BDLHA Newsletter July 2005
Editorial EDITORIALI trust you all hadn't given up hope because here, at last, is the Newsletter with all the usual features. While on that theme will all Secretaries please check the deadline and publication dates and ensure that they have sent me their Society's programme details. The information that I currently receiving for the listings is a bit sparse, so please help me to publicise your Society sending me your meeting information. Now an appeal to the wider membership; remember we are still on the look out for material for the Historian. Even if the thought of writing full-length article puts you off, there is always need for shorter pieces for our Notes and Queries section. I look forward to hearing from some of you. Contact me: Joan Davies, 112 Brandwood Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6BX Tel: (0121) 444 7470. LADYWOOD HISTORY GROUPLADYWOOD AT WAR EXHIBITION 
The Ladywood History Group held a 'Ladywood At War' Exhibition at St John's Church, Darnley Road, Ladywood, from Wednesday, 18th to Sunday, 22nd May. There were special events on Friday and Sunday, about which see below. It was Thursday when we dropped in at St John's to view the displays and found them to be both extensive and comprehensive. Apart from a few artefacts, they consisted of photographs, copies of newspapers and adverts, both commercial and governmental, wartime publications and sundry other contemporary records. The national scene was set by a sequence of exhibits recording notable events, year by year, from Munich 1938 to VE celebrations and the first post-war election in 1945, and there was a table given over to Chamberlain and Churchill. Other sections dealt with practically every aspect of life during the war with particular reference to Ladywood. They covered such diverse topics as barrage balloons and Christmas, digging for victory and clothes rationing and, of course, air raids. A wall of Memory recorded people's recollections of those years. In a display devoted to schools, essays by children made interesting reading, while entries from the log books of St Peter's School graphically described, in sober prose, the many difficulties of wartime working. Typical were those made when the heating system failed on the 20th February 1942. On the 23rd February, the entry stated "it might be a month before the apparatus is ready since some part is broken which cannot be replaced until a 'priority' form has been signed by many officials in many departments of Birmingham, London and some provincial towns." The children had to be accommodated elsewhere and it was only on the 13th March that the new part arrived and the school could return to what passed as normal in wartime. Maps were displayed showing bombed areas and there were photographs of damage done to Docker's Paint and Varnish Works on the 25th of July 1942 and of the destruction of Brookfields Elementary School in 1940. 'Useful' Government advice was to be found dotted about. The following we thought worth a mention without comment.
We spent several hours on what was a thoroughly enjoyable journey around an exhibition which, by its scope and quality, reflected great credit on the organisers. Footnote: Special events in this exhibition included a 1945 Community Day on the Friday, which saw the arrival of 'Winston Churchill', the observance of two minutes silence followed by a speech by Winston Churchill. There was war-time fun and games with children and adults joining together and war-time Punch and Judy. The day ended with a tea dance in the church hall. 
On Sunday 22nd May a special service was held at the church. This included the unveiling of a new War Memorial dedicated to service personnel from the Ladywood area and civilians killed in Ladywood 1939 - 1945. The Ladywood History Group have been compiling a list of Ladywood civilians killed throughout the war, which at present contains 300 names, and which was due to be handed over to the church on the day. The Editor THE SMETHWICK HERITAGE CENTREVICTORIA PARK LODGE 
It is good to be able to report that the extension to the Centre's facilities is now in use. At present it is the setting for the exhibition "Smethwick at War" which concentrates on the Home Front in Smethwick. Many photographs, documents and reports vividly tell what life was like for civilians - families, schoolchildren and factory workers and those who served in the various organisations such as Civil Defence, Home Guard, Red Cross, Special Constabulary etc. Hundreds of people have visited this exhibition and told many stories whilst reminiscing of the war years when humour was a valuable, and often necessary, weapon. It is proving great fun too for those who ‘man’ the displays as well as visitors, background music tempting people to sing and foxtrot around the room! Dr. Garratt, David Bryant and team have many plans for future events. ROADSHOWS ETC.Two Roadshows have now been held this year; both have been well-supported. It is encouraging to see ‘new’ faces both among the visitors and among the Working Group - the team who slave (almost) tirelessly to look after artifacts, set up displays and Roadshows and produce and pack the Smethwick Heritage Telephone. Under it's new Editor - Bob Baldwin - the Telephone goes from strength to strength and provides a vital link with our members in the UK and world-wide. Ensuring wide access to all items held in museums has been in the news recently. It is obviously a complex problem perhaps needing a Solomon to come up with a solution. In our very small way I feel that the Trust, through our Roadshows, do succeed in putting on public display many Smethwick-related historical items for the public to see freely. Happily our collection is continually growing and as there is a limit to the display space we have at Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre and at Victoria Park Lodge, we are able to select items from store to present a changing selection at most Roadshows. NEW PUBLICATIONSBoth our latest books were published to coincide with the Home Front Recall commemorations and our Smethwick at War exhibition. A book of photographs. compiled by Bob Baldwin our Editor, concentrates on daily life and also the volunteer services of Smethwick during 1939-45 and is titled "Dig for Victory". It is an excellent social - document of those years. "Recollections of Smethwick during the Second World War" is a collection of over 50 stories relating to life in wartime. All are memories of Smethwick people — many of whom are members and friends of the Trust, compiled and edited by Sheila Bryant and illustrated throughout with the cartoons of Mike Higgs. Once again, wartime humour comes to the fore in most of the tales and we expect this book will be popular. "Dig for Victory" is £4.00 + 75p. p&p. "Recollections of Smethwick"- A4, 60 pages is £8.00 + £1 p&p. Both available from Smethwick Heritage Centre, Victoria Park, High Street, Smethwick B66 3NJ (Tel: 555 7278) and at our Roadshows. Christine Round Publicity Officer SHCT COURSESUniversity of Birmingham – One Day Schools and Short Summer Schools (non-residential) July Stowe House And Garden, Buckinghamshire Roman Roads And Sites : The Fosse Way And Ermine Street. Painting The Town Red: The Experience Of The City In 20th Century Art (A Practical Course) Renaissance Italy And The British Imagination The Making Of The Medieval West Midlands From The Norman Conquest To Mid Thirteenth Century The Buildings Of Birmingham August The Lunar Society: Medicine, Machines And Art For further details contact: Visit our Website at: www.cll.bham.ac.uk Key: *lunch & refreshments provided. + includes visit. QUINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYpresents 
"Quinton At War"Saturday 9th July -10.30am to 3.30pmChrist Church The Quinton Parish Hall The exhibition by QLHS is to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Take a nostalgic journey of the 40s and 50s. Visit the stands:- Militaria / Medals / Ephemera / Original newspaper copies / QLHS records genealogy, school registers, log books, burial ground Records etc. / Visit the QLHS websites and archives Wartime footage and music all day. Bring your wartime photos to be digitally copied for our website and let us record your memories. Refreshments served all day. Come along, bring the children, shouldn't they be aware of the sacrifice given by so many for freedom! Admission is FREE Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery MANOR TO MILL - MEN AND MACHINESTravel on the free History Bus from now until October Visit Birmingham's Community Museums on the 1st Sunday of each month. August 7th, September 10th & 11th & October 2nd. Buses run every 75 minutes from 11.00am beginning at Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery, Gas Hall, Edmund Street.
*There is a small charge for admission to Aston Manor Transport Museum For further details contact : SHORT BREAKS
Enjoy three or four night breaks at St Kilda Hotel, Central Promenade, Llandudno. This hotel is in the midst of an area steeped in history and specialises in short breaks for groups with an historical interest. (1) Conway the town, the harbour and the Castle, Abergele Market is also a possible half-day visit (on Sundays). For a full day trip it is possible to visit Blaenau Ffestiniog and catch the Steam Train to Portmadog (or go down a slate mine if you prefer). In the summer the St Kilda Hotel runs 7 night holidays from Saturday to Saturday. In the Spring and Autumn they specialise in three and four night breaks. If you wish these can be themed, i.e., ‘We’ll Meet Again’, ‘Decades’ or ‘Holly & Mistletoe’. Entertainment is also provided every evening in the hotel. They offer a high standard of catering with food prepared by a team of chefs using mainly local produce and they also cater for Special Diets. For further information contact : A CELEBRATION OF TIMBER FRAMED BUILDINGS EXHIBITION
The Old Market Hall, Llanidloes contains a comprehensive exhibition celebrating timber framed buildings. This Exhibition is in its third year, runs from mid-May to late September and is normally open from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. Admission is free. If any Secretary wishes to arrange a group visit the Joint Curators would be pleased to set up a talk on the history of the Old Market Hall by the author of the most recent booklet on the building and, if required, a tour round other parts of the town. Please contact : Jan Hillier and Gwen Stimpson, Joint Curators / Caretakers, OPEN DAYS AND FORTHCOMING EVENTSKEY HILL OPEN DAY 
The Friends of Key Hill Cemetery are holding an Open Day during the English Heritage Open Days and their day will be 10th September, which is a Saturday. They plan to have a marquee, with things for people to see about the occupants of the cemetery, a Tombola, organised walks, with Dr. Chris Upton, and hand-crafted merchandise will be available to buy - all made by the Friends and inexpensive. All the helpers will be wearing costume of the Victorian Era. This event will take place between 10.00am and 4.00pm. All the information about parking, etc, will be contained on the English Heritage Open Days web site. Anyone wishing to enquire about parking etc, especially disabled, would contact the Chairman of the Friends, Pauline Roberts on her mobile: 07778 517832. The Friends website can be found at : www.friendsofkeyhillcemetery.org.uk SMETHWICK HERITAGE CENTRE TRUST The Trust's next Roadshow takes place on Saturday 17th September 10.30am to 4.00pm. at St. Hilda's Church Hall, Abbey Road. PUBLICATIONSJoseph Priestley and Birmingham 
Joseph Priestley and Birmingham contains a collection of articles by historians that focus mainly, but not exclusively, on Priestley's time in Birmingham. It provides a record of an individual whose ideas and activities had a major influence, not only on Birmingham and the West Midlands, but the wider world as well. The publication is a result of work carried out by the "Joseph Priestley and Birmingham Project", which was established by Birmingham & District Local History Association to commemorate Priestley's life and achievements, two-hundred years after he died in 1804. The publication is a special edition of the Association's renowned local history journal, the Birmingham Historian. The Heritage Lottery Fund has generously supported the activities of the "Joseph Priestley and Birmingham Project", which will also include an exhibition, a town trail, a DVD of Priestley's experiments and the provision of resource material on www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk in 2005. ISBN: 1 85858 269 5 Birmingham Breweries 
Birmingham has long been famous for its thousand and one trades and products, one of which was brewing in the city. Joseph McKenna's latest book traces the history of brewing in Birmingham from the earliest references in the twelfth century to modern times. Retail Brewers, Victorian Breweries and more recent take-overs and mergers are considered and a detailed list of Birmingham breweries between the years 1782 and 2002 is also included. The book is complete with many illustrations, including photographs of buildings and equipment, old advertisements and images of beer bottle labels together with maps showing the location of Birmingham's breweries. ISBN: 1 85858 271 7 Sutton Coldfield in The Fifties - Part 1 
The second book in the series covering 1930s to 1960 includes stories and photographs not previously published from Suttonians and temporary residents. In addition the Author recounts life in the town, railway employment, and some humorous encounters with a Sergeant Major, though not funny at the time! Subjects that appear in the five years include: Public misuse of the N.H.S., Local funding of the B.R.M., Festival of Britain events, Riland-Bedford School not ready, farm mechanisation, first public square dance, 500+ families on the Falcon Lodge Estate, the death of King George VI, and subsequent Coronation planning and a selection of Sutton and district 1953 Coronation Celebrations, R.A.F. life at 216 M.U. and a Reddicap Hill fatality. The Sutton Coldfield News accurately predicted Sutton Park would be the World Scout Jamboree venue in 1957. Sutton needed a crematorium, Trow family ice cream secrets, Blackroot Timber Mill, unavoidable predicted damage of Sutton Park from the Jamboree. Sutton Coldfield's January 1955 rail crash with seventeen fatalities remains in the memories of many people in the 21st century. There was an infant school too full, Mere Green prejudice, death of a well known medic, Falcon Lodge Community Hall opened, and post-rail crash hardship. ISBN: 1 85858 229 6 Tanworth in Arden 
For those who have always regarded Tanworth-in-Arden as being just a beautiful village in the heart of warwickshire countryside, this book will be a revelation. The ancient parish of Tanworth is much more extensive, extending from Shirley Heath in the north to the bottom of Liveridge Hill in the south; from Fulford Heath in the west to Hockley Heath in the east. Besides Tanworth village, it includes much of what is modern Monkspath; and the villages of Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Earlswood and Hockley Heath. This book will throw light upon the following and many more aspects of the history of the parish. ISBN: 1 85858 255 5 The above titles are available from : City-State and Nation Birmingham’s Political History 1830-1940 
Birmingham, like other great British cities in the period under review, existed in a semi-autonomous relationship to central government. The degree of autonomy enjoyed by cities such as Birmingham fostered a fierce patriotism which manifested itself not least in the sometimes violently partisan support accorded to a string of political leaders who were mandated over the years to represent Birmingham’s interests in Parliament. Such a firm basis of local support enabled political leaders to exert leverage in national politics. No provincial city had a greater influence on the shaping of British democracy and on the governance of the British state than Birmingham. The greatest and perhaps the most notorious of Birmingham’s leaders was Joseph Chamberlain. The unique status he acquired as ‘city-boss’ was founded on the remarkable mayoralty of 1873-6. The fascination of historians with the career of Chamberlain has tended to obscure the roles of many other remarkable and intriguing figures – local men like Joseph Sturge, George Dixon, Jesse Collings, and renegade outsiders such as Lord Randolph Churchill in the 1880s and Oswald Mosley in the 1920s. This path-breaking study, the only extant history of Birmingham from the beginnings of the City’s modern political history in the 1830s to the death of Neville Chamberlain in 1940, integrates these men and others into Birmingham’s history and evaluates their influence on national politics in a highly readable analytical narrative that should command the attention of students, not merely of Birmingham, but of British political history. Roger Ward, born in London in 1937, began his teaching career there before moving to Birmingham in 1963 as Lecturer in History at the City of Birmingham College of Education. Ten years later he was appointed Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences Birmingham Polytechnic, later the University of Central England, where he taught History and Politics for 25 years, retiring as Principal Lecturer and Course Director of the B.A. in Government (P.T.). He has written and lectured extensively on the history of Birmingham and he and his wife are long-term residents of Edgbaston. Published by Phillimore. Hardback. £20.00 ISBN: 1 86077 320 6 The Baron Of Packwood 
When Mike Miles retired he became a volunteer room steward at Packwood House, the national Trust property near Lapworth. The original house was built for the Featherstone family about 1550 and was much enlarged and altered by generations of Featherstones up to the 1860's. Various other owners then had the house, but in 1904 it was auctioned at the Grand Hotel in Colmore Row, Birmingham and purchased by Alfred Ash, a Descendent of Dr. John Ash, the physician who founded the General Hospital in Steelhouse Lane. Alfred died in 1925 and the property passed to his only son, Graham Baron Ash (1889-1980) and this is the story of his complete refurbishment of the property. The book has 40 pages and over 30 old photographs and will sell for £4 per copy. It will be on sale at Packwood House during the open season. Packwood House is open from 12 noon to 4.00pm. on Wednesdays through to Sundays from March until the end of October. LOCAL HISTORY WEBSITESA Sample of some of the websites you can find online to quench your thirst for local historical knowledge, old photographs or nostalgia. Many societies have embraced the ‘freedom to create’ that the internet offers, for sharing their interests and knowledge of the area local to themselves. That information you have often sought could be just a ‘Google’ away. If you haven’t dipped your toes in the sea that is ‘Cyber-Space’ maybe this taster might be just the nudge you need….. We will go in search of more local History websites in future issues of this Newsletter. Acocks Green History Society This website hangs under the eaves of a larger website covering Birmingham as a whole; Virtual Brum. Aldridge Local History Society Aston Manor Transport Museum Aston Manor Road Transport Museum houses a collection of historic and classic vehicles and related exhibits that will bring back memories of a bygone era. See how transport in the Midlands has evolved from the 1900s to the present day, all in the original setting of a Birmingham Tram Depot. Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Trust The web site is designed to tell you about the museum, the collections and the event days in 2005. Aldridge Station. At the end of Anchor Road Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry An affiliated Society of The Birmingham & Midland Institute and of The Federation of Family History Societies. The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry is the principal family history society for the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society Founded in 1870, the Society, promotes the study of archaeology and history in Birmingham, Warwickshire and West Midlands County by the investigation, preservation and restoration of local antiquities and historic buildings and by the publication of these activities in its Transactions. The Birmingham Civic Society The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society was originally formed as a registered charity in 1968. The Society’s original aims continue to conserve, improve and encourage a wide range of interests in the 100 mile network of Birmingham and Black Country waterways known as the BCN. We hope that this taster of Local Websites out there on the World Wide Web has been of interest and of some use, there are plenty more out there for you to investigate. So get ‘Googling!’ We will take a look at others in the next issue. |
