Gustav. Hamel at Blackfords, 1913. From the ‘Cannock Chase Jubilee Souvenir 1935’, courtesy Reg Fullelove.

Here on the blog, I don’t really have favourite contributors – everyone who makes the effort to share, write or comment is valued very much and you all make this thing what it is – but I think all of us hold a special place in our hearts for the wonderful ‘Aer’ Reg Fullelove, who has again selflessly donated a wonderful thing for us to peruse and discuss.

Last week, we were discussing the Mine Rescue Team photo donated by Bill Mayo, and Jan Wilson posted another image from the same period in the Cannock group on Facebook. The image came from the ‘Cannock Chase Jubilee Souvenir 1935’, a booklet compiled for the Royal event of that year.

Reg commented on that post in his own wonderful way:

the jubilee book was compiled by WALTER WRIGHT for cannock council to celebrate 25 years reign of king george the fifth it really is a good three penny worth and contanes some great vintage pictures of the early 1900 in cannock district and back ground information on the mines rescue teams in the cannock coal fields in those days

Being a generous chap, Reg loaned the book to the young David Evans, who was good enough to scan it, so thanks to the hard work of both gentlemen, I can share the whole work for all to read.

There are some wonderful things within, it’s well worth a read. I particularly liked this passage on the subject of adverse weather:

It wouldn’t be British without a bit about the weather! Cover image kindly supplied by Jan Wilson.

Whatever other records may be claimed by the years 1910-35, it may safely be said that they brought to Cannock Chase the fiercest blizzard and the greatest deluge within living memory. The blinding snowstorm of February 24th, 1933, silenced for a time all the ‘old-timers,” who had bemoaned the passing of the old-fashioned winter, but the fact remains that very seldom in the last few years has one awakened to find snow up to the windowsills as one did twenty years ago..

Nothing, however, has approached the floods of June 14th, 1931, for on that Sunday over three inches of rain fell in an hour and a half. Kerbstones trundled downhill like pebbles, buildings and railway lines were undermined by gaping holes, gardens were washed clear of their potatoes, low-lying houses were awash from front to back, and everywhere was. spread devastation and ruin.

I smiled at the potato reference.

Thanks to David and Reg for yet another wonderful act of continued generosity that’s deeply appreciated, as always. Thank you.

I won’t repeat my comments about Facebook, they clearly hit the intended target last time… who new a request to credit an author could be so contentious 😉

You can either download the entire book in PDF form below, or view pages individually in the gallery beneath.

If you spot anything interesting, feel free to comment or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.

Cannock Chase Jubilee Souvenir 1935