Hello,

Welcome to our unique website and the 'Home Page' which we hope will 'wet 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 our ancestors and those currently making a difference in the area.

As you will find through this website the Society covers all these aspects plus a quarterly Magazine, Talks & Walks programme (when the pandemic eases).

If you are not a member yet, please consider joining today (£17.50). Join online in minutes or print and post the Membership Form. 

We keep the website up-to-date with topical items and news. There should be something for everyone and if you want to contribute - email us through the 'Contact' Page.

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YOUR GUIDE - MENU BAR BUTTONS & DROP-DOWN LINKS

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HOME PAGE - Society History / News / Magazine (digital copy) / Dialect A-Z.

MEMBERSHIP PAGE  - Join the Society online / Application Form to print & post.

MESSAGE BOARD PAGE - Members Messages / Other Societies / Quizzes.

MAGAZINE PAGE - All issues of the magazine are listed in a searchable index.

  MEMBERS ONLY PAGE - By Autumn 2021 all editions of the Blackcountryman will be available to view in          digital format on the website. The page is password protected and all members will get the password.

    Visitors can buy the password or join the Society to view all editions.

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. 

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(You will find additional buttons to click in the right hand column and throughout the site to make your viewing and search experience more focused - Enjoy!)

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The Society which was established in 1967 by Dr John Fletcher and Mr John Brimble at the Noahs Ark public house, Tipton. In 2017, the 50th Anniversary of the Society, a 'Blue Plaque' was unveiled above the front door of the public house. The Society and its members are extremely proud to have, for over 50 years, supported, recorded, preserved and celebrated the distinct character and nature of the West Midlands area known since 1846 as 'The Black Country'.

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The Society publishes a select number of books each year. These books enable Stories, personalities, legends, historic and researched information to be shared with BCS members. The books are available for purchase through various Midlands outlets and in the Gift Shop/Library of this website.

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The 'Blackcountryman' magazine is our flagship and if you prefer, you can sit in your most comfortable chair at home and be entertained and extend your knowledge by reading the published features and articles in the magazine. These features describe 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.

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"We live in the presence of History" Winston Churchill

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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.

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

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2. Refresh your memory with our Black Country dialect pages

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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.

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4. Visit the Book/Gift Shop to view the Society's selection of books for sale.

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At this time of restricted travel, please be patient with any books ordered from the Society. Delivery may take up to 7 days. Thank You.

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5. Read a copy of the Blackcountryman online (see below)

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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.

POST A MESSAGE!

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 SOCIETY NEWS UPDATES 

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WELCOME TO OUR

NEW MEMBERS

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Miss Janine Willetts

Ms Caroline Price

Mr Alex Lukeman

Kerrie Clarke (Ireland) 

Mr Haydon Munslow

Mr Ken Farrington

Mr Andrew Turner

Mrs J M Allen

Mr Barry Wyton

Miss B L Coley

Mr W S C Richards, CBE.

Ms Elaine Brittan

 NEW 'POTTED HISTORIES'

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Read about a World Champion Jumper, World's Best Rock & Roll Voice, 1st Women M.P. & Suffragette plus more ...

NEW - Do you like poetry?

Click the button to read

Johnny (Mogs) Black Country Poet

Want to see a copy of the BCS magazine?   

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to see a sample of the Blackcountryman magazine in digital format - then join the Society to receive further printed or

digital copies as part of your full Membership package.

Click on the button above to read what Matt Mills thinks and how you can help!

BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL HISTORY

2020 AWARDS RESULTS

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THE GRAHAM BECKLEY COLLECTION

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.

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

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Do you know the date of the blessing

of the 1st motorised ambulance in

Brierley Hill?

DON'T MISS FOOTBALL - READ ABOUT HOW AND WHERE IT STARTED AND THE 52 BLACK COUNTRYMEN WHO PLAYED FOR ENGLAND! 

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.

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Sponsored:

Birmingham

County FA

               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!

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 - 

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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 ...

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THE BLACK COUNTRY SOCIETY HAS VACANCIES!

JOIN THE COMMITTEE TO PLAN THE FUTURE &

PRESERVE THE PAST

The Society has a new Secretary - Andrew Homer

A familiar face if you have visited the Black Country Living Museum. If you would like to know more click on the button.

EXPRESS & STAR GOES DIGITAL - NEWSPAPER PHOTO ARCHIVE LAUNCHED

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The Express & Star has just launched a website of its photo archive containing historical pictures of the public, architecture and events in the Black Country.

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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

 15th Black Country 

 HISTORY DAY 2020  

DATE: Saturday 7th November 

VENUE: Large Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, University of Birmingham,

TIME: 10:00am-4:00pm.

Organised in partnership with the Centre for West Midlands History, University of Birmingham.

This Event will be confirmed later in the year.

                   WW1 Midlands               

                    Soldiers & Memorials

A book and website sponsored by the Black Country Society. Visit it by clicking on the arrow.

Dimbleby Lectures

Did you watch Sir Tim Berners-Lee talking about the world wide web?

If you are a computer user and concerned about the future, he is launching  to show how the web can be used as intended to good effect and for democracy where everyone using it is accountable.

Take a look!