I say vicar……..
May 30, 2014 § Leave a comment
Although my mother died eight years ago I am still finding envelopes and packets containing items I have never seen before. One such item that came to light recently was the little ditty reproduced below, imagine my shock…..my mother and double entendre …… innuendo ……. shock ….. horror …. my mother and sex! Well I never!
Just in case anyone has difficulty reading it I have transcribed it:- « Read the rest of this entry »
Walsall Races – c.1754-1876
May 28, 2014 § Leave a comment
Best part of ten years since the book A Complete Record of Walsall Races was published people still insist on stating that the Races began in 1777, they did not, they began at least twenty-two years earlier. Whilst researching for the book I was “introduced” by the staff of Walsall Local History Centre to a grand gentleman by the name of Henry Somerfield. Mr. Somerfield, who is sadly no longer with us, left a remarkable legacy, amongst the many things he did, in 1926 he extracted and transcribed all of the articles appertaining to Walsall from the Birmingham newspaper, Aris’s Gazette. He carefully transcribed his findings into notebooks of varying shapes and sizes and these are now kept at the WLHC at Essex Street for perusal by anyone interested to take a look.
Thought for the day!
May 28, 2014 § Leave a comment
The Moseley family of Caldmore Road
May 27, 2014 § Leave a comment
Emma Moseley (neé Emery 1855-1926) with her four children, from the left, William (1882-1956), Henry (Harry 1881-1933), Sarah Ann (1879-1957) and the youngest Patience (1884-1959), the old lady seated is the mother of Emma, Emma Green (neé Chambers 1820-1898). This photograph was taken in the backyard of 2 Caldmore Road, Walsall around 1890. Next to the family group is what is thought to be the only known picture of Emma’s husband, Henry Moseley (1850-1886). I cannot be absolutely sure it his Henry but in the top left corner of the negative the name “Moseley” is inscribed preceded by what looks like a letter “H”. The fellow in the picture looks an affluent chap, would a silver-plater, that was his occupation, have looked like this? Henry died aged 36 on the 30th November 1886 at the Brompton Isolation Hospital, Kensington, London, what was he doing in hospital 120 miles away from his home town and more to the point why? « Read the rest of this entry »
High Street c.1905
May 27, 2014 § Leave a comment
This picture shows a very atmospheric view of High Street, Walsall from St. Matthew’s steps, it was taken around 1905 by Arthur Farrington a member of Walsall Photographic Society. His younger brother Frank Podmore Farrington was also a member of the Society and several of their photographs will be used throughout this blog.
Below are the three Farrington brothers, Frank on the left, Arthur in the middle and eldest brother Charles. The family, from around 1900, ran the old-established company, Eyland & Sons Limited of Lower Rushall Street, more about the company in future blogs.