Events No Events this week but don’t forget our Annual Exhibition this year is on Saturday 6th October in the Village Hall, Pinfold Lane, Cheslyn Hay.
Our Salem Base is open this Tuesday 9am – 2pm
Requests We have had a couple of requests from our members regarding our recent memories of Owen Reginald Plant asking if we could perhaps include a map giving the reader a better visual idea of the areas mentioned, we will try and produce a hand drawn map with the landmarks identified.
Judy Desha wrote, My Grandfather was Jack (John Henry) Foster, married to Elizabeth Elsmore and they lived at 57 Broad Street, Bridgetown, after moving from Coppice Lane where Grandads Family also lived. He was born In Great Wyrley 1896 and lived in Holly Lane, Landywood in the first census record I have. His parents were John Henry Foster Jr 1864 and Sarah Jane Mattocks 1866. It would be amazing if there are some photos of the family and other family members in your archives.
What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher 12 September 1968 Cannock Advertiser At the monthly meeting of Cheslyn Hay Pig Club held at the Red Lion Inn, on Thursday of last week, Mr. R. Edmunds presiding, it was announced by Mr. L. C. Whitehouse (Secretary) that Mr. R. H. C. Kennedy, of Rodbaston Farm Institute, would address the next meeting of the club.  It was agreed to invite all local residents interested in pig keeping to attend, whether club members or not. Mr. Whitehouse also reported that the membership of the club had now risen to 108.  The total number of pigs, all of which were marked under the insurance scheme, being 135.
12 September 1968 Details of the sudden death of Mr. Kier Broomhall Blackley at the early age of 22 years.
14th September 1918 Cannock Chase Courier At the meeting of the Red Cross Society letters of sympathy were sent to the family of Corporal Holland.
The Cheslyn Hay Victoria Brass Band are a generous organisation for they are always willing to give their services gratuitously for any charitable object.
On Monday evening the Cheslyn Hay Victoria Brass Band are having a “parade of their own” through the principal streets of the township.
Memories Owen Reginald Plant part 3
Final part of Reginald Plant’s memories from the time he left school to joining the RAF, setting up a haulage company with his brother Harry, and his personal life right through to his demise in 2004.
WWI Commemoration This month we commemorate the death of 413899 William Taplin of 75th Company, Labour Crops formerly 27754, 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Son of the Late William & Kate Taplin, and Husband of Phoebe Ann Taplin of 21 Low Street, Cheslyn Hay. He died 1st October 1918 from injures aged 39 years . buried with honour Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery Cambrai
General News Excerpt of a letter written by Peter Cadman which was published in this months copy of “History Revealed” magazine with details of Conan Doyle’s involvement in the Horse Maimings case.

Events   No Events this Week but don’t forget our annual Exhibition this year is on Saturday 6th October in the Village Hall.

Our Salem Base   Due to a committee meeting Our Salem Base will be closing early this week . We are open 9am-1pm  Tuesday 4th September 2018 .

Requests   Pennie Yorath has emailed this week re a post in one of our past weekly newsletter. She is enquiring about the four Holmes brothers who served in WWII Frances Ivan, Hyla George, James and Noel Holmes, she said that  they would have been her husbands grandads cousins.

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

29th August 1968 Cannock Advertiser A Rural District Councillor has urged Cheslyn Hay Parish Council to press local authorities for more residential development to help combat the rapidly increasing population problem in the village.  Full details given.

29th August 1968 Cheslyn Hay Parish Council have raised problems on road improvements, dangerous footpaths and flooding.

31 August 1918 Cannock Chase Courier  Civic Sunday at  Cheslyn Hay organised by the Parish Council in co-operation with Local Relief Committee was a success involving Messrs. A. L. Henshaw, W. J. Bowen, Geo. Goodwin, J. Walton, Mr. W. J. Simkin, Geo. Hudson, Geo. Wooton, Wm. Wooton, E. Brough, J. Stokes, R. Jones, C. T. Lawson and Mr. William Westwood.

31 August/1918  Letter to the Cannock Chase Courier from R.H.Brough giving thanks to everyone who donated to the collections for the “Prisoners of War” and the “Permanent Roll of Honour Funds”.

Birthday Announcements    Happy Birthday to one of our long standing members Geoff Hackett who celebrated his 80th birthday last month.

Memories of OWEN REGINALD PLANT with details of his early family life in Hill Street, Cheslyn Hay involving  Doctor Tomkinson, Barbara Kingston, Effie Goodman, Richard Henry Plant,  Mary Eliza Plant nee Lawson,  Amy Stokes, Hannah Stokes nee Tuft, Miss Stanton, Miss Saunders, Mr Bale, Isaac Stokes, Albert Wood, Albert Hawkins, Jackie Jones, Reg Poxon, Graham Sleigh, Brenda Hicken, Gladys Follows, Janet Plant, Tommy Evans and Sam Hall.

General News  John Minton who had been ill for a long time passed away on 27th August, he had been a member of the society for a number of years.

Events No Events this week

Our Salem Base is open from 9am-2pm every Tuesday

Requests Robert Taylor emailed this week with details of his family with his mom Elizabeth Dorothy Taylor (formally Elizabeth Matthews.) now 90 years old remembering her childhood in the old Dundalk Lane cottages with her sister Marjorie.  Robert also mentions his Grandad William (Bill) Matthews and his involvement in the Brass bands around Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.

Old Newspapers researched by Dave Washington

4th September 1885 Lichfield Mercury, Rhoda Ridgeway, George Collier, Charles Kendrick, David Brough, Maria Walker and Joseph Kendall all found guilty in a court case, as was Thomas Tudor coal dealer of Cheslyn Hay in a separate prosecution.

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

15th August 1968   Details of the death of Police-constable Robert Michael Potts (22) a single man of 4, Hill Street, in a tragic accident.

15th August 1968  Cheslyn Hay Salem Church Women’s Guild visit to Hamstall Ridware Hall.

15th August 1968 Story of the residents of Cheslyn Hay involved in the re-decoration of the schoolrooms of Salem Church Hall.

 15th August 1968   Details of a special display at the Cheslyn Hay library.

15th August1968  Full details of the Hawkins v Brereton match in the in the Chase League division one.

17th August 1918  Successful War Weapons Week in Cheslyn Hay including memories of the village in yesteryear when dog racing was a great feature as well as cock fighting.

17th August 1918  A visit from their late minister, Rev. Alfred Colbeck to the Salem Church.
At the meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society Mrs. Waltho stated that recently she had received a letter from her husband Private J. Waltho, who is now a Prisoner of War.                     Also news of Lieut.  Corporal Syd Thomas,  and an award given to Pte. Geo. Allen, of Cross Street for bravery.

17th August 1918   Report of a biplane dropped in the 18 acre field in Pinfold Lane later viewed by 2000 people.

17 August 1918 Mr. James Mitchell, of 7, Chapel Square, Station Street, Cheslyn Hay, received a letter from a Nurse at a French Hospital, giving full details of the death of their son Private Robert Mitchell.

General News

One of our members has enquired about the “Silent Soldier” and would we be commemorating the event in Cheslyn Hay . If anyone would like any further details on this event the local parish council on 01922 410483 will be able to answer any of your enquiries
If you are uncertain as to what the “Silent Soldiers” events are the following is the official notice from the royal British legion.
There But Not There is a special commemorative event for the fallen. It commemorates the centenary of the First World War through a nationwide installation of life-size silhouettes of soldiers. They will be showcased in November 2018

Events No Events this week.

Our Salem Base is open from 9am-2pm every Tuesday

Requests Mystery Photograph, can anyone help us identify this photograph from our archives? Where was this shop located and who are the happy trio standing outside?

Old Newspapers researched by Dave Washington

Story of Mr & Mrs Vincent Westwood of Middle Hill celebrating 50years of marriage in 1974. Article and Photograph

 What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

8th August 1968 Cannock Advertiser Funeral of Mrs. F. Ballance of Cheslyn Hay with full details of her life.

8th August 1968  Full details of Cheslyn Hay Over 60’s Club meeting.

10th August 1918 The Red Cross Society met and decorated the Roll of Honour with choice blooms.

Lieut. H. A. Hawkins, of the South Staffs Regiment, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the field of action.  

On Tuesday morning Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood, of Hatherton Street, received an official communication that their son Private W. Westwood was a Prisoner of War.

10th August 1918 George Henry Fletcher and Ann Smith found guilty in court.

10th August 1918 Myra Shorter,wife of Sapper John Shorter, of 9, Chapel Square, Cheslyn Hay, has issued a writ for slander desire to protect ‘her purely innocent character in the eyes of all respectable neighbours’.  

10th August 1918 A meeting of the Cheslyn Hay War Weapons Week Committeewith the involvement of Messrs. T. Weetman, W. Baxter, W. Wollaston, R. Brough, S. J. Lawson, T. Jones, William H. Westwood, H. Morris and H. W. Corns with full particulars.

Family History  We have recently held 3 very successful sessions ‘Tracing Your Family History’ at the local library in Cheslyn Hay, we would like to thank everyone who supported us. Due to popular demand we are hoping to run similar sessions at our Salem Base on Tuesday morning in the near future.

Annual Exhibition  Our Annual exhibition will be held on Saturday 6th October 2018, and we hoping to have a display of photographs from the 1990s.  If anyone has any interesting pictures of that decade, that we could borrow, we would be very grateful . We will scan the originals to use in our display so there would be no damage to your  photos. If you can help please ring Malcolm Podmore 01922 410021 or 07794418295  Also Roger Moore is still looking to borrow some mannequins for displays at the exhibition you can contact Roger on 01785 212412

 West Midlands History Podcasts  In a podcast Birmingham historian and author Carl Chinn traces the links between the West Indies and the city.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com 

EVENTS  The theme for Roger’s Chat n Char this Thursday, 9th August is ‘Sounds Good’. Starting at 10am in the Salem as usual.

Due to popular demand we are holding another ‘Tracing Your Family History’ sessions at Cheslyn Hay Library Thursday 9th August 2pm – 5pm. For further information telephone Malcolm on 01922 410021 or 07794418295 or just turn up on the day .

OUR SALEM BASE is open from  9am – 2pm every Tuesday

REQUESTS  John Bennett of the Landor History Society emailed regarding a coloured postcard c. 1914-18 entitled ‘Cheslyn Hay Cemetery’ which depicts a chapel like building with five prominent white graves. We were able to confirm it was Cheslyn Hay Cemetery and the Mortuary chapel which unfortunately was destroyed by fire on 17th August 1988.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO…by Mike Belcher

1st August 1968 Cannock Advertiser  Details of the death of Ballance (Florence).

1st August 1968 Full story of vandalism at Rosemary Road, Cheslyn Hay.

1st August 1968  Problems over the weekend medical service was discussed by the Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay councillors.

3rd August 1918 Cannock Chase Courier   The Local Relief Committee expressed sympathy towards Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood in respect of their son, Private Wm. Westwood, who has been missing since the 27th of May.

Details of Sergeant T. Farnell home on leave.

The communal kitchen is till progressing favourably for now there are many vegetables in the gardens and allotments.

3rd August 1918 Cannock Chase Courier  Full details of a letter from  Mons Perchant in France passing his opinions on the agitators at home.

GENERAL NEWS   This week on our facebook page Martyn Rochelle posted a few photos that he had inherited from his late Uncle Alan Kingston. Alan lived in Cheslyn Hay as a young lad with his parents John and Emma Kingston nee Roe.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.chdlhs.co.uk/?ref=bookmarks

Has anyone got any mannequins we can borrow for our annual exhibition Saturday, 6th October 2018 please contact Roger Moore 01785 212412

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com