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 and you are most welcome to browse the pages to get a flavour of the Black Country and the Society.

If you are not a member yet, please consider joining today! The total cost is just £17.50 for 12 months and 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.

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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.

   MEMBERS ONLY PAGES - Password protected additional Society information.

SOCIETY NEWS - Items about the Black Country and the Society.

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.

SPONSORED BOOKS - 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 enhance your viewing and search experience - Enjoy!)

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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FUN EVENT - CELEBRATING

JOSEPH DARBY 160th Birthday

Friday 6 August

11am - 12.30
Adrian Johnson (local historian and teacher at Netherton’s Link Academy secondary school) is inviting everyone to join his historic walk, talk and jump finale for local Netherton legend Joseph Darby’s 160th birthday. Meet opposite Ma Pardoes (The Swan), Netherton.
contact: Adrian Johnson: m.07929291589

DISCOVER & ENJOY
THE PAST
Join the Society Today
Visit the Membership Page

CORRESPONDENTS WANTED
If you have listened to Radio 4 on a weekend,
you will hear 'From our own Correspondent'.
The Society would like to have a correspondent
in each of the areas of the Black Country to
report on what is happening in their area
and at times send photographs for the
magazine and website.
You only need enthusiasm!
 Send an email to admanbcs@gmail.com

 SOCIETY NEWS UPDATES 

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ARE YOU A FOOTBALL FAN?
THE 'EUROS' WERE A HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR.
READ ABOUT THE BLACK COUNTRY CLUBS AND FOOTBALLERS IN THE MEMBERS ONLY PAGES.

NEW BOOK Forging Ahead is now available for purchase!

Double click below to see the promotion video and visit the Heritage West Midlands website to take advantage of the BCS Member discounted price by entering the code BCS.

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

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

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!

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.

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

See the company's that were in manufacturing in Brierley Hill in the 1950's.

Can you believe this catalogue was just 6p.

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. 

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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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.

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Not a Member Yet?

See what you are missing in the Magazine  

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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.

 NEW 'POTTED HISTORIES'

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Read about a World Champion Jumper, 

World's Best Rock & Roll Voice, 1st Woman

M.P. & Suffragette plus more ...

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

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

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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 ...

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               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  

www.robertperry-artist.co.uk

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THE BLACK COUNTRY SOCIETY HAS VACANCIES!

JOIN THE COMMITTEE TO PLAN THE FUTURE &

PRESERVE THE PAST

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 www.contractfortheweb.org 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!

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:  nikki_higgs@hotmail.com

Telephone: 01970822180

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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The Society has a new Secretary -
Anna Muggeridge
A familiar face to those able to visit the White Cone Glass Museum.
Click on the button to contact the New BCS Secretary.