Double click the advert to view the website.
Welcome to the
Black Country Society
Established in 1967 to Support, Record, Preserve & Celebrate the distinct
Character and Nature of the West Midlands area known since 1846 as 'The Black Country"
Est. 1967
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The BCS AGM will be held on 9 June 2021 at 7.30pm - to attend online, please register with the Secretary
Hello,
Welcome to our unique website and the 'Home Page' which we hope will 'whet your appetite' to become a member.
The Black Country Society provides you with a great opportunity to develop a real interest in the History, People, Places and Lifestyles of the generations that lived, worked and played in the area and those currently making a difference.
As you will find throughout the website, the Society covers all these aspects of the Black Country.
If you are not a member yet, please consider joining today (£17.50 for 12 months). You can join online in minutes or print and post the Membership Form.
The website is kept up-to-date by the Webmaster. There will be something for everyone and if you wish to contribute to the history and heritage - email it to us through the 'Contact' Page.
YOUR GUIDE - MENU BAR BUTTONS & DROP-DOWN LINKS
HOME PAGE - Society History / News / Magazine (digital copy) / Dialect A-Z.
MEMBERSHIP PAGE - Join the Society online / Application Form to print & post.
MEMBERS ONLY PAGES - Password protected additional Society information.
MESSAGE BOARD PAGE - Members Messages / Other Societies / Quizzes.
MAGAZINE PAGE - All issues of the magazine are listed in a searchable index.
MEMBERS ONLY PAGES - The pages are password protected and all members will receive the password.
By Autumn 2021 all editions of the Blackcountryman will be available to view in digital format on the website.
EVENTS PAGE - Talks programme / Walks programme / Images.
PUBLICATIONS PAGE - A listing of all Society sponsored books with descriptions.
BOOK/GIFT SHOP PAGE - Here you can buy books and gifts from the Society.
CONTACT PAGE - Communicate with the Society Committee by email.
ADVERTISING PAGE - Communicate with the magazine Publisher & Webmaster.
(You will find additional buttons to click in the right hand column and throughout the site to enhance your viewing and search experience - Enjoy!)
The Society was established in 1967 by Dr John Fletcher and Mr John Brimble at the Noahs Ark, Tipton where In 2017, on the 50th Anniversary of the Society, a 'Blue Plaque' was unveiled above the front door.
The Society has continued to publish a select number of books each year. The books are available for purchase through various Midlands outlets and most important, in the Gift Shop/Library of this website.
The 'Blackcountryman' magazine is the society's flagship. It is published quarterly and included in the membership fee so well worth the cost of joining.
You get 96 pages of articles and features describing the extraordinary events, achievements, places and 'larger than life' characters of the Black Country. The magazine also contains the latest news about the society and its events, so you will always be up-to-date.
"We live in the presence of History" Winston Churchill
ALL ABOUT
THE BLACK COUNTRY
Great Value - Join Us!
MEMBERS can
Search and Read -
Over 1000 articles
120+ Magazine issues from 1967
37 BCS sponsored Books to buy
All for an Annual Membership of just: £17.50.
This months images - West Bromwich
Next month - Walsall
Send your images to
POST A MESSAGE ON THE WALL
SOCIETY NEWS UPDATES
Thank you Thank you!!
The Committee would like to thank all Members who have donated an additional amount to the Society with their membership renewal. It is very rewarding to know the aims of the Society are appreciated.
Thank You to all Membership renewers!!!
PRINT ANGEL
Have you ever wanted to
help publish a book about
the Black Country?
Click the Button below to
find out more!
'MEMBER'S ONLY' PAGES online
These pages are password protected and only available to Society Members.
The pages contain interesting items about the Black Country, Society News, Quiz and Word Puzzles, Stories, Poetry and a range of Black Country Creative Links.
The Member Only pages under the MAGAZINE heading on the Menu bar, are a separate library of pdf editions of the magazine that you can view and read. Magazine editions uploaded to date - from 1967 - 2006.
It is anticipated that the full 50+ years of the Blackcountryman will be available online in this format by the end of the year.
Ancestry
John Benfield's great grandparents lived and worked in Dudley. He has tried to research their lives and pinpoint where they lived.
Take a look at the News Page to find out more.
DID YOU KNOW - The Black Country has produced more England International footballers than any other area of the West Midlands! Read this fascinating book by Pat Talbot which has over 50 biographies of some of the greatest players from the Black Country.
Sponsored by the BCFA
Visit the Book Shop to purchase your copy for just £12.00 incl pp
BCS MEMBER ONLY PAGES NOW AVAILABLE WITH A PASSWORD
BCS website will still welcome all visitors, however if you would like access to a library of EARLY magazine issues and special Member Only pages, visit the Membership Page and join the Society. You will then receive a password to open the additional pages.
NOW AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS
Women of the Black Country
The legacy lives on ... be inspired by the strong females who have been the foundation of generations and made the Black Country famous around the World.
Do you know a woman or women who deserve to be celebrated?
Please visit our Facebook Page
See our first BC Woman Celebrity by clicking on the button below
FOOTBALL NEWS: Black Country’s 53rd England Player
Congratulations to Jude Bellingham who has become the 53rd Black Countryman
to be selected to play for England. Jude, born in Stourbridge has become the third
full England international from Stourbridge, following Joe Bache and Pat Beasley.
He joins a talented line-up of England players from the Black Country.
Here’s the top 10 by number of caps awarded: 25 Jesse Pennington
(Albion, 1907-20); 24 Bert Williams (Wolves, 1949-55); 23 Don Howe (Albion, 1957-59) and Steve Bloomer (Derby & Middlesbrough, 1895-1907); 19 Allan Clarke (Leeds United, 1970-75); 18 Duncan Edwards (Manchester United, 1955-57), Billy Walker (Villa, 1920-32) and Carlton Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday, 1992-93); 16 Billy Bassett (Albion, 1888-96); and 13 Steve Bull (Wolves, 1989-90).
The 52 Black Country footballers who represented England are included in White Shirt – Black Country by Pat Talbot. Price: £12.00 incl. pp - Visit the Book/Gift Shop
CAMPAIGNS
The Black Country Society is not in any way political or affiliated to any organisation. It does have concerns about building preservation and other plans to change the area. Part of the website is therefore available to express the opinions of both members of the society and those involved with change.
See the company's that were in manufacturing in Brierley Hill in the 1950's.
Can you believe this catalogue was just 6p.
NEW BOOK - Palethorpes
(Master Sausage Makers for 115yrs)
Author John Dunn, worked for Palethorpe’s for over 30 years and through his
connection to the Palethorpe’s family wanted to put on record how they created a
World renown sausage and pie manufacturing facility in the Midlands. It also shows
the family’s ethos in caring for the workforce on a daily basis and throughout two
World Wars. A WONDERFUL RECORD OF THE TIME for just £14.00
The limited edition Book is sponsored by and only available from BCS. Visit the Book/Gift Shop page.
NEW 'POTTED HISTORIES'
Read about a World Champion Jumper,
World's Best Rock & Roll Voice, 1st Woman
M.P. & Suffragette plus more ...
ARE YOU SELF ISOLATING?
The website has a new page called 'Potted Histories' so why not take a look at some of the featured short biographies of Black Country personalities.
1. Have a go at our online Quiz
2. Refresh your memory with our Black Country dialect pages
3. See a sample of The Gospels Book in Black Country dialect
and try translating it back. Why not order a copy from the
Book Shop pages.
4. Visit the Book/Gift Shop to view the Society's selection of
books for sale.
5. Read a copy of the Blackcountryman online (see below)
6. Take a look at the 'Potted Histories' Page where you will find a number of short biographies of people who come from the Black Country and have made a difference in their own personal way.
Are You A Poetry Fan?
Click the button to read
Johnny (Mogs) Black Country Poet
BCS Industrial Archaeology Group
Click the button for the latest news
NEW information from the Amblecote Heritage Society
Not a Member Yet?
See what you are missing in the Magazine
Click the above button to see a sample of
the Blackcountryman
Join the Society to receive further printed
or digital copies as part of your full
Membership package.
NEW Book Launch
The Black Country - A History in 100 Objects
read the review written by Dr Trevor Raybould
Click on the PDF logo
This book is available
for purchase online.
Click on the button above to read what Matt Mills thinks and how you can help!
NEW - Memories of the Dudley
'Hip' Hippodrome
THE GRAHAM BECKLEY COLLECTION
Who were the Jolly Boys in 1914?
Click the icon to see the photo!
Click the camera to see BCS
Events images by Graham Beckley
?
Do you know the date of the blessing
of the 1st motorised ambulance in
Brierley Hill?
BCS EXCLUSIVE
Diary entries of Bombing Raids in the Midlands during WWII
A few years ago I was given a package of loose leaf pages which are hand written and log a short daily account of German bomber raids in the Midlands. I have now upload the script and you can find the information by clicking onto the button below ...
As you can see from the information on the website, the Society has a lot to interest all kinds of people and there is no pressure to do anything other than relax, learn, study and be amused. As a Member we can help you with any queries and don't forget that you will be part of one of the most unique 'heritage' society's in the UK. We welcome your support for the continuation of the Society into the next 50 years.
Go to the Membership Page and join something special today!
The Black Country Society has a team of volunteers to help you with your enquiries.
We are pleased to fulfil your purchases and also supply information, books and back issues to further your interests.
Some requests can take time to research and prepare, and many of contacts are pleased to make a donation to the Society. This action is very much appreciated, so if you would like to donate, please click the button.
Thank You for your valued contribution!
LOCAL ARTIST
Robert Perry RBSA is a local artist with a unique mobile studio.
He should have been exhibiting at Himley Hall this month.
Find out more by visiting his page on the website or contact him direct
THE BLACK COUNTRY SOCIETY HAS VACANCIES!
JOIN THE COMMITTEE TO PLAN THE FUTURE &
PRESERVE THE PAST
The Blackcountryman
MISSING EDITIONS
The Society would like some additional copies of previous issues of the magazine for the archive.
Volume 34 - issues 1 and 2
Volume 39 - Issues 1,2 and 4
Volume 47 - Issue 2
Did You go to HIgh Harcourt School, Hayden Hill
Nikki Higgs would like to find former pupils for a friends group.
Contact: Nikki Higgs
Email:
Telephone: 01970822180