History West Midlands On Air

The First World War turned many marriages upside down.  Couples were separated for extended periods for months or even years. ​Letters and cards provided the only way of maintaining relationships. ​Historian Hayley Carter of the University of Worcester follows correspondence between two married couples as they work to maintain their relationships. Acknowledgements: Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service. Full of hope and Fear. The Great war letters of an Oxford family. Oxford University Press. Keywords: Worcestershire, Women, World War I

During the First World War about 2 billion letters were delivered by the British army postal service and in 1917 alone 19,000 mailbags crossed the Channel every day. ​This correspondence was a vital means of reassuring sweethearts, wives and mothers of continuing love and care. ​Historian, Hayley Louise, of the University of Worcester, has studied archives of letters and cards between men at the Front to women from Worcestershire and the surrounding counties. ​In the first of a series of three audio podcasts she explores how mothers, wives and soldiers at the Front sought and gained reassurance from this intimate exchange of news and feelings. Acknowledgements: The private collection of Sean Brown. Monica Parker daughter of Arthur Chaytor Pepper. Letters archived within the RAF Museum, Cosford.  Keywords: Women, World War I, Worcestershire

This beautifully preserved enameled bronze pan is probably a souvenir of Hadrian’s Wall possibly made for a soldier who served there or a visitor. The Staffordshire Moorlands pan found in Ilam in 2003. Its engraved description names forts on the wall – Bowness, Drumburgh, Stanwick and Castlesteads as well as the name Aelius Draco. Was he the man presented with the dish as a memento of his time on the wall? We will never know but this is a very rare artefact which is now in the collection of the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-On-Trent. KEYWORDS: Roman, Hadrian's Wall, Staffordshire, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery

Unless you are very old (and I mean really, really old) you probably didn’t get to the 1851 Exhibition. But you can change that, by joining David de Haan (formally of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust) & Malcolm Dick (Birmingham University), when they talk to Mike Gibbs from History West Midlands. ‘The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851’ - to give it its full title - was held in Hyde Park that year and over 6 million people visited. That’s about 1 in 3 of the entire population. When the design for the building was first published in June 1850, Punch dubbed the architectural style ‘Early English Shed’, but by 2nd November had been won over as the light and airy building grew, and changed the description to ‘Crystal Palace’. The name stuck. It was a temporary exhibition which ran six days a week from Thursday 1st May until Wednesday 15th October 1851. With days lost for Sundays, private views for exhibitors, plus the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the public had access on 141 days betwe

The Iron Bridge in Shropshire, UK was the world’s first iron bridge in the world. Constructed in 1779 its single span has become one of the worlds best known industrial monuments. It symbolises one of the earliest developments in the Industrial Revolution. In this podcast, David de Haan, Director of the Ironbridge Trust 1998-2012 tells the story of the birth of the bridge. KEYWORDS: Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, Iron, Abraham Darby, UNESCO, World Heritage, River Severn, Shropshire Industry, Engineering

The Iron Bridge in Shropshire, UK was the world’s first iron bridge in the world. Constructed in 1779 its single span has become one of the worlds best known industrial monuments. It symbolises one of the earliest developments in the Industrial Revolution. In this podcast, David de Haan, Director of the Ironbridge Trust 1998-2012 tells the story of the birth of the bridge. KEYWORDS: Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, Iron, Abraham Darby, UNESCO, World Heritage, River Severn, Shropshire Industry, Engineering

Birmingham: The Workshop of the World is the first substantial history of the city to be published for decades. It coincides with 850th anniversary of the granting of Birmingham’s market charter by Henry II in 1166. This very readable book presents a fascinating picture of Birmingham’s evolution from an insignificant Anglo Saxon hamlet into one of the world’s greatest commercial cities. Experts explore Birmingham's story from its prehistoric and historic roots into the 16th and 17th century town and a series of distinguished authors show how Birmingham became the "City of a Thousand Trades" and a global model of civic government with a worldwide reputation for scientific discovery, technological innovation and advances in education and the arts. From early the 20th Century, Birmingham like so many great British cities, faced the challenges of industrial decline, poor housing and significant social problems. Birmingham: The Workshop of the World describes how the city and its people have responded with urban r

Reginald (RJ) Mitchell was one of the great designers and engineers of the 20th Century. Born and educated in the Potteries, RJ created the revolutionary designs which made air races - particularly the Schneider Trophy - the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering and a huge public spectacle exceeding today’s Formula 1 Championship. From these beautiful seaplanes, the Spitfire was born. But RJ never saw it fly in anger. He died of cancer in 1937 aged only 42. Learn more about RJ’s life in this audio podcast with: Julian Mitchell RJ’s Great Nephew Mark Harris Director, Supermarine Aero Engineering, Stoke-on-Trent  Jo Perry Formerly Assistant Curator of the Spitfire Gallery, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery They discuss this remarcable Midlander with Mike Gibbs, Publisher of History West Midlands KEYWORDS: Reginald Mitchell, Spitfire, World War 2, Potteries, Stoke, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery

Broadcaster Graham Fisher explores glassmaking in Stourbridge then and now. Graham talks to Charles R Hajdamach a leading authority on British glass and a Fellow of the Society of Glass Technology about the rise, fall and renaissance of the industry. KEYNOTES: Glass, Stourbridge, Black Country, Ruskin College, Graham Fisher

Graham Fisher talks to participants in the International Festival of Glass at the Ruskin Centre and Glasshouse College to discuss glassmaking in the Stourbridge area today.

Recent archaeology has revealed important new insights into the early roots of the glass industry in the late 17th century.

Join author and historian Carl Chinn as he uncovers forgotten traces of the Lloyds in the city and tells their story. KEYWORDS: Banks, Banking, Birmingham, LLoyds, Welsh, Industry, Carl Chinn, Walks, Books

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Birmingham provided the platform for many of the most important political speeches made outside Parliament. In this fascinating new book, historian Andrew Reekes discusses the impact of some of these speeches, the charismatic orators who delivered them and the mercurial relationship between orator and audience. Reekes also explores the importance of Birmingham as a platform at times of great social and economic change when the town - and later the city - was a centre of radicalism which challenged the establishment thinking of London. To set the scene, Jenni Butterworth of History West Midlands, talks to author Andrew Reekes and historian Professor Peter Marsh, about the new book - to explore evidence of how Birmingham acquired the reputation of espousing radical politics and causes. KEYWORDS: Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain, Neville Chamberlain, Austen Chamberlain, John Bright, Thomas Attwood, Oswald Mosley, Enoch Powell, Town Hall, Reform, Non-Conformism, Radicals, Andrew

Chance Brothers were one of the most significant employers in the town where they played a critically important role in the community. Smethwick-born Ray Drury, formerly Chief Engineer, discusses his personal experiences with Graham Fisher. KEYWORDS: Glass, Chances, Chance Brothers, Smethwick, Lighthouses, Crystal Palace, Black Country, Chances Glassworks Heritage Trust, Graham Fisher

Lighthouses, Crystal Palace and more Story of Chance Brother glass works For more than a century one Black Country company - Chance Brothers of Smethwick - dominated glassmaking in Britain. The family were consistently at the innovative edge of glassmaking technology and developed products which shaped its use around the world. It was patented glass from Chances which made the dream of crystal palace a reality. Chance Brothers mastered the sophisticated lews technology which revolutionised lighthouses along the sea routes of the world. In this podcast, Toby Chance - author of 'Lighthouses: The Race to Illuminate the World' - tells broadcaster Graham Fisher, how the business rose to prominence and eventually declined. KEYWORDS: Glass, Chances, Chance Brothers, Smethwick, Lighthouses, Crystal Palace, Black Country, Chances Glassworks Heritage Trust, Graham Fisher

Historian and author, Carl Chinn reaches back into the early history of Cadburys – an iconic name which is synonymous with Birmingham. Carl reveals that the company originated not in the leafy suburb of Bourneville, but in the very heart of the rapidly expanding industrial town. The story is one of significant challenges and near-disaster as well as perseverance and innovation. But the family’s devotion to quality products which were “absolutely pure” combined with their entrepreneurial skills, saw them succeed. KEYWORDS: Cadbury's, Bournville, Birmingham, Chocolate, Philanthropy, Women, Quakers, Carl Chinn, Walks, Books

One author captured the vivid life of the Black Country - Francis Brett Young. The pages of his novels bring to life nailmakers noisily shaping red hot iron on their anvils, their families constant struggle to survive; and the passions of young lovers. Local historian Dr Michael Hall, Chairman of the Francis Brett Young Society and former President of the Black Country Society discusses this often-forgotten author and his writings with broadcaster, Graham Fisher. KEYWORDS: Francis Brett Young, Author, Poet, Black Country, Nail Making, Iron, Mercian Novels, Graham Fisher

Well known Birmingham historian, broadcaster and author, Carl Chinn, takes us on a walk along Deritend High Street. It’s a short in distance but long in history. Here Carl is at the medieval crossroads of thriving market town of early Birmingham where the half-timbered black and white Old Crown pub has somehow survived the spread of the industrial city. And, beneath our feet, hidden from view and forgotten is the River Rea alongside which Deritend grew up in the shadow of the Bullring the parish church of St Marin. Today, this is a vibrant part of the city’s culture and business centred around the iconic Custard Factory. Join Carl on this fascinating walk and listen to the podcast KEYWORDS: Deritend, Birmingham, Medieval Market, River Rea, Charter, Old Crown, Digbeth, Carl Chinn, Walks, Books

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the non-conformist churches played a pivotal part in the lives of thousands of people in the rapidly expanding Black Country. Their influence reached well beyond the religious life of the region. In every community, non-conformist chapels provided social support, schools and, in times of epidemics, hope. They also offered working men the chance to hold office and take decisions about their social conditions at a time when many other institutions denied them these opportunities. University of Birmingham researcher Dr Janet Sullivan has studied these communities in which she has a special interest – her great, great, great, great grandfather was one of the founders of the first Methodist community in Oldbury. Dr Sullivan discusses the importance of the non-conformist churches on the social history of the Black Country with well-known broadcaster, Graham Fisher. KEYWORDS: Non-Conformism, Black Country Health, Education, Oldbury, Graham Fisher