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Meeting Report - February 2020

Paul Share, Chairman of Romsley & Hunnington History Society, welcomed everyone to the meeting on 25th February 2020. He introduced Derek Clarke, the speaker for the evening, whose talk was entitled "Repairing the Roof at Tyntesfield".

Derek informed those attending his was not exactly a talk more a journey of the ups and down of working on old properties and with the aid of slides he took everyone on this journey getting Tyntesfield, a National Trust property, into good health. The instructions given by the National Trust were that whilst the work was carried out the general public visiting had to still be able to access the house and be completely safe.

The roof was in a very bad state and scaffolding had to be erected over the whole of the areas to be renovated. First they had to make sure scaffolding was erected upon very good foundations. They were to dig trenches in the lawn and put in concrete pads but were informed that this lawn had rare wild orchids grown in it. So they carefully dug 12" x 12" spits of lawn and transferred them elsewhere in exactly the same order they were dug and the National Trust gardeners were to take care of them. They then could proceed. If the scaffolding that was used was placed end to end it would have covered 12 miles.

When repairing Hanbury Hall a staircase for the general public was placed on the scaffolding to enable visitors to watch the repair work being carried out. Tyntesfield wanted to have the same. They obliged. Both Hanbury and Tyntesfield visitor numbers rocketed whilst this extra activity was available. The old roofing was replaced with new wood where necessary, new roofing tiles were sauced from the same manufacturer who was still trading and all stone work either repaired or replaced. Whilst all this was being carried out the electrics had to be earthed and a new central heating system sorted.

Derek kept everyone hanging on his every word with his enlightening and entertaining journey to get Tyntesfield back into excellent health. Paul thanked Derek and many questions followed. In case you were wondering, the lawn went back afterwards in exactly the same order it was removed, the orchids survived and you wouldn't know they had been moved.

The next meeting of the History Society will be Tuesday 28th April 2020 in the Romsley Church Hall at 7.30 p.m., when the title of the talk will be "King John: The Worst or Most Useful King?" given by Max Keen. If you would like to come along all are welcome, you do not have to be a member.

Jean Cockin

Meeting Report - Nov 2019

Meeting Report, November 2019

Paul Share, Chairman of the History Society, welcomed everyone to the meeting on 24th November, the last one in 2019. He introduced John Billingham, the speaker for the evening, whose talk was entitled "An amble around Gloucestershire".

John with the aid of photographs and maps took his audience to many interesting places. He showed the special canal, the widest in the world when constructed, that linked Gloucester Docks to the river and could cater for seafaring ships with deep draughts bringing goods from all around the world. He also commented on the beautiful stone with which so much of Gloucestershire was built and finished his talk with a picture of Bourton-on-the-Water.

John was thanked and questions were asked from the audience. Hot mince pies, tea and coffee followed.

The next meeting of the History Society will be Tuesday, 25th February 2020 in the Romsley Church Hall at 7.30 p.m., when the title of the talk will be "Repairing the Roof at Tyntesfield – National Trust" given by Derek Clarke. If you would like to come along all are welcome, you do not have to be a member.

Jean Cockin

Meeting Report - Sept 2019

On Tuesday 24th September 2019, a day when a month's rain fell, 50 people attended the history meeting to hear Derek Parkes and Vicky Grinham give a talk entitled "One Man's War and Afterwards, 1942–1947".

The one man was Edmund Lay. Edmund was married to Barbara and they both served on the History Society Committee (Barbara Treasurer). Once very valued members and greatly missed.

Edmund wrote in a note book long after the war his memories of his service in the armed forces. This book he hid in the loft of their house in Pedmore just in case Barbara threw it out. After his death and the house sold, the new occupants found this book and gave it to the family.
Derek, Edmund's son-in-law and Vicky his granddaughter read from his notes and slides were used to illustrate the talk.

Edmund had been trained in the Royal Core of Signals and signed the Official Secrets Act but was able to relate all the many countries where he was stationed while working and the theatres and historical sites he visited. He even hitched a ride on a plane – as one does! The whole church hall was riveted and his story was quite incredible. This notebook might never have been found but fortunately for us and his family it was. A long salutation in the usual way of applause followed.

The next meeting of the History Society will be Tuesday 26th November 2019 in the Romsley Church Hall at 7.30 p.m., when the title of the talk will be "An amble around Gloucestershire" given by our old friend John Billingham. His talks are always well illustrated with lots of photographs and maps. If you fancy coming all are welcome you do not have to be a member.

I am sending this report to the magazine but if there is anyone out there that would relish doing this please let me know.

Jean Cockin

Meeting Report - Oct 2019

On Tuesday 22nd October, 2019, forty people were entertained by Alan Harvey with his talk on 'The long bow and the men that used it'. He came with a manikin dressed in full attire of the period and many different types of arrows. He informed us you 'shoot' an arrow you do not 'fire' it.
Oct19 mtg

The best long bows were and still are made of continental Yew. It was thought the Welsh invented the long bow in the 1300s but that has been proved not true as the famous 'iceman' found frozen on the Alps was carrying a long bow made of Ash. Alan was very knowledgeable and answered many questions from the audience. Long after refreshments had been consumed Alan was still surrounded by those looking at all the artefacts he had brought along and answering yet more questions.

The next meeting of the History Society will be Tuesday 26th November 2019 in the Romsley Church Hall at 7.30 p.m., when the title of the talk will be "An Amble Around Gloucestershire", given by our old friend John Billingham. His talks are always well illustrated with lots of photographs and maps. If you fancy coming all are welcome, you do not have to be a member.

There is then a break until Tuesday 25th February 2020 in the Romsley Church Hall at 7.30 p.m., when the title of the talk will be "Repairing the roof at Tyntesfield – National Trust" given by Derek Clarke.

Other dates for your diary:
Court Rolls, 4th December 2019, 5th February and 11th March 2020, all meetings commence at 2.30 p.m. in the Church Hall.

The History Society does not meet in December, too near Christmas or January due to inclement weather, so let us wish you all a happy Christmas and healthy New Year.

Jean Cockin

Bromsgrove Town Walk

On Wednesday 11th September, 2019, a lovely sunny day, Julian Hunt gave members of the Society a historical walk around the town of Bromsgrove. He asked us to meet him outside Argos and with the aid of many old maps and photographs led the way.

He began by informing us that we were in fact standing on what was a Roman road. In the Doomsday Book all the land belonged to the King. To buy favour in heaven a King (not sure which one, I was listening but Julian gave us so many Kings and dates I should have taken a note book) gave half of the town to the Church. The side where the Post Office used to be, belonged to the Church and was the industrial part of the town with many traders. A King became aware of the prosperity and he saw an opportunity to make money on his side and subsequently this became the side of the professionals, such as doctors, bankers and solicitors. The now Slug and Lettuce once was a doctor's house. You always had to look up to see how the town buildings used to be and lots of wonderful architecture was pointed out to us by Julian. Many shoppers passing our tour listened and looked up to where Julian was referring. In 1150 Bromsgrove was a Market town and was turnpiked in 1727.

We travelled from where Wilsons used to be at the top of High Street all the way down via Worcester Street to Bromsgrove School, making the odd short excursion up an alley to see such as a nail house (now a restaurant).

We walked to the site where the Cotton Mill used to stand and by then we were all ready for a cup of tea. Julian guided us to a house, and although I had walked along the Kidderminster Road many times, I had never noticed it before. It lay just in front of St. John's Church Yard and was once the Rectory. We were all made very welcome at Rydale Mount House, the home of a member of Bromsgrove History Society with a grateful seat, tea and cake. The sun was still shining and eventually we made our way through the Churchyard back into town and home. Everyone really enjoyed our historical walk and talk, thanks to Julian and Jo Slade our kind host for tea (Jo is at present Reeve of Bromsgrove and will be Bailiff next year).

Where do we go next year?
Jean Cockin