Caz, a regular, long time reader of the Brownhills Blog has recently mailed me a couple of brilliant items which will be of huge interest to local history enthusiasts reading the blog. I’m turning them into a post of their own, because I’ve replied to Caz’s email, but she doesn’t seem to be receiving my mail. I’d just like to tell you, Caz, that your mails to me are fine. I think there might be a problem in the other direction.
First up, there’s this wonderful photo:
Come on folks, lets see what you know about this wonderful period group. under where they were off to? Picture kindly supplied (and scanned beautifully) by reader Caz.
Hi Bob,
I came across this photo, and tried to figure out how to send it to you when you did a post about The Weslyan Church in Walsall Wood, but being the thickie I am, when it comes to computers, I couldn’t do it and gave up.
I’m hoping I’ve figured it out now… if not, then this is going to be a really stupid email.
It’s a photograph of a day trip, which I think was organised by the Weslyan Church, although it doesn’t say where it was going to.
My grandparents,William George and Emily Maud Edwards worked at the Church. My Gran is the lady with the bow on her hat, highlighted with an arrow. I don’t know the year, but my Gran died in 1953/4 so it’s obviously before then. I can’t see my Grandad on the picture, but he died about 1950/1 so perhaps it was later than this. Perhaps one of your readers may recognise someone and be able to give some info about it.
Assuming that I’m not a complete idiot and the pic actually comes to you, feel free to use it, if you wish. If not then delete and accept my apologies for wasting your time.
Caz
Caz, I can assure you this is a fine submission as any I’ve had. Well scanned, got here in one piece and I love the writeup. You are certainly never wasting my time and I always look forward to hearing from you. Lets see what the readers know about this one – please drop me a line at BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com or comment on this post. Cheers.
Caz sent me another cracking item later that day. It’s related to the ongoing interest in the Mortuary, in Bulliings Heath, Walsall Wood. It’s a map of the immediate area dated 26th February 1879:
The mortuary appears to be, from later maps, where the two square buildings are marked, cutting off the corner of plot number 142. The original image was in colour, but I've greyed it to prevent identifying information being shared. Map kindly supplied by reader Caz.
Hi Bob,
Hope I’m doing this right and you get the Map.
If the mortuary was built about 1905? I’m wondering what the ‘square’ is on this map, in a similar area to the mortuary on later maps.The map is dated 26th february 1879 and stamped and ”certified to be a true extract from the Plan attached to the Walsall Wood Inclosure Award deposited in the office of the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Stafford” it’s signed by a Matt F Blackiston, Clerk of the Peace. I have got another map with the mortuary marked on, but it isn’t dated, so probably wouldn’t be any use to you or would it?
I tried sending you a family photograph this morning of a goup of people, [adults and children], going on a day trip from the Weslyan Church, possibly from early 1950’s.Didn’t know if some of your readers would be interested…maybe recognise themselves or one of their family in it? I’m not sure if you would have received it though, as i’ve just read that pics have to be resized to a smaller megabyte?
As you can tell Bob, I’m not that good when it comes to this, so if i have made mistakes let me know and I’ll try again.
best wishes Caz
This is a brilliant thing – it gives a bit more insight to what’s going on in this area before the earliest decent Ordnace Survey maps. Am I correct in thinking that the name Arblaster sounds familiar? Sure I’ve seen that before in some context.
If you look at the 1888 and 1902 extracts in the original post, ‘A Strange Undertaking’, they both show these buildings as the above segment. The closest map post-1905 I have access to right now is the 1919 segment featured int he post ‘The way the land lies’ which shows a driveway to a building slightly further away, at a different angle:
1919 Ordnance Survey map of Bullings Heath. Note the arrangement of the mortuary.
What the two original buildings are, is anyone’s guess. I’m thinking maybe a barn and pig sty, but that really is a guess. I’m saying that purely because of it’s proximity to a farmyard and shape and relative sizes, but I have no idea other than to guess. Anyone care to speculate?
I, and other readers, would love to see any maps you have… even undated, they are a fun and engaging point of interest. I can assure you that the scan was fine and just the right size and settings. Thanks Caz for your act of generosity and for your continued wonderful contributions.
Can I also point out that you have indeed got the hang of scanning and sending documents. Please let me know if you didn’t receive my email… and thanks again.