Newsletter Newsletter of the Local History Society Incorporating the Wilkinson Society

February 2012

MEETINGS PROGRAMME Meetings of the Broseley Local History Society 7 Mar Annual Wilkinson Lecture, Joseph are held on the first Wednesday of each month at Priestley and the Wilkinsons by Diana 7.30 pm at the Broseley Social Club, High Street, Clarke. unless otherwise announced. Car parking is 4 Apr Wenlock Past and Present, Joy Sims and available at the back of the Club. Ina Taylor. 2 May Coalbrookdale Literary & Scientific Members are requested to be seated by 7.30 pm to Institution, John Powell. allow speakers a prompt start. 6 June Summer Evening, visit to Stanley Hall, Visitors are welcome but are asked to give a Astley Abbotts, details to be announced. donation towards Society funds. 7 Jul July Outing, coach trip to Liverpool Waterfront. CONTENTS Further details from Neil Clarke 01952 504135. Programme page 1 New Members page 1 NEW MEMBERS Forty Years Old page 1 The Society would like to welcome the following new members: Forthcoming Events Queen’s Diamond Jubilee page 2 David and Joan Dormer, Broseley Summer Evening page 2 Jackie Foster, Broseley July Outing page 2 Brian Byng Mason, Wolverhampton Previous Meetings Beryl Smowton, Broseley Christmas Dinner page 3 More Memories of Broseley page 4 Phil Yates, Nordley ’s Finest Churches page 5 Obituary FORTY YEARS OLD Ken Jones page 7 2012 sees the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Broseley Local History Society (previously : The Workshop page 8 of the World known as the Wilkinson Society) in 1972 by Ralph Pee. Ralph lived at The Lawns and was Olympic Torch page 9 interested in the life and achievements of the Commemorative Plaques page 9 former famous resident of his house – John Caughley Monument page 9 Wilkinson, the 18th century ironmaster. In its Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust page 10 early stage, the programme of meetings and annual Journal focused on industrial history, but Severn Gorge Countryside Trust page 10 after 25 years the Society was re-launched in its What’s On? page 10 present form to reflect the growing interest in the Bookshop page 11 wider social history of the Broseley area. An Mailbox page 11 annual lecture still maintains the link with John Booking Forms page 15 Wilkinson, his contemporaries and the times in which he lived.

1 The Society will be celebrating this anniversary at Stanley Hall was first built in 1642 but has been much the October AGM, when Neil Clarke will be giving added to and changed over the years. Originally U a short history of the Society, followed by drinks shaped, it is said that half of it was destroyed during and nibbles. If anyone has any memories of the Civil War. The grounds were laid out in the early Society events they would like to share, please 19th century by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt Jones, brother- contact a member of the committee or email: in-law of the notorious Jack Mytton. Of special [email protected]. interest in the grounds is the newly restored cup and dome Ice House. Built in 1818 at a cost of £150 this FORTHCOMING EVENTS is the only ice house in the country with a glass bridge Queen’s Diamond Jubilee giving a view into its depths. Saturday 2 June - Tuesday 5 June Stanley Hall was once the family home of Lord Cemetery Chapel Berners, but this eccentric gentleman sold it in the At the beginning of June Her Majesty Queen early 1900s and moved to Faringdon House in Elizabeth II will be celebrating the 60th Oxfordshire where he built the Faringdon Folly – anniversary of her accession to the throne. To the last Folly to be built in . In 1924 much celebrate this momentous event in the life of our of the Hall was pulled down so that now only about nation the Society proposes to arrange a display of one third of the original building remains. Michael artefacts connected with her reign and the Royal Thompson is the third generation of his family to Family. This will be staged in the Cemetery live there. Chapel in Ironbridge Road and will be open to the public from Saturday 2 June until Tuesday 5 June. Further details will be available later, but please book this date so as not to miss out on what To make this event a success the Society would like promises to be a most interesting evening. as wide a range of artefacts as possible. If anyone has such things as pictures, commemorative items, July Outing coins and medals, descriptions of events (local or Saturday 7 July national) or anything relating to the Queen and her This year our July family throughout the last century, please contact outing will be to the the chairman Gillian Pope tel: 01952 883960 or Waterfront at Liverpool, complete the form on page 15. a World Heritage site. Volunteers will be needed to man this exhibition The area contains some of Liverpool’s most throughout this period and if anyone can help the famous landmarks, and attractions include the Society would be most grateful. Please also contact Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Gillian Pope if you can spare an hour or two. Museum, the Beatles’ Museum and the new A Royal Diamond Jubilee celebration is a very Museum of Liverpool – all of which are within special event, occurring perhaps only once in a walking distance of one another. millennium. Broseley already has the Victoria The Museum of Liverpool is the largest museum Hall which celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond built for over a century and tells the story of how Jubilee in 1897. The Society believes that as a the city transformed itself from a small tidal inlet community Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee into one of the world’s great ports, pioneering the should also be celebrated and hopes that members world’s first commercial wet dock in 1715. Also will join them in this undertaking. to be seen is the famous Lion steam locomotive and the Dockers Umbrella, the world’s first Summer Evening elevated electric railway. Wednesday 6 June Plans for this year’s Summer Evening are for The Maritime Museum focuses on some of the key members to visit Stanley Hall, Astley Abbotts, the moments in Liverpool’s maritime history, home of Michael and Clare Thompson. including the importance of the docks in World

2 War II, the Titanic and its disastrous sinking, the reopened in August 1870 after the summer Forgotten Empress and Lusitania tragedies and holidays “Mr Maw’s Treat to his work people, and Liverpool as a gateway to the New World. It also a cricket match thinned the school a little”. holds one of the finest collections of ship models Haymaking and harvest also played their part in in the world as well as housing the International lack of attendance, with reports of children being Slavery Museum. away through working in the fields. Later that year, in December, “the weather was very wet ..... A little farther afield is the Walker Art Gallery and the School Rules were hung up in the school”, which displays some of the best European perhaps to remind pupils that a bit of rain was no paintings, sculpture and other works from the 13th excuse for playing truant. century to the present day, while in a building adjacent to the Albert Dock there is the story of the It seems that, for the time, the pupils did receive a Beatles. well rounded education, subjects including not only the three Rs but also history, geography, In other words, there is something for everyone – singing and drawing. This latter subject was and even better there is no charge for any of these obviously not that popular, one report stating that museums! while 41 boys “had given evidence” of being taught drawing, only two had proved proficient. The coach will leave Broseley Square at 8.15 am and return by about 7.00 pm. There is ample free Reports on visits by school inspectors also parking in the Library car park in Road. provided interesting reading. In August 1879 a The cost of the coach will be £12.50 per head. For particularly disparaging report included the further information tel: Michael Pope at 01952 comment that “the answering in Grammar, 883960 or just complete the form on page 15 and Geography and History were meagre”. George return to him by not later than 23 June. Ledger, the headmaster, obviously took exception to this when he wrote that “It is utterly untrue that PREVIOUS MEETINGS the answering was meagre. The Inspector himself Christmas Dinner never heard one word of the History and his Once again the Society’s Christmas Dinner was assistant at the close of the examination said that it held at the Lion Hotel in Broseley’s High Street was ‘excellent and first rate’. That he seldom met with a good turn out enjoying this annual event. with a class like them in History. That was heard Unfortunately the Society’s chairman, Gillian by five different people and its accuracy can be Pope, having recently undergone surgery, was proved by them.” unable to join in the fun although she is now fully The school was occasionally used for other recovered and back in the driving seat. purposes, as illustrated by the report after the During the evening Janet Robinson and Dot Cox Municipal Elections were held there in 1873. entertained members with extracts from Joan According to this report, the elections were a Griffiths’ book Broseley Boys’ School, 1863-1889. “noisy, dirty affair” making a great mess in the The foundation for this National School was laid building, with both doors being broken. in 1854 and it was opened the following year with Cases of sickness and poverty were also space for 300 children. The meticulous records recorded, with reports of smallpox, scarlet fever kept by the various headmasters not only reflect and ringworm keeping children away from the attendances and activities of the boys during school. Not to mention the absence of young this period but also give a fascinating insight into James Lee, who was unable to attend classes the social history of the area as well as the troubles because his only pair of shoes had gone to be and misfortunes experienced by many Broseley mended. Tragedy also struck when little Rob inhabitants. Sergeant was drowned in the Fish-house Pool Village activities, as well as the weather, are seen after receiving, along with the rest of the school, to greatly influence attendance. When school a mince pie from Mr and Mrs Pritchard.

3 In marked contrast to today discipline was strict, quality merchandise as a receipt made out to a with a J Pountney being whipped for saying “Bad Robert Thomas in 1925 showed him having bought Words to Pupil Teacher”. One James Hurdley was a 12 piece Coalport china Indian Tree tea service sent home when he “declined to be punished” for for £4.5s.0d. playing truant earlier that day. His father, Another picture was that of the butcher’s shop in however, sent him back to school where he was the High Street kept by the Misses Instone. Their “well whipped for his truant playing”. One father Samuel was Mayor of Wenlock and set up particularly troublesome boy, however, might be soup kitchens during the depression. It was said forgiven for the perhaps less heinous crime of that he would not allow his own family to sit down “giving a boy a rose to smell into which pepper had to their meal before all others had been fed. This been sprinkled”! shop was mentioned in the August 2011 Newsletter Joan Griffiths’ book is available from either where Iris Welch remembers that a cat could often E Davis Ironmongers, Broseley High Street or be seen snoozing in the window. It is now the Old from Joan Griffiths, tel: 01952 883074, email: Butcher’s Bar. [email protected], price £12.95 Yet another old shop was the Bon Marche, now excluding postage. Downes’ Greengrocers, all decorated up for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The old More Memories of Broseley wall to the right of this shop has now been Yet More Memories of Broseley was the theme of demolished and the adjoining house, once the the first meeting of the year when Joan Griffiths home of Roberts the proprietors, now houses a presented a further selection of photographs both card shop and a Chinese takeaway. old and new. On this occasion one of the first pictures she showed was not of Broseley, Of particular interest was a painting by Walter Shropshire, but of its namesake in Missouri, USA. Owen of Benthall Cottage. Largely unknown This town was founded in 1915 by William today, an exhibition of his work was held in Barron, the president of a company which on the occasion of his death in 1959. manufactured barrel staves and headers. He was He lived in the Mines in Benthall and painted also in charge of the construction of a railroad to woodland scenes and landscapes and many historic ship lumber in and out of the area and was buildings in the county. He was uncle to Jack responsible for naming all the towns along its Owen, past president of the Society who died in route. He named Broseley after his wife’s home 2004, and was responsible for the pub signs for the town in England. Still not a large town its All Labour in Vain in Horsehay (which now seems population in 2000 was only 1,750. to have disappeared) and the Forester Arms in Broseley. Other more familiar photographs were those of old shops in the town including James Davies’ general An unusual picture of the Iron Bridge showed the store which faced the junction of Duke Street with toll house building and the White Brickle as it was King Street. This store obviously sold good called. The picture probably dates from the 1850s

Broseley, Missouri, was named after The Bon Marche all decorated up for Walter Owen’s painting of Benthall Edge William Barron’s wife who came from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. The wall cottage. An exhibition of his work was Broseley, Shropshire on the right has now been demolished. held in Shrewsbury on his death in 1959 The shop is now Downes’ Greengrocers

4 This unusual picture of the Iron Bridge shows Richard opened his presentation with a series of the Toll House building photographs grouped by architectural period, and the White Brickle explaining that most of the earlier buildings had as it was called. Taken probably in the 1850s been added on to over the years. The first ones before the coming of the showed stone work from the Roman site at railway, it shows Broseley Wood in the Wroxeter which had been incorporated into the background village church. This church also had a font which was certainly pre the Norman period. Next came An undated picture of a the Anglo-Saxon period, from 950-1100, where a Broseley Carnival local example was St Giles in Barrow. This has the procession only Saxon chancel arch in the county, as well as a Norman font and arch. Illustrating the Norman Romanesque period, from 1050-1200, were photographs of Heath Chapel in Diddlebury and St James, Stirchley. With the latter the east end of the building is the oldest with the west end having been added in Georgian times. It also has an unusual feature in its box pews as well as a plaque in memory of Thomas Botfield, owner

All photographsAll of courtesy Joan Griffiths of the Old Park Ironworks, who died in 1801. before the railway was built and shows Broseley Then came English Gothic architecture, which Wood in the background. covers three periods – Early Gothic from 1200- 1300, Decorated from 1300-1350 and Even more interesting were the Race Meeting Perpendicular from 1350-1550. A fine example of notices for September 1938 for events apparently Early Gothic is St Mary’s, Acton Burnell, while held near the Fiery Fields. One of these was the St Andrew’s in has the best example of Ladywood Stakes which was open to children Decorated Gothic in the county. Also of interest is under 14 and carried a first prize of £1.0s.0d. St Peter’s, Worfield which has possibly one of the Races were apparently held regularly on the finest spires in Shropshire; while probably one of meadow between the Fiery Fields and Lodge Lane. the best towers from the Perpendicular era is that of St Mary’s, Shawbury, which also features As a finale to this evening of reminiscences, Joan Norman arches, a doorway and font. showed a picture of a Broseley Carnival procession in the High Street. While it is undated, Of even greater interest, however, is the church of many members will remember these occasions St Bartholomew’s at Tong which has a central with nostalgia and regret that they no longer take octagonal tower with a spire rising from it place. designed to house the Great Bell of Tong. It also has fan vaulting in the ceiling, a very rare feature Shropshire’s Finest Churches Fan vaulting in Shropshire’s Finest and Most Interesting St Bartholomew’s, Tong Box pews in Churches was the title of the talk given by Richard St James’, Stirchley Bifield at the Society’s February meeting. Richard is currently Publicity Officer of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust. This Trust was set up in 1991 to raise funds to help maintain the more than 350 churches in Shropshire in regular use, most of which are over 700 years old and many of which are listed buildings.

5 in Shropshire. Among its many other features is a Having followed the various stages of architecture Green Man carved under a misericord and a through the ages, Richard then turned to some of plaque of the original Tong Castle which was the finest features in Shropshire’s churches. The demolished in 1954. first of these was the fine porch of St Mary’s in According to Richard not many churches were Edstaston, followed by ’s Norman font built in the 16th and 17th centuries, although and the Saxon mural in Claverley church. St Langley Chapel is one of them. However, the Mary’s Shrewsbury has an interesting ceiling and 18th century saw a Greek revival, one of which is Hughley a beautiful chancel screen. Of even St Andrew’s in Quatt, although this has since, as greater interest was the unusual window in St Richard put it, been ‘Geogianised’. This period Alkmund’s church in Shrewsbury painted by also includes Thomas ’s famous churches Francis Eginton of Birmingham. Installed in 1795 at Bridgnorth, Madeley and Malinslee as well as in one of the four remaining cast iron frames, it is probably the best known church in Shrewsbury, St a rare survival of his work. Another lovely ceiling Chad’s. This was built in 1792 by George Stewart, is that in St Mary’s, Bromfield. who also built Attingham Park. Oddities, Curiosities and Surprises was the title of Of the churches built in the early Victorian period, the next section and included the church at the most important to members of this Society is Melverley with its timber framing (one of only Broseley’s own All Saints’ Church, built in 1845 seven in the country); Hope Baggott where the by Henry Eginton to replace the old St Leonard’s. tower rests on millstones; Minsterley and Astley It has an attractive west stained glass window by Abbotts where one can find Maidens’ Garlands; Kempe, unfortunately now hidden behind the Lilleshall’s sundial complete with instructions; organ. This church recently received a donation of and Tong with its gravestone to Dickens’ fictional £10,500 from the Shropshire Historic Churches Little Nell. Other famous people named were Trust towards the £220,000 cost of repairing the Thomas Parker, inventor of the dynamo, in roof. Madeley Parish church, William Penny Brookes whose grave is in churchyard, and Of the high Victorian period St George’s in playwright John Osborne who was buried at . Telford is a fine example, with the Church of the Finally, and perhaps most moving of all, was the Epiphany in Peplow being an example of the late plaque in Shipton Church to the four children born Victorian period. to Katherine More between 1612 and 1616. Her The final photograph in this part of Richard’s husband, convinced that they were not his children presentation was in complete contrast to Roman and who were subsequently abandoned by their stone work in Wroxeter Church, being an ultra mother, had them shipped off to New England on modern 20th century building in Lawley, Telford, the Mayflower in 1620. Only one of them, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Richard, survived beyond 1621. He became a seaman and ship’s captain, making his home in All Saints’, Broseley recently received a Kempe’s west window in Painted window by Francis £10,500 grant from the All Saint’s, Broseley is now Eginton in St Alkmund’s, Historic Churches Trust hidden behind the organ Shrewsbury

Chancel screen in St John’s, Hughley

6 Shipton Church Memorial to some time but did manage to attend our joint the infant meeting with the Friends of the Museum at children of Coalbrookdale in November. Katherine More who were put Born at The Stocking, Lightmoor, in 1921 Ken was aboard the the son of a railway signalman. He himself joined Mayflower the Great Western Railway at Oxley Shed (Wolverhampton) in 1938, later transferring to Wellington Shed where he eventually passed as a driver. Among his turns of duty was working on Members voted the Wenlock Branch between Wellington and St Lawrence’s, , a line he had known intimately as a , with its beautiful boy. In later life he was to write the definitive ceiling, the best history of this line. church in

All photographsAll of courtesy Richard Bifield Shropshire Following his marriage to Dorinda, Ken moved Salem; he lived just long enough to witness the into local government in 1954 as he realised his Salem Witchcraft paranoia of 1692. employment on the railway would involve a lot of In conclusion, Richard said that his presentation time away from their new home in Hadley. They was based on work in progress and there was still later moved to Little Wenlock where they joined much research to be done with the remaining the congregation of St Lawrence’s Church churches. Nonetheless, members agreed that (Dorinda becoming organist and Ken sidesman) the finest church in Shropshire was and played a full part in village life. Ken travelled undoubtedly St Lawrence’s in Ludlow, with its daily to Bridgnorth where he worked for the wonderful ceiling and misericord carvings, whose District Council. early beginnings date back to the 11th century. Ken’s interest in the industrial and transport Further information on the Shropshire Historic history of the area found a focus when the Churches Trust may be found on their website Ironbridge Gorge Museum was set up in 1968. He www.shropshirehct.org.uk. and Dorinda joined the newly formed Friends group and Ken was successively its Secretary, OBITUARY Chairman and Vice President. He was also a Ken Jones, MBE, 1921-2012 member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum, It is with great sadness serving on the academic and curatorial that Newsletter learnt committees, and latterly became a Vice President. of the death of Ken In recognition of his 40 years’ service to the Jones. Ken was a past Museum Trust and the Friends, Ken was awarded president of the an MBE in the Queen’s honours list in 2010. Society, serving from Ken contributed significantly to the history of this 2006-2008, and a well known figure on both area. Beginning with the recording of sides of the river. In 2010 he was awarded the reminiscences of former employees of the MBE in recognition of his services to the Coalport China Works in 1976, he spent the next Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Here two 30 years creating a unique oral history archive. In members of the Society, and long time friends of 1998 Oakwood Press published The Wenlock Ken, remember him with both admiration and Branch, a work which had been a labour of love affection. for Ken for many years, and in 2009 The Dog Rose Ken Jones, a long-standing member of our Press (Ludlow) published Pitmen, Poachers and Society and a past president, died peacefully on Preachers, in which Ken examined life and the 2nd February, aged 90. He had been unwell for Poor Law in the Madeley Union of Parishes from

7 1700-1930. In addition to his published work, Ken Ken was not finished though. He had a desire to lectured widely on the oral history of the East access the Ancestry website to look at family and Shropshire Coalfield. career records of railway locomotive drivers and I agreed to help. He gave me the names of many A widower for the last two and a half years, Ken drivers who had been stationed at Wellington or gradually reduced his commitments, but he was Wenlock and we found 64 of them. But an hour or still involved in Museum activities and represented so was as much as he could cope with and it took the Friends on the Wrekin Local Studies Forum. about three sessions. Still he was not finished. Ken was special to all who knew him and, Ready for the fourth session, he produced from described as ‘the perfect gentleman’, he will be memory another longer list of drivers he had sadly missed. worked with. Unfortunately he did not feel up to Neil Clarke sitting with me at his computer. That list, I think, I first met Ken Jones in about 1986 when I began is still on his desk. going to the Friends of Ironbridge Gorge Museum There are many more people better qualified than Social History Group meetings on Thursday myself to give an appreciation of Ken Jones. This evenings. As we both lived in Little Wenlock it is a purely personal reminiscence. All who knew made sense to take it in turns to drive. We always Ken will have similar recollections because that left at 7.00 pm and, since it was only a ten minute was the sort of man he was. Thank you Ken. journey, we invariably sat in the car park for Jim Cooper twenty minutes chatting and discussing our researches of the previous week. I never thought WEST MIDLANDS: THE WORKSHOP OF THE of leaving later because I had Ken to myself for a WORLD while, and Ken never suggested we left later West Midlands: the Workshop of the World, because he was …., well because he was Ken. Of c1750-1950 was the title of the talk given by course when I later joined the Broseley Local Prof Carl Chinn, MBE, at the annual Ironbridge History Society I had even more of Ken to myself Lecture in Coalbrookdale in December. while we travelled to the meetings. And so it Professor of Community History at the continued for over twenty years. University of Birmingham and Director of the Ken had a delightful sense of humour; his chortle Birmingham Lives Project, he is the author of 29 when he related how he forgot protocol and turned books and a frequent contributor to local radio his back on Her Majesty after receiving his MBE and newspapers. was not disrespectful but simply proof that he too In his inimitable Brummie style, Prof Chinn gave could be overcome by nerves. On another an inspiring and fluent presentation showing his occasion his neighbours were concerned that tremendous understanding and knowledge of local ShropDoc were an unusually long time in history of the West Midlands. Starting with the attending to him. Again he was amused to relate example of the Great Exhibition of 1851 he how they had spotted his photograph with the Queen and had stayed to watch the video. showed how it depended completely on the area for the supply of the thousands of cast iron We occasionally thought about a joint trip to one components and sheets of glass that went to make or other archive about the country but never up the Crystal Palace. These were delivered and actually got round to arranging one until last year. erected well within the short time allowed before Seats were reserved at the John Rylands Library in the opening. Many of the exhibitors and their Manchester and we were all set to go on 13 April products also came from the area. but Ken was taken ill the week before. We did not cancel, but merely postponed the trip. While Ken This led to the origins of the iron and steel made something of a recovery in time for his 90th industries through the training given to the first birthday, he never fully regained his strength and Abraham Darby before he went to Bristol to make stamina. brass and then on to Coalbrookdale to smelt iron

8 This plaque of the with coke. The great importance of John Hanging Tree in Duke Wilkinson was highlighted with mention of him Street is to be resited so it coming to Broseley from Cumbria, having can be seen from the road ironworks across the country and becoming the This will call attention to father of the South Staffordshire iron and steel the site of the Hanging industry. Tree at the Dead Walls in Duke Street, where an In his wide ranging talk, Prof Chinn covered many existing inscribed stone other vital contributions the area had made to the is to be moved from an prosperity of Britain at a time when it was a world inside to an outside wall. leader. After the lecture he stayed on to talk to This stone is said to several members, saying that the Society was observe the site of an doing a valuable service and to “keep up the good original oak tree which served as a boundary work”. marker; such oak trees were apparently known as Vin Calcutt hanging trees. Part of the inscription appears to say “The tree is gone in(?) Henry Aston” although OLYMPIC TORCH much of the inscription is unclear. The Society Most people will be aware that the would like to find out more about this stone and if Olympic Torch will be passing through there is anyone who can help, please contact Broseley on 30 May this year. This is a Gillian Pope on tel: 01952 883960 or email: great opportunity for Broseley to show [email protected]. itself off to the expected influx of visitors from other areas, as well as attract local CAUGHLEY MONUMENT and national media interest. The Society was recently contacted by the Broseley Partnership, a body charged with Caughley Society, a group formed in 1999 to promoting Broseley to the wider world, is promote research and study into Caughley china. planning to mark this event with such In 2002 this Society had erected a Monument to things as a commemorative plaque, music the Caughley China Works in Pound Lane, and an Olympic torch medallion for local Broseley; their chairman was now asking if the primary and pre-school pupils. Community Society would be responsible for keeping this activities and displays are already being planned Monument clear of grass and weeds so that visitors by BroADS, Broseley Camera Club and Broseley could better appreciate it. Since this was also in Bloom while some High Street shops are dedicated to the memory of Stephen Perry, a planning window displays or a special ‘Olympic member of Broseley Local History Society who Day’ product. had been killed in a tragic accident earlier that year, member Phil Robinson promptly got on his This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to show bike and went and cleared the site. Stephen had what a great town Broseley is – make sure you been asked to lead a walk around the old Caughley don’t miss out on the fun! site the previous year, following the publication of an article on these China Works in the Society COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES Journal no 22, and members will remember his Members will already be aware that, over the past enthusiasm for his subject on that evening. few months, the Society has erected ten commemorative plaques around Broseley. These The Caughley China Works were founded around have been so well received that the Broseley 1772-1775 by Thomas Turner, originally from Partnership, a group tasked with promoting Worcester, and Ambrose Gallimore of Broseley to the wider world, have asked the Staffordshire. Caughley made a fine translucent Society to arrange for a further plaque which will soapstone porcelain, similar to that made at be paid for by the Partnership. Worcester, and mainly decorated in underglaze

9 Partnership, Friends of this enterprise formed the Telford Green Spaces Partnership. Now members of this group are to lead walks and hold events over all the 18 improved sites from 30 May – 10 June. A programme of these events will be available from early April, contact Cadi Price on tel: 01952 A fine example of Caughley 433880, email: [email protected] or china visit their website: www.severngorge.org.uk. Prior booking for walks is required. Janet and Phil Robinson have Funded by Natural England and the Big Lottery offered to keep Fund The Trust’s free Walking the Gorge map has the Caughley now been revised, with the new version Exploring Monument clean and tidy the Gorge including woodlands with interpretation panels, an improved path line and map information. blue patterns in the Chinese style. Almost all of Caughley’s products were useful tablewares. The SGCT Little Acorns Family Nature club After Gallimore’s death in 1790, Turner continued continues to flourish during school holidays with a as sole proprietor until October 1799 when he sold regular attendance of about 16 people. In February the entire interest in his business to one of his half term, they explored the little known former apprentices, John Rose of Coalport, who Preenshead woodland near Maws Craft Centre to operated both factories until about 1814 when find newly placed geo-caches and took a Valentine most of the Caughley factory was dismantled to walk through Rough Park. enlarge the Coalport works. The Trust is starting up an Outdoor Learning Examples of Caughley China can be seen in programme and a new course ‘Birds and their Ironbridge’s Coalport China Museum, and pieces Habitats’ will be held in Benthall Woods, Devil’s will also be on display in the new museum now Dingle, Buildwas and the Wrekin on the four being created in the former Music Hall in Saturdays between 28 April – 26 May. It will be Shrewsbury, due to open in the spring of 2013, and led by ornithologist Glenn Bishton who will share will include a portrait by Lemuel Francis Abbott of his vast knowledge of the life of local and visiting Dorothy Turner, first wife of Thomas Turner, the birds while exploring these different habitats. The proprietor of the factory. course costs £60 and further information can be obtained from Cadi Price at the Trust. IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) has WHAT’S ON? been given a share of a £20 million pa Major Ironbridge Gorge Museums Grants funding stream from Arts Council Enginuity England, covering the three year period to 2015. 23 March – 30 September The Trust is one of 16 leading museums in the CORE – A Digital Art Installation designed by country awarded a grant as part of the Arts international artist Kurt Hentschläger. Council’s Renaissance programme for leading Jackfield Tile Museum regional museums and is recognised as one of the 2 – 5 April most entrepreneurial museums in the UK and also 10 – 13 April a centre of learning. Tile decorating drop-in workshops.

SEVERN GORGE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST Coalport China Museum As a result of the improvements to the areas 2 – 6 April controlled by the SGCT during the three year 9 – 13 April period of their Telford Access to Nature Ceramic drop-in workshops with an Easter theme.

10 Blists Hill Victorian Town Birds and their Habitats Friday 6 – Monday 9 April Starting Saturday 28 April Easter Bank Holiday Weekend activities. A four Saturdays course to be held in Benthall Woods, Devil’s Dingle, Buildwas and the Wrekin. Blists Hill Victorian Town Led by ornithologist Glenn Bishton. Cost £60, Saturday 21 April – Monday 23 April further information from Cadi Price tel: 01952 St George’s Day Celebrations 433880, email: [email protected] or Open air performances of St George and the visit their website: www.severngorge.org.uk. Dragon performed by travelling actors from the Prince Albert Players. Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival Saturday 5 – Sunday 13 May Jackfield Tile Museum This Festival features 32 free guided walks Footprint Gallery, Fusion covering a range of interests and abilities. These Wednesday 18 July – include some challenging full day outings in and Saturday 1 September around the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Fourth International Garden as well as family adventures, historic trails and Photographer of the Year exhibition wildlife walks. The walks are graded into four View the skills of the winning and finalist levels of difficulty ranging from a gentle two hour photographers in this exhibition of photographs of family treasure hunt up to a strenuous 15 mile gardens, plants, flowers and botany. circular hike over the Wrekin, ideal for more experienced walkers happy with steep climbs and Enginuity rough terrain. Ongoing until 9 September Our Sporting Life: The Science of Sport exhibition All walks are free but places are limited so booking is essential. To reserve a place or request a copy Coalbrookdale Gallery of the programme contact the Ironbridge Visitor Ongoing until 9 September Information Centre email: [email protected] Our Sporting Life: Sporting Heroes or tel: 01952 433424. For additional information For details of events, entry fees and opening times visit www.visitironbridge.co.uk. for all Ironbridge Gorge Museums contact tel: 01952 433424 or visit www.visitironbridge.co.uk. BOOKSHOP John Wilkinson – King of the Ironmasters, by Industrial Heritage at Risk Frank Dawson. Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 April This book will shortly be The Architectural Heritage Fund and English available. Published in Heritage have made funding available to tackle paperback, with 192 pages and some of the work needed on heritage sites at risk. well illustrated, the book gives This weekend will give delegates the chance to a unique insight into the ‘King find out what is going on, as well as allow hard hat of the Ironmasters’. A must for visits to sites in Shropshire. admirers of John Wilkinson, it Speakers include Shane Gould and David de Haan. will be available at the April Visits include Ditherington Flax Mill, Mill Meece meeting. Pumping Station and Blists Hill. MAILBOX For a full programme and booking form visit Amberley Publishing are currently looking for www.industrial-archaeology.org, or contact Steve new or experienced authors to contribute to their Dewhirst on [email protected]. Bookings Through Time series of local history books. A should be made by 26 March. potential title is Ludlow Through Time with the Please note not all the venues visited on this possibility of covering other towns and villages in weekend are suitable for wheelchairs.. Shropshire.

11 The Through Time concept is a 96 page, then-and- cannon made from coke smelted iron had burst now picture book, containing around 92 old aboard British ships since their adoption. He was photographs, each paired with a new photograph in authorised to invite John Wilkinson’s younger full colour showing how the same scene has brother William to France in order to introduce changed over time. Each set of photographs has a the manufacture of cannon after the English short descriptive caption. fashion. Any members who might be interested in William Wilkinson spent eight years in France as producing this kind of material, should contact a highly paid government technician. Between [email protected] 1777 and December 1780 he built and equipped, with the help of the French engineer Toufaire, a Subsequent to her request for information on State ironworks, cannon foundry and boring mill Orchard House in the May 2011 Newsletter, Shirley on the island of Indret on the Loire near Nantes; Runte has now written to thank Shelagh Lewis, and between 1781 and 1784 he helped set up the Rev Shinton, Diane Kaiser and Joan Griffiths for State ironworks at Le Creusot, near Montcenis in their patience with her ‘never ending questions’. Burgundy (with the coke smelting of iron beginning the following year). Thank you, Shirley, nice to know we might have been of some help. Clearly, as a result of these developments, French Editor arms production had greatly improved by the time of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. I am a researcher for a new Discovery channel Whether French guns were the equal of British by documentary on the history of inventions. I am the time of the Battle of Trafalgar, I do not know; interested in the impact of John Wilkinson’s but no doubt British sailors in that action could be boring methods on the cannons used during the confident that their guns would not explode when Napoleonic wars, and especially keen to track fired. The actual source of that last statement is down a source for something that I have seen on unknown to me. the internet, that it was the confidence that their Neil Clarke guns would not explode which enabled the British crews to win in Trafalgar. As from February Benthall Hall, which is a Does anyone knows of books on Wilkinson which National Trust property, will be extending its might be the source for this claim, or of any opening hours and will be open weekends from primary sources that mentioned it? February through to the end of October, as well as Helen Craig on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from March. For this to be a success they need to recruit more room guides and people to work in the new Wilkinson’s cannon boring method of 1774 (well tearoom. described by Douglas Braid in articles in Wilkinson Studies, Vols 1 & 2) certainly gave If any members are interested in these Britain technical superiority in arms production volunteering activities, they should contact Emily which was soon apparent to the French. The Knight either by tel: 01694 725001 or email: cannon used on board French naval vessels were [email protected]. at this time still made of charcoal smelted iron, liable when fired “to shiver into a thousand pieces, My great great grandfather’s name was Henry killing the gunners and spreading terror among Lloyd and so was his son. That son had 10 the survivors”, with adverse results on the course children, among them Jabez, Hiram and Thomas of naval actions. Accordingly, in 1775 Marchant (my grandfather). They seem to have lived in de La Houlière, a French government spy, came to Severn Row and then at the Tuckies and in England and visited Wilkinson’s foundries at Jackfield. In 1880 Hiram Lloyd was the tenant of Broseley and Bersham. He reported back that no a public house called the Globe Inn. Does this still

12 exist? Jabez was a bricklayer and my great William Burd was the ferryman at the Benthall grandfather Henry was on the Jackfield Barge at Edge Ferry (also known as the Meadow Ferry) Ladywood. In 1891 my grandfather Thomas was probably from the late 19th century until he working as a glazier dipper in the encaustic tile tragically died (drowned?) in 1916. The ferry (and works. If anyone knows more of this family I cottage) just inside Buildwas parish is shown on should be pleased to hear from them. the 25 inch OS map of 1882 and is likely to have Pauline Emeney been in use for some time before that. [email protected] Neil Clarke B D Shinton’s Inns and Aleshouses of Broseley has I am working on a history of the Preen family this to say about the Globe: Only two licencees and am having trouble finding them in have been positively identified: Jane Lloyd in 1868 Broseley/Benthall after about 1760. I have found some C of E marriage records but baptisms and and William Lloyd in 1838. A Miss Sarah Lloyd is burials are very scanty. Do the Baptist and other shown in 1863 as a beer retailer in King Street. Free church registers still exist and is it possible to .....on 30th June 1828 William Lloyd took John check them for my missing entries? Randall’s public house. This may be a reference Susan Laflin to the Globe. The house was still open in 1879, but closed [email protected] by 1902. The tithe map shows the Globe. Look at the The best place to try would be Shropshire Archives. index http://www.broseley.org.uk/images/tithe.PDF. Steve Dewhirst Plot 323 is the Globe and this can be seen on the map http://www.broseley.org.uk/TitheMap/Broseley%2 I have been going through some material I 0Tithe%20Map%2003.jpg filmed for my Bittern Country Our Heritage and came Steve Dewhirst across the remains of Leighton Furnace. It is no more than lots of grass covered rocks and an old barn. It Mike Hudd is interested in the Maw family. His was under the control of Backbarrow, supposedly ancestor was a brother of George Maw of Maw’s during John Wilkinson’s time. Have you heard of it? Tile Works, who at one time lived at Benthall Chris Abram Hall. They were the sons of John Hornby Maw who lived from 1800-1881, at one time Leighton Furnace was in North Lancashire and occupying Barratts Hill House in Broseley. was built and operated by the Backbarrow Iron Mike asks if anyone knows where this house is. Company (founded in 1711). Isaac Wikinson, John Wilkinson’s father, was 'potfounder' at the company until 1748. A Description of Furnace I am looking for information on Mary Sancta and Smelting at Leighton, in Yealand Redman, Stoneham who lived at Ingleside, Coalbrookdale, Lancashire (c 1722-40) is given in Schubert, pp 431-33. Shropshire and Charlotte Elizabeth (Stoneham) Neil Clarke Edalji, who lived at the Cottage, Bull Ring Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Does anyone know if I was born in 1976 in these houses still exist? Broseley . My parents Dr Alan F Jones PhD used to live in Wilkinson Avenue and Park View and my My wife Lorna’s great great grandfather was grandfather and sister William Bird (or Burd) and he was the ferry still live in the town. master at Buildwas. He apparently drowned there My father and I were on 15 January 1916. Would anyone have any recently reminiscing information about him? Norman Jones in his Richard Conaghan cycle shop in Duke Street in 2000

13 about Norman Jones and his cycle shop in Duke together when I am in the area. I shall be leaving Street and were wondering what has happened to Australia on 10 March but shall have email access both Norman and his shop. along the way. Paul Daly David Roberts

Norman Jones is still very much alive and well In response to the communication from Jim Lyon although he closed his shop some years ago. This regarding Alexander Brodie in the November 2011 photograph of him inside his shop will probably Newsletter, Society chairman Gillian Pope says that in bring back memories for many Broseley people. 1901 her maternal grandmother, Edith Hewlett, Editor became lady’s maid to a Mrs Brodie who lived in the I was recently reading The Severn in South family town house in Lexham Gardens, Kensington. Shropshire by Ralph Pee where there was a She thinks it very likely that it was the same Brodie mention of ‘Pop’ Jones. Does anyone have any family as that of Alexander as evidence points to Mrs other information on him or pictures, or know Brodie knowing the Hewlett family. where I could find out more? I am very interested Edith Hewlett was obviously very well thought of as, as he was my great great grandfather. after his wife’s death, Mr Brodie gave both Edith and Carla Jade her sister Amy items of jewellery which had belonged to his wife. He also gave Some years ago I sent your Society pictures my Edith a set of silver fish Edith Hewlett was lady’s knives and forks on her maid to Mrs Brodie who father, Fred Roberts, took in the 1950s and 1960s lived in Kensington of the main street carnivals for an exhibition you wedding to Archibald were having. Our family used to have the shops, George Oswell in 1913. house and apartment opposite the town hall, In 1923 Edith moved with diagonally opposite the park on High Street. her husband and small There is a chance that I shall be in the area in late daughter to the Lion Hotel April or early May this year following a visit to in Broseley where she London. It will be my first return following a 43 remained until 1948. year absence. On the possibility that I shall visit, I was wondering if those who remember my family might like to get in touch with the idea of getting This Mrs Brodie COMMITTEE MEMBERS may have been Chairman Gillian Pope related to Secretary Dot Cox Alexander Treasurer Jim Cooper Brodie Curator David Lake Membership Janet Robinson Secretary 26 Coalport Road Newsletter is sympathetic to the concerns of certain Broseley of its correspondents who are reluctant to see their TF12 5AZ email address appear in the public domain. If there 01952 882495 is anyone who does not wish their contact details Programme Secretary Neil Clarke to be published, they are welcome to make use of and Journal Editor the Society’s email address [email protected]. Newsletter Editor Jan Lancaster Any respondent without access to email may pass on Publicity Michael Pope information to any member of the committee. Richard Sells Janet Doody Website www.broseley.org.uk To see this Newsletter in full colour visit the Email [email protected] website at www.broseley.org.uk.

© Published by Broseley Local History Society Printed by Madeley Print Shop 14 THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION

SATURDAY 2 - TUESDAY 5 JUNE

At the beginning of June Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne. To celebrate this the Society will be arranging a display of artefacts connected with her reign and the Royal Family in the Cemetery Chapel in Ironbridge Road from Saturday 2 June until Tuesday 5 June.

To make this event a success the Society would like as wide a range of artefacts as possible. If anyone has such things as pictures, commemorative items, coins and medals, descriptions of events (local or national) or anything relating to the Queen and her family throughout the last century, please contact the chairman Gillian Pope tel: 01952 883960 or complete and return this form to: Mrs G Pope, Rivendell, Dark Lane Broseley, TF12 5LH.

Stewards will be needed to man this exhibition throughout this period and if anyone can help the Society would be most grateful. Please also contact Gillian Pope if you can spare an hour or two. ------I am willing to lend the following items to the display in the Cemetery Chapel:

______

______

I am willing to act as a Steward on the following day(s):

Sat 2 June _____ Sun 3 June _____ Mon 4 June _____ Tues 5 June _____ Times to be arranged.

Name: ______Tel no: ______

Address: ______

------

TRIP TO LIVERPOOL’S WATERFRONT SATURDAY 7 JULY

This year our July outing will be to Liverpool’s Waterfront, a World Heritage site. The area contains some of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks, and attractions include the Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, the Beatles’ Museum and the new Museum of Liverpool – all of which are within walking distance of each other. For further information see pages 2 and 3. Please make sure of your place by filling in this form and returning to Michael Pope, Rivendell, Dark Lane, Broseley, TF12 5LH by not later than 23 June.

Name/s: ______

Address: ______

Post code: ______Tel: ______

No of persons @ £12.50 per head _____ Total payment: ______

Please make cheques payable to Broseley Local History Society.

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