Life in the northern wastes of Walsall
Images Kindly supplied by Brian Stringer via the young David Evans. Last week I pointed out that this weekend, there was to be an unveiling ceremony of the restored George Fullelove Memorial Shelter near The Parade in Brownhills – well, the event took place on Saturday morning (21st April 2018) in splendid weather to an…
There’s something that’s quite historically important been going on for months now right in the heart of Brownhills, that whilst not earth shattering, is very significant to our local history, and helps to preserve the memory of one of the finest sons of Brownhills: Chorister and Choir Master George Fullelove. I think few people realise…
I’ve had a fascinating and very detailed enquiry come in from reader Emma Smith that I’m hoping some of the old blog hands and researchers can help with – I know that Brownhills still has a British Legion Branch (whose current appeal for the Remembrance Parade is very important) and I hope someone can hook up with them to perhaps light this enquiry up.
There is a vey interesting pair of Great War Remembrance events coming to Aldridge in a couple of weeks for people who wish to pay respects, those who had family involvement or perhaps historical interest in the Battle of the Somme.
I’ve just noticed that there’s a unique event happening this coming Friday afternoon in Aldridge at the Manor House, marking this fine building’s unique history as a military hospital.
A couple of days ago I belatedly flagged up the wonderful installation and unveiling ceremony for the once misplaced, but now found British Legion memorial plague to the dead of two wars, located after local historian and top chap Bill Mayo asked for help with a photo here on the Brownhills Blog.
I’m a wee bit late with this (for which I apologise, things are a bit hectic of late) but here’s some great news from reader and longtime friend of the blog Martin, who writes concerning the Royal British Legion plaque that resurfaced following a photo article here on the blog last year.
The Young David Evans – working with a number of sources, including the Fullelove family and members of the Choral Society – continues his meticulous and fascinating documentation of the history of the noted, famous and popular Brownhills Co-operative Choral Society.
The wonderful Ian Pell has sent me a great contribution relating to Brownhills Choral Society – This is unusual for Ian, as his regular field is transport history, Ian, you’ll recall, has written lots of great articles about the railways of our area.
That there Young David Evans has been a busy man – not just with his comments, explorations of The Wood’s watercourses, or even his pursuit of squeezing great memories from David Oakley – no, David has thrown himself into researching George Fullelove, the great musical son of Brownhills, the Choral Society he was an exponent of, and the rich and surprising choral culture locally.
Here’s one I’ve mentioned before, but this is a request for information and an early warning – this one is important, and very, very elusive, but I think we should preserve this bit of Brownhills History for posterity, and so that it is not lost – it’s a beautiful thing, and not enough folk know about it.
I’m sure most of us have heard the tale from tour guides, teachers or those ‘in the know’ that the famous – some would say infamous – statue of Captain Smith in Beacon Park, Lichfield was originally made for Smith’s hometown, Hanley, in the Potteries, but was refused in shame and Lichfield took it instead.
