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| Season:
Spring 2002 |
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| Vol:
35 |
| No.
2 |
| Year:
2002 |
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| Editorial: |
Welcome to the first issue of The Blackcountryman in 2002 � I hope that you all had a good Christmas and New Year, and that not too many of your resolutions have already fallen by the wayside!
I have had considerable feedback on the previous issue of The Blackcountryman � my first as Editor � and most of it has been positive, so I am quite relieved! Please do let me know if there are things you like or dislike about the magazine � only by receiving comments from readers can I judge whether items or articles are well-received or otherwise. Any other correspondence concerning the Black Country is also welcome - for example this issue contains details of several events being organised in the area, including a vehicle rally and a school reunion.
The magazine again contains articles on an extremely wide variety of topics ranging from a history of a prolific, though little-known historian, to a fascinating account of the wildlife to be found in the Black Country �oasis� of Fens Pool. A number of important and interesting publications concerning Black Country life have recently �hit the bookshops�, and several of these are reviewed in this issue. There is also a two page colour spread showing some of the beautiful artefacts created by this issue�s Black Country Personality, William Haynes.
There are also details of the wide range of activities carried out by the various branches of the Black Country Society. The more I look at (and attend) the amazing variety of walks, talks and visits, the more I appreciate the vast amount of background work and preparation that dedicated members of the Society carry out to ensure that such events are a success. The Black Country Society has to be one of the most active and varied of all such societies throughout the country, and it is thanks to the determination and dedication of many volunteers that this situation continues.
The Blackcountryman also depends on the voluntary exertions of its contributors, so may I once again ask for potential contributors to send in their articles on any aspect of Black Country life. I would appreciate it if such articles could be either typed or word-processed, as this makes my life as Editor much easier, but if you don�t have access to such technology, please don�t let that stop you! I would also welcome accompanying illustrations � drawings, photographs or slides � all of which will be returned as soon as possible after publication.
As mentioned in my previous editorial, the Society now has its own website (www.blackcountrysociety.co.uk), and there is a feature on what the website contains on page 50. Although many people are still somewhat sceptical about many aspects of the Internet and Information Technology, it is here to stay (and is of great help to me in editing this magazine!). The website will undoubtedly expand and develop through time, and will reflect the Society�s interest in the future of the Black Country as well as its outstanding history and heritage.
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| 10
things you can read about in this month's issue: |
| Wednesbury Reservoir and Wood Green Pumping Station - BJ Williams and J van Leerzam |
| Pennocrucium - Roman Penkridge - Paul Ford |
| George Lawley, the Unknown Staffordshire historian - CJL Elwell |
| A Black Country Messiah - Frank Wyle |
| BC Personalities (William Haynes) - Stan Hill |
| Horkstow Bridge - David Humphries |
| Fens Pools - for the times of their lives - Peter R Shirley |
| All Saints' Church Choir 1950 - Bob Dale |
| Two Centuries of a Darlaston Family - Faith M Speller |
| The History and Heritage of the Optical Industry in Smethwick and Walsall - Victoria L Brookes |
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