From the glassworks that built the Crystal Palace, to a literary tramp, Langley and Oldbury history group marks 30 years with a series of talks
A local history society in the Black Country is holding a series of talks as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The Oldbury company which glazed the Crystal Palace and the clock face of Big Ben, the role of DNA testing in family history research and an Edwardian literary tramp are among the stories that will be covered by Langley and Oldbury Local History Society over the coming months.
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Chairman Rob Broadbent said the group began in 1996 as a series of ‘reminiscence sessions’ at Langley Library, recording personal memories of life and activities in the area.
This led to a small booklet, to be followed by other books, including ones on the area’s industry, leisure and shops over the previous century, he said.
A similar group was then started at Oldbury Library, but when the venue closed in 2019, its members joined the Langley Group, and the name was recently changed to Langley & Oldbury Local History Society. "The society now meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Royal British Legion Club in Windsor Road, Oldbury at 10.30am, and attracts about 50 members," he said.
"Each month an invited speaker gives a talk on a wide range of historical topics both local and general."
Karen Evans will give the next talk on March 11, about using DNA testing to discover where one's family comes from.
Next month's meeting, on April 8, will see historian Gillian White talk about the Battle of Crecy in 1346: Crecy.
On May 13, retired schoolteacher and author Quintin Watt will talk about the adventures of Harry Payne, a partially-sighted vagrant who earned a living travelling around Britain, writing reviews for local newspapers of the places he visited.
On June 10 author and Black Country Living Museum expert Simon Briercliffe will talk about the Black Country in the postwar years, while on August 12 Mr Broadbent himself will talk about the Battle of Kohima.
On September 9 members will hear about the origins of artificial intelligence, while on October 14 Henry Chance will talk about his family's role in Oldbury's glass industry.
The First World War will be the subject of a meeting on Armistice Day, November 11.
The society is free to join, but there is a small charge for attending meetings. For further information email langleyhistorysociety@gmail.com
