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Before World War II, local children would stand at the door of Mr. Hudson’s workshop watching him make coffins! It was intriguing to see the shape and how they were make and always wondering why he did not make rectangular boxes. It didn’t register to the children what the shaped boxes were for. All they knew was they were so neatly made, compared with those boxes that were knocked up at home for bedding plants. Not sure on the date of the top left photo, though the poster boards look a little unkempt and may therefore be nearer 1960s. Photo taken from the excellent book ‘A Walk Down Station Street’ (available from Cheslyn Hay Library £7). Information says The British and Foreign Society School was built approx 1824 as a paying day school, and opened by the Methodist Church as a free Sunday School. For decades it was Pency Hudson’s Undertakens, followed by Thackers Hardware in the 1960s. Panache fitted kitchens in the 1990s, Supreme Windows in the 2000s. It became once again a Funeral Directors in 2014. The building was owned by the Hawkins family until 2009 when Miss Jean Hawkins died. The stone on the side of the building became unreadable, but then A J Sellman replaced the stone sign with a replica. Most of the building couldn’t be saved, so had to be rebuild. It was nice to see that when it was being rebuild that they tried to keep it in character of the original building.

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Our guest speaker – Stefan Wild, has write a book called ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ on his life as a mounted policeman. He came and gave a cracking talk about the time he spent has a mounted copper in Birmingham City Police. Copies of his book was available on the day to purchase. I have the book its a great read and surprisingly he lives in Cheslyn Hay!

Stefan Wild – ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ Book is available to buy from Amazon.

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Tonight 8th May 2025, We marked 80 years since World War II ended, it was great to see so many people from the village and surrounding areas come together for the VE Day celebrations. On the Quinton Shopping Centre, in front of the Quinton Surgery, an area was setup with entertainment. On this day, the entire nation, along with our friends and allies around the world, came together to mark 80 years of peace. This is more than just a commemoration it’s a joyful celebration of reconciliation, unity, and the lasting peace that has brought us together. On this day 80 years ago, Winston Churchill announced the war was over.

We mark this occasion not only to celebrate the end of the war but to remember and pay tribute to the many millions that died and sacrificed so much for the freedoms we all enjoy today. VE Day 80 will be all about bringing the peoples, families and communities of our great nation together in a spirit of celebration and peace.

The evening entertain started with Councillor Kath Perry MBE giving an opening introduction, followed by The Reverend Marie Meredith relaying a message from Buckingham Palace. It was a cheer to listen to Cheslyn Hay Community Choir by musical director and founder, us they sang a collection of songs, followed by The Bevin Boys by Catherine Care. Then Councillor Kath Perry MBE entertained us with many songs from the 1940s, so many people joined in on the singing. It was great to then listen to Cannock’s Salvation Army Band ‘I Vow to thee my Country. The evening ended with the procession to Beacon and the lighting Ceremony.

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It’s great when somebody writes about their old haunts, no more so than this guy, Richard Foster, Born at Spion Kop but now living in Burnham on Sea. His book on growing up in Great Wyrley will be a pleasure to read for residents and locals alike no doubt,  Here is preamble from Richard on
his book 

Rich Foster was born at the Spion Kop, also known as Harrison’s Buildings in Gorsey Lane, Landywood, in 1956. He attended Landywood Primary School and Great Wyrley Secondary Modern, later to become Great Wyrley High School.
The Foster’s roots are well established in the village. Rich’s grandparents owned Fosters shop in Gorsey Lane and his Granddad Foster was a local councillor for many years. Rich’s brother, Trevor, continues to live in the village. Parents Harold and Margaret Foster died in 2019. Rich, a former lawyer, moved to Burnham on Sea, Somerset with his wife, Lynne, on retirement in 2020.

Rich’s debut book, Spion Kop, is based on a true story about his life growing up in the mining community of the ‘Kop’ and the secret about his identity kept by his family and villagers for 18 years. Set in the 1950’s to the 1970’s, Spion Kop is a ‘warts and all’ account of life on the Cannock Chase coalfield and reflects the culture of the period. The book has been written as a tribute to his family and the community of which he was part .Although based on a true story, the book is a personal response to his memory of those times; some people may therefore have different recollections of the people and events included in his work. Parts of the book and some characters have also been fictionalised.

Spion Kop, by Rich J. Foster can be purchased through the Amazon website and with thanks to Richard and his publisher’s in their permission with using this extract.

Click here to from Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/Spion-Kop-Rich-J-Foster/dp/1835307035