Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society

The Annual Exhibition proved yet another great success and thanks to a free raffle ticket given to everyone attending we were able to record almost a thousand people passing through the doors. Interest was created around many of the displays particularly with the commemoration of 90 years of the end of World War I and the Coppice Colliery mini-exhibiton on the stage together with lists of all the miners working there during the war and a real life Bevin Boy who served his time there!Pictured right: Ron Mattison & Carol Adshead
Pictured above: Local antiques expert was on hand to value treasures, it was a great success with some people getting excellent valuations on their family heirlooms.	Once again the sales of the new book ‘Cheslyn Hay – Happy Days’  passed expectations and despite extra copies being ordered it seems that they will be sold out before Christmas.   We were also delighted to receive more items for our archives including four brass plaques, presented by Mr Alan Woodward to each mechanised float in the old Cheslyn Hay Carnivals plus an illustrated Salem certificate of the Reverend George Crutchley dated 1896.   Thankyou for all your support on the day.
Pictured above: Free sessions with our Local Family Tree Researchers, who can help you get started in tracing your family tree.

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If you have been watching the latest series of “Who do you think you are?” on BBC TV, or you have seen the recent series of “Heir Hunters” on morning TV, you may now be interested in trying to trace you own family roots.  There has also been a series of Family History Taster Session at many of the local Library’s during September. Continue Reading »

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Once again the Great Wyrley Carnival proved our most successful ‘outside’ event and Sue and Terry Challenger sold another 16 ‘Bygone Days’ books as well as other items and having endless enquiries.  Carol represented us in the parade but she had to walk the entire route, didn’t win a prize except some prize blisters! Continue Reading »

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News from the Past Researched by Mike Belcher
18/10/1958     Cheslyn Hay Choir wins Second Prize
Although adjudicator Edric Cundell praised the strong attack, and the impressive style of Cheslyn Hay Male Voice choirs singing at the Leicester music festival on Saturday last, they were only able to secure second place, sandwiched between the other two choirs that sang in their class.  Continue Reading »

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An extract from the Shareshill Parish Magazine Researched by Mike Belcher

6/6/1908 (Part 4 & final part)
“In days of old when knights were bold” Shareshill had its bull ring on Shareshill Green, between the White Horse Inn, now Shareshill’s Park Cottages and the gardens for which this hostelry was famous.  Continue Reading »

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From an interview conducted 10th October 2002 Presented by Siân Alcott

Elijah Farnell (born 1876), was one of 7 sons born into a family destined to suffer appalling tragedies in the ensuing years.  His father John was a miner from Brewood, and his mother Ellen came from Compton.  The family home was 27 Low Street, Cheslyn Hay.  The only memories of this couple were of Ellen enjoying a jug of ale brought from nearby pubs or beerhouses. Continue Reading »

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Upstairs & Downstairs
The Abolition Act of 1833 abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.  The word servitude is the general term used to describe all types of forced labour and is derived from the Latin noun ‘ Servus’, which really means slave.  Slaves were considered as property owned by other people.  However, the word ‘Servus’ is also recognised as the source of the word ‘Servant’. Continue Reading »

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News from the Past Researched by Mike Belcher

26/12/1908     New Fire Station Opened at Cheslyn Hay
The Gift of Mr.T.A.Hawkins.
Considerable interest was aroused at Cheslyn Hay on Saturday afternoon when the opening of the new fire station which has been erected in Station Street, and the “christening” of the engine took place.  Both the “house” and the site upon which it stands form gifts to the village by Mr.Thos.A.Hawkins J.P., of Glenthorne, “Chairman of Cannock Rural District Council”. Continue Reading »

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News from the Past Researched by Mike Belcher
10/10/1908    The cheque from Mr.Carnegie towards the church organ fund at Wyrley church for £125 has been received and it is a very welcome contribution.  It was accompanied by an ordinary letter. Continue Reading »

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Success – We recently had a request from a Tony James enquiring about an address Providence House in Essington.  Sue Challenger has located the property and it’s still there in Long Lane.  She has photographed it and emailed them to him.  He’s delighted and it seems that we’ll have another new member.

We’ve had a request for a photograph from Bruce Pattison, who wants to know if anyone got a copy of the Landywood Junior School Trophy Winning Team of 1948/49?  Bruce can be contacted on 01922 419615.

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Lady with a baby in a pram

The photo shows Harriet Martin (nee Whitehouse) and her son Bill in his pram in 1935.  They lived at 70 High Street and the back of their house overlooked the Barn Flat.  But can anyone help with where this was taken there and if so – whose shop is it in the background?

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Girl with tennis racket

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