Great Bridge, West Midlands - local history

[craggus]

Hi All,

Following the recent loss of my nan (age 100), the family have come into possession of a couple of items which we believe may relate to the "Adult Education School" that my g-grandparents may have set up in Great Bridge (although I m not entirely sure where).


The first item in an elaborate key inscribed "G B Adult School, presented to Miss M C Albright - at the opening of the new rooms - December 29 1913".

The second item is a silver trowel used for a stone laying ceremony on 26th July 1923.


Wondered if this meant anything to anyone?


My g-grandparents were called Thomas William Oliver Blackham and Lilian Blackham. Thomas father (also called Thomas Blackham) established BLACKHAMS print press in Great Bridge in 1883, which stayed in the family until 1964. I have found a few photos of the printers in Terry Price "Great Bridge" books, but if anyone has any further information it would be most gratefully received.


Many Thanks

Craig 

[willow154]

Hi Craig,
How lovely to have those things
To help you locate the building, I wonder if it is worth you ringing West Bromwich library (I think they have a local studies section) to ask them to look in the historical directories at around that time to see if anything is mentioned - I would think it would be listed at the beginning of the description of the the town information.
I only have directories up to about 1915 on the site I use, but I am sure one of the local studies libraries would hold a range past this date - I've always found the staff at this library very helpful. (Sandwell Archives should have them, too).
Alternatively, if you email the William Salt library in Stafford, as you have a date for the opening ceremony, they might do a look up (free of charge) in the local newspapers which they hold.
Good luck - let us know if you find anything. It's always lovely to hear the end result, Craig.
Hope this helps a little.
Paulene

[willow154]

Hi again Craig,
Thought these might help you on your way:
http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/community-history-and-archives-service/

http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/williamsalt/ContactDetails/

http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/heritage-trail/walk-west-bromwich/west-bromwich-library/

Paulene
Plus, my other thought is contacting the Black Country Society.

[craggus]

Hi Paulene

Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply. I have been to the Sandwell Archives before, many years ago... it looks like another trip is in order. I must admit, I had not thought of looking in the directories, but now you mention it this would of course be an excellent place to start. I will send off a few emails initially, see if they believe they might be able to help.

We found the following while searching the other night..

http://www.blackcountrysociety.co.uk/articles/sundayafternoon.htm

I believe the John Blackham mentioned would have been Thomas William Oliver Blackhams great uncle, so it looks as though the "Adult School" had been popular within the family for a number of generations.

Once again, many thanks for the info you have provided. I will let you know if it leads to anything!

Kind Regards

Craig 

[willow154]

Hi Craig,
Pleased you sent that - just found something in googlebooks.
Look for a book called 'Black Country Elites' by Richard Hughes Trainor, then put Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Movement, some things came up in the search.
If you put Blackham in, too, you will see that J Blackham wrote and published a couple of books in 1907 and 1908 - they are bound to be somewhere. If not in the Staffordshire area they may be somewhere like the Bodleian Library in Oxford (supposed to have a copy of every book published, I believe).
Still looking.... back soon.
Paulene

[willow154]

Craig,
If you put 'adult school movement' into the search for googlebooks it will give you a list of books which might be useful - unfortunately they are limited view only, but you might be able to track them down.
What an interesting family!
Good luck,
Paulene

[craggus]

Paulene,

That's brilliant! I have not used googlebooks before. I will try and locate some of the books mentioned in the local libraries, not least the "How I founded the PSA" by J Blackham himself! Will let you know if it provides any more information.

Once again, many thanks 

Craig

[willow154]

Craig,
Try the William Salt Library in Stafford.
Also, I think you can the British Library Catalogue online. They might transfer it to another library, or photocopy.
If you find they are hard to locate, and there is one at the Bodleian, and nowhere else, send me a PM and I may be able to help, as my daughter has a friend still studying there.
Paulene
Glad it's been a help

[lawleyP]

Replying to an old message here but did you know that J blackham is buried at Heath Lane Cemetery West Bromwich?