October 2011 to June 2012

2 November
Annual General Meeting followed by:
"Archaeology in Sandwell" - whenSandwell Borough Archaeologist, Grahm Eyre-Morgan, will tell us about some recent exciting excavations in Smethwick and the surrounding area.

7 December
Christmas Social
An evening of seasonal readings from Charles Dickens performed in costume by Keith Cheetham.
Join us afterwards for a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine from our very own wassail bowl!
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2012

PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM JANUARY 2012 MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE AFTERNOON.
DOORS OPEN AT 2.00PM, WITH SOCIETY BUSINESS AT 2.30 FOLLOWED BY OUR
MAIN SPEAKER AT AROUND 2.50PM.

11 January 2012
Merry Monarchs - Part II
Mary Bodfish continues her whistle-stop tour of the follies and foibles of the kings and queens of England, taking us through the Tudors and the Stuarts. Find what happened to all those grand dresses of Queen Elizabeth I, and how an unlucky shot at tennis turned the course of history

8 February 2012
Decorative Tiles and Terra Cotta - The Midlands and Beyond
This talk will primarily look at the development of the tile and terra cotta manufacture in the Midlands and beyond, focusing on key designers and manufacturers but also looking at some of the global sources of influence with regard to decorative styles. Carol trained in Fine Art and Art History and has particular interests in the applied arts and industries of the area having worked in museums in the Midlands for over twenty years.

14 March 2012
Architecture of Smethwick
Andrew Foster considers that some of the architecture in Smethwick is quite distinct from that of Birmingham and this illustrated talk will show examples which support his theories.

18 April 2012
The St. Nazaire Raid
Peter Kennedy returns to tell us about what was probably the most daring exploit of the Second World War. The plan was to destroy the great Dry Dock in the port which would deny the Nazis the use of the Dock for the great German battleship, The Tirpitz. This would then ensure that our essential supply routes across the Atlantic were kept open. Five VCs were awarded after the Raid, one of these VCs was awarded to a Smethwick man,
Able Seaman William Savage. The timing of this talk is significant as the 27th March marked the 70th. anniversary of the Raid.

9 May 2012 - To be advised

13 June 2012
Summer Visit to.Weoley Castle – a privileged guided of this scheduled Ancient Monument which has recently undergone extensive restoration. The ruins are over 700 years old and are the remains of the moated medieval manor house that once stood here. The site has been inhabited from the 12th century and, according to the Domesday Book, was part of the estates of William Fitz Ansculf. Weoley changed hands several times between 1485 and 1531 when it began to fall into disrepairYou can reach the site by catching the No.29 bus either from Colmore Row or by St Peter’s Church on Harborne Park road, and getting off at Alwold Road. . Cost per head: £3 which includes tea or coffee.