About Us

How it all began . . .

In 1986, the late John Blamire-Brown called a meeting for any members of Codsall Civic Society who were interested in the formation of a History Society to be run as an off-shoot of the Civic Society. Twenty-five people responded and the meeting took place in the staffroom at the High School. Such was the quiet but persuasive personality of John that, by the end of the evening, not only had the nucleus of a Society been established, but eleven of those present had volunteered to do some form of research.

During its first few years the new Society concentrated on events within the boundaries of the local parishes with only two or three meetings a year. Behind the scenes, research work was being undertaken and publications started to appear. In 1998, with the demise of the Civic Society, the History Society came into its own. David Whitehead and I, with Bill Stone as Treasurer and Margaret Dean as Membership Secretary, took on the task of keeping it going and expanding its horizons, with John’s support and guidance.

Sadly, John Blamire-Brown died, aged 93, in 2008. We will remember him not only for his original inspiration but also for his contribution to our knowledge of the area, through his research. He supplied a great deal of information to the chapter about Codsall in the Victoria County History. He was responsible for producing publications about the Gaskell family and Pendrell Hall; Monuments and Ornaments in St Nicholas Church; Church Briefs and a History of Codsall Wood, with contributions to The Churches of Codsall and Bilbrook and Codsall in Wartime. There are also as yet unpublished notes about The Alehouses, Moor Hall and the Thatch at Oaken. All of our publications have benefited from his meticulous proof-reading.

As the years have gone by, the number and range of talks has expanded. We now have a full-sized Committee. Our large, supportive membership reflects the quality of what is on offer. So, thirty-five years from conception and over two decades into its independent existence, the Society continues to thrive. Prior to the Covid era, we had 140 members and a regular attendance of 80+ at meetings. We must hope that the Society will continue to flourish when the pandemic is over and it is safe for us all to meet again.

Judy Davies
Chairman