The civic crest of Aldridge and Brownhills UDC, granted in 1968 and with motto suggested by two Shire Oak School pupils. To find out more about it at the site it came from, lick on the image.
I had this enquiry in the week, which I think makes good research material for a wet, bank holiday weekend. The enquirer – known only as Glenys – poses some interesting questions. I’ve not heard of ‘The White House’ Walsall Wood, and can only think of Shire Oak House in Sandhills.
I’ve heard the story about the UDC records before, but suspect it’s hokum. What I do know is that the breakup was messy, and that the records that do exist are spread through archives far and wide – Walsall Local Hisotry Centre, Lichfield Records Office, Stafford etc. Gerald Reece recently told me records he was looking for were actually found at Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, rather than Necastle Under Lyme. They’d been sent to the wrong place by mistake.
Glenys asked the following:
Hello Bob,
I am doing research for friends in London. Particularly concerning Alfred Lloyd born 1886 in Clayhanger who was assistant surveyor for Brownhills council early 1900s, then moved to Hammersmith London in the 30s to be Borough surveyor. His father John lived at the White House, Walsall Wood.
John’s obituary in the Walsall Observer 1914 recorded that he was a member of Brownhills council around 1910. He died in 1914. It stated that he contributed to the poor of the area ‘quietly and unobtrusively’. Any leads would be fantastic as the now John did not know his father Alfred who died when he was only 2 years old.
Until I discovered John Snr had no idea of his grandfather or his benevolence.
Incidently, is it true that all Brownhills electoral records and council minutes for the period 1910-1930 were destroyed in a fire by council officials in a fit of pique at the almagamation of councils?! As this is what I have been led to believe.
Looking at your blog – and I’m afraid to say this is the first time I have used this media – I can see you are a really busy and interesting person so I will understand if you do not spend much time on this but anything would mean a lot to a 77yr old who wants to know his roots…
Kind regards
Glenys
So, what can we find of the Lloyd family, their connection with the Urban District Council and The White House, Walsall Wood? All contributions gratefully accepted. Comment here, or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
My best wishes to Glenys, and thanks for the kind words.
Brownhills High Street in the early 1900s, undoubtedly as Alfred Lloyd and his father would have remembered it. A wonderful picture from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington.