A very warm welcome was given to Mistress Valerie and her husband Ian as the speaker at our last coffee morning on 19th October, Valerie gave an in depth talk on Tudor Times and gave the group lots of interesting facts about living during that time period, she arrived in traditional female Tudor dress. Surprisingly, we were told that the average age that male and female lived to during this period was 65, and that the average height of the male was 5 feet 7 inches and for females 5 feet 2 inches.
Well known sayings that we know today came from that period,i.e. straight laced, derived from how a woman laced her clothing. A frog in the throat, when a frog was actually used to cure a sore throat. Bringing home the bacon, Upper crust, Rock a bye baby, Rule of thumb and countless more where explained.
The climate and weather changed dramatically during the 1500’s, from the Thames freezing over to severe heat with very little rain for 9 months, this being followed by floods, and amazingly a 4 year drought during which time horsemen rode their horses along the Thames river bed, the hot summers were followed by storms with extremely large hailstones.
The population increased in London by 350% from 1520 to 1603 creating illnesses and plagues, we were told how the doctors known then as Quacks dealt with these situations, and also how Astrology was important during the period.
Valerie also brought along some props from the 1500’s which were passed around and finally ended with questions and answers from the group.
What an interesting, humorous morning we had on Thursday 21st September, our guest speaker Mr Trevor Bevan kept the group entertained with his talk, A Dickens of a tale.
Mr Bevan being an avid cyclist for many years was invited to become a member of the Pickwick cycle club, of which not many have the opportunity of an invitation, there are 200 members and each one has a name after a Dickens character, Trevor is known as the red nosed Mr Stiggins. Pickwick bicycle club was formed in 1870 with just six cycle enthusiasts, Charles Dickens had passed away the week before the club was named after the Pickwick papers. The unique club is the only one in the world that combines literature and a sporting connection. The club fund raises for charities raising thousands of pounds at the two functions they hold every year in Covent Gardens. So, not only did Trevor (Mr Stiggins) give us the history of the club but also the connection with Charles Dickens.
Dickens was born in the Regency period in Portsmouth, he was a very intelligent child and became an avid reader. He moved to London with his family into a two up two down house due to his parents financial crisis, and many of his novels were based on his life experiences.
His first job was in a blacking factory just off the Strand, where he lived in loft type lodgings with other workers for six shillings a week, a similarity to Oliver Twist. He started to work for a publication company, he was known to have a photographic memory and Dickens tied in the images of prisons, slums, lamplighters, the poor, child exploitation and life into his books.
He was said to be a difficult person, going from happy with a good sense of humour, to falling into periods of depression. He had two ladies in his life, his wife Katherine who he had 7 sons and 3 daughters with, he went on to divorce his wife to live with an actress for the rest of his life.
All of his books have at some time been best sellers, with the Tale of two Cities selling 200 million copies worldwide. His most popular novel is A Christmas Carol, it took Dickens just six weeks to write this novel and it sold out in five days. Mr Trevor Bevan gave us a good rounded insight into the life of Dickens and was enjoyed by all at the history society.
Rob Elliott gave an interesting talk about the British Army in the 18th century. Men who wished to become officers had to purchase their Commission, this was often seen as a “proof of gentlemanly status”. as commissions were expensive and only the wealthy could afford them. Rob looked very dashing in his uniform, but said it was very hot, and quite uncomfortable.
We are holding our Annual Open Day on the 21st October at the Senior Citizens Centre. We will be showing photographs, maps, and the burial records. Admission free. Refreshments.
If you have any photo’s we can copy them and return them, or you can send them to diane@mstolley.plus.com or winsongary@aol.com
Pam is looking for pictures of old weddings, local or not, your parents or other relations.
Great Wyrley Local History Society Magazine – Autumn / September 2023 edition. Now available, speak to one of the committee to get your copy. Full of old stories and photos.
Future Events September 21st Trevor Bevan Dickens of a Tale October 14th Cheslyn Hay open day October 19th Val Campbell Victorian Food October 21st Our Annual Event November 16th Alan Pugh Battle of the Alamo December 21st Social
2024 January 18th Ned Williams Prefabs February 15th Penny Wheat From behind bars March 21st Ray Sturdy The Real Dad’s Army April 18th Andy French Morecombe and Wise
Have you heard an interesting speaker recently? We are always interested in different speakers, or is there a topic you are interested in? We will try to find a speaker on that topic. Please see Diane if you have any ideas.
I thought this was appropriate as we had Rob in uniform. It is from number of photo’s kindly donated by Derek Saunders, it is of the Carnival in 1980.
On Thursday 20th July our Guest Speaker was Keith Reynolds with his talk about Pigeons, from Gods to the Gutter. What an amazing talk with loads of interesting facts and history. It was great that Keith brought two of his feathered (toy) friends with him.
We welcomed Steve Booth to our coffee morning, he gave a very interesting talk about Cannock Chase. One of the items he mentioned was Beaudesert Hall, (Beaudesert translates as beautiful wilderness). In 1546 it was given to the Paget family. The 6th Marquess of Anglesey tried to sell it, due to financial difficulties. Unfortunately there were no buyers, so the furniture was sold, and the house was demolished in 1935. Even this was not completed as the demolition firm went into receivership.
We’ve had a request from a Mrs Ann Mumford, born and raised on the village, and is looking for information from anyone who may be able to recognise the people in the photos below.
It’s Gordon Bridges Funeral on Friday 16th June. Condolences and deepest sympathy from the whole of the society go out to Pam and all the family.
If you have any photo’s we can copy and return them, or you can send them to diane@mstolley.plus.com or winsongary@aol.com
Have you heard an interesting speaker recently? We are always interested in different speakers. Please tell Diane if you know of any one.
Black Country Museum
Everyone had a great day out at the Black Country Museum, the weather was good, a shame our Chairman Gary Smith was too ill to attend. It was lovely stepping back in time and seeing how life was like long ago. So many things to see and do, from looking down a coal mine, or taking a trip on the canal. Tasting the traditional fish & chips was a big treat, as they don’t cook in beef dripping anymore. It was great looking at all the old houses and seeing how the homes were decorated, with just the basic accessories, not a television or phone in sight. How sure we’d managed today without our phones. Here are a few photos taken on the day. A trip to the Black Country Museum.
Thursday 15th June – Keith Robinson – Miner’s struggle for Justice Table Top Sale Thursday 22nd June, 7-9pm – OPEN EVENING Click here for details Saturday 24th June, 11am-4pm – Great Wyrley Carnival History Stand Display Thursday 20th July – Kevin Reynolds Pigeons, from Gods to the gutter – Table Top Sale Thursday 17th August Rob Elliott British Army in the 18th century Table Top Sale Thursday 21st September Guest Speaker – Trevor Bevan – Giving a talk in Charles Dickens Table Top Sale Thursday 28th September, 7-9pm OPEN EVENING Guest Speaker Click here for details Thursday 19th October – Val Campbell Victorian Food Thursday 16th November – Alan Pugh Battle of the Alamo December 21st Social
Open Evening on Thursday 22nd June 2023 We had a great evening, lovely to see old & new faces come along for a cuppa & a chat… READ MORE
Our Royal Summer Magazine
It was lovely to see the World coming together to celebrate His Majesty. Despite the weather, what an amazing parade, an historical moment, the likes of it, we haven’t seen for 70 years & may not see again. It will be interesting to see what happens next? Read all about it in our latest magazine. If you are a member, you will get this as part of your membership, available to buy from the committee for Non-members.
I announced that we were doing away with the fourth Thursday morning in the month for open days. We decided later, that we will keep up with that morning for the foreseeable future as we need to keep on top of things. We will continue as availability by committee members allows. Also the question of Open Nights, in future it won’t be open on the day of the Coffee Morning, dates for these will be announced well in advance. At our first Open Evening on 16th March, there was a great turnout with a number of fresh faces, that were unable to come to our coffee mornings and find out what’s going on in the society. We are all looking forward to the next Open Evening 22nd June.
