Cheslyn Hay History Society Newsletter 16^th December 2018
Events

A big thank you to all the members and guests who attended Rogers’ Christmas Party last Thursday . A particular thank you to the Cheslyn Hay Community Choir and last but not least Roger and his team for all their hard work. We received an email from one of our members which sums the morning up and makes it all worthwhile .
“Thank you for a great morning just the ticket for starting off Xmas! I felt that the atmosphere was from the late 50’s to 60’s, time when people enjoyed themselves without the modern things like the mobile phone, you could feel the village pulling together. The society is a credit to the village”

Our Salem Base

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

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

12th December 1968 Cannock Advertiser
Golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac and Kathleen Stokes of “Thorneycroft”, Station Street, Cheslyn Hay, with full stories of their lives.

12th December 1968
Cheslyn Hay Working Men’s Club annual bowls presentation with full details.

14th December 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
A football match is to take place on Christmas morning,  between Cheslyn Hay Institute and Landywood United, for the benefit of William Ansell, of Station Street, who has been ill for twelve months, and is now not able to work.
The annual meeting of the Red Lion Sick, Accident and Dividend Society was held on Wednesday evening with full details.

On Saturday afternoon a football match was played on the Barn Flat Ground for the benefit of needy cases of the Influenza Epidemic, when the Local Institute Club met a team of old footballers.
Another sad case off the Influenza Epidemic is reported from Low Street, in which Mrs. Whitehouse suddenly passed away on Monday morning, leaving several young children, and the husband also indisposed.

14th December 1918
Fred Stokes, Low Street, Cheslyn Hay, was summoned for stealing with full information of the case.

14th December 1918
Cordial congratulations have been accorded to Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood, Cheslyn Hay, on the return of their son Private William Westwood, who has been a Prisoner of War for over six months.  Full details of his war activities.

General News

Some exciting news from Staffordshire Archives and Heritage.
Our new History Access Point in Lichfield is all ready for its grand opening on Monday 17th December. Come and visit us on the first floor of the stunning St Mary’s on the Market Square.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Events

This Thursday 13th December ” Spend a Penny” with Roger at our  Christmas Chat n Char and don’t forget to Dress for the Occasion starting at 10am in the Salem as usual
Our Salem Base

Our Salem Base is open from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday and open to everyone.  Committee meeting 1pm

 Archive Additions/artefacts/donations

John Newman has donated an original framed testimonial dated 6^th September 1955, presented by the Royal Humane Society to his ancestor, Charles Major Wilcox for rescuing two brothers, Peter and Roy Rigby, from the canal.  Full newspaper report given.

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

Cannock Advertiser 5th December 1968
The funeral service of Mrs. Hilda May Birch, of 137, High Street, Cheslyn Hay.

 Around the Chase.
Mr. E. Carter, of Gailey, ex headmaster at Cheslyn Hay, loaned a picture to the “Cannock Advertiser and Courier” taken on June 28 1939, showing members of the Cheslyn Hay Boy’s Club at the ceremony in Coppice Lane to mark the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester.

7th December 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
The annual gathering of the Talbot Bowling Club.  Full details given.
 
Mr. F. W. Hawkins paid tribute to the good work accomplished by the local “lads” at the weekly meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society.
 
The funeral of the late Harold Lawson. 
 On the same afternoon there was a Salvation Army funeral, when the remains of Mr. C. Perks, of Birds Row were interred. 
It is stated that there were seven deaths in the township in two days.  There are many cases of the illness. Another who was victim of the “Flu” is Mrs. T. Jukes.

The Committee of the Working Men’s Club have appointed Mr. Joseph Parsons, of Sprout Lane, Walsall, as the Steward in succession to Mr. Lockett. 
Bereavement 

Terry (Grigg) Challenger sadly passed away on Sunday 2nd December aged 73 having been admitted to hospital with pneumonia and a virus a few days earlier.  Terry has always been a keen supporter of our Society prior to his ill health, helping out at Exhibitions with his wife Sue, and will be greatly missed by many people around the area. He attended both Landywood and Great Wyrley Schools and was a regular and popular member of Harrison’s football club.  Our thoughts go out to Sue and the family.  A simple funeral has been arranged for Terry at Stafford Crematorium on Tuesday, December 18th at 4pm and afterwards refreshments at the Dog (Talbot).
  
suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Events
Bridgtown History society are holding their annual opening day at the Bethel Church on Sunday 2nd December from 10.30am to 2.30pm
Our Salem Base

Our Salem Base is open from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday
What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

Cannock Advertiser 28th November 1968
Cheslyn Hay Community Centre Association will not organise next year’s village carnival despite having been responsible for it since 1952. Full story.
The bye-laws affecting the Cheslyn Hay recreation ground have not been revised since 1925, and steps would be taken to try and get them revised.
A complaint was voiced by Mrs. M. Blackley at last week’s meeting of Cheslyn Hay Parish Council requesting a white line to be put down the Wolverhampton Road.
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes are well on their way to collecting the one million green shield stamps, required for a mini-bus. Full story.
30th November 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
Dora Moore, of Cheslyn Hay, was summoned and fined for her behaviour in High Street.
William Perks, of Cheslyn Hay, was summoned and fined in court. Full details given.
William Fletcher was summoned for assaulting Clarence Hawkins, of Cheslyn Hay, on November 18th. Full details.
Chat from Cheslyn Hay
A Dance and Social organised by the committee of the Red Cross Society, and the committee of the Victoria Brass Band.
At the weekly meeting of the Local Relief Committee twenty applications were received from the local Soldiers and Sailors for wearing apparel.
Owing to the Influenza Epidemic the trustees of the United Salem Methodist Church have decided to postpone the proposed bazaar this week.
The Institute Football Club entertained a team from Bloxwich on Saturday afternoon on the Barn Flat Ground. Report given.
Twenty one applications were received for the position of Steward at the Working Men’s Club and Institute.
The Influenza was reported on Tuesday evening to be very prevalent in the township and surrounding districts with Master Harold Lawson, aged 17 years and 8 months, being one of the victims.
Newspapers Researched by Dave Washington
Lichfield Mercury 24th February 1967
A holiday hotels mistake has brought happiness to two 75 year old Darby and Joan Club members with Gervase Hand, who has lived at Cheslyn Hay for 50 years,and Mrs Annie Thompson, a widow from Chasetown. The full article is available from our archive

Bereavement We are sad to announce the death of one of our long standing member Chris Jervis who was born in The Lot in Cheslyn Hay and attended Cannock Grammar School, being in the first intake when it opened and became Head Teacher at Avondale Primary school in Kettering.

General News
Our Speakers night last week “The Gingham Girls” by Sandra Bethell was a resounding success with a big turnout with a quite a few of the original Gingham girls attending.

Events

Our Speakers night is this Thursday 29th November at 7.30pm at the Salem, High Street Cheslyn Hay. Admission £1 including refreshments  – We are welcoming  Sandra Bethell nee Jeavons  who is giving a talk entitled  “The Gingham Girls & other Cheslyn Hay Dance Troupes”

Our Salem Base

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

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

21st November 1968 Cannock Advertiser 
The funeral service of Mr. John Thacker, of 3, Mitre Road, Cheslyn Hay, took place at Bushbury Crematorium last Wednesday.

Cheslyn Hay man in an accident
A Cheslyn Hay man, Michael Massey, of 35, Rosemary Road, was injured in an accident.

Children’s arm bands for safety
In an effort to prevent children being involved in road accidents, Landywood Welfare and Residents Association are to supply every school child on its housing estate with luminous arm bands.
23rd November 1918 Cannock Case Courier   
An official telegram reached Cheslyn Hay on Monday afternoon, reporting that Second Lieut. Clifford Devereux, of the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment, had been wounded.

Chat from Cheslyn Hay
Mr. F. W. Hawkins, chairman of the Local relief and Red Cross Society remarked on Friday evening that a special appeal for extra clothing made to the members a month ago had not been in vain.
The communal kitchen is making satisfactory progress with adults supplied with soup, puddings, etc. at small cost.
It appears that a large number are in favour of a provision of a Public Library.  There is not a library in the township, with the exception of the Adult Sunday School Library.
The son of Mr. W. Poxon, of Landywood, has been awarded the Military Medal.

Requests

I have had the following request from David Whitehouse in Canada.
I need a bit of help trying to locate a family I am working on who are unfortunately surnamed Smith.   I believe there may have been 3 daughters Patricia, Alice and Elizabeth born 1929-1934.   Their father Albert died when they were young and the mother remarried a Benton and possibly had another daughter named Claire born 1945.  I am looking for anyone who may be connected to any of these people.
Another request from Chris Smith
I’m looking for any information, photos etc which anyone may have about Little Wyrley Hall or Hammerwich Hall being used as a hospital in WW2. My nan Dorothy (“Poly”) Harveywas a nurse in one of the hospitals.

WW1 Remembrance 

This month we commemorate the death of 48945 Thomas Bosworth of 2/8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. He lived at 142 station Street Cheslyn Hay and died 5th December 1918 aged 21 years .  He is buried with honour in Charmes Military Cemetery.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Events
Reminiscence Group at Cannock Library, next meeting Wednesday 28th November 2018 2.15pm – 3.15pm  all welcome 

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

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher
14th November 1968 Cannock Advertiser
Approval for a scheme is announced by Councillor A. G. Ward, chairman of the County Council Education Committee for the Cheslyn Hay Comprehensive School.

4th November 1968 Glancing backwards to November 13 1943
Mr. Edward Mason of Low Street and Mr. Percy Bladen of Chase Terrace both appeared recently at the Odeon Cinema, Weston-Super-Mare.  Full details given.

14th November 1968 The additional Sunday meeting time for Cheslyn Hay Salem Church Youth Club has met with strong support. 
16 November 1918  Cannock Chase Courier and Cannock Advertiser 
An Advertisement by Fereday and Sons, pharmacists, Cheslyn Hay and Bridgtown.
16th November 1918

A century ago, basket making was one of the chief industries of Cheslyn Hay the Daces and the Whitehouses being the most prominent and they are listed in the early 1800s.

Requests.
We are trying to find the location of a mystery photograph we have in our archives, it is a street party we think it was for the 1953 coronation and was outside a public house. We have compared the building with all the photos we have of local licensed premises but to no avail then this week one of our facebook members commented they thought it could be “The Swan Inn” Shareshill, unfortunately we have no photos in our archives of this establishment so if any of our readers could help with a picture of the Swan Inn we would be very grateful.
If anyone is planning a visit to our base if you can send us an email we will have all the relevant information ready for you to look at .

Responses
I received an email from one of members who was quite discouraged trying to trace her elusive family regarding John Thomas Onions from Walsall and she thanks us for our research and states that ‘Not only did I find his information there but also that of my cousins and Tom’s wife Daisy. I’d never thought that that was her real name! You are really magic workers!! Thank you so much!!”

In our newsletter 21st  Oct 2018 Roger Betts emailed an interesting request re local examples of ridge and furrow We had a lot of interesting responses, but the debate continues as
David Paradine said there was a lock keepers  house by gilpins basin opposite was a coal wharf and behind it was a field of 4 – 5 acres, belong to the farmer Mr Wootton, known locally as “The Ridges”.

General News
Eric Merchants funeral will be taking place on Friday 30th November at 12pm Streetly Crematorium and afterwards 1pm at The Ivy House Newtown. Eric requested that no one to wear black. No Flowers please but  donations to the Birmingham Dogs home would be welcomed. 

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Cheslyn Hay History Society Newsletter 11^th November 2018 Events

This Remembrance Sunday on the 11th day at the 11th hour we are remembering everyone who gave their lives fighting for their country especially the 57 men on our War Memorial who died in the Great War.

Our Salem Base

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

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

7th November1968 Cannock Advertiser 
Cheslyn Hay Salem Church Youth Club held its first Halloween party with 72 people present.

9th November 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
Mr. Jos. Baker presided over a meeting at the Salem Schools, on Thursday evening last to consider the “Permanent Memorial” for the local Soldiers.  Unfortunately, the attendance was rather small and the meeting was adjourned till next Wednesday evening.

The collection boxes in aid of the Red Cross Society and Prisoner of War Fund were counted and there were generous contributions given.
Mr. R. and Mrs. Parsons had lost a son in India, who died from fever.
There were 15 applications made from local soldiers for necessary clothing, all of which were granted.
There were three parcels sent this week by the Secretary top Prisoners of War, – Private J. Waltho, Private F. W. Ewers, and Lance Corp. S. Thomas.
A letter has been received from  Private Wm. Pearce who is a Prisoner of War in Germany.
It was reported that Private E. Bowen, of Rosemary Road, had died in France.
The ‘flu’ epidemic is very prevalent in district, and a young man named Enoch Jones, of Landywood, has died suddenly.
9th November 1918 In Memoriam In loving memory of Maud Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Zilpah Lucy Potts of the Lord Nelson Inn, who departed this life, November 8th 1910.
9th November 1918 Cheslyn Hay has the present opportunity of providing a free library and reading room as a memorial to war heroes of the parish.  Full details given.

General News

Stan Eades passed away peacefully in the company of his family on the 28th October 2018.  His funeral is on Monday 12th November 10:30am. at Bushbury Cemetery WV10 8NS.  Family flowers only. Donations welcome for St Giles Hospice.

One of our long standing members Eric Merchant has passed away this week. Eric always attended our Chat and Char mornings and will be sadly missed by us all. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Events
The theme for Roger’s Chat n Char this Thursday is “In Memoriam” We at Cheslyn Hay History Society will be commemorating the end of the Great war 1914-1918 starting at 10am in the Salem as usual.

Our Salem Base
Our Salem Base is open from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday we have no planned visits this week but there is a committee meeting at 1pm. Last week we were very busy we had over 15 visitors to our base who enjoyed a cuppa, a chat and access to our extensive archives

Responses
We received  quite a few emails this week commenting on our “Memories complied from an interview with Ann Ames”, everyone commented on how sad the story of the Farnell family was and how the war must have had a terrible impact on local families changing their life forever in a way they could never image, with Judy commented “If only we could learn from the past and live in peace”

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher
31st October 1968 Cannock Advertiser
A local church launched its Annual Autumn Fair on Thursday when facilities were provided for a children’s play group corner. It was the first time in the history of any of the social events at Salem Methodist Church that such an idea has been introduced and following its success, the scheme may be repeated.
31st October 1968 
Details of the will of Mr. Ernest John Denny, of “Beau Vista”, Wolverhampton Road, Cheslyn Hay, who died on April 4.

31st October 1968 
Full information on the success of the Woodman Bowling Club.

2nd November 1918 Cannock Chase Courier
The son of Dr. Hosegood, the Medical Officer of Health for the Cannock Rural District Council has gained the Military Cross.  Details of his involvement given.

 A Cheslyn Hay Lad Wounded. Writing from No 1 General Hospital, B.E.F. to Mrs. F. Whitehouse, of 15, Hatherton Street, Cheslyn Hay, Rev. R. S. Page says that her son Steve has been badly injured giving all the details.

 2nd November1918 Chat from Cheslyn Hay
At the weekly meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society on Friday evening the Secretary was instructed to send a letter a letter of thanks to Mrs. Rowland Smith for her kindness in providing a concert.
Councillor E. H. Ingram delighted the audience at the concert and Mrs. Allen, headmistress of the Girls Council Schools sent to the meeting on Friday 52 pairs of socks and 48 pairs of woollen cuffs, which the girls had knitted.
“Wyrley Wakes” as the old custom is termed were celebrated last week on the Barn Flat.
Last week Messrs. Wm. and Chas. Brough arranged a collection in aid of John Elwell, of High Street.
Also at the local Working Men’s Club and Institute a collection was made on Saturday for a member, Thomas Hood, who has been ill 25 weeks. 

General News
Sunday 11th November is Remembrance Day. Our village parade will start at Eatons on Coppice lane and march to the War memorial in Cheslyn Hay for the act of remembrance, where the Cheslyn Hay Community Choir will be performing in chapel square. The Service will then continue in the Salem Chapel.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com