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.
2023 has been a generous year for Great Wyrley Local History Society so far. Since the lockdown finished at the back end of 2021, our society has grown insomuch as if anymore were to join, they would have to bring their own chairs, as we would not have enough chairs for our Coffee Mornings. We have made new members every month since the start of the year and long may it continue.
Complimentary to our morning meetings, we hold Open Evening meetings four times a year for people that can’t get to us on the fourth Thursday, for our Coffee Mornings. We are finding this is taking off. This year we have evening speakers on two occasions. the first on Thursday 18th May 7-9pm – John Homer Black Country Tales and another on Thursday 28th September. We have a great trip arranged, which we will be visiting the Black Country Museum which is now SOLD OUT.
Hope you like our website, administered by Soeli Thomas. We are trying to use the website as a source of information, keeping you informed of what’s happening in the society. Also we are prominent on Facebook, our official page is www.facebook.com/greatwyrleyhistory even though there are other pages & groups on Facebook that use ‘Wyrley’ in the title, we are NOT associated with them.
We like to be present at as many events as possible in Great Wyrley, recently being St Georges Day celebrations at Harrisons Club and next will be at the Great Wyrley Carnival, on Saturday 24th June. We are eight strong, on the committee running the Society, with upwards of 80 members and more joining each month. We have given in excess of £700 to local charities over the last two years. We are constantly thinking about new ways to play our part in the community and inform people about the vibrant history of the village we live in and long may it continue.
What an enjoyable morning we had with Kath Reynolds, talking about the “old school days”. It bought back many memories – good and bad. It was all chalk and talk back in the day. Now it’s all white boards and laptops.
The liberty bodice with suspenders was one item that will remain with me for a long time. In the United Kingdom they were well known for decades, with some older women still using them in the 1970s. A liberty bodice was a simply shaped sleeveless bodice, often made of warm, fleecy fabric, usually with suspenders attached. It might be straight or slightly curvy, and sometimes had buttons to fasten on other underwear: drawers (knickers or US panties) or petticoat/slip. A vest might be worn underneath. The bodices had no boning, unlike corsets, although some had firm cloth strapping which might encourage good posture. read more…
It is with great sadness that we report of the death of Chris Myatt, on April 14th 2023, after a long illness, wife of Ron Myatt. Ron was on the Committee of the Society from the early days, and helped giving us a secure financial framework. Chris Myatt – Centre Chairman and Secretary, With her ‘can do’ attitude and eternal optimism she was instrumental in developing and maintaining www.landywoodvoluntaryhelp.co.uk for 40 years & was a well loved person in Great Wyrley. Chris’s voluntary work in the community will live on. We send our deepest sympathy to Ron Myatt & family, she will be greatly missed.
The Open Evening was a success, quite a number of people came along, who can’t make it to the coffee morning,.
The next open evening is June 22nd 7 – 9 pm. Old & New members welcome to come alone for a chat & cuppa, and find out what we are all about.
Do you have a story to tell? that involves GREAT WYRLEY, either the place or a person? We’d love to hear your story and print it in our magazine.
Any school stories or photos? workplace stories, scouts, girl guides, football team stories?
Have you heard an interesting Speaker’s recently? We are always interested in different speakers. Please email: diane@mstolley.plus.com
I thought this was an appropriate photo, given last months talk. It is of Landywood School, I counted at least 46 pupils, how did the teachers cope with such a large number? Exact date unknown.
