| Season:
Autumn 1999 |
 |
| Vol:
32 |
| No.
4 |
| Year:
1999 |
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| Editorial: |
In this issue there is a wide spread of articles covering 15 Black Country townships, several general articles and the regular features.
The varied life of Black Country Personality No. 45 - Geoff Hill, will amaze people who have only known him since 1960 or in connection with his fund raising for Mary Stevens' Hospice. For example, at 17 years of age he was British Under 18 Cycling Champion and the business successes he had before finally settling at Amblecote, and his continued success there, confirm that he is a born businessmen.
Peter Skidmore's concise analysis of the work of the former Black Country Development Corporation in the 11 years of its existence is worthy of careful study. He records how local pragmatic politicians, though opposed in principle to that body, soon participated in its management to make it work for the benefit of the Black Country. The positive results are listed.
Congratulations to Oldbury Repertory Company celebrating 60 years existence this year. Richard Thompson has contributed an interesting account about the history of this leading Black Country amateur theatre which seemed totally professional when I enjoyed a play there earlier this year.
Alf Bradley's Recollections of a Gravedigger are amusing and instructive. When he showed Mr Christopher Firmstone the family tomb several years ago he told him how many of his ancestors had been interred there and added mischievously that there was room for several more.
The beginning of the new Millenium is seen by some publishers as a good opportunity for celebratory books. Of all those mentioned in this issue in reviews and advertisements several come into this category. Of particular interest is Sylvia Everett's Staffordshire Millenium Embroideries because the Society were instrumental in bringing together the people involved. It was our Secretary's idea to invite Sylvia to exhibit her magnificent creations at last year's Local History Fair where she met Society member/contributor/author Dianne Mannering who was immediately taken with the work and our photographer Graham Beckley took photographs of the exhibits. Churnett Valley Press stepped in to produce the book described on page 78.
Another offer is Rob Birkbeck's A Picture of a Moment in Time in which several Society members have an input. It is described on page 9 and there is an order form in the pullout.
I hope that there will be something of interest to all readers amongst the articles from our regular contributors and 5 newcomers.
Stan Hill
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| 10
things you can read about in this month's issue: |
| Sunbeam Rally -4th July 1999 - Jim Boulton |
| Scented Winter Plants - Mark Warburton |
| Wednesbury Boys' High School - CP Vale |
| Amblecote Hall - David Cox |
| Disaster at Allports Pool, Dudley - Brian J Turner |
| Deliver us from Eve Hill - Ned Williams |
| Around Old Hales Owen - Bill Hazlehurst |
| From Misses Tomlinson to the Misses Hutchinson - John Sparry |
| History is Alive and Well in Quarry Bank - Ned Williams |
| John Cochrane's Woodside Works - Peter J English |
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