We had a very entertaining morning with Michael Taylor, a retired schoolteacher. He taught at Walhouse School, in Cannock, for many years, he told of the imaginative ways children wrote  their essays. 

The old Walhouse School

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We have received a letter from the C.H.A.P.S National Mining Memorial Committee, telling us of their project to provide a national permanent memorial to commemorate the men, women and children who worked in the mining industry. The cost is an astonishing £100,000, which is to be raised nationally. I have the letter if anyone wishes to read it. I have copied the flyer and there is one on each table.

Our book will be launched at our Annual Event on the 16th November at Harrison’s in Wharwell Lane. Our theme this year is “Holidays”, if you have any photographs or memorabilia from past holidays that we could borrow we will be very grateful.

These are two photos from a large amount from Ray Franks, the children are at a carnival, no names, no date. We have no information at all from the photo of the men.

Future Speakers and other events                                               

October 17th The King’s Loosebox Mary Bodfish

November 16th Annual Event at Harrison’s

November 21st Coins P. Griffiths

December 19th Christmas Social

2020

January 16th  Scandalous Women Janis Lomas

February 20th History of Lichfield

March 19th Dukes & Duchesses of Sutherland Steve Booth

April 16th To be arranged

May 21st History of the Co-op Ned Williams

We welcomed Nigel Wiggin from Old Hall Tableware to our August Meeting. He brought with him an amazing amount of Old Hall tableware. The wedding present of the 60’s and 70’s!

I received this email a week ago, does anyone remember Hartwells Shop?

Hi. Spent a great day yesterday in Great Wyrley. My Mothers family lived here and we looked up some of the places my Mother remembers from her time living here as an evacuee from the Second World War, and on family visits. My family name was Hartwell and my Great Grandma owned the shop Hartwells (Grocery shop I believe) at 179 Walsall Rd. Hartwell Lane used to run alongside the shop, although we noticed it has been renamed and Hartwell Lane has been moved 100 yds away. Does anyone have any old photos or recollections?  It would be great to find out more about the family history. The shop was run from about 1900 to 1940ish I think. By Mary Ann Hartwell & Tom Hartwell. They had 7 children. Lily, Annie (Morris), Will, Doris (Tait) May, Agnes (Snape) and my Grandma Elsie (Smith). Mary Ann & Tom lived at ‘Ashleigh’ just up the road from the shop on the Walsall Rd. Thank you all for your comments so far.

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I have also received an email from Jenni Bond (nee Homeshaw) who now lives in Tasmania. Sadly she informed me her sister Jacqueline died a few weeks ago. She also sent  the photograph below. Her father is on the left next to him is the Reverend Parker, and she thinks the man with the medals and moustache may be Colonel Monkton. Do you recognise any of the others?

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The NEW BOOK has gone to the printers, they did us two specimen copies one with colour where possible, and one totally black and white. We have decided to go with the colour, although it adds to the cost we think it is worth it.

Future Speakers and other events                                              

September 19th Slip of the Pen Michael Taylor

October 5th Annual Exhibition at Cheslyn Hay Village Hall

October 17th The King’s Loosebox Mary Bodfish

November 16th Annual Event at Harrison’s

November 21st Coins P. Griffiths

December 19th Christmas Social

2020

January 16th  Scandalous women Janis Lomas

February 20th History of Lichfield

March 19th Dukes & Duchesses of Sutherland Steve Booth

Sue Bray entertained us once again with an interesting talk about Lichfield and its local trades. She then had a quiz for us, do you remember what a chuff or a baldrick fixer was?

Gary and Tony represented the society at the induction of the Reverend Monica Judson into the post of  Parish Vicar. The Rt. Reverend Clive Gregory, Bishop of Wolverhampton lead the induction.

The centre is open every fourth Thursday, when anyone can come and look at the photographs, maps, documents etc. or just come for a coffee and a natter.

This one is another unknown, it could be 1920’s or 30’s. Is the young lad in the background having a sulk?

Future Speakers and other events                                              
August 15th – Old Hall Tableware  Nigel Wiggin
September 19th – Slip of the Pen Michael Taylor
October 17th – The King’s Loosebox Mary Bodfish
November 16th – Annual Event at Harrison’s
November 21st – Coins P. Griffiths
December 19th – Christmas Social

2020
January 16th  – Scandalous women Janis Lomas
February 20th – History of Lichfield
March 19th – Dukes & Duchesses of Sutherland Steve Booth  (Chuff – clown,  Baldrick fixer – one who makes and repairs church bell straps and clappers)

The AGM was as short as in previous years, the committee were willing to stand for another year, so it was proposed by Kath Caddick that we be re-elected en masse. This was agreed by the members. We then had an excellent quiz, organised by Peter Holmes for which we thank him. The winners were “The Kemps & Co”.

The centre is open every fourth Thursday, when anyone can come and look at the photographs, maps, documents etc. or just come for a coffee and a natter.

Another fantastic Carnival! The weather was very hot, and we had a lot of visitors to our stall. The tithe map caused quite a bit of interest. Photograph of Martin Whitby choosing his position on the map.
The winner of the “Hoard” was Aaron Bradley.
The winners of the best float was Moat Hall Primary School, second was Thomas More School. The best decorated stall was won by the Townswomen’s Guild.

A great time was had by all at the trip to Warwick castle. Once again the weather was very kind. Our thanks go to Pam for organising a super trip.

I am starting to book speakers for next year. (I know it seems a long way off!) If you hear a good speaker, preferably with an historical theme, could you collect details and pass them on to me. Thanks. Di

Future Speakers and other events
August 15th – Old Hall Tableware Nigel Wiggin
September 19th – Slip of the Pen Michael Taylor
October 17th – The King’s Loosebox Mary Bodfish
November 16th – Annual Event at Harrison’s
November 21st – Coins P. Griffiths
December 19th – Christmas Social
2020
January 16th – Scandalous women Janis Lomas
February 20th – History of Lichfield
March 19th – Dukes & Duchesses of Sutherland Steve Booth

We had a very enjoyable morning with Steve Booth, his talk about the Duke of Sutherland was very enlightening, I had heard of “the clearances” in Scotland, but didn’t realise the impact they had on the ordinary people. I hope to arrange for Steve to come again in the New Year.

The mill stone has been moved from Eric Pritchard’s house to the Scout and Guide building. The larger of the stones weighed more than two tons.

The centre is open every fourth Thursday, when anyone can come and look at the photographs, maps, documents etc. or just come for a coffee and a natter.

We have two books in the pipeline, Paul Ford’s is about the men who served in WW1, and whose names are on the gates. This is hoped to be finished by Spring 2020. The society’s, we hope, will be published in time for sale at the Annual Event in November.

Future Speakers and other events
June 20th AGM and (Ten Year) Birthday Bash
June 27th Trip to Warwick Castle
June 29th Carnival
July 18th Old Trades Sue Bray
August 15th Old Hall Tableware Nigel Wiggin
September 19th Slip of the Pen Michael Taylor
October 17th The King’s Loosebox Mary Bodfish
November 21st Coins P. Griffiths
December 19th Christmas Social