Cheslyn Hay History Society Newsletter 21^st October 2018

Events

Our Speaker night this week 
“Coalfields to Battlefields” is a 50-minute presentation that Paul Bedford and ex bonker Alan Brown will share with friends and members of CHDLHS on the evening of Thursday 25th October 7pm at The Salem. Members probably know that Paul is a historian, researcher and author of “Not Just Names”, which gives details in words and photographs of the lives of local men who went to war, mainly to France, one hundred years ago and who did not return. Alans part of the presentation will focus on the area of France to which many of them travelled; an area which, as we shall discover, has many coal-mining (and other) links with the Cheslyn Hay and District community. Some surprises and unexpected pictures and stories will be featured (there is even a local dialect where lunch boxes were also known as “snap tins”…)
Our Salem Base

Our Salem Base is open this Tuesday 9am – 2pm. Liz Leavesley is researching her Lydia Dace/John Whitehouse family line and she’ll be at the Base on Tuesday morning. Sue & Vi will be available and also Terry Carpenter

Requests

Roger Betts has emailed this interesting request
Many areas of the Midlands continue to show the vestiges of ancient field systems and cultivation practices known as ridge and furrow, the characteristic “corrugated” pattern often running across fields for several hundred yards, occasionally terminating in a headland where the ploughing teams of oxen or horses were turned to make their return trip.
As far as I am aware, there are few if any remaining examples in our area. However, I remember as a child riding my bike up and down what I now believe was ridge and furrow in the recreation ground off Walsall Road in Wyrley. This area was flattened, sadly, after open cast mining in the late 1950s.
Old maps show as recently as the nineteenth century, that this was part of a large field stretching from Jones Lane in the south to Hazel Lane in the north and bounded to the west by Walsall Road suggesting perhaps that it was in mediaeval times one of the old three (or four) open fields belonging to the village.
I wonder if anyone else knows of, or can remember, any other local examples of ridge and furrow.

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

17th October 1968 Cannock Advertiser
A meeting of Cheslyn Hay Wesley Guild took the form of a literary evening with a talk on Cliff College, Derbyshire.
19th October 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
At the weekly meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society, two parcels were sent to Private William Westwood and Private T. Bosworth, who are unfortunately Prisoners of War.  A letter was received last week from Private Ern. Parker, thanking the Red Cross Committee for their kindness of Frances Colley, aged 11, of Station Street.
Also a word of congratulations is due to Stephen Pratt, aged 15 last Thursday for his two paintings donated for a raffle.

General News

Appeal for more Photographs,
With over 7,500 photographs in our archives we are now looking to build up a section for the more “Modern” Photographs so that we can display events of the 1970s and 1980s for future exhibitions.

Our Salem Base
Our Salem Base is open this Tuesday 9am – 2pm

Requests
Noel Rabouhans visited us last week he is researching his Newman Family who were in Cheslyn Hay in the mid 1800s before moving to Warwickshire.
Liz Leavesley emails enquiring about John Whitehouse and Lydia Dace who are her Gt Gt Gt grandparents, she would be grateful for any information on their tree

Memories
It was 50 years Ago today…….! by Peter Cadman part 2
Pete recalls his last ten weeks after leaving school before taking up a place in York, including working on a site being a labourer for the crew building the “new school” Glenthorne Primary.

ARCHIVE ADDITIONS/ARTEFACTS/DONATIONS
We have had some Pigeon Racing Memorabilia donated by John Dace  including Award Certificates, Photographs, Newspaper cuttings and a Clock Record Book.

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher
10th October 1968 Cannock Advertiser Retirement of Nurse Dorothy Wooton district nurse for Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley for the past 26 years. 
10th October 1968 Doctor Kenneth Stanley Williams, who has been practicing in Cheslyn Hay for 18 years died at his home “Sherwood” Station Street, on Saturday afternoon.
10 October 1968 The funeral service of Mr. Frank Kingston, of 8, Queen Street, Cheslyn Hay.

12 October 1918 Cannock Chase Courier Funeral of the late Fred Smith of Hatherton Street.

On Thursday evening last Salem School a lecture given by a member of the Red Cross Society. Rev.  John Naylor, who spoke for an hour and a half on “Our victories in Palestine and their effects”
12th October 1918 Albert Benton, farmer and poultry keeper, of Cheslyn Hay, was awarded damages against John Hall.  Full details of the case given.

General News
Despite the horrendous weather we still received almost 300 visitors to our Annual Exhibition, we would like thank everyone who visited and made the day so successful.

Events

The theme for Roger’s Chat n Char this Thursday is “Banished to Australia” the speaker is our own Peter Cadman, starting at 10am in the Salem as usual.

Our Salem Base

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

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

3rd October 1968 Cannock Advertiser 
Details of the new Salem Youth Club with all the committee named.

5th October 1918 Cannock Chase Courier George Mason R.E., of Low Street, Cheslyn Hay, on leave, was charged with damaging property of Job Whitehouse, at High Street.    Case involved Amelia Lockett and Sarah Heaton, of Cheslyn Hay.
5th October 1918 Harvest Festival with  Mr. W. Shorter, Miss. K. Scragg, Mr. Dennis Woodhouse, Mr. Wm. Brough, of The Lot, and Mr. Enoch Whitehouse of Littlewood involved.
At a meeting of the Local Relief Committee a special appeal was made to raise money for the local “lads”, including seven Prisoners of War.
On Tuesday morning a young man named Fred Smith, of Hatherton Street, was badly crushed between the tubs at Nook Colliery. Full details given on his death.

 5th October 1918  The official record of the award of the Military Cross to Sec. Lieut. H. A. Hawkins, South Staffordshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hawkins, Cheslyn Hay, has been quoted.

Memories

It Was 50 Years Ago Today …..! by Peter Cadman with memories of his teaching career at St Johns College in York mentioning Corona Alexander Victoria Price. Chris Jervis, Philip Perks, son of Herbert Perks, Mary Somerville, Roger Stevenson,  Alan Brown, Bob Brevitt, Lynda Hemmingsley and Ron Gourlay.

General News

Yesterday was our Annual Exhibition, even though the weather wasn’t on our side we had an excellent turnout with some very good reviews from visitors. The winning raffle ticket was 342 and the lucky recipient was Dianne Tolley.

Events

Annual Exhibition – Fayres Fetes & Festivals
Saturday 6th October at the Village Hall in Pinfold Lane. 10am -4pm free admission. Come and browse 9,000 photographs and see if you can find your Cheslyn Hay ancestors in all the Census returns from 1841 to 1911. Check out our Electoral Rolls and maybe find out who lived in your house 80 years ago. See our Then & Now photos of some of the Cheslyn Hay streets. Have a go at winning a bumper food hamper, and get hands on experience of some of the many artefacts that will be on display. And if all that has made you a bit peckish, treat yourself to a cake and a coffee or even a good old dripping sandwich like Granny used to make, while you listen to live music. All this and more with completely free admission

Our Salem Base

Our Salem Base is open this Tuesday 9am – 1pm we are closing early this week due to a committee meeting

Responses

We published a request in our newsletter 19th August 2018 from Robert Taylor enquiring about the family of his Mother, Elizabeth Dorothy Taylor nee Matthews , as a result of this article one of our long standing members Kath Walmsley nee Perks and Elizabeth have been corresponding.

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

26th September 1968 Cannock Advertiser The Rev. Ronald Hicks, new Methodist minister for Cheslyn Hay introduces new ideas for the youth in the area.

26th September 1968 Funeral at Cheslyn Hay of Mrs. N. Harris daughter of Mrs. And the late Mr. Altree, of Cheslyn Hay.

28th September 1918 Cannock Chase Courier Cannock Rural Tribunal Edward John Pearson (46) Grade 2, High Street, Cheslyn Hay, said he had been in business as a house furnisher was consented to three months exemption in view of his wife’s poor health.

WW1 Commemoration

This month we commemorate the death of 486931 Clarence Parsons of 473rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. son of John Arthur & Annie Parsons of 109 High Street, Cheslyn Hay. he died 9th October 1918 aged 21 years, buried with honour Hangalore (Hosur Road) Cemetery and remembered at the Madras Memorial.

General News

It is with great sadness that the family of DOROTHY MARY TINKLER FORMERLYWESTCOTT nee STACEY announce her passing on Saturday 22^nd September at the age of 97 years.  She was born at High Street in Cheslyn Hay on 06/10/1920 the eldest daughter of Jesse and Mary Stacey and sister to Donald, Stanley and Jean. She married Wolves professional footballer Dennis Westcott after his untimely death she married again and  lived in Stafford until moving to Suffolk. She always liked to talk of her early life in Cheslyn Hay and enjoyed the content of the newsletter for as long as she was able.

Events

No Events this week. Our Annual Exhibition “Fayres Fetes & Festivals is on Saturday 6th October 10.00 am till 4.00 pm in the Village Hall, Pinfold Lane, Cheslyn Hay. Free Admission, Refreshments, Music, Raffle, Themed Displays and our full Archive of Photographs will be available for you to browse.

Our Salem Base

Our Salem Base is open this Tuesday 9am – 2pm

Responses

This week we received an email from one our member Brian Morris sharing his memories on our recent newspaper article about Keir Blackley

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

19th September 1968 Cannock Advertiser Details of a St. Mark’s Church Parish Magazine dated June 1920.
19th September 1968 Cheslyn Hay Great Wyrley and District Chrysanthemum Society held their annual show on Saturday with full details of  awards.

21st September 1918  Cannock Chase Courier Sympathy is extended to Mrs. James, of High Street, and family in their sad bereavement.
On Saturday afternoon the Institute football players entertained a team from Messrs.Wiggin Works, at Bloxwich, with details of the match.
On Monday evening the Victoria Brass band made an appeal to the public and paraded the principal thoroughfares for collections.                                                                                      A large company assembled on the Senior Bowling Club Green, for the final round of the Club’s Silver Challenge Cup and Medal with full information of the match.

21st September 1918 An accident took place at the Old Coppice Colliery, Cheslyn Hay resulting in the death of John James, of 100, High Street, Cheslyn Hay.  Full details given mentioning Elsie James, William Savage, Alfred Rowe and Mr. John Baker.

General News

Cheslyn Hay library opening hours have been reduced to 10 hours per week.
Monday 9-1 pm and 2-5 pm
Thursday afternoons 2-5 pm.

Please visit your library & show your support. We must not lose this last remaining community public service in our village.
The library is located at the Parish Council buildings on Pinfold Lane. As well as books and audio books they offer a printing service, internet access and host various clubs including a reading club. The staff and volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable. There is free onsite parking.

Our Committee Member Peter Cadman has been mentioned in an article in Staffordshire Live about Jed Mercurio who has written the action-packed suspense “Bodyguard” as he was one of his former teachers.

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.