South Solihull u3a Local History Group 2
INTRODUCTION
Our group has embarked on a range of visits to historical sites, of various kinds, chosen and organised by members. Some locations, like that to Solihull School, have been very local, whilst others take us farther afield. Wherever possible, we use a Guide on site to take us round and provide information.
- We use public transport, where feasible, or sort out car sharing.
- The schedule usually includes either lunch or a very popular ‘tea & cake’!
- Planning meetings take place at regular intervals to discuss our programme.
- A lunch is organised each December, in a local pub, to enhance the social aspect of the group
- Joint visits with other ssu3a groups take place occasionally.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
SUGGESTED VISITS DURING 2024:
21 members attended a very successful planning lunch in January. The following visits or activities were suggested and agreed as possible outings for 2024. Many thanks go to the members who "volunteered" to work on the details of these visits; more information will be published when final arrangements have been made.
- Kidderminster Carpet Museum.
- Stourbridge Glass Museum.
- Acme Whistles.
- Electric Cinema.
- Bishops Palace – Worcestershire.
- Kinver Edge Rock House.
- Wedgewood Museum.
- Assay Office Birmingham.
- Knowle Church.
- Madresfield Court – Malvern.
- Coventry Motor Museum.
- Local Archery Activity.
- Steam Train at SVR.
RECENT VISITS
24th JUNE 2024. WIGHTWICK MANOR
Members of Local History Group 2 visited Wightwick Manor, an outstanding example of late Victorian craftsmanship. Begun in 1887 for a Wolverhampton paint maker, Theodore Mander, in the ‘Old English’ style, it provides an appropriate setting for a superb collection of William Morris fabrics and furnishings, period furniture, oriental rugs and porcelain, and pre-Raphaelite pictures.
The perfect weather meant the group were able to see the house’s architectural features and the formal gardens immediately surrounding it, at its best. The house is a supremely picturesque building and from almost every window there are lovely views across the gardens to the grounds beyond.
After our interesting introductory talk by Karen, who gave us the history of the Mander family and their mission to decorate and furnish Wightwick using different styles, most of it handmade by traditional craft methods, we progressed into the house and were given a wealth of information by the friendly, enthusiastic guides from each room we entered. We saw many rooms, some were being restored under ‘The Big Mend’ programme, but others contained pictures by the Pre-Raphaelite artists, Kempe’s stained-glass windows and decorative tiles by De Morgan. William Morris’s distinctive designs for fabrics and wallpapers were to be seen in many of the rooms.
A cafe break was a welcome stop for refreshment and for the group to just sit in pleasant surroundings on such a sunny day.
Members of Local History Group 2 visited Wightwick Manor, an outstanding example of late Victorian craftsmanship. Begun in 1887 for a Wolverhampton paint maker, Theodore Mander, in the ‘Old English’ style, it provides an appropriate setting for a superb collection of William Morris fabrics and furnishings, period furniture, oriental rugs and porcelain, and pre-Raphaelite pictures.
The perfect weather meant the group were able to see the house’s architectural features and the formal gardens immediately surrounding it, at its best. The house is a supremely picturesque building and from almost every window there are lovely views across the gardens to the grounds beyond.
After our interesting introductory talk by Karen, who gave us the history of the Mander family and their mission to decorate and furnish Wightwick using different styles, most of it handmade by traditional craft methods, we progressed into the house and were given a wealth of information by the friendly, enthusiastic guides from each room we entered. We saw many rooms, some were being restored under ‘The Big Mend’ programme, but others contained pictures by the Pre-Raphaelite artists, Kempe’s stained-glass windows and decorative tiles by De Morgan. William Morris’s distinctive designs for fabrics and wallpapers were to be seen in many of the rooms.
A cafe break was a welcome stop for refreshment and for the group to just sit in pleasant surroundings on such a sunny day.
3rd MAY 2023. BIRMINGHAM ORATORY
This was a joint visit with the Art Appreciation Group. Details on the Art Appreciation Group webpage.
This was a joint visit with the Art Appreciation Group. Details on the Art Appreciation Group webpage.
12th OCTOBER 2022. MORGAN CAR FACTORY
15 members went on guided tour of the Morgan car factory. After a quick coffee while we assembled, we were welcomed by our guide and shown a short informative video about the history of the Morgan family, and the early days of the car.
We were then escorted through the various workshops while our guide explained the ethos of the company, and the features of the various models they manufacture there; or perhaps it would be better to describe them as being 'crafted', as there is, even in these days of automation, still a great deal of skilled hand working that goes in to making the cars.
We saw how customers can choose so many options for trim, paintwork, accessories etc. that there are billions of possible combinations for each car.
We finished in the museum that contained some fascinating exhibits charting the development of the Morgan brand. Our guide commented that we had kept him on his toes with many interesting questions.
We were then escorted through the various workshops while our guide explained the ethos of the company, and the features of the various models they manufacture there; or perhaps it would be better to describe them as being 'crafted', as there is, even in these days of automation, still a great deal of skilled hand working that goes in to making the cars.
We saw how customers can choose so many options for trim, paintwork, accessories etc. that there are billions of possible combinations for each car.
We finished in the museum that contained some fascinating exhibits charting the development of the Morgan brand. Our guide commented that we had kept him on his toes with many interesting questions.
June 2022: Worcester Cathedral
On a glorious day, our group of 8 met on the Cathedral grounds.
This Cathedral, has been described as possibly the most interesting in England, especially architecturally. In Anglo-Saxon times Worcester was one of the most important monastic cathedrals in the country, being a centre of learning, where the Benedictine monks studied theology, medicine, law, history, mathematics, physics and astronomy. Some of the medieval textbooks survive in the Cathedral Library today.
We were greeted by our guide, Howard Robinson. We started at the Stonemasonry, which is one of only 9 Cathedral stonemasonries in the country. We were shown some of the pieces being shaped by the highly skilled team, who agreed that there is enough work to last a very long time!
Howard, led us to various parts of the building, including the inside courtyard, crypt, high alter and finally the tomb of King John, which is in a place of honour in front of the high alter.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the visit and thanked Howard who used his subtle humour to good effect! We finished the day in the crypt café, enjoying some home made cakes and drinks.
MC September 2022.
This Cathedral, has been described as possibly the most interesting in England, especially architecturally. In Anglo-Saxon times Worcester was one of the most important monastic cathedrals in the country, being a centre of learning, where the Benedictine monks studied theology, medicine, law, history, mathematics, physics and astronomy. Some of the medieval textbooks survive in the Cathedral Library today.
We were greeted by our guide, Howard Robinson. We started at the Stonemasonry, which is one of only 9 Cathedral stonemasonries in the country. We were shown some of the pieces being shaped by the highly skilled team, who agreed that there is enough work to last a very long time!
Howard, led us to various parts of the building, including the inside courtyard, crypt, high alter and finally the tomb of King John, which is in a place of honour in front of the high alter.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the visit and thanked Howard who used his subtle humour to good effect! We finished the day in the crypt café, enjoying some home made cakes and drinks.
MC September 2022.
Download the full text of Malcolm's report here...
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2021 VISITS
August 17th 2021: First post Lockdown Trip to Droitwich Spa, organised by Jeanine and Christine
August 17th 2021: First post Lockdown Trip to Droitwich Spa, organised by Jeanine and Christine
On Tuesday 17th August sixteen members of ssu3a had a day trip to the ancient salt town of Droitwich.
We started with a guided tour of The Sacred Heart Church, famous for its beautiful mosaics. Our guide, captivated us with details of the building and of the images made from over 8 tons of Venetian glass ‘tessarea’.
After lunch we split into groups for guided tours of Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre, the town centre, the nearby Droitwich Transmitter, the historic gas and oil pumping station engine, and Staryard Interiors shop, which has been restored to how it would have been in centuries past.
We also meet ‘Salt King’, Mr John Corbett (1817 to 1901) complete with top hat, tail coat and walking stick. He spoke to us about his life as an industrialist, philanthropist and Liberal Party politician.
Jeanine Plain-Jones.
We started with a guided tour of The Sacred Heart Church, famous for its beautiful mosaics. Our guide, captivated us with details of the building and of the images made from over 8 tons of Venetian glass ‘tessarea’.
After lunch we split into groups for guided tours of Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre, the town centre, the nearby Droitwich Transmitter, the historic gas and oil pumping station engine, and Staryard Interiors shop, which has been restored to how it would have been in centuries past.
We also meet ‘Salt King’, Mr John Corbett (1817 to 1901) complete with top hat, tail coat and walking stick. He spoke to us about his life as an industrialist, philanthropist and Liberal Party politician.
Jeanine Plain-Jones.
Download the full text of Jeanine's report here...
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October 2021 - Coventry Cathedral
An interesting guided group tour took members through the history of Coventry’s Cathedrals and the necessity of building the present Cathedral alongside the war-torn ruins of the previous one.
We walked around the Cathedral stopping frequently to view the design features made by a variety of artists. The guide continued to provide us with excellent descriptions and explanations of the features, which included Graham Sutherland’s huge tapestry of Christ and the Great West Window which was engraved with Saints and Angels.
Unfortunately, we chose a very overcast day and the amazing colours that can fill the Cathedral with light from the Baptistry window were missing. Nevertheless the stained glass was a joy to behold.
An interesting guided group tour took members through the history of Coventry’s Cathedrals and the necessity of building the present Cathedral alongside the war-torn ruins of the previous one.
We walked around the Cathedral stopping frequently to view the design features made by a variety of artists. The guide continued to provide us with excellent descriptions and explanations of the features, which included Graham Sutherland’s huge tapestry of Christ and the Great West Window which was engraved with Saints and Angels.
Unfortunately, we chose a very overcast day and the amazing colours that can fill the Cathedral with light from the Baptistry window were missing. Nevertheless the stained glass was a joy to behold.
2019 VISITS
July 2019: Some of us joined the Science Group to enjoy a steam train ride to Broadway
June 10 2019: We joined the Science Group on a visit to Abbey Pumping Station and the Great Central Railway, Leicester
Other visits in 2019:
Severn Valley Railway (Steam train and museum).
Black Country Museum.
Technical Rescue Fire Squad (based at NEC).
Christmas at Aston Hall
Severn Valley Railway (Steam train and museum).
Black Country Museum.
Technical Rescue Fire Squad (based at NEC).
Christmas at Aston Hall