Newsletter: July 2018
Chairman’s Report
Welcome to our new Programme of events for 2018-19, hopefully there will be something for everyone. The Society continues to be successful and we are very grateful for the support of our members. Last year the membership was again in the region of 150 with quite a few new faces.
The first talk in September last year was quite different from any others we have experienced. The subject was the animal paintings exhibited at the RA by deaf Wolverhampton artist, Richard Dent.
John Hay, also deaf, was the speaker. John teaches signing and he signed what he wanted to say to two of his students who took it in turns to relay the information to our audience.
The October meeting had a macabre theme. It centred on crime and punishment, particularly in the Middle Ages when anyone stealing property worth more than a shilling was likely to receive the death penalty. Unfortunately, because of the relatively low ceiling in the Hall, John White was unable to install his gallows, but perhaps that was a blessing in disguise. Delivered in the costume of the executioner, John took us through the barbaric punishments handed out for relatively minor misdemeanours.
In November we learnt of the power of pictures to pass on a certain point of view. Propaganda and fake news are not an invention of the 21st century. Brian Millar demonstrated how these techniques had been used for centuries to influence people’s thoughts.
Our Christmas AGM, with mulled wine and mince pies, is always a relaxed affair and last December was no exception. The hard life of people who worked the Birmingham canals was brought to life through songs with Phil Clayton on guitar and his daughter playing the flute.
Wendy Thain surprised many of us during her talk in January. She has been researching the work of the Criminal Tribunal Courts during the First World War. She found that contrary to popular belief there were very few men who were conscientious objectors. The majority of those coming before the Court were ordinary businessmen such as farmers, bakers and butchers who needed to remain at their job in order to provide food for the population.
Barbara Gwinett in February skilfully took us through the relatively short life of Button Gwinett, starting with his early life in Wolverhampton, his journey to America to avoid his creditors and how he came to be one of the signatories of the American Declaration of Independence. Because he died quite young he hardly ever needed to sign his name so any signatures are keenly sought after by collectors. There is one in St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton, but safely locked away.
As usual in an Arts Festival year we do not hold a meeting in March, so it was in April that Neil Clarke told us about the trade on and around the River Severn. In the days before its bridges the fords and ferries on the river provided the means for people to trade and communicate across this natural barrier.
Who could fail to be carried along with the enthusiasm and factual content supplied by Max Keen during our last indoor meeting of the Programme. On this occasion his subject was King John. He tried to examine the bad reputation always ascribed to this monarch and counter it with some good points, but the king still came off badly.
On July 14th was our annual coach trip. This year the coach transported us to Bristol to spend the day on a tour around the SS Great Britain and the impressive museums on-site. The sun shone, there was more than enough to keep us occupied, and an excellent day was had by all.
As you will know, for many years we have enjoyed the trips which Brian Draper has taken us on. Brian has not been well for some time and unfortunately his health has deteriorated over the last few months. At the moment he is in St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester, but very poorly. We have sent a card on behalf of the Society, giving him our best wishes.
Events during the year
In November we laid Remembrance Day wreaths on the War Memorials in Codsall and Bilbrook.
Springfield House contacted us about a Wartime Day they were planning. We assisted them by taking in a display board of local wartime photographs and giving a talk in February. Another display was organised to help the Arts Festival celebrate their 40th Anniversary in March. Local history photos complemented the display of Arts Festival material during the Exhibition in St Nicholas Church.
This year marks the twentieth year of the History Society’s existence as an independent Society, no longer an offshoot of the Civic Society. At the beginning of June we booked the Village Hall to host an Anniversary Exhibition. The main hall was filled with displays of our photographs and a range of documents, backed up by computers showing the full range of our pictures. The entrance corridor proved to be the ideal place to display thirteen panels depicting various aspects of Codsall’s history, beautifully put together by Stafford Archives. They have remained on display so more people could have the opportunity to see them.
We were fortunate to have three people from the Archive department with us on the Saturday. They brought objects to puzzle over or appreciate; a conservationist to give advice and as a special treat the original Parish Register for Codsall dating from 1585, eighteen years before the death of Queen Elizabeth. On Sunday their place was occupied by Paul Robinson with artefacts found locally on his metal detecting forays.
New Publication – Bilbrook in a Bygone Age.
Just in time for the Exhibition, Judy managed to complete and have printed a new publication. The fifty-six pages contain a wealth of photographs as well as historical facts about Bilbrook, the Church, the buildings, Boulton Paul and the railway. The later part is devoted to the memories of some of the inhabitants, going right back just after the First World War. It only costs £5 and may be purchased from Codsall Library, from Judy Davies directly, or at our meeting in September.
Beating the Bounds. This year almost everyone who started the walk completed the whole 12.4 miles of the boundary, starting from St Nicholas Church and returning there in the afternoon.
Codsall & Bilbrook History Society’s website will soon be updated with our new Programme and Newsletter. Remember to use codsallhistory.com
Staffordshire Parish Registers
Newly printed this year: Hanbury, St Werburgh Part 2: 1745 - 1812
If you are interested in borrowing this register, or any others, please contact Judy.