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| Season:
Summer 2001 |
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| Vol:
34 |
| No.
3 |
| Year:
2001 |
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| Editorial: |
Black Country Personality No. 52, Jim Shelley of Walsall, the first Walsall person to be featured in this series since Lord Tombs, Chairman of Rolls Royce (1990 - Vol. 23 No. 3) has 2 most interesting occupations. There must be something about one of these at least which contributes to a long active life - "Humph" was recently 80, further evidence!
Peter Barnsley has contributed a most interesting election article, but about the 1906 General Election when a woman voted at Woollaston Polling Station some 12 years before women over 30 were granted the vote.
Is Britain unique in the world in that it has a vast range of recreational societies which cater and help foster every imaginable interest? Amateur dramatics, model making, music making, historic role playing, cat showing, dog showing, pigeon flying, gardening, 'bus restoration, creative writing, photography ..... the list is endless, there is even a national society for those keeping tortoises. One of the best known interests is amateur operatics with a national organisation to provide support for hundreds of local societies. Geoffrey Hodgetts's article gives a brief history of one of the best known amateur operatic societies in the Black Country. The dedication of those who work so hard, perhaps for a year, to perfect their performance to professional standards, and then start afresh on a new score immediately after the last curtain, is amazing.
The Industrial pictures by Society member Arthur Lockwood in the middle of the magazine are a preview of some he has in the exhibition at Dudley Art Gallery to be opened in September. Harry Eccleston, OBE., an exponent himself (Black Country Personality No. 22 Vol 27 No 1) writes about the value of such paintings and Charles Elwell has tracked down a most interesting painting of Wednesbury c.1850.
A summary of events at the Black Country Living Museum is included. At present vehicles from the 60 strong IMI Marston Collection of Black Country-made historic vehicles is on display. There is a chance for this unique collection to be permanently held at the museum, which would be a marvellous addition. Every effort must be made to raise the finance for the Museum to be able to take this major step forward. The Black Country Society will give full support.
Articles by Jose Thomas, about her late mother who was a Quarry Bank District Nurse, and John Sparry, about the Mass Radiography Programme, remind us of the scourge of tuberculosis which has recently re-emerged in Leicestershire. The 'menu' is completed by extracts from the diary of a French diplomat (or spy) visiting the Midlands 200 years ago, an analysis of the work of little known Walsall author John Petty, personal reminiscences, regular features and an update about another unique British hobby, historic aircraft restoration.
Good Summer Reading - and please do not abandon an article if you are not hooked by the first paragraph, as my old granny used to say, "There's plenty of good reading here". |
| 10
things you can read about in this month's issue: |
| The Mystery of Edmot Bradley - Peter Barnsley |
| The Metamorphosis of TAB Operatic Society - Geoffrey E Hodgetts |
| A Little Black Country Education - John Cartwright |
| The Brettel Lane Canal Disaster 1903 - Clive Butcher |
| Just a Little Glimpse of the Circus - Ned Williams |
| Bombelles in Britain - Ed. by Joseph Hunt |
| Artist on the Scrapheap - The Life and Work of John Petty - Paul McDonald |
| Mabel Frances Brown (1903-1976) A Cradle to Grave Record of Her Life - Jose Thomas |
| Harry Wood and the Earl of Dudley - Jeff Wood |
| Condemned Cattle, Umckaloabo - and Mass Radiography - John Sparry |
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