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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Regular meetings temporarily suspended due to the closure of Sutton Coldfield Library.
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Shenstone
Shenstone

Visit to Shenstone on 8th March 2023

On Wednesday 8th March some of our members met at Shenstone Station for our planned walk along one of the Heritage Trails.

Unfortunately, due to unexpected cold, snowy weather, we had to cut out part of the walk which included Lammas, Bourne Brook, the Shining Stone sculpture and the woodland carvings.

We decided to go straight to the recently reconstructed Old Tower where we were meeting a few volunteers who had kindly agreed to give us a guided tour and a brief history.

It was extremely interesting to see the work that has been done.  The renovation was made possible by money raised by Friends of Shenstone Tower Trustees who worked with Historic England.

After our tour of the Tower, we made our way to the Library Community Cafe where staff had kindly kept open to provide us with very welcome refreshments.

Please look at the accompanying photographs which give an excellent account of the day.  There had to be a bit of re-jigging with times etc., but it wasn't a complete disaster and I was delighted to see so many people turn up.

For those who would like to visit again, the Tower is open every first Saturday in the month where volunteers will show you round and take you onto the roof.

Because this event was sadly cut short and some members were unable to attend, we will arrange to do it again later in the year when the weather is a bit kinder.

Eileen

  • Author: Eileen Donohoe (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 8th March 2023
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Recent Research

Sutton Coldfield’s Permanent Library and The Sutton Coldfield Institute

Sutton Coldfield’s Permanent Library
Sutton Coldfield’s Permanent Library
This article recounts the foundation of Sutton Coldfield’s Permanent Library in 1850, which evolved from a Book Club established a hundred or so years earlier, and which developed into the Sutton Coldfield Institute in 1857, an organisation which arranged lectures and concerts for its members until it closed down in the early 20th century. Appendices include the text of Rev Richard Williamson’s inaugural address in 1850, two subsequent lectures by Rev W.K. Riland Bedford entitled ‘Sutton Books and Sutton Authors’ and ‘The Luttrells of Four Oaks’, and the 1864 library catalogue.
  • Author: Kerry Osbourne (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 10th September 2025
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research ...

Sutton Coldfield Station – Station Master’s House 1960 - 1987

Station Master’s House 1960 - 1987
Station Master’s House 1960 - 1987
Yvonne’s interest in this old building came from a couple of photographs on page 35 in the 1990 book “Cross City Connections” by local historian John Bassett.The main photograph in the book shows the building above with a ‘CHESS’ logo above the middle door and two jaguar cars parked in front. The second photograph shows employee Mr Alan Thomas working in the offices of the former station master’s house.When Yvonne mentioned this to co-author Paul, he could remember visiting the “Chess” office as a boy in the mid 1980’s with his headmaster father, who was purchasing replacement pieces for his school’s chess team.He can vaguely recollect the offices being quite small inside and packed with chess related equipment and books, though the passage of time may have led to inaccuracies in his power of recall.As Paul and Yvonne looked into the history of ‘Chess’ and its quirky founder, it became apparent that it was a subject worthy of further study.Contact was made with the publisher to find out if permission could be obtained to reproduce the photographs. An email reply from Brewin Books was received on 28 July 2025 giving permission, with credits – with many thanks.
  • Author: Yvonne Moore; Paul Harrison (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 4th August 2025
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research ...

All Saints Church, Four Oaks War Memorial

Four Oaks War Memorial
Four Oaks War Memorial
The War Memorial in front of the Church of All Saints, Belwell Lane, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield features the names of thirty-six local men who died for their country as a result of World War One. In this article, their lives and those of twelve further men with ties to the area who aren't featured on any local war memorials, have been painstakingly researched by Paul Harrison, a Sutton Coldfield genealogist, in collaboration with the Sutton Coldfield Great War Project, July 2025.
  • Author: Paul Harrison (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 1st August 2025
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research ...

Sutton Coldfield Farms 1900 - 1950

Farms 1900 - 1950
Farms 1900 - 1950
Live Excel Spreadsheet for Sutton Coldfield Farms from 1900 to 1950. Not suitabe for viewing on small screens or phones.
  • Author: Don McCollam (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 18th September 2018
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Access the spreadsheet ...
  • Visitors:
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_GB43%United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_ZZ30%Unknown
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_US22%United States of America

History Spot

Richard Ashford [436]

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Richard Ashford
Richard Ashford was a yeoman farmer in Maney in the 1640s. It was a mixed farm, with cattle and sheep as well as crops growing in the...
  • Published: 14th October 2016
Read More …

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