2026 is the 80th anniversary of the society. Details of special events will be posted here.
An 80th Anniversary Booklet has been researched and produced by our society and is available to collect free of charge at meetings. The booklet gives a year by year snapshot of key events from 1946 to the present day.
Thanks to Barbara and Richard Beadman for producing this booklet.
The day two American Presidents came to Stourbridge.
On the 4th April 1786, two wealthy and eminent Americans set off from Grosvenor Square in London for an eight day tour of the Midlands. They hired a Post Chaise and intended to visit Stratford Upon Avon to better understand their literary hero Shakespeare, and the battle site at Worcester, to them the home of parliamentary democracy, en route they would visit various grand country estates of the landed gentry.
They were John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who were later to become presidents of the United States, Adams in 1797, the second president in US history and Jefferson in 1808, the third president in US History. At the time Adams was America’s first Ambassador to the UK, and to the Court of King George lll, and Jefferson Ambassador to the Court at Versailles in France.
Their journey took them to Woburn Farm, Caversham, Wotton, Stowe, Edgehill, Stratford Upon Avon, Birmingham, the Leasowes, Hagley, Stourbridge, Worcester, Woodstock, Blenheim,Oxford, High Wycombe and back to Grosvenor Square, staying overnight in coaching inns, where they hired fresh horses and local drivers to take them to their next destination.
By the time they reached Stourbridge, there was only one place they could stay, The Talbot Inn, High Street, which was at the time the best inn in the area. It had over twenty rooms and stables for up to forty horses along with local drivers. The inn was the base for several mail and passenger coaches, and even though none went directly to London, there were daily connections throughout the Midlands, Worcester, Dudley, Birmingham, Bridgnorth, Coventry, where London connections could be made.
They stayed overnight on the 7th April 1786, and during our research we have been able to obtain an actual copy of the bill given by the Talbot Inn to Thomas Jefferson for their stay. Being wealthy they invested an extra 1 shilling and 6 pence on tea, 1 shilling on cider, 1 shilling and 3 pence on lemonade, 1 shilling on having a fire lit in their bedroom, 1 shilling and 6 pence on breakfast, and also tipped their local driver 2 shillings and 6 pence for waiting for them while visiting Hagley Hall and park the following morning, en route to Bromsgrove and Worcester.
However reading these two eminent gentlemens diaries, it seems they were not totally impressed with their tour of the Midlands.
John Adams writes of Stratford “ Stratford upon Avon is interesting as it is the scene of the birth, death and sepulture of Shakespear. Three doors from the inn, is the house where he was born, as small and mean as you can conceive. They showed us an old wooden chair in the chimney corner where he sat. We cut off a chip according to custom. The house where he died has been taken down and the spot is now only a yard or garden. The curse upon him who should remove his bones, which is written on his gravestone alludes to a pile of some thousands of human bones, which lie exposed in that church. There is nothing preserved of this great genius which is worth knowing – nothing which might inform us what education, what company, what accident turned his mind to letters and to the drama. His name is not even on his gravestone. An ill sculptured head set up by his wife is by the grave in the church, but paintings and sculpture would be thrown away upon his fame. His wit and fancy, his taste and judgment, his knowledge of nature, of life and character are immortal. “
Of Worcester he wrote “Edgehill and Worcester were curious and interesting to us as scenes where freemen had fought for their rights. The people in the neighbourhood appeared so ignorant and careless at Worcester that I was provoked and asked “ And do Englisment so soon forget the ground where liberty was fought for? Tell your neighbours and your children that this is holy ground, much holier than on which your churches stand. All England should come in pilgrimage to this hill once a year”. This animated them and they seemed much pleased with it. Perhaps their awkwardness before might arise from their uncertainty of our sentiments concerning the Civil Wars.”
Of the grand houses and estates “ The gentlemen’s seats were the highest entertainment. Stowe, Hagley and Blenheim are superb, Woburn, Caversham and the Leasowes are beautiful. Wotton is both great and elegant tho neglected. Architecture , Painting, Statuary, Poetry are all employed in the embellishment in these residences of greatness and luxury. The temples of Baccus and Venus are quite unnecessary as mankind have no need of artificial incitements to such amusements”
We hope that they enjoyed their overnight stay at the Talbot Inn, but somehow doubt it.
Stourbridge Artwork – New Freize over bridge
TWO new friezes telling the story of King Charles II’s flight across England after his defeat at Worcester in 1651 have recently been installed over the river Stour in Stourbridge.
The two decorative panels which have been fitted on the bridge parapets on the A491 High Street were designed by borough artist Steve Field.
They have been funded via the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (a levy made on new developments) and a grant obtained with the support of two local community groups, the Rotary Club of Stourbridge, and the former Transition Stourbridge with community forum funding paying for the initial designs.
The CIL has funded the detailed design and fabrication.
The two laser cut panels feature the wording STOUR BRIDGE in large lettering, the historic Town Crest in gold and in smaller script ‘Monarch’s Way’ in reference to the king’s escape after defeat by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil Wars at Worcester in 1651.
The young king fled the battle and was pursued by parliamentary troops across the West Midlands and down to the south coast before fleeing to France.
On the side of the bridge adjacent to Fox Removals, the end panels depict Charles II and his companion Lord Wilmot being pursued by Roundhead soldiers.
On the other side near The Bonded Warehouse, Cromwell’s men are shown attempting to find Charles further down the route where he hid in an Oak Tree at Boscobel House.
Stourbridge History Society
Members Project 2024
Stourbridge is not an ancient town, not having been built on a navigable river, but it is an old town, its original name of Bedcote, relating to a small cluster of buildings, near the current town clock and sloping down to the river was certainly Anglo Saxon. In the 1086 Domesday Book, the area from Kingswinford to Pedmore including present day Stourbridge was recorded as Suineforde. The name Stourbridge was first documented in 1255. The more important manor at that time, of Oldswinford, the site of St.Mary’s church was a mile away.
The town grew rapidly, as an agricultural centre, built on the wealth of the wool trade, and later as an industrial town, being close to major quality iron ore deposits and fire clay, and the energy provided by the River Stour.
Nothing remains of these early buildings, but the road layout is largely unchanged, High Street, Coventry Street, Market Street, Crown Lane and Giles Hill.
Giles Hill, is a mediaeval pathway, which rises steeply from Lower High Street, and follows a path to the cliff area above the river, originally a footbridge crossed the river and then the path continued to Amblecote, another Anglo Saxon hamlet. It can still be walked from Lower High Street to where it now meets the new ring road.
Did you know that on the 28th April 1904, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and Congress of Rough Riders came to Wollaston to give two performances, over ten thousand people watched spellbound by the daring feats of horseback riding, trick shooting and much more. On the morning of the shows Buffalo Bill and his friends had breakfast at the nearby Unicorn pub and later dined at the Plough Inn.
Within the confines of Stourbridge district there are some interesting buildings, over twenty are listed, but there are also many buildings, some old, some new that are not listed, that have in some small way historical relevance to the town, and we would as a society like to find, research, photograph and record them, and we would like our members to help.
So this year we are asking everyone to work together and find these hidden gems, if we can by the end of June 24, have identified sufficient buildings, we as a society could publish a booklet, give an evening talk, print a calendar, and even work with Dudley MBC to formally recognise these sites.
Arthur Baker is co-ordinating the project and would welcome any help and research by fellow members. His email address is asb.stour73@outlook.com, and his mobile number is 07850 276928.
Peggy Todd tribute
This is a short tribute to our long-standing member, Peggy Todd, written by Society President Chris Fonteyn.
Peggy Todd died a few days after attending the Society’s January meeting. She had been a member of the Society for many years. Despite her health problems and mobility challenges, she made every effort to come along to our monthly meetings. Peggy was a loyal member who enjoyed attending meetings, usually seated in the front row.
Peggy had worked for Post Office Telephones. She was an active and keen supporter of the RNLI and to run their stalls at various fundraising events. Her Christian faith meant a lot to her and she was a member of the Methodist community, firstly at the church at West Street and later in Wollaston.
Peggy was a private, fiercely independent person, with a gentle sense of humour. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. May she rest in peace.
Peggy’s funeral will be held at the Methodist Church in Cobden Street, Wollaston on Wednesday 1 March at 10:30am and afterwards at H. Porter and Sons, funeral directors, South Road.
Roy Peacock –Tribute
Roy Peacock died on 4th January 2023. He had been a member of Stourbridge Historical Society for many years and was its president in 2004-5. Roy was born in Kent and studied at Merton College, Oxford where he was awarded an MA degree. After teaching history to secondary school students he became a lecturer at Shenstone College of Education, Bromsgrove. When Shenstone College closed, Roy moved to King Edward VI College, Stourbridge where many students benefitted from his enthusiasm for history. He was a wonderfully fluent speaker on the history of the Stourbridge district. Also, he added greatly to the published material about the local area. Additionally Roy made a considerable contribution to church life in the local area. He became a Lay Reader, now known as Licensed Lay Minster, first at St Andrews Church, Wollescote and later at St Mary’s, Oldswinford. His sermons were well received and he worked on various church committees. An enthusiasm that may not have been so well known was his love of the outdoors. Whilst at Shenstone College he was an instructor of navigation. Also, he was a member and Chairman of Nantmore Mountain Centre Association in Snowdonia. Roy Peacock was a lovely man who made a great contribution to the life of the community in the Stourbridge area and elsewhere.
David Hickman
Many thanks to Tony Tatford, a colleague of Roy’s at St Mary’s, for much of the information in this tribute.
New publication
FRANCIS PERKS DIARY
Francis Perks was a 19th century Stourbridge tailor and businessman and for many years he kept a diary. The diary has been researched and transcribed by Hugh Perks, a descendant of Francis. Francis lived and operated his business from 10 Lower High Street. The diary covers the years 1823-1826 and 1827-1832. It comments on aspects of Stourbridge life and society and wider affairs of the time as Francis did business in and travelled to and from London. It is clearly an important historical document, most obviously for Stourbridge but as a window to general provincial and business life in England of that era.
Hugh Perks has signed over the copyright of the diary and its transcription, as the original can be difficult to read, to the Historical Society. The original will be deposited in the Dudley Archive.
The transcript of the diary has now been printed and is available to purchase through the Stourbridge Historical Society for £12.00.
Please use the Contact Form if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
Death of Raymond Griffiths
Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Raymond Griffiths of 69 Drew Crescent, Pedmore. Mr Griffiths has been a speaker at Stourbridge Historical Society and was Chairman of the Teutoburger Wald Group, an organisation of World War Two veterans and relatives of the casualties of WW2 who were local to the Stourbridge or Dudley area. Mr Griffiths on behalf of his group was responsible for ensuring that the names of all those who died in the conflict but whose names had been omitted from the stained glass memorial window in Christchurch the Lye and Stambermill were not forgotten. The group presented the church a memorial book containing the names of the 60 men who were casualties of the 1939-45 conflict. In addition, the group ensured that the 26 names not recorded on the War Memorial in Mary Stevens Park were added by Dudley Council.
Tribute for Marilyn Ferris – March 2022
On 17 March, Marilyn Ferris treated the Society to an illustrated presentation about the history of much-loved Stourbridge amenity, Mary Stevens Park. This was an updated version of the talk Marilyn gave in March 2001, “Heath House to Council House: A History of Mary Stevens Park”. That talk in 2001 was Marilyn’s Presidential address to the Historical Society and she told us she had really wanted to deliver the new version in 2021, which would of course have marked 20 years since she was president. Of course, Covid 19 put paid to that idea, as to so much else in our lives, as all the Society’s activities were put on hold.
Marilyn’s talk traced the history of the land around what is now Mary Stevens Park back to the time of the English Civil War and started with the story of Price Rupert of the Rhine, Charles I’s dashing cavalry commander, escaping the Parliamentarians with some impressive riding down from Wollescote to and across the Heath or Studley Grange as the land was then known. Marilyn took us the various owners of Heath House, one of whom named the then newly opened Stanley Road after his son as a 21st birthday present. Famously it was Ernest Stevens, Stourbridge “hollowware” manufacturer, maker of Judge brand pots and pans etc. who gifted the house and land to the people of Stourbridge in December 1929 in memory of his wife Mary. The park opened officially in 1931 and the house was later used as council offices, including the council chamber.
At the time of the previous talk, Marilyn ended her presentation with the visit of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the park in April 1957. However in 2018 HRH the Duke of Cambridge came to the park to unveil the statue of Frank Foley, whose actions saved thousands of Jewish people from the Nazis. So Marilyn ended her updated presentation by telling us a little about Foley and the latest royal visit to Mary Stevens Park.
After the talk, Society president Chris Fonteyn, presented Marilyn with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her service and contributions to the Historical Society over many years. Since being president Marilyn has continued to serve on the Society committee and has been responsible for arranging and booking the varied and entertaining speakers who have fascinated us with their talks.
Thank you, Marilyn.
