This is just a quick note to flag up a great talk by an excellent speaker coming up at Walsall Local History Centre next Monday evening. Ghostly legends and fascinating history of the Black Country will be recounted by talented and entertaining Wednesbury author and historian Ian Bott. Details below.
Although I’m notoriously sceptical of ghosts and such stuff, the tales and mythology are fascinating in themselves and deserve thorough study and preservation. They are a huge part of our culture, after all.
The talk costs just two quid, and I implore any reader who can go to do so – I’ve attended events Ian has presented before, and they’re brilliant. It would also be nice to show your support for the History Centre in these difficult times.
The staff of the history centre have made some remarkable contributions to the Brownhills Blog, and I’d like to draw readers attention to some of them, like the Yates Map of Staffordshire and The great Walsall Wood subsidence mystery or even The lost mortuary in Bullings Heath.
There is an excellent team at Walsall Local History Centre who provide a largely free service to everyone from serious family historians to muppets like me involved in the most bizarre bits of local history. This service is the jewel in Walsall’s cultural crown and we need to cherish and protect it.
The reputedly haunted Old White Hart inn at Caldmore (now apartments), picture taken c1890. From the Walsall Local Histry Centre Collection.
Ghostly legends and fascinating history to be revealed at public talk
Visitors to Walsall’s Local History Centre in Essex Street are in for a chilling but fascinating treat next month when a well-known local historian will be giving the latest in the Centre’s popular series of illustrated public talks.
And noted author Ian Bott of Wednesbury is ready to raise the hackles of his audience on the evening of Monday 10th February, when he will shine a light on some terrible (and occasionally tall) tales of the ‘Haunted Black Country’!
Ian, who also works at Walsall Leather Museum, is far-famed for his spooky – but historically well-researched – stories of grisly goings-on and things that go bump in the night around this historic region, from roadside to graveside, from council houses to castles.
Doors will open for ‘Haunted Black Country’ at 7pm for 7.30pm-9.00pm.
Admission costs just £2.00 and advance booking is essential by telephoning 01922 721305.
On-site car parking and disabled facilities are available at the Centre.