What an amazing building, definitely a building that stood out in Cannock with it’s Art-Deco style inside and out. In 1936, Mortimer Dent spent £4,450 on land in High Green in Cannock. Dent owned The Danilo Cinemas in Birmingham. The land was once Cannock Manor, known as ‘The King’s House. This old site became a modern cinema. The cinema had a key spot on High Green. It’s across from the library on Manor Avenue. Dent had seven cinemas already. This new cinema was to be his best. The old manor was soon gone. A two-year building project began. There is a movie of photos with running commentary on our Great Wyrley History Facebook page, by Robert James Keene 2025, will worth a watch.

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Francis Edward Ifield (born 30 November 1937 – 18 May 2024) was a British-born Australian country music singer and guitarist who often incorporated yodelling into his music. Frank’s first UK single, “Lucky Devil’ in January 1960 reached No. 22 on the UK Single Chart. In May 1962 he had his first UK number one hit with a cover version of the Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer 1941 composition ‘I Remember You’ topped the charts for seven weeks. It became the seventh millon-selling single.
Read more about Frank Ifield on Wikipedia
Or listen to his best No.1 hit on Youtube – Frank Ifield – I Remember You

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The Great War book of Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, seven years in the making has been launched, detailing the lives of soldiers who died in the First World War.
Great Wyrley & Cheslyn Hay Great War chronicles life in the two villages in the run-up to the conflict, followed by extensive information on those who lost their lives – as well as those that survived – before moving on to further community tales. Written by Paul Ford, with contributions from Helen Ralphs and Andy Parsons, as well as help from Soeli Thomas (Graphic Designer of the book), launched by ourselves at Great Wyrley Local History Society.

It is our fifth book to be published. Chairman & Editor, Gary Smith said 50 copies had been produced, which are not on general sale, but would be available in a host of libraries, including Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Cannock and Walsall, as well as William Salt in Stafford. There will also be copies at the South Staffs Regiment Museum at Whittington. Gary said: “It’s very informative and very well put together, a vast amount of research as gone into producing the Great War book, with many late nights. Heritage Lottery funding of £8,900 was awarded for the project in 2018, but due to Covid-19 there as been a delay in getting the book completed.

The villages are getting closer together as the boarder between Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay is starting to blurr.
Full plans have been lodged for the construction of more than 100 new homes on land between Cheslyn Hay, and Great Wyrley. The scheme is for 130 dwellings, public open space, allotments, linear park and groundworks and infrastructure on land south of Landywood Lane. Details of the application by Cameron Homes can be viewed at South Staffordshire Council. Deadline for comments is April 16 by going online via staffs gov. uk/planning or via email to planning@sstaffs gov.uk

The notice also states: “All representations will be made publicly available. ln the event of an appeal that proceeds by way of the expedited procedure, any representations made about the application will be passed to the Secretary of State and there will be no opportunity to make further representations.”

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