'The Stately Homes of West Bromwich' - Robin Pearson

As West Bromwich developed into a town in the 19th Century many of its good and great - industrialists, public officials and private residents - lived in grand houses along the Birmingham and Beeches Road.

Meet/Park corner of Thynne and High Street A-Z page 80 5C

'Brockmoor and Bromley' - Ned Williams

Walking from the centre of Brockmoor towards Bromley via canal locations and an abandoned railway track

Meet/Park Cressett Lane off Brockmoor High Street A-Z page 03 5G

"THE BLACK COUNTRY AS A TOURIST DESTINATION" with speaker Keith Cheatham

Keith is the former Tourist Officer of the Black Country explores the nooks and crannies of this special area and comes up with some interesting and entertaining results.

Mark, a local journalist, talks about his research into the activities of the Home Guard during World War Two. Was this Britain’s finest hour? Not to be missed by fans of Dads Army.

David, curator at The Black Country museum, historian, Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians and a highly regarded and prolific author on historic household items looks at the contents of the smallest room in the house.

Shropshire author Dorothy Nicolle examines the life and works of Britain’s greatest pioneer photographer and shows some fine examples from the largest privately owned archive in the country.

"Yesteryears Folklore-Some Customs and Traditions" - with speaker Dr Colin Harris,

Colin,a tutor at Warwick University and broadcaster is an enthusiastic and entertaining speaker who likes nothing better than audience participation. He will reveal all about Horn Dancing, Bottle Kicking, Rope Pulling and Gurning.

"Whistling Round the World-The History of Whistles" - with speaker Simon Topman

Simon, of J Hudson and Co, manufacturers of the ‘Acme Thunderer’ is a much sought after and amusing speaker with an endless supply of absorbing anecdotes so don’t be deceived by the title of this lecture.

"Life with Steeple Jack Fred" - with speaker Sheila Dibnah

Sheila, widow of the great British eccentric, reveals what it was really like to live with a much loved celebrity and television presenter; a respectful, funny, upbeat and very informative presentation of life with Bolton’s most famous steeplejack.

THIS LECTURE WILL BE HELD IN THE WORKERS INSTITUTE AT THE BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM.

INITIALLY TICKETS (£5) WILL BE RESTRICTED TO MEMBERS AND WILL BE ON SALE AT THE THREE LECTURES PRIOR TO APRIL OR BY POST TO: WJ MORGAN LOWER WHITTINGTON FARM KINVER STOURBRIDGE DY7 6PA (PLEASE ENCLOSE SAE). Cheques payable to the "Black Country Society" please.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY, TICKETS AT £7 WILL BE OFFERED TO NON-MEMBERS ONE-MONTH PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

Black Country Geological Society

The BCGS is for all interested in this fascinating science. It was founded in the 1970s, and is the successor to the geological society which flourished in the 19th Century at a time when geology was developing - mainly in Great Britain - as a science, and when the Black Country led the world with the Industrial Revolution, based on the geological deposits found here - coal, iron ore and limestone - chiefly.

It became one of the most important geological locations in the world, frequented by great luminaries, such as Sir Roderick Murchison, who established the Silurian System. An abundance of fossils such as the" Dudley Bug", which is a TRILOBITE, and over 650 other types, from some 420 million years ago, are found. Some are completely unique to the limestone in Dudley. Recently, the remnants of a volcano, complete with ash and volcanic bombs, has been found near Russells Hall Hospital.

We run a programme of monthly lectures/talks from September to April, meeting in Dudley Geological Museum, followed by a series of Field Trips to geological sites all over the Midlands. No qualifications are necessary to join - just a genuine interest.
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Sent by Gordon Hensman, BCGS Meetings Secretary.
10, Parkway Road, Dudley DY1 2QA 01384 256423

(Please contact Gordon Hensman direct with any questions about the BCGS)

In order that applications can be dealt with quickly and efficiently, please:

• Complete the booking form below
• Enclose a cheque for the correct total amount payable to The Black Country Society
• Include a stamped self-addressed envelope
• Send to The Black Country Society, Summer Programme, PO Box 71,
  KINGSWINFORD, DY6 9NY

NB: One cheque for Summer Programme bookings only
PLEASE DO NOT include subscriptions, publications or any other payments

THE BLACK COUNTRY SOCIETY - MEMBERS ONLY
SUMMER PROGRAMME 2010 TBA

Name ……………………………………………………… BCS Mem. No …….…

Address ………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………… Tel ………………….

**National Trust Members @ £21.00

TOTAL AMOUNT cheque payable to The Black County Society £ ……….....

Please tick preferred pick-up point below:

Sava Centre, Oldbury …… Dudley, Tower Street ……
Stream Road, Kingswinford (16th May only) ......

Travel directions/parking/meeting points will be issued with confirmation of booking. Admissions/food etc. included only where stated.

Please post form, cheque and stamped self-addressed envelope to:
The Black Country Society, Summer Programme, PO Box 71, KINGSWINFORD, DY6 9NY

INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP

The IA Group is restructuring its activities in 2010, starting with the launch of a new series of evening lectures by Group members at the Pumphouse, (Headquarters of the Dudley Canal Trust) Peartree Lane, Dudley, commencing at 7.30pm.

MUSHROOM GREEN CHAINSHOP

Update 12/4/2010 - The chainshop is opening again, as per the announcement in a recent issue of the Express and Star. Initially, the opening day is Sunday 9th May 2010, from 2.30pm to 5pm. If regular dates are notified to me I will publish them. (editor)