The Bromsgrove Society - Pride, Preservation, Progress

Conservation of the Lime Kilns at Tardebigge Depot

Bill Lambert, Volunteer Coordinator at the Worcester–Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society has advised us of a new conservation project on the lime kilns at Tardebigge Depot, starting in January 2013. 

This is the starting phase of a project between the Worcester–Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society and Canal and River Trust. The work will be undertaken with advice from David Viner who is the Heritage Advisor for CRT.

The purpose of this project is to improve the site and conserve the structure. As David examines the site then a programme of work will be developed across the coming year.

Local History Group, 2012-13

Reports on recent meetings from our Autumn 2012 to Spring 2013 programme:

• 'Bromsgrove: A Town on the Road', by Julian Hunt (18 September)
• 'Life of a Metal Detectorist', by Bob Burton (16 October)
• 'The Upper Reaches of the River Severn' by Brian Draper (Dec 2012)
• 'Black Country Burials' by Ian Bott (February 2013)

Bromsgrove Summer School A Great Success

The Bromsgrove Society held its second Bromsgrove Summer School on Tuesday to Thursday, 10-12 July, at Bromsgrove School. The students met each morning for coffee at Housman Hall, the former home of the poet A.E. Housman. They were welcomed by John Weston, President of the Bromsgrove Society, before commencing their courses at either Housman Hall or at Cookes Room, the oldest building on the Bromsgrove School campus.

MP Launches New Website

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid officially launched the Society's new website on Friday 20th April. Newsletter Editor Julian Hunt made a presentation on the site's key features at an event at the Bromsgrove Methodist Centre.

Pictured above, from left to right: Ron Skidmore, Chairman; Sajid Javid M.P.; John Weston, President; Julian Hunt, Newsletter Editor.

Railwaymen’s Graves Set for Restoration

The Bromsgrove Society has pledged £1,000 towards the cost of restoring the historic gravestones in St. John's churchyard of the two young men killed in a railway accident in 1840.

The accident – caused by a locomotive named Surprise exploding – occurred at the town's Railway Station on Monday 11th November 1840. The men were Thomas Scaife, a banking engine driver and Joseph Rutherford, a fitter in the Bromsgrove Depot Workshops and Engine House.

Local History Group Talks 2011/12

A round-up of recent talks given to the Local History Group:

• A Tour of Wribbenhall by Heather Flack (Nov 2011)
• Worcestershire Folklore and Folk Songs, by Richard Churchley (Dec 2011)
• Nailmakers of Bromsgrove, by Pat Tansell (Jan 2012)
• Archaeological Finds in Worcestershire', by Richard Henry (Feb 2012)
• The Andover Workhouse Scandal', by Andrew Harris (Mar 2012)

Click on the links for a summary of each talk.