First centre to chart history of a dog's life
The first heritage centre in Britain dedicated to the history of the Staffordshire bull terrier is due to open in the Black Country within the next two weeks.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Heritage Centre is based at the former Holyhead Road post office in Wednesbury and will provide a detailed insight into the breed and its origins. It is due to be opened by the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Robert Price on March 13.
Among the highlights include old photographs of the animal dating back to 1950 along with a video showing the development of the breed into a pedigree dog.
It will also feature a series of paintings including one of Joe Mallen who used to run The Old Cross Guns Hotel in Cradley Heath. Mr Mallen was the first person to register the breed as a pedigree dog back in the 1930s.
It has taken the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Exhibition Group nine years to turn the dream into a reality.
The group used cash from a lottery grant worth more than £4,000 to fund the project.
It is now exploring venues for funding to keep the project going in the town.
Chairman of the group Tony Mallam, aged 71, from Vicarage Road in Wednesbury, said he was thrilled to see the new centre open. "I am delighted that the centre has been completed because there has been an awful lot of work going into the exhibition," he said. "It also means an awful lot to be the first dedicated centre in Britain to the breed and I am truly chuffed by it.
"I am confident that it will be a success because everybody seems really interested in learning more about the dog," he added.
Secretary of the group and former Councillor Robert Evans, 63, from Ardav Road in West Bromwich, said: "People are used to seeing the dog around Wednesbury so it is fitting that the centre will be based in the heart of the Black Country.
"I am excited about the future of the exhibition and I hope that people flock through the doors to come and visit us." The centre will be open from Thursday to Saturday between 11am and 3pm.
The group has also recently compiled a book about the history of the breed, starting from its ancestors the mastif and bulldog.
To get a copy call Mr Evans on 0121 502 4337.
