The sad loss of Trevor McFarlane (CHDLHS Ex-Chairman)

We received the sad news about Trevor McFarlane passing away the start of March. On behalf of Great Wyrley Local History Society, may I send my deepest sympathy to Janet (Trevor’s wife) and family. Trevor will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He was the Chairman for Cheslyn Hay District Local History Society for many years and built the society up to a great standard. Trevor always liked to be busy, even after he retired from being Chairman a few years ago, he still liked to be in the ground helping out. It was only a few weeks ago that Trevor was out and about helping to deliver our latest book, so it came as a big shock to hear of Trevor passing away. He was a great organiser and would always get the job done. I’m sure if there is a place for an organiser in heaven, it should surely go to Trevor.

I first know Trevor McFarlane back in 1966, we was part of a team. A group of us lads on the Caddick Farm formed a football team, from a Residents Association beginning, we were known as Caddick Rangers a rag tag mob with a borrowed kit and no pitch. To my knowledge, the men in the original team that played are nearly all gone now.

Going back about 20 years, I found out that Trevor had took over as Chairman for Cheslyn Hay and District Local History Society. It wasn’t till I formed Great Wyrley Local History Society with the help of Trevor Pearce and Terry Challenger, that I got back in contact with Trevor, who was instrumental in the start up of Great Wyrley Local History Society, by allowing us to have access to their photograph archives. Through their photo archivist (at the time, Sue Challenger) all photographs related to Great Wyrley, were transferred over to GWLHS, that was 16 years ago. Trevor has been a good friend of our Society since, helping us out whenever we needed it. We have attended many open days at CHDLHS Annual Open Day, Pinfold Lane when Trevor was chairman and they would always come to our shows. By Gary Smith

To celebrate the life of Trevor McFarlane, Trevor’s funeral will be held at Bushbury Crematorium on Thursday 10th April at 11.15am, followed by the wake at Old Wyrley Hall 12.30pm onwards, for all those who would like to attend. No flowers please any donations will be forwarded to charity.

Chronicle Article about Trevor McFarlane

Popular history society member dies at 86

by DANIEL COLES daniel.coles@mnamedia.co.uk

The funeral takes place today (Thursday 10th April 2025) of a well-known local history society member. Trevor McFarlane died peacefully at home from cancer at the age of 86. Mr McFarlane, who spent a long career in finance, also spent decades serving the local community- particularly with Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society. He became chairman for a time, creating videos and publishing several sell-out books. He is survived by his wife Jan, 78, two children and three grandchildren, who said he was a ‘proper family man’ who was ‘always’ there for them when called upon. The father-of-two always had a love of sport, was a life-long supporter of Walsall FC, played basketball and football in his youth and loved cricket and athletics. He jogged twice a week right up until his passing. His widow Jan said: “Trevor was a real family man, whatever we needed he sorted out and always prioritised his role as husband, father and grandfather.”

Mrs McFarlane said her husband was told he had cancer in March, but remained involved with the history society until his death. She added: “He was a family man through and through, he had an active life and full life and we’re all really proud of him.”

The funeral service is at Bushbury Crematorium at 11.15am, followed by Old Wyrley Hall from 12.30pm. The family requests no flowers, with donations forwarded to charity. 

March 2025 – Newsletter

Now that spring is here it’ll make us all feel better and we can look forward to the lighter nights and a bit of warmth. We had a good AGM, I think all were happy in the way in which we as a committee run the Society. As said, we have done away with the double membership and now all members will pay the same. We have taken a small loss in members but feel it’s in the best interests of the society to continue moving forward. We are now arranging another day out, Pam Ball is organising a trip to Blists Hill Victorian Town on the 29th May 2025, more details to follow.

We have sad news, two of our members have passed away, Jean Horton and Sheila Pearce. Jean and her late husband Alan used to sit by the fireplace at Coffee Mornings. Alan died three years ago, Jean had already lost her first husband, Dennis, some years previously to cancer. Sheila, our committee member Trevor Pearce’s wife, passed way on 2nd March. Sheila’s been part of the society with Trevor from the beginning. It is always heartbreaking to send our deepest sympathy when any of our members pass away. Over the years, us as a committee and our members have become a family and we thoroughly enjoy our time together. So it is very hard when we lose a member. Our thoughts are with Jean’s family, and Trevor and his family at this difficult time. Sheila’s funeral is on 28th March, 3pm at Essington Crematorium. Also Gary Smith (our Editor, was Chairman) lost is son Mark, who lost his battle with Cancer and passed away early February.

Unfortunately, due to ill health, two of our committee, Lynne Davies and Geoff Nixon have had to resign. We thank them both for their great contribution they made to the society and will be greatly missed. We sent them our best wishes and hope they will keep in contact and visit us at our meetings.

Two more photographs from the Ray Franks collection. We have no details, can you help?

Coffee Morning – 20th March 2025

Guest Speaker – Corinne Brazier who gave a fascinating walk about Rogues, Villains and Peaky Blinders. Unfortunately we were unable to get the projector screen to work, so were unable to see her presentation of photos and information, but Corinne was able to give a full in depth talk and we are looking forward to welcoming Corinne back for our talk on Thursday 19th June.

The room was packed with members, all enjoyed a talk by our Guest Speaker – Corinne Brazier. Today’s talk was about the Police Strike of 1919. Following a successful strike in London by the Metropolitan and City of London Police in 1918, the 1919 strike was called by the National Union of Police and Prison Officers (NUPPO) and saw officers in London, Birmingham and Liverpool go on strike to campaign for better pay and working conditions. This coincided with the introduction of the 1919 Police Act which made it illegal for the police to strike, and introduced the Police Federation which still exists today.

The 1919 strike was ultimately a failure and all of the strikers lost their jobs. If anyone is interested in reading more about the strike, our book Out of the Blue is available to purchase on our website: https://museum.west-midlands.police.uk/product/out-of-the-blue-book/

pic shows the officers in the 1918 strike outside 10 Downing Street

Guest Speaker – Pamela Manning – The Wise Woman – 20th February 2025

Pamela Manning gave a talk on how “wise women”. People of towns and villages would go to her to solve marital problems, usually that of a  sexual nature.

OPEN EVENING – Thursday 27th February 2025 – 7pm – 9pm
Everyone is welcome

All our archives will be open photo displays for you to look at, and if you have any questions or queries we’re happy to help. Refreshments available. Looking forward to seeing you there.

A Memorial for the Ex-Miners in Wyrley

On Friday the 31st of January there was a talk by Mike Mellor at the Community Centre, it was to do with a memorial that is to be erected on the Walsall Road on the split in the road with Hilton Lane, outside of Radio World. This was organised by C.H.A.P.S (Chase Arts for Public Spaces). The sign has been built and should be up this spring, it has been paid for anonymously, there are money boxes around the village in support of the maintenance to the memorial, making sure it can be looked after.

From what I could ascertain it is to do with Harrison’s No 3 Colliery, originally called Brownhills No 3, also known locally as Harrison’s or the Sinking. There was a brief history accompanying the talk and written material. I and many more support this memorial and its success as it will be the first one of its kind in the village.

2024 Report

2024 was a great year for the society with many achievements. Every month we had the pleasure if overstanding speakers that came and shared their knowledge. We held two open evenings, which proved very popular for the people that were unable to attend the coffee morning, plus our Annual Open Day – Saturday 19th October 2024, which was an amazing day, seeing many new faces coming to the open day.

We went to Apedale Country Park in the summer on a Society trip, some of us went down a surface mine, don’t think I would have liked to have been a miner. We also had a stall at St George’s Day at Harrison’s Club and at Great Wyrley Carnival which proved very popular, we also attended the Wesley Chapel on the different fairs, so all in all it was a lovely year at the Society. 

AGM Meeting January 2025

We have had to make the unfortunate decision to increase the membership cost and stop the double membership option. Now every member would have to pay the single membership cost of £10. This has been a hard decision to make, but with the costs of doing events, open days, days out and having quality guest speakers each month. We want to continue to do all of this in 2025 but we need our members to be able to continue.