Sue Bray, from the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, made a welcome return, to  talk about Francis Barber. Francis was a young black slave, who was brought to England by Colonel Richard Bathhurst, whose son was a close friend of Johnson. The Bathhursts sent Francis to Johnson as a valet, just after the death of Johnson’s wife.

When Colonel Bathhurst died he left Francis £12 and his freedom. After serving some time as an apothecary in London, he ran away to sea.

Dr. Johnson arranged for his discharge, and paid for his education. Johnson came to rely on him as a secretary as well as a valet. When Johnson died he left Francis Barber an annuity of £70 and a gold watch.

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On  March 30th at the Senior Citizens Centre Broadmeadow Lane, 3.00 pm until 8.00pm we are opening our archives for  public viewing, everyone welcome.

We hope to arrange a coach trip to the National Arboretum, at Alrewas in June or July.

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Coffee mornings are at the Senior Citizens centre at 10.00 am

Coffee morning speakers:-

February 16th Women in Focus Derek Tamea

March 16th Local Murders  Anthony Hunt

March 30th Archive Viewing

April 20th Hanging Ladies Alan Rose

April 22nd St. Georges Day at Harrisons.

May 18th National Memorial  Roger Halewood

The AGM will be in June NOT July as previously advertised

Annual Event 2017, will be held at Harrison’s Sports and Social Club on Saturday November 18th.

The talk this month was by Rachel Cooksey who gave a very interesting talk about the Staffordshire Military Appeal Tribunals. Most records throughout the country were destroyed, this makes the Staffordshire collection particularly significant.

After a vote at the last coffee morning, we are reverting back to having our ‘OPEN MORNING‘ on the FOURTH THURSDAY, as this seemed to suit more people.

One of our members has a box full of copies of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aeroplanes, free to a good home. Anyone who is interested please see Diane Tolley.

I still have many photographs that have not got any description. This one just says “Nursery”. Does anyone know who these little cuties are? Any help is greatly appreciated.

We have had quite a busy month, on the 16th we attended the 50th birthday celebrations at St. Andrew’s church.

 

 

 

 

 

On the 23rd we were at Harrison’s Sports and Social Club for the celebration of St. George’s Day. Although it was quite cold there was a good crowd – at least the rain kept off!

Forthcoming attractions:-
May 19th  – The Highwayman Lee Timmins
June 16th  – Battle of Waterloo Tim Burgan
July 21st  – AGM and display boards

There are leaflets available with all speakers listed until May 2017. See Diane or any committee member.

Our Speakers at the coffee morning were Gerry Hindley, Mike Hewitt and Pam Clarke,  who gave an interesting talk on the history of the  water conduit in Cannock. The Conduit Trust was formed in 1735 to bring fresh water to Cannock. The trust is still active today, they have restored two of the original pumps, and placed plaques as near to the original sites of the pumps as possible. Pam told us how the plaque commemorating the generosity of Dr. Byrch came to be in a wall in Appledore Close.

The Senior Citizens centre is open on the FOURTH WEDNESDAY of every month, for members to view our archives, photographs and other ephemera. Why not pop in for a cuppa and a chat, we are open from 10:30am until 1:30pm, it is very informal, just come for an hour, if your time is limited.

We were sorry to see the demise of the Robin Hood. It has been a landmark at Churchbridge for nearly 200 years.

 

Does anyone know who this jolly looking couple are?


Where was it taken?

Speakers for next three months:-
April   Rachel Cooksey   Spies, Lies and Aliens
May    Lee Timmins        The Highwayman
June    Tim Burgen          Battle of Waterloo