Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Members.
Well our annual exhibition was a great success with lots of new faces dropping in to see the exhibits. Darren Butler’s project on the streets and people featured some large scale maps of popular streets and areas at the turn of the last century. Darren had located houses and the names of the people who lived in them; the whole project was very well received. Darren is planning to further develop the project to include other streets and areas for next year. Continue Reading »

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We have two new aspects for our members to enjoy in 2010.
A New Base
Once again our thanks go to our old friends at the Salem who have agreed for us to use a room in the church as a base. We are currently painting and decorating the room and together with a new carpet and blinds we are hoping for our base to be officially opened by mid January. Opening hours have yet to be confirmed but provisionally we are looking to open to the ‘general public’ on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons until 6pm but to our members we intend to be more flexible and to arrange alternative times. This is of particular importance to any of our ‘distant’ members when they visit their relatives in Cheslyn Hay or any of our member’s friends visiting the area and wishing to indulge in a bit of nostalgia by looking through our photographs. Our main aim is to collate many of our records, currently tucked away in our archives, together with many of the Photograph Volumes that are being stored elsewhere, together in one place. And when you consider that we have now in excess of 5000 photographs with over 7000 individual names there will be much for our members to enjoy that has not been available before. Obviously we will be encouraging potentially new members with help on researches and their family trees and we intend to use the base as a centre to arrange interviews with the more senior residents of the village, as well as cataloguing items of the Hawkins Colliery, Tileries and Brickworks for the benefit of both the Cannock Chase Museum and ourselves plus bringing up to date all the items in our own archives. For this we will be needing volunteers and any help would be appreciated – even to make the tea and coffee for anyone that just turns up.

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Many years I have kept in mind a wonderful memory when I was a young child aged ten in 1943, where street posters of ‘Dig for victory’ and ‘Join the Women’s Land Army’ reminded us all that we were right in the midst of the war years. It was nearly Christmas and everywhere was cold and frosty and on my way to school I had to pass the shops in the High Street. They were all decorated with glittering tinsel and handmade paper streamers of all different colours. I stopped at Hassall’s and immediately caught sight of a toy that melted my heart. It was a black doll in a green and black suit with a matching hat of soft material and he had such a kindly face and I couldn’t wait to get home from school to ask my mum if I could have this beautiful doll for Christmas. Every morning afterwards I looked in at Hassall’s window to see that
friendly face and counting down the days to Christmas. Then on Christmas Eve I had to ‘run some errands’ for my mum with money and coupons for grocery from Mr Perks and bread from Stanton’s cake shop returning home by Hassall’s. But the doll was gone. I went in to the shop only to be told ‘Sorry Kathy, it’s been sold.’I felt drained of everything. The next morning I got out of bed not even wanting any presents. My Christmas had been ruined. But when I went downstairs into the kitchen, my mum said ‘Happy Christmas – here’s a present for you’ and handed me a brown paper parcel. I slowly unwrapped it to see a little black doll’s face made of fine china looking up at me. I said a loud and heartfelt ‘Thank You’ and my mum said that I had to give him a name. I cuddled the doll and thought of several names but a warm memory of when I was picking blackberries in the summer with my close friend floated into my mind. I thought about him, then looked at mum and said ‘Yes, I’ll call my little black doll Lenny’.
Kathleen Reeves

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Unfortunately the details of one of the winners of the free raffle at the Exhibition has been mislaid. The lady was notified and we still have a bottle of red wine to hand over. So if anyone is aware of this lady still
awaiting a bottle of wine – please let us know as soon as possible. Particularly if it’s wanted for Christmas!

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Rhymes and Jingles from our youth – Part one.
In every country and in every time there have been rhymes and jingles sung, or said, to children to amuse them, yet most of what are now called nursery rhymes had their origin in subject matter intended for adults. The young, however, have a way of taking what pleases them; and thus they have preserved the parodies, lampoons, bits of homely wisdom and folk ballads that have long lost their social significance. Continue Reading »

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2/1/1960 Glancing Back to 5/1/1935
On Sunday, the vicar of Great Wyrley, the Rev.A.H.Lanfear, preached his last sermon to a large congregation at St.Mark’s Church, on his retirement after 16 years in the parish. During his stay at Great Wyrley the parish room, vicarage and school house were restored as also was the church and organ at a cost of £1,000. Continue Reading »

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Researched by Michael Belcher
22/1/1910 Interesting Cannock News – Will it interest you?
When you have read it you’ll probably thank the Cannock woman who sent it. Mrs.M.Turner, of Spring Terrace, The Lot, Cheslyn Hay, Near Cannock, says; – “For a long time I suffered with sharp, stabbing pains in the lower part of my back, which made me feel unfit for my work, and prevented me from getting sufficient rest at night. Often I found it a difficult task to get upright after stooping. I was also subject to dizziness, and specks appeared to be floating in front of my eyes. My breath was short, and I was in a poor state generally. “I was recommended to try Doan’s Back Ache Kidney Pills, and after I had taken a small quantity of them I was feeling better than I had done for years. Every sign of kidney complaint has now vanished. (Signed) Mary Turner. Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and nine pence per box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and nine pence) Doan’s are the pills that cured Mrs.Turner.

24/1/1910 Bad Burns case at Cheslyn Hay
AN OLD AGE PENSIONER TO THE RESCUE
At the Town Hall, Wolverhampton, on Saturday, Mr.R.A.Willcock (borough coroner) held an inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Elizabeth Bickley (65) widow, formerly living in Pinfold Lane, Cheslyn Hay. John Thomas Bickley, the son of the deceased, in his evidence said he saw his mother on Wednesday night after she had been removed to the Wolverhampton General Hospital, and she told him she had been sitting in front of the fire mending a shirt when some fire fell out and ignited her clothing. She tried to put it out herself and failed. She then went outside. George Bowen, an old age pensioner, of Low Street, Cheslyn Hay, said soon after two o’clock on Wednesday afternoon he was going up Pinfold Lane, and saw Mrs.Bickley in the garden in front of her house with her clothing on fire. He took off his coat and put it round her and by that means put out the flames, but not before a considerable portion of the old ladies clothing had been consumed and she was badly burned. Witness sent for a doctor who advised the woman’s removal to the hospital, and she was taken to that institution in a waggonette. Medical evidence showed that Mrs.Bickley was severely burned and she died on Thursday morning at 5.45. The verdict was “Death from shock, following burns, the result of misadventure. The jury suggested Mr.Bowen should be compensated for his promptness in extinguishing the flames that enveloped the old lady in the
garden. The coroner said he was sorry there was no fund from which he could grant compensation. He could only allow expenses. He, however, advised the son of the deceased, who had his mother insured, to give the matter his consideration.

Chat from Cheslyn Hay
The election is still the topic of the day. On Tuesday evening some windows were broken and there was some horseplay indulged in. On Wednesday Mr.Lloyd attended Cheslyn Hay and he was quickly followed by Mr.McLaren. The welcome to the latter was very cordial. There was an increase of the police force on Wednesday night; some people could not understand how it was there were so many officers about. Some of them went off by the 9.30 train.

Ernest Carver, secretary of the Working Men’s Club and Institute has passed away. He had been indisposed for some time. He was buried on Saturday and the committee of the club provided a handsome wreath, while some of the members attended the funeral. Mr.J.Hemminsley, who formerly carried out the duties, has consented to carry on the
work until the end of the financial year.

19/2/1910
Amongst the police changes announced is that Merit Officer Cooper is to be promoted to the rank of sergeant at Cheslyn Hay. It is not often that a constable is promoted and remains at the same station. In this case P.S.Cooper has been at Cheslyn Hay for quite a number of years and generally by all law abiding citizens he is respected. While it is a compliment that Cheslyn Hay has reached such a position in the county as to justify the joint committee to station a sergeant there. Some years ago there was only one constable for Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, and as the constable resided near the railway station he was called the Wyrley policeman. One of the early Parish Councillors called attention to this, and suggested that it should be a Cheslyn Hay police station. Soon afterwards that residence was moved and Wyrley was patrolled by two constables, and there were also two stationed at Cheslyn Hay. Now there is a sergeant and a constable at Cheslyn Hay and it seems that it will be made into a sub-section with the addition of another constable. The members of the Parish Council and the law abiding folk will feel gratified at the promotion.

26/2/1910
A capital billiards display was given at Cheslyn Hay Working Men’s Club and Institute on Tuesday. About 200 members watched the game with interest. The game was 500 up between Mr.John Lowe, of Cheslyn Hay, and Mr.Thornton, of Cannock. The play of Mr.Lowe was greatly appreciated for clever breaks and he won rather easily, in fact Mr.Lowe scored 500 and Mr.Thornton 392, there were breaks of 40 and 50. In the handicap recently played 40 entered, and the result was Mr.W.Whitehouse 1st, Mr.Bown 2nd,Mr.M.Lockett 3rd, & Mr.W.H.Browell 4th.

20/3/1910 Cheslyn Hay United Football Club Successful Concert
The annual concert in connection with the above club was held at the Red Lion Hotel on Monday evening. Mr.B.W.Greensill, of Great Wyrley, presided over an appreciative audience. The committee had engaged the following artistes: – The Lyric Glee Party, consisting of J.Thomas (tenor) T.Wooton (alto) A.Wollaston and I.Pearson (bass); J.Wesley the Cheslyn Hay favourite and Mr.Joe Bates (humorist). The artistes throughout gave every satisfaction, and each one was deservedly applauded. Mr.Greensill, in his remarks referred to the object of the concert which was well patronised. A capital programme was prepared therefore he would not detain them with a speech. At the interval of the programme Mr.Percival Carpenter remarked that the proceeds of the concert were to be devoted to the upholding of the club. He appealed to all present to support the club in their remaining matches at home against Walsall Reserves (twice) Cannock Central, and West Cannock. By their support he hoped they would be enabled to finish the season with a balance on the right side. At the close Mr.Alfred Wilkins in a few appropriate remarks moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding, and to the artistes for who had given their services freely. The resolution was carried with enthusiasm.

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Mr. Russell says – “I think Mr. Tom Beardsmore lived in Dundalk Lane and not Landywood Lane. Tom lived next door to us at number 40 and grew tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms and flowers. He also kept chickens and sold their eggs. His main source of income was from his job driving a lorry for Hawkins colliery..Having no children I think he enjoyed treating me and my brothers to such things as fireworks and rides along the towpath of the nearby canal on his ‘James’ motorcycle. Happy days.”

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We’ve had an interesting appeal from Colin France who was born in Landywood
in 1969.
“My name is Colin France and I am a former resident of Great Wyrley but
now a resident/City Councillor of Sheffield but I still have my friends and
keen interest of Wyrley. I am currently researching the coalmining history
of Landywood, Cheslyn Hay and Cannock area but I also want to look into
the Walsall area. I would like to collect and document any photographs or
witness accounts or family stories and experiences of what mining was like,
at the coalface but also in the homes of miners. So if anybody has any relevant
material and are willing to let me photocopy it or are willing to talk to
me about coalmining I would very much appreciate it and I will travel down
from Sheffield.
I hope you can help colinfrance1969@hotmail.co.uk

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Pat Saul has since had two separate enquiries from our website about Isaiah Pearson. Unfortunately they were not of Pat’s family but both enquirers were supplied with much more information.

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A first time visitor to our Annual Exhibition this year was Les Whitehouse
from Company Buildings. Born in 1925 his earlier memories are of his
teachers Ernie Carter, Ike Stokes, David Blount, Miss Hulme and Miss
Garrett but after joining the ATC at Bridgtown he was called up for the
RAF in 1943 where he became a Wireless Operative/Air Gunner and promoted
to the rank of sergeant serving in Egypt and Palestine. After demob
he worked for the MEB in Cannock before joining the Warwickshire Constabulary
where he served in Coleshill, Leamington Spa, Sutton Coldfield and finally Aldridge attaining the rank of Chief Inspector. Les retired in
1984 but then took up a position with the PGA for 15 years officiating at
professional golf tournaments both at home and abroad. Les thoroughly
enjoyed his visit returning to his roots but would have loved to have seen
his old mates Alan and Albert Wood who lived next door and were very
good footballers and members of the tennis club. He also remembers as a
young lad seeing a large airship flying over the village.
Does anyone remember Les? Or the airship? If so please contact (Trevor
01922 414772) or the Editor (Rob 01922 701170).
IAN WYNN

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The Wynns were a Cheslyn Hay family living in the High Street close to
the Salem and the son Ian was an RAF pilot who was trained for action
with Wallis’s Bouncing Bomb Squadron but unfortunately was killed in
the first foray over Germany. His name was not included on our cenotaph
as he had moved to Barnstable after being married and we are currently
seeking any information on the Wynn family.

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