This section acts as an archive for all those pieces of news we collect that are relevant to those interested in the history of Sedgley Manor. Since today's news becomes tomorrow's history this section of our site is evolving into a 'recent' history section.
March 2024 - Lord Horatio Nelson - 'Britain's Greatest Naval Hero' / Winter Teaser Answer
Nelson makes it to Sedgley (after a delay). A well known building and lesser known history.
February 2024 - The Black Country Miners: A Struggle for Justice - 1850 to 1926
A commentary on the appalling conditions and hardships endured by colliers and their families.
January 2024 - Autumn Teaser Answer
A sorely missed local gem.
November 2023 - Entertainment in Wolverhampton / Spring Teaser Answer
Recreational pursuits and a local improvement.
October 2023 - 2023 Barnett-Genge Lecture: The Diggum Uppers
Body snatchers and grave robbers in the Black Country.
May 2023 - Picture Postcards from the Black Country / Spring Teaser Answer
An illustrated talk putting the humble postcard centre stage; a Victorian property.
March 2023 - Nelson (cancelled) / Winter Teaser Answer
A meeting cancellation, and a window display.
February 2023 - Emma Sproson – Suffragette and Wolverhampton Councillor
A Black Country suffragette and Wolverhampton's first female councillor.
January 2023 - Autumn Teaser Answer
A what can't you see teaser.
November 2022 - The Kinver Light Railway / Spring Teaser Answer
From Amblecote to Kinver by tram. A tribute to an industrial pioneer.
Ned Williams delves into his own book on the subject to present archive images and tell stories about the rich heritage of these shops, as this year the Dudley Co-op celebrates 150 years of retailing.
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II's visits to the Black Country.
Local favourite Mary Bodfish covers arguably the most famous political story in British history.
March 2022 - Over and Under the Rowley Hills / Winter Teaser Answer
Rob Broadbent takes us on a tour highlighting landmarks and quarries above ground and the Victorian era Netherton Canal Tunnel beneath taking in curiosities such as Rowley Rag and the Pepper Pots. A local pub.
February 2022 - Black Country Transport in the Early 1960s
Keith Hodgkins, chairman of Tipton Civic Society and passionate Black Country heritage campaigner, shares images from a time when canals still carried some commercial traffic and British Rail mainline locomotives were regularly steam powered.
January 2022 - Christmas Greetings, Geoparks and Autumn Teaser Answer
The Black Country Geopark, and a remnant of historical transport.
November 2021 - The Role of Photography in Local History
Ned Williams the popular Black Country historian delves into his extensive collections of images covering life and times in the Black Country.
October 2021 - 2021 Barnett-Genge Lecture: The Red House Glass Cone / Summer Teaser
Kate Round, an outreach presenter and tour guide for Dudley Museum Service, gives an insight into the glass industry and the history of one of only four remaining glass cones in the country. A building with a history.
July 2021 - Spring Teaser Answer / Postponed talks
A pool with a possible history, and recording another of our unprecedented updates.
April 2021 - Winter Teaser Answer
A building conversion of interest.
January 2021 - Autumn Teaser Answer
A street name with a story.
October 2020 - Summer Teaser Answer
A wall with a past.
May 2020 - Meeting Cancellations / Spring Teaser Answer
Pandemic causes meeting cancellations. A full scale model.
March 2020 - Oliver Cromwell - Royal Executioner or Our Chief of Men / Winter Teaser Answer
Max Keen brings his unique take on history to the life of Oliver Cromwell. A street view from above.
February 2020 - Sedgley Heritage Trails
Karen Moore introduces a new leaflet covering two trails around Sedgley that take in local sights of interest.
January 2020 - My Family Tree / Dudley Time Trail / Autumn Teaser Answer
A members' and visitors' meeting to bring along memorabilia related to their family history. An urban trail around Dudley centre, and an advert for a local company.
November 2019 - The Life and Legacy of Eliza Tinsley – Black Country Nail Mistress
Eliza Tinsley, the Sedgley-based Victorian entrepreneur, is given the spotlight in this talk by Rebecca Wilton, a costumed demonstrator at the Black Country Living Museum.
October 2019 - 2019 Barnett-Genge Lecture: The Restoration of Bilston Town Hall / Summer Teaser
Keith Hodgkins, chairman of Tipton Civic Society and passionate Black Country heritage campaigner, gives the inside story on the restoration project on a civic building with a fascinating history. A metal post.
May 2019 - Black Country Ghosts and Hauntings / Spring Teaser
Andrew Homer, a local history author and Black Country Living Museum demonstrator, covers a selection of ghost stories from his collection. A silent swan.
March 2019 - The History of Dudley Castle / Winter Teaser Answer
Max Keen, with a popular and unique presentation, follows the heroes and villains of Dudley Castle from 1071 to 1933. A new war memorial.
February 2019 - Frederick William Hackwood
Ian Bott presents an illustrated talk celebrating the life of influential Black Country and Staffordshire historian, F. W. Hackwood, author of Sedgley Researches [1898].
January 2019 - Schools, Churches and Chapels
A members' and visitors' meeting to bring along memorabilia to do with places of education or worship.
November 2018 - Black Country Chapels / Autumn Teaser Answer
Ned Williams displays images from his three books celebrating non-conformist places of worship. A poignant memorial.
Samantha Badger focuses on the Turnpike Trusts from their start in 1706 through to closure in the 1890s when tolling succumbed to the railways. A local farmhouse.
September 2018 - Tell Them of Us
WW1 bravery and sacrifice remembered in Barbara Price's research into local heroes.
May 2018 - Made in the Black Country / Spring Teaser
A delve into the archives by Chris Smith to uncover some manufacturing tales. An impressive church.
March 2018 - The History of Smethwick / 2017/18 Autumn / Winter Teaser
From Domesday village to Victorian boom-town, Mary Bodfish reviews Smethwick's fluctuating fortunes. Some cast iron street furniture.
February 2018 - A Grave Subject
Ian Bott takes a deadly serious look at the Black Country’s treatment of mortality through macabre and humorous stories.
January 2018 - Black Country Miscellany and Memorabilia
Open meetings usually turn up rarely seen items from family collections – photographs, artefacts, books and locally made items. Members and visitors are invited to bring along absolutely anything with a Black Country connection.
November 2017 - Sedgley Beacon – Past, Present and Future / Summer Teaser
Simon Atkinson, Conservation Manager of the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust outlines exciting projects for Dudley’s most accessible viewing point for Wales, Wolverhampton and large parts of the Black Country. A well-known former(?) entertainment venue.
October 2017 - 2017 Barnett–Genge Lecture: Looking at Shops
Ned Williams returns with a presentation recalling Black Country retail from corner shops to department stores - all aboard this shopping trip down memory lane.
September 2017 - Joeys, Joshers and James
Phil Clayton covers the rise, fall and regeneration of the Black Country and Birmingham canals.
May 2017 - The Black Country from the Air / Spring Teaser
Looking down on our local area in a positive way. A threatened (not threatening) pub.
March 2017 - You Can’t Abdicate and Eat It / Winter Teaser
Mary Bodfish recoounts local connections to a right royal affair. A local playhouse.
February
2017 - The Midlands Zeppelin Outrage
Ian Bott, the ever popular Wednesbury based local historian and author gives an account of the airship attacks of 101 years ago.
January
2017 - Childhood – Toys, Games & Playtime/Autumn Teaser
Members and visitors are invited to raid their toy boxes for childhood memorabilia collected over the years – from dolls & soldiers to Lego & the Rubik's Cube - the list is endless. Canal boat links.
November
2016 - The Gornals Revisited/The Somme Remembered
Ned Williams, the well-respected Black Country historian, explores the Gornals and shares his warm affection for the villagers and their traditions. A local link to the Battle of the Somme.
October
2016 - 2016
Barnett–Genge Lecture: The Amazing Life of Dud Dudley/Summer Teaser
Chris Smith, local history author, is on the trail of the underrated Dud Dudley – Woodsetton’s iron smelting pioneer. A local rock face.
September
2016 - Tracing Your Family History
Anne Clark shares her insights, providing hints for newcomers and old hands alike.
May
2016 - A Missionary Family/Spring Teaser
Penny Smith recounts an amazing story about a family of Victorian missionaries featuring the Midlands, the south of England and sunny climes much farther afield. A derelict factory.
March
2016 - A Nostalgic Tour of Old West Bromwich/Winter Teaser/The
Gornals/Barren Winter
Keith Hodgkins' archive photographs show the changing fortunes of West Bromwich from the 1900s to the 1970s. A sculpture identified, a plug for the Gornals and echoes of Shakespeare.
February
2016 - Haunted Black Country
Ian Bott presents an illustrated talk guaranteed to grip the imagination with tales of spooky sites and their ghosts.
January
2016 - Books, Magazines and Comics/Autumn Teaser
Members and visitors are invited to scour attics, cupboards and bookcases for books of all kinds, sports programmes, old magazines and childhood comics. A well-known road.
November
2015 - From Christmas Past to Christmas Present
Mary Bodfish’s illustrated talk follows the festive season and its traditions through the ages.
October
2015 - 2015 Barnett–Genge Lecture: The Gornals/Summer Teaser
Ned Williams, the well-respected Black Country historian and
author,
explores the Gornals and shares his warm affection for the villagers
and their traditions. A couple of important community buildings.
September
2015 - The Black Country in Old Black & White Photographs
Eddy Hickey provides an illustrated talk on some of the images
he's found on old glass plates and managed to digitise.
May
2015 - The Rise & Fall of the Whitehouses of Turls Hill/Spring
Teaser
Lorna Stevens showcases her research on one of Woodsetton’s
most influential families - the Whitehouses of Turls Hill. Also a Black
Country MP.
March
2015 - Beers & Breweries of the Black Country/Winter Teaser
Keith Hodgkins vice chairman of Tipton Civic Society
and passionate Black Country heritage campaigner presents archive
photographs of breweries from the last fifty years. A very tough teaser.
February 2015 - Magical Midlands Mystery Tour
Ian Bott presents an illustrated talk on stately homes,
beauty spots, a few wayside inns and lots more places of
interest.
January
2015 - Collections, Hobbies
and Pastimes/The Limes/Autumn Teaser
A members and visitors evening for sharing items gathered or
made.
Raid your attics and cupboards for personal treasures. A famous Sedgley
building and a forgotten
mission church.
November
2014 - Black Country Zeppelin Raid
An unwelcome visitor arrives on the home front in 1916.
October
2014 - 2014 Barnett Lecture: Cavalier Dogs and Roundhead Rogues/Summer
Teaser
Mary Bodfish's illustrated talk portrays the family tensions
caused
by the English Civil War as it ebbed and flowed around Birmingham,
Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley. An interesting set of tiles.
September
2014 - Wolverhampton's Coffee Mill Makers/Summer Treats/Sedgley Journal
No. 7
Kate Hartland-Westwood's award-winning presentation on coffee
mill
makers.
The talk is very apt for the Society with Census returns in Sedgley
showing several coffee mill makers. Also the summer's exhibitions at
Himley Hall. Sedgely Journal No. 7.
May
2014 - The Life and Times of Alfred Hickman – Ironmaster/Spring
Teaser
Chris Smith has been on the trail of Alfred Hickman a Black
Country
industrialist, Wolverhampton MP, land owner and philanthropist. A
signficant structure.
March
2014 - A Nostalgic Tour of Old Dudley/Winter Teaser
Keith Hodgkins gives an illustrated talk showing Dudley from
the
1900s to the 1970s. A house move.
February
2014 - Lost Mansions of the Black Country
Ian Bott, the ever popular Wednesbury historian, presents
an illustrated talk about grand houses before their destruction through
fire, demolition or neglect.
January 2014 - Home Sweet Home/Autumn Teaser/In the Bleak Midwinter
A members and visitors evening for sharing research and tips on tracing their house history. Bring along artefacts, photographs, posters and memorabilia or just tell a story about your house. A long forgotten school in Upper Gornal and a medieval field.
November
2013 - Old Stourbridge/Sedgley Secrets
In a late change to the programme George Blackham’s Sedgley Secrets
slide show
introduced some lesser known facts and trivia about well known
buildings and landmarks.
October
2013 - 2013 Barnett Lecture: Wall Heath Memories / Summer
Teaser
Terry Church talks about Wall Heath in the 1950s and 1960s. A
local
church.
September
2013 - All Saints' Memories/Dudley Walks/Sedgley Churches
Martin Jones talks about the links between church and village.
Walks
around Dudley are highlighted and two Sedgley churches participate in
heritage open days.
May
2013 - Stagecoach Inns to Indian Cuisine / Spring Teaser
Samantha
Badger, serves up a feast of historical titbits with her presentation
tracing the history of eating
out and takeaways in Wolverhampton. A query about reclaimed land.
March
2013 - A Nostalgic Tour of Old Tipton / Winter Teaser
Keith Hodgkins, vice chairman of Tipton Civic Society
shows archive
photographs of Tipton between the 1900s and the 1970s. A teaser
photograph reminding us of local industry.
February
2013 - Black Country Murders
Ian Bott presents an illustrated talk based on his book about tragedies between 1900 and 1958; an evening of crime and mystery – solved and unsolved.
January
2013 - Our Love Affair with Wheels/The Bullring in Snow
A members and visitors evening for sharing
memories about bicycles, motorbikes and cars. Everyone is invited to
bring along artefacts, photographs, posters and memorabilia or just
tell stories about their love affair with wheels. An excellent old
photograph of the Bullring under a blanket of snow.
November
2012 - Dudley Canal Trust /Autumn Teaser
Vic Smallshire (Chairman of Dudley Canal Trust) presents a
slide
show that records the restoration and conservation of a vital piece of
the waterway. Work began in 1964 and a rolling programme of
improvements has made this venture into a remarkable tourist
attraction. A new centre for visitors is at the design stage and
ambitious plans are still to be realised for some disused tunnels.
A local water source stretched memories.
October
2012 - Upstairs, Downstairs/Coseley Scouts
Patricia Boyd recounts the real lives of Victorian servants. Coseley Scouts Centenary.
September
2012 - St. John's Church preserved, Olympic Torch in the manor, Summer
Teaser
Deb Brownlee and Chris Smith talk about St. John’s and the
project to bring it back into use. Also the Olympic Flame reaches
Coseley. A well known name appears somewhere surprising.
May
2012 - A Sparky Talk and the Spring Teaser
John Hughes reminisces about the days before low energy bulbs and fused plugs, and a rather unusual water feature now playing host to a rarity.
March
2012 - Black Country Railways, Winter
Teaser, Winter Walks and a Coseley Calendar
Keith Hodgkins traces the evolution of main lines and branches with vintage images recalling the days when the region’s industries were well served with a network bringing in raw materials and leaving with products as diverse as steel bars and sausages. A well known Sedgley building with an interesting past, a stately home, and a local calendar.
February
2012 - Hackwood’s Wednesbury
Ian Bott's illustrated talk celebrates the life and hometown of an influential Black Country and Staffordshire historian, Frederick William Hackwood (author of Sedgley Researches [1898]).
January
2012 - Sporting Memories/Autumn Teaser Answer
A members and visitors' evening for sharing their memories of
sporting events and personalities connected with the Black Country and
further afield. In addition there will be notes on London’s three
Olympic Games and an opportunity to test your knowledge of obscure
local sporting links. A railway station in the manor.
November
2011 - Black Country Living
Museum
This illustrated history of the site provides an opportunity for potential visitors to see how the 26 acres of derelict industrial land have been turned into Britain’s friendliest open air museum.
October
2011 - 22nd Barnett Memorial Lecture - Beer, Bets and Bull-Baiting
Mary Bodfish portrays a C19th
Black Country where the working classes had a lifestyle steeped in
drink and gambling, and 'enjoyed' bloody amusements like
prize fighting and bull-baiting with dogs.
September
2011 - Restoring Old Photographs/Summer Teaser Answer
Eddy Hickey presents a jargon free approach to
removing creases and reducing other damage to priceless old
photographs. A vital piece of woodwork.
May
2011 - AGM/Walking the Wren’s Nest/Spring Teaser Answer
Friends of the Wren’s Nest give details of the latest projects
and routes to explore as well as explaining the unique history of this
National Nature Reserve. A large sculpture interestingly located.
March
2011 - The
Last Days of Steelmaking at
Round Oak/Winter Teaser Answer/Census 2011
Keith Hodgkins, vice-chairman of Tipton Civic Society, gives a
slide
show of photographs of Brierley Hill's
Round Oak Steelworks. A local landscape - but where and how was it
formed? Happy birthday to the census.
February
2011 - Time Gentlemen Please! – A Gallery of Pub Signs/Winter
walks
Local historian, Ian Bott, with a slide show celebrating the
fine
tradition of pub naming and a few recommendations for getting out and
about.
January 2011 - That's Entertainment – Stage, Screen and Radio
A members and visitors' evening for sharing memories of the entertainment offered to Black Country audiences via theatre, cinema and radio/TV.
December 2010 - Autumn Teaser Answer
A not completely forgotten pioneer craftsman.
November 2010 - Victorian Boiler Explosions
Philip Jones presents his award-winning research into local
Victorian boiler explosions, which, unfortunately, weren't as uncommon
as one may have hoped.
October 2010 - 21st Barnett Memorial Lecture
Editor of the community magazine Village Voice, Chris Smith,
highlights some of the more unusual stories that have appeared in the
magazine over the last five years.
September 2010 - Ticket to China/Summer Teaser Answer
Geoff Harrison, SLHS chairman, recollects 1980s China which
he
visited as a member of a Board of
Trade party engaged in discussions with their ceramic industry. Ruins
with a continental link.
May 2010 - AGM/The Longbow/Spring Teaser Answer
Mark Cooper, secretary of the Bowmen of England Archers, tells
the
story of a famous English weapon of war. A famous local landmark
features in the Spring Teaser.
March 2010 - Baggeridge Colliery/Winter Teaser Answer/Coseley Baths
Vic Smallshire discusses the history of one of South Staffordshire’s most famous pits. A street scene in the Winter Teaser. Also the end for Coseley Baths.
February 2010 - Picture Postcards from the Black Country
Ian Bott with a miscellany of evocative Black Country images selected from the once popular medium of picture postcards.
January 2010 - World War Two Remembered
A members and visitors' evening for sharing memories of the war years.
November 2009 - SLHS 25th Anniversary - 1984 ~ 2009/Autumn Teaser Answer
Founder members reminisce about the Society's early days
and the local history museum that operated for sixteen years. A teaser
of a site.
October 2009 - 20th Barnett Memorial Lecture/Summer Teaser Answer
Building Stones
of the Black
Country Area drew attention to local buildings and, in a
similar
vein, a sculpture (sadly) now in storage.
September 2009 - Kinver Rock Houses/Welcome to Sedgley
Season opener - David Bills provides some insight into the
famous
red sandstone houses. Also Sedgley gets a new sign.
News shorts from summer 2009
May 2009 - Looking at Yesterday/Spring Teaser Answer
Following the 2009 AGM, Society member, Eddy Hickey will be
showing
slides and photographs of Dudley and Wolverhampton that he has taken
over the last forty years. A date on a building in the Spring Teaser.
Graham Worton, keeper of geology and manger at Dudley Museum
and Art
Gallery, and nationally recognised expert on the Wren’s Nest
limestone
workings, looks at pits and quarries in Sedgley, Coseley & the
Gornals.
February 2009 - Dudley Castle/Winter Teaser Answer
Adrian Durkin, Exhibitions Officer at Dudley Museum and Art
Gallery,
traces the development of castles and highlights Dudley as a fine
example of the changes over the centuries. The Winter Teaser shows a
collection of Victorian buildings.
January 2009 - Made in Sedgley Manor/Autumn Teaser Answer
A members and visitors' evening for sharing
memories of industries and places of work in Sedgley, Coseley and the
Gornals. A poignant memorial features in the Autumn Teaser.
Christine Buckley shares her experience in researching family history.
October 2008 - Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture
An open forum led by Society members Trevor Genge and George Blackham – Who cares about the heritage of Sedgley, Coseley and the Gornals?
September 2008 - Bilston Steelworks/Summer Teaser Answer
Memorabilia, photographs and a digital presentation promise to revive memories of Bilston Steelworks. Also a church interior revealed.
August 2008 - Out and About over the Summer
A round up of relevant events over the summer holiday period.
June 2008 - Spring Teaser Answer
A local preaching cross.
May 2008 - AGM plus 'Sketches and Memorabilia'
The 2008 AGM is followed by Ron Baker and Bryan Hollies showing, respectively, sketches and items from Sedgley's past.
April 2008 - St. George visits Sedgley!/Trevor Genge Award
News of the St. George’s Day Pageant organised by Dudley MBC. Trevor Genge receives the Thomas Attwood award for education.
March 2008 - Sedgley Parish – An early C19th Vicar’s Book/Winter Teaser Answer
Dorothy Inett brings the Rev. Girdlestone's parish record to our attention and recounts some of the business of the Sedgley parish at that time.
February 2008 - Discovering Dudley: An Update
An illustrated talk by Peter Boland (Principal Conservation Officer of Dudley M. B.) covering the regeneration of Dudley town centre and the opportunities for revealing a rich heritage dating back to medieval times.
January 2008 - Wish You Were Here
A members and visitors' evening of sharing memories of
holidays -
expect to see postcards, photos, brochures and souvenirs.
December 2007 - The Black Country Urban Park Big Lottery Bid/Autumn Teaser Result
Re-opening of the man made limestone caverns under the Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve featured strongly in the Black Country Consortium’s submission to the Big Lottery Fund.
November 2007 - Dudley Archives
A visit to Coseley to see the Dudley Archives & Local History Service.
October 2007 - 18th Barnett Lecture/Summer Teaser
Trevor Genge's personal reminiscences about Andrew Barnett was the subject of the 2007 Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture. Summer Teaser answer.
August 2007 - Wolverhampton History Website/Himley Exhibition
The Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society website and Himley Hall exhibition.
June 2007 - Summer Walk/Spring Teaser Result/Cycling in the 1890s
Walking the Whitehouse way and making sense of of a cryptic teaser.
The AGM is followed by George Blackham's illustrated talk covering schools and schooling in Sedgley Manor since 1800.
March 2007 - The Stourbridge Canal/Winter Teaser
The snow delayed talk on the Stourbridge canal and result of the Winter Teaser.
January 2007 - Shops in Sedgley/Autumn Teaser
A members and visitors evening aimed at sharing memories of shops, shopkeepers and shopping in the 40s and 50s, also the result of the Autumn Teaser.
December 2006 - Christmas at the Summer House/Coseley Civic Trust Launched
Lighting up time in Gospel End/Coseley Civic Trust constituted and busy fighting to save Mount Pleasant School from demolition.
November 2006 - Coseley's Avenue of Remembrance
Coseley Urban District Council’s first official war memorial involved the planting of trees on both sides of the Birmingham New Road.
October 2006 - 2006 Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture/Summer Teaser/Sedgley Flag
The Kinver Light Railway was the topic for the seventeenth Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture, the Summer Teaser and details of the Sedgley flag.
September 2006 - Dudley Castle Talk
The Society’s new season of talks begins with John Hemingway (Archaeological Officer for Dudley MB) on the History & Archaeology of Dudley Castle.
Leave the car at home and 'walk the manor'.
June 2006 - Spring Teaser Result/Surname Surprises
Something for those with knowledge of Lower Gornal or an interest in names and locations.
May 2006 - Discovering Lower Ettingshall
The now traditional end-of-season walk this year visits Lower Ettingshall.
April 2006 - The Whitehouse Diaries
Society members Lorna Stevens and Trevor Genge follow up the AGM with an illustrated talk about the Whitehouse family - Victorian iron masters.
Apologies for our downtime between the 6th and the 9th March 2006.
Trains and Trams in March, the Summer Teaser result and Winter picture
February 2006 - Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in Watercolour
Ettingshall based landscape artist, Ray Whitehouse's second visit to the Society to display and talk about his watercolours. Ray recently finished a project researching and recording the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and its surroundings.
January 2006 - Newspapers, Magazines & Comics
Members and visitors are invited to bring along old newspapers, magazines and comics, and share memories and ‘treasures’.
December 2005 - Sedgley Flag Raised
On Saturday 10th December 2005 the 1st Sedgley Scout group raised the new village flag, the design of which is based on the civic badge of the defunct Sedgley Urban District Council.
December 2005 - Summer Teaser/Dud Dudley
John Hemingway (Archaeological Officer of Dudley Metropolitan Borough) on the trail of Woodsetton’s iron smelting pioneer, the illegitimate son of Lord Dudley - Dud Dudley.
October 2005 - Newsflash (ish) and The Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture
The speaker, Robert Earnshaw a Warden at the Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve presents an illustrated talk entitled 'The Geological and Industrial Past of the Wren's Nest'. The talk offers an opportunity to hear about Dudley's internationally acclaimed natural feature, thought by many to be worthy of World Heritage status.
September 2005 - 2005/2006 Season Talk I
"For A Glass Of Clean Water" - Trevor Genge distils the archives to tell the story of how clean water was brought to the Black Country.
July 2005 - Spring Teaser/Hansard/Hot Off The Press
A collection of front page items - SLHS gets a mention in London, teaser results, and a newspaper archive.
June 2005 - End-of-season walk
Looks like the route taken on the night may not have been quite as advertised.
May 2005 - Straits House link and Winter and Easter Teasers
Read a brief history of the threatened Straits House and catch up with our recent teasers.
April 2005 - Mobile Mast Locator
Find the mobile transmitters in your locality with this government site.
March 2005 - Himley Hall & Spring Round Up
Alan Peace, senior warden at Himley Hall, gives us an insight into this C18th local landmark. Other news items include a link to a unique Victorian photograph.
February 2005 - Dudley’s Unfolding History
Peter Boland, the Principal Conservation Officer of Dudley M. B. talks about the preservation of the remains of a glassworks under the newly created Stone Street Square, and the central Dudley scheme to highlight the development of the town from medieval times.
January 2005 - Sedgley Manor Memorabilia Evening
An open evening where members, and visitors, can share items from family collections and recall stories about past events and well known characters.
December 2004 - Autumn Teaser and Summer Answer
The results of the Summer teaser competition and link to the Autumn Photo.
October 2004 - The Turls Hill Project
David Bate, vice chairman of the Turls Hill & Swanbrook Valley Residents Association, talks about the Manor’s most exciting landscape protection programme.
September 2004 - Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture
The Sedgley Local History Society 2004/2005 season opens with an illustrated talk by Ron Moss entitled, 'Backyard Industries of the Black Country'.
A collection of front page news briefs from June 2004: All
Saint's
Anniversary reported, Coppice Baptist request help for a bicentennial
booklet, the Society's Summer Walk and results of the Spring Teaser
competition.
May 2004 - Trevor Genge Signs In with Book Five
Trevor Genge launches his fifth book of old photographs covering Sedgley and District at Queen Victoria Primary School, Bilston Street, with the opening being performed by the well known historian and broadcaster, Carl Chinn.
March 2004 - A Day with 'Time Team'
Trevor Genge tells us about his participation in the Channel 4 Time Team's sponsored National Big Dig Week.
February 2004 - Churches, Chapels and Pubs
Society member, Jennifer Hill, guides us through a pictorial presentation of some of the Manor's churches, chapels and public houses.
January 2004 - Our School Days
Members and visitors are invited to bring along books, reports, uniforms, badges and magazines to help stir some memories of local education.
December 2003 - Winter in the Manor
Seasonal greetings from SLHS and a photograph of a mystery location covered in snow to tax your minds at Yuletide.
November 2003 - Our Local Scene in Watercolour
Landscape artist Ray Whitehouse has recently finished a project researching and recording the Birmingham Canal Navigation and its surroundings as it cuts through the Black Country. On his first visit to the Society he'll display and talk about his watercolours.
October 2003 - Local Buses On Film
The Society's second meeting of the 2003/2004 season of talks sees John Hughes show some of his unique collection of cine-films and photographs covering the history of Wolverhampton Corporation's transport department from trams to trolley buses.
September 2003 - The 14th Andrew Barnett Memorial Lecture
The Society's 2003/2004 season of talks starts with the annual Memorial Lecture, given this year by John Hemingway, the Archaeological Officer of Dudley M.B.C.
July 2003 - Zoo and Castle are Divorced!
On Monday 21st July 2003 members of Dudley Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of a controversial �100 million redevelopment of Castle Hill - once part of Woodsetton village.
June 2003 - Village Names Live On
The May 2004 Local Elections will be based on new ward
boundaries.
SLHS contributed to the consultation process by ensuring the ward names
reflected the communities they cover, as this article describes.