On the 13^th May, a visit was made to the Imperial War Museum, Manchester by a number of members of the Society. It was a lovely day. After looking at the exhibits and history in the museum, members did their own thing. Some visited the television studios and others travelled into Manchester by tram. A good day all round.

The little chapel in Upper Landywood was visited on the same night by Pam and Gary to give a talk on Landywood Farm on behalf of raising church funds. The talk went well with the people present and was enjoyed by all.

The A.G.M. will be held at the June coffee morning. Members are specifically asked to join in the discussions re the future direction of the Society. Any members who are unable to attend and wish specific points to be raised are asked to ring Gary on 418546 or Diane on 414417.

Dave Dunham was the guest speaker at the May Coffee morning. The talk on Zeppelin raids during the Great War was very informative. Many questions were raised and showed the interest of the audience.

Preparations are well advanced for our participation at the Carnival on June 27^th. It is hoped members will join us at our stand during the day.

Great Wyrley Sports and Social Club hosted a ukulele evening on May 27^th. Our Society organised the speaker, Jon Baddery from Stoke on Trent. He gave a talk on the life of George Formby complete with music. An accomplished banjo ukulele player, he sang a number of songs. This was followed by the Aldridge Ukulele Band playing for around 45 minutes. It was a great night. After paying out artists we donated £100 to Air Ambulance. It is hoped to do it again next year as Jon Baddery has more tales to tell on George Formby.

April 2015 Newsletter

The trip to the Imperial War Museum is on the 13th of May. It leaves Great Wyrley at 8.15 a.m. and returns about 4 p.m. The Lowry Art Gallery is also nearby. The cost is £15.00. Limited places remain. Please ring Di 414417 for further information.

The musical play ‘Four Winters at War’ is being presented by Cannock Chase Arts Council, at Birches Valley Concert Venue 6-9 pm. on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21st June. Tickets are £10 each and are available at the Prince of Wales Centre, online at boxoffice.wict.org or by calling 01543 578762.

The Society had a stall at the St. Georges Day celebration event held at Harrisons Club. A heavy shower did not deter the procession through the village or the attendees celebrating the event upon return to the Club.

A Society member, Andy Parsons, ran the London Marathon on behalf of a small underfunded medical research charity. The picture below (taken after five miles) is especially pertinent to a Wolves supporter like Andy. It meant that Baggies supporters kindly agreed to increase their sponsorship for the run. Please ring Ron 413849 for further information.

The Society has arranged a music event at the Sports and Social Club on May 27^th. John Baddeley will give a talk on the life of George Formby. It will be followed by a concert by a Ukulele orchestra. The evening starts at 8 p.m. The entrance fee is £3 and proceeds from the event will be shared with Air Ambulance service. For further information, please ring Gary on 418546.

The April coffee morning went off very well. Mac Joseph was our speaker. The talk and slide show was on the back to back houses of Ladywood Birmingham. The audience thought the talk was illuminating and we are going to invite him again next year for another one of his talks.

The speaker for the May coffee morning is Dave Dunham on sniping tactics in the Great War. In June, the coffee morning will be the A.G.M. and members are specifically asked to join in the discussions as to the future direction and plans for the Society.

The Society has a busy summer ahead and will be participating in a number of community events. These include Walk for health events on 17^th June and 8^th July, the Great Wyrley Carnival on June 27^th, and the St. Andrews 2 to 3 club on 29^th June. Plans are well advanced in preparation for our participation in the annual carnival on June 27^th.

Community News

Wyrley Wesley Chapel is holding a Mini-Market on Saturday 16^th May from 10.30 am to 12 noon and plant sales on 6^th June and 13^th June from 8am to 2pm.

A Friday Lunch Club is held monthly at the Community Centre. It includes a 3 course lunch and entertainment for £5 per person. To book, please pop in to the Parish Office in the Community Centre, Landywood Lane. Bookings are taken up to 12.30 on the Wednesday before the lunch date. Future dates are May 15^th, June 26^th, no luncheons July and August, Sep 25^th, Oct 23^rd and Nov 20^th. For further information, please ring the Parish Council office on 414768.

A reading group is taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Community Centre. For further information, please call Gail on 410563 or Diane on 414417.

The Arthur & George mini-series on TV provoked much interest. The Society was consulted and was included in newspaper articles in the Express and Star and Chronicle newspapers.

Alan Rose gave an interesting and informative address on ‘Pub Signs’ at the coffee morning. The range of signs displayed was surprisingly high. It was suggested that virtually every aspect was covered. This even included a prostitute with a Jack the Ripper sign in a pub in the East End of London.

The next two scheduled coffee morning speakers are Mac Joseph in April on ‘back to back houses in Birmingham’ and Dave Dunham in May on ‘air raids and sniping tactics in WW1’

A visit to the Imperial War Museum has been earmarked for 13th May. Diane is making provisional arrangements for review with members at the April coffee morning.

A broad range of general artefacts has been handed over by the High School. They have been shared with Trevor MacFarlane, as appropriate.

The Society is participating in the St. Georges Day celebration event at Harrisons on April 25th. The day includes a number of activities and will be shared with members at the April coffee morning. For further information, please ring Pauline on 414647.

The Society has arranged a music event at the Sports and Social Club on May 27th. John Badderey will give a talk on the life of George Formby. It will be followed by a concert by a Ukelele orchestra. More details will be included in the April news-letter and also shared with members at the April coffee morning. For further information, please ring Gary on 418546.

The Society has a busy summer ahead and will be participating in a number of community events. These include Walk for health events on 17th June and 8th July, the Great Wyrley Carnival on June 27th, the St. Andrews 2 to 3 club on 29th June and the Help for Heroes event on the Star field on 2nd August. More details will be included in subsequent news-letters.

Community News
Wyrley Wesley Chapel is holding a Mini-Market on Saturday 16th May from 10.30 am to 12 noon and plant sales on 30th April, 6th June and 13th June from 8am to 2pm.

A Friday Lunch Club is held monthly at the Community Centre. It includes a 3 course lunch and entertainment for £5 per person. To book, please pop in to the Parish Office in the Community Centre, Landywood Lane. Bookings are taken up to 12.30 on the Wednesday before the lunch date. Future dates are April 24th, May 15th, June 26th, no luncheons July and August, Sep 25th, Oct 23rd and Nov 20th. For further information, please ring the Parish Council office on 414768.

A reading group is taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Community Centre. For further information, please call Gail on 410563 or Diane on 414417.

We are pleased to confirm that Bob Quarmby has joined the Society Management Committee.

Andy Parsons has confirmed the County Museum has started to plan the cataloguing of Uncle Tom artefacts as stated in an earlier newsletter. Details of future Museum exhibitions and opening times will be confirmed to members upon receipt.

Clearance at The Star prior to its formal re-opening has unearthed a small number of documents. They are in the order of one hundred years old and have been given to the Society for inclusion in our library.

The Society has supported the Express & Star efforts in its on-going efforts to digitise its extensive library of old photos. We have received an invite to attend a briefing session in a few weeks time.

Alan Preston, a former employee of Crabtrees in Walsall gave a thoroughly interesting talk about the factory at the coffee morning. It was complemented by a film about the factory produced by the BBC which was also enjoyed by the 60 odd attendees.

Speakers at the upcoming coffee morning are Alan Rose in March on ‘pub signs’ and Mac Joseph in April on ‘back to back houses’.
The Society will be participating in the St Georges Day celebration, as organised by the Carnival Committee. Specific details will be included in the March newsletter.

Re-constituting the photo library with new database capabilities is continuing apace and is planned for completion in the March / April timeframe.

Members may be interested in the exhibition displayed below. Details of the follow-up dates are being sought and will be confirmed to Society members, if and when received.

COMMUNITY NEWS
Wyrley Wesley Chapel is holding a Mini-Market on Saturday 21st March from 10.30 am to 12 noon.

A Friday Lunch Club is held monthly at the Community Centre. It includes a 3 course lunch and entertainment for £5 per person. To book, please pop in to the Parish Office in the Community Centre, Landywood Lane. Bookings taken up to 12.30 on the Wednesday before the lunch date. Future dates are March 20th, April 24th, May 15th, June 26th, no luncheons July and August, Sep 25th, Oct 23rd and Nov 20th. For further information, please ring the Parish Council office on 414768.

A reading group is taking place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Community Centre. For further information, please call Gail on 410563 or Diane on 414417.