Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society

Hello and welcome to the summer edition of our quarterly newsletter.  First of all apparently we had a little bit of a problem with our last edition, I’m sorry to say that our aging printer decided to mix up a number of copies by printing different pages on the back of some pages making the edition a little jumbled up – but I think you should have received all of the pages, just that they were out of order.  I’m very sorry and hope this did not spoil your enjoyment of the edition. Continue Reading »

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As a Society it is always gratifying to be able to support other local organisations and this quarter we have been able to help quite a few.  We were able to loan photographs and also lay on a display for the British Legion on their Charity Day at the White Horse, loaned our boards to the local Scouts Group for their 40th Anniversary, supplied our boards and all of our GW photographs to help Great Wyrley LHS launch their new society, and together with Mike Belcher I gave a talk to the St Andrews Monday Club on Family History (where we were embarrassed by being paid).  And after an entertaining talk by Joan Lockley at the April coffee morning we donated £50 to her Hedgehog Rescue Fund. Continue Reading »

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There is a memorial in Cheslyn Hay Cemetery, which no one can fail to notice.  Consisting of black and grey marble topped with a white angel, it is the tallest and most ornate in the entire cemetery.  Placed there in 1908 by John Hawkins, it stands over the graves of four of his family.  People can be forgiven for presuming that the memorial belongs to the Hawkins family of Hawkins Colliery and Hawkins Brick and Tile fame, but as strict Methodists they did not go in for ostentatious displays, especially in death.  My research into this family was to become entwined with research I had carried out into the village beer houses. Continue Reading »

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As many of you will be aware I have been researching the history of the houses and their occupiers in order to produce historical maps of Cheslyn Hay which will be displayed at our annual exhibition.  One area I have been pursuing to gather information has been to examine any old paper deeds which the residents of Cheslyn Hay may have for the older properties, as for example, 14 Dundalk Lane, otherwise known as Pickwick Cottage, where I have been able to view the deeds which date back to 1793 thanks to Lynn Jones, the owner. Continue Reading »

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Subscriptions for membership to the Society are now due and we are pleased to announce that they remain the same as the last four years at the new rate of £4 for a family/household membership.

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LAUGHING JACK CHETTER – lived in the Town Well.

DICK BENTON – always in trouble with the police because of his whippets. Lived at Hells Corner lodging with Joe Pearce. Continue Reading »

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10/7/1909    SUDDEN – William Turner had been very indisposed.  He first met with a slight accident in the mine and was compelled to leave off work.  He recovered somewhat and it appeared probable that he would soon be at work again, but he contracted a chill which was followed by pneumonia and on Sunday while having his dinner he bowed his head and it was observed that he has passed away.  He was one of the pioneers of the Court Little John, A.O.F., and was a P.C.R., and always took great interest in local Court and Forestry generally.  He worked at the Fair Oak Colliery Where he met with the slight accident.  He was about 64 years of age.  The funeral took place on Thursday. Continue Reading »

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25/7/1959 Councillor Paints the Seats
Twenty-five seats in Cheslyn Hay’s recreation ground have recently been painted by Parish Councillor Mr.S.Allen. On Wednesday week he was complemented for his efforts at the Council Meeting. The recreation ground, councillors felt, was looking smarter than it had done for a very long time thanks to the work of caretaker Mr.R.Allen. The council was not so happy, however, about the state of the pavilion, described as disgusting. Vandalism caused it to be in a constant state of disrepair. Mrs.G.Blackley said it seemed a waste of money to repair it. Last time window panes were replaced they had been broken again before the bills were paid. Mr.R.Edmunds contended it should be left alone to save Council expense. If there is an outcry, people should be told something would be done when the vandalism was controlled. Continue Reading »

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