hall

Wednesday 22nd June 2.30pm. The cost to members £12.50 each

Historical Evening Guided Walk around the market town ofEccleshall

Tuesday 22nd August. The cost to members £5.

Saturday 15th July 2017 Feeding the Red Kites at Gigrin Farm, Rhayader

The coach will leave Codsall Village Hall at 8.30am. The tour takes in the Upper section of the Wye valley from Herefordshire, with a coffee stop at atOakchurch Farm Centre and lunch in Builth Wells. We need to be at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader by 2.00pm to be in the hides for a 3.00pm feed. The cost to enter the bird feeding hides is £4.50p per person. We will leave Gigrin a 3.45pm and call at Cross gates for a tea stop before returning home via Leominster.

We return home to arrive back in Codsall at about 6.30pm.

I would like to book a seat on the coach to visit the above places with Brian Draper. The coach will leave Codsall Village Hall at 8.30am arriving back at 6.30pm approx.

The trip will cost a total of £18.50p

Name/s ……………………………………………………………………

Address ………………………………………………………………….

Postcode ……………………… Telephone number ……………………

I /we would like …….. ticket/s at £18.50p each Total cost …………..

Please make cheques payable to Codsall & Bilbrook History Society.

Completed forms and the appropriate money / cheques should be returned to Fred Turley, 42 Princes Gardens, Codsall. WV8 2DH Tel: 843586 as soon as possible.

Please include a stamped addressed envelope for your ticket.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Bilbrook Parish Council Minute Books

I am interested in joining a Working Party to look at the Minute books.

Name /s …………………………………………………..

Address …………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………Postcode …………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I am interested in helping at the Penn Local History Fair - Friday 9th June Saturday10th June

Name /s …………………………………………………..

Address …………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………Postcode …………………………………

Return either of these forms to Fred Turley if sending in a form for the trip or to Judy Davies,

16 Wayside Acres, Codsall WV8 2BS (01902 847213)