Newsletter: August 2026
(TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTER-FRIENDLY COPY OF THIS NEWSLETTER IN PDF FORMAT, CLICK HERE)
Dear Members
Here is my Chairman’s Report:
Another successful year has come and gone. Our membership has continued to grow and our main concern is that we have enough seats in the hall to seat everyone.
The quality of the talks must be a big factor in our popularity. Last September we started the new Programme with Nigel Metcalfe taking us through the fascinating origins of some of our favourite nursery rhymes. Many of them came about as political digs at unpopular events of the time, but have existed for so very many years that their original intentions have been lost.
The following month, Kate Round took us into the world of women’s work in the glass industry. Traditionally, in what was very much a male environment, there were brave women who took on the men and the unions to prove that women could do ‘men’s work’.
To many members of the audience, the subject of the Bromsgrove Guild was a revelation. Their highly acclaimed work in wrought-iron, wood plaster and stained glass can be found not just in this country but all over the world. Quintin Watt gave us a superb insight into this guild which unfortunately has ceased to exist.
In December my talk showing slides of the old roads coming into Codsall proved to be a popular pre-Christmas subject and we had an interval which gave us the opportunity to serve the audience with prosecco and mince pies. Taking the subject of the roads surrounding Codsall enabled me to bring in the outlying villages so we were able to have a quick look at Dam Mill, Bilbrook, Codsall Wood and Oaken and see photos which had not been shown before.
The New Year saw David Burton-Pye take us through the development of the timber-framed house and the complexity of their construction at a time when the whole structure relied on the skill of the craftsmen to fit the timbers together. David went on to describe work he was involved with on two historic buildings. They subsequently won awards in 1997 and 1999. The Medieval Towns of Staffordshire was the subject of David Wilkinson’s talk the following month. We learnt about the importance of the position of settlements on river crossings, the convergence of roads and later on, the permission to hold a market tied in with the work of the guilds.
From Staffordshire towns to the first aircraft to take to the skies was the theme of our March talk. As always Andrew Lound gave us a detailed history of man’s attempts to move through the air harnessing large pieces of equipment. His very informative talk took us through the complex construction of the Hindenburg airship and the disastrous end to one of their high profile flights.
Everyone has heard of, if not visited, the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, very few people know much about the man who designed it. We were treated to an excellent talk by Alan Hill in April who was able to tell us about his early life and why his design for the Eiffel Tower was accepted as part of the 1889 Exhibition in Paris. It was interesting to learn that it was designed to be a temporary exhibit yet over 150 years later it is still a major attraction.
What a way to finish our programme year – with Max Keen in his usual exuberant form! Besides hugely entertaining us he educated us about the life and exploits of General Gordon of Khartoum – the soldier who became famous after his death featured at the end of the 1966 film starring Charlton Heston.
Leper Well – last year the site was given considerable surface maintenance and a plaque was erected to mark its existence. At the time it was found that there needed to be some repairs to the brickwork. Before it is possible to carry out any restoration, further research needs to be undertaken so that permission can be obtained from the appropriate bodies.
Publications – In December we produced a new publication, Codsall Village History Trail. This was the culmination of memories gathered from Don Walls as he and I embarked on a series of walks through the village. Don, at the age of 95, had a detailed memory of Codsall as it was before the Second World War. Incorporated into the booklet was the original Village Trail which gave details of the old buildings in Codsall along with their dates. The text is illustrated with many old photographs from our extensive collection. We were delighted that it was produced in time for Don to enjoy it and have copies to give to his family before he sadly passed away in March.
It has now been reprinted for the third time. There are copies on sale in Codsall and Perton Libraries at £5 and for £6 if ordered from Amazon.
Website – codsallhistory.org – continues to be of interest to people, not just in Codsall but all over the world. We have plans to put more of our out-of-print publications onto the site and of course it will give details of all the events in our new Programme.
Codsall displays – Autumn is the time for Local History events. Last September we had a display in Codsall Village Hall as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations and another in Perton Library in October. Both attracted considerable interest.
Cupcake Lane Café, based at the former railway station at Tettenhall, was delighted with the poster that David Burton-Pye produced for the 100th anniversary of the first train to run from the station in 1825.
Arts Festival – in two years’ time it will be the 50th anniversary of the Arts Festival. This year’s festival has been enjoyed by many people in the community. However, the small committee is losing even more volunteers as age-related problems take their toll. Are there any willing volunteers who would be keen to help make sure that the Festival can keep going in the years ahead? I will be happy to pass on your contact details or give further advice.
The Committee after the October AGM 2026:-
Judy Davies (Chairman), Peter Birkert (Treasurer), John Simpson (Membership Secretary,) David Burton-Pye (Programme Secretary), Gill Gogle. Anne Williams, Wasil Buzckowski, Anton Jenkins.
The new Committee is working well. If you wish to nominate anyone else please send details to the Chairman.
Renewing Membership: As you may well be aware, not only are banks closing, but they are now charging us for banking cheques and cash. Because of this we would like to encourage our members to pay by Bank Transfer. You will need to put your individual membership number as a reference. This may be found on last year’s Programme Card. Please send an email to Peter Birkert, the Treasurer, to say that this is what you have done.
Judy Davies
Chairman
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CODSALL & BILBROOK HISTORY SOCIETY - SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL 2026-2027
(registered charity No. 5038)
The membership renewal fee for 2026-2027 will be £15 per person. Every member has been issued with a unique membership number which can be found on last year’s Programme Card.
SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT METHODS:
1. ONLINE BANK TRANSFER: (Renewing Members only)
Please make payment to Codsall and Bilbrook History Society.
Sort Code: 30-99-83 Account No: 0 2 2 3 3 2 4 1
Your payment reference should include your membership number(s) and postcode.
Please inform the Treasurer Peter Birkert by email to CBHSenquiries@gmail.com of the date of your bank transfer, quoting your name(s) and membership number(s).
2. CHEQUE OR CASH PAYMENT (For New and Existing members)
Please send your payment together with the completed form below to Membership Secretary, Mr John Simpson, 23 Pagham Close, Pendeford, Wolverhampton, WV9 5RD. (If you’re viewing this Newsletter online, please download and print off the PDF version.)
3. PAY BY PHONE (For New and Existing members)
If you know how to use a QR code you can pay this way on your phone now too, but please make sure to add your full name when asked so that we can tie up your payment.
You may also renew your membership, or new members may join, at one of the meetings using our card machine. However, to avoid a queue at the September meeting we would ask you to pay beforehand if possible.
I/we enclose a subscription of £………………..
Name(s)………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………….
Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………....………………….
………………………………………………..………… Postcode ………………….……………..……………………..
Telephone number ……………………………… Email:………………………………….……………………