Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

On Wednesday 22nd June 1994, a balmy Summer's evening, a group of very keen local historians gathered together at Sutton Library, ready to go on a walk which could never be replicated. Changes to the town layout east of the Parade were due to take place.  As a result, Dennis Hurley, a member of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group, was eager to show what he had discovered about the ancient pools and water courses running through the middle of the town before they disappeared under any new development.

This is the second article relating to the Headmasters of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, the first being on Josiah Wright (1849-1863). James Eccleston (1843-1849) was his predecessor and what a fascinating research subject he turned out to be! His story, right from its early beginning, when he was first appointed to the post in somewhat muddled circumstances, to his death at the extremely young age of 34 in Tasmania, Australia, takes one through the highs and many lows of his short and tragic career as Headmaster of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. You will be taken through a gamut of emotions during the journey, ranging from incredulity and disbelief, through to joy and sorrow and finally outrage, as a result of reading Sarah Holbeche’s take on the situation in an extract from her diary, when she intimated that poor James Eccleston was betrayed and lead astray by certain of his so called friends.  The persons referred to must have moved within the highest echelons of Sutton Society. Who were they, what were their names and what did they do to bring about his downfall? These questions will probably never now be answered, leaving only conjecture!

How often have you come across this picture of Rev John Riland (b.1736, d.1822) wearing his "full bottomed wig"? Many times, I should imagine. Yet we should be grateful to have this one picture, as it appears to be the only one we have showing a Sutton Coldfield resident wearing a wig in the 1700s.

Josiah Wright was the Headmaster of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School between 1849 and 1863. He lived a very interesting life and a brief history of his career and family is included in this article.

One of a set of pamphlets researched by the late Ken Williams, this on the subject of Longmoor Corn Mill.

Who will notice any changes in the park since the  Members of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Group joined Mike Hinson on this walk?  Take this guide and see what you can spot.

Manley Hall, formerly Thickbroom Hall, Weeford, was begun in 1831.  Its style of architecture was Elizabethan with Gothic overtones in the way of turrets, battlements, decorative chimneys, pinnacles and even a viewing tower.  A succession of "Manleys" lived there until the early 1920s when it became a boys' school.  It was finally demolished around 1961.

This is a plan of the Town of Sutton Coldfield in the County of Warwick and of the several Farms and Lands adjoining thereto belonging to Andrew Hacket Esq. Surveyed in the Year 1765 by John Snape.

This is a miscellany of 13 maps kept in a red folder within the NG Evans Collection in Sutton Coldfield Library Archives.  Some are his own reproductions of 19thc maps but all are very interesting to the local historian.

Evidence abounds in Sutton Coldfield of marl pits, particularly in the Walmley area, yet how many know what they were for?  Mike Hodder’s article explains all. Janet Jordan2026