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| Season:
Autumn 2002 |
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| Vol:
35 |
| No.
4 |
| Year:
2002 |
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| Editorial: |
Welcome to the Autumn 2002 edition of The Blackcountryman. The magazine once again contains a fascinating miscellany of articles, ranging from an informative and somewhat disturbing account of the decline of water voles throughout the Black Country, through an erudite consideration of the important role that the inventor Henry Cort played in the industrialization of the Midlands region, to an evocative account of the life and work of Nurse Mary Powell, an unsung heroine of Walsall in the first decade of the twentieth century. Several letters from pupils at Colley Lane Community Primary School are also reproduced, following a visit they made to Mushroom Green Chainshop and village earlier this year. Two poems are included in this issue, and there are also a couple of short features concerning football, just in case anyone is suffering from withdrawal symptoms following all the fervour and fever of the World Cup!
Also in this issue there is a colour centre-page spread, depicting some of the wonderful vintage, veteran and classic vehicles at the Black Country Vehicle Rally, held at the Black Country Living Museum earlier this year. The Book Review section includes a review of a major new book about Cradley Heathens, the giants of Midland speedway, and there is also an article evoking memories of National Service, which will undoubtedly strike a chord with many readers. There is no cartoon due to the recent death of Len Pardoe at the age of 78. Len illustrated many of the cartoons in The Blackcountryman and will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family.
This is my fourth magazine since taking over as Editor in late 2001, and therefore marks the first complete year of my editorship of The Blackcountryman. During this year, I have been constantly amazed by the number of people interested in the history and heritage of the Black Country, and often in awe of the breadth of knowledge displayed about all aspects of the area. I would therefore like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone involved in the magazine: contributors of articles, correspondents, reviewers, printers etc. for making my first year as Editor so enjoyable (and occasionally rather challenging!). I would especially like to thank Stan Hill for his continued support and input – his suggestions and vast number of contacts have been invaluable to me in ensuring the continued success and development of The Blackcountryman.
Once again, at the risk of being repetitive, can I appeal to all budding or current writers to send in articles for consideration – this is your magazine, and should reflect your interests and thoughts. Any item, no matter how long or short, is welcome, and I would especially like to receive more features on art, music and literature. As an incentive, I can reveal that several contributors to the magazine have recently had their articles reproduced in the Express & Star – The Blackcountryman could therefore be a springboard for budding literary giants!
On a personal note, I would like to wish Peter Skidmore (our Treasurer and my former history teacher) a continued speedy recovery after his recent illness.
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| 10
things you can read about in this month's issue: |
| Civil Unrest 17501837 (Part 1 - Bread & Butter Riots of 1766 - David Cox |
| Henry Cort & The Black Country - Eric Alexander |
| Thoughts on Early Bedcote and Stourbridge - John Hemingway |
| BC Personalities No. 57 - Dr. Geoff Allman - Stan |
| A Life Given For Others - Bette & George Powell |
| The Black Country Home Guard - Mick Wilks |
| A National Serviceman in the 1950s - F Bernard Shaw |
| Carnival Week in Oldbury - Dr H Max White |
| That Small Acreage that was Chance Brothers - J Reg Flavell |
| A Unique 3-Litre Bentley - Jim Boulton |
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