Broseley Local History Society

25/08/2026

Did you know that Broseley Town Council can help you with your family research?
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1372602698377344&set=pcb.1372602791710668

23/08/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 2nd SEP TALK:
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The Pat De Haan talk about-‘Britannia’: part 1, Willam Camden (The work of the late 16th / early 17th century topographer), has been postponed and will be replaced by a talk by Diana Clarke: ‘Joseph Anstice of Madeley Wood Hall and his circle’

10/08/2026

Broseley Pipe Works Heritage Open Days - Industrious Women
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Now is your chance to (re)visit our little time capsule, one of the Broseley's gems: The Broseley Pipe Works.
Entrance is FREE but BOOKING is essential, the event will run during 6 days over 2 weeks: 11thSep until 13th Sep+ 18th to the 20th and on each day you have time slots on the hour, the first one starting at 10am and the last one at 3pm. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/ironbridge-gorge/events/6f617bcd-9524-4a9a-b0df-f37678525240
On the National Trust's website, it is specified that "A recent donation of the wages ledger for Broseley Pipe Works has allowed us to research the families of the workers from circa 1900. Our archives hold a wealth of material on the lives of the Coalport workers, and we hope that by opening these complementary sites people will have the opportunity to find out more about their ancestors and the lives of ordinary working people."
A great visit for all generations, learn some more of Broseley's social history!
(Pictures courtesy of Jocelyne Barbier)

17/06/2026

Thank you Norman (Pagett) for this post: you can buy it on Amazon for just around £8, a real bargain for a quality book. "The End of More: Infinite demand on finite resources Is making humankind unsustainable"

09/06/2026

FYI

⚓ A Tragic Chapter in Ironbridge Gorge History

Join us at The Boat in Jackfield for a special evening of drama, music and local history commemorating the Coalport Ferry Disaster of 1799.

Twenty-eight workers, some as young as eight years old, lost their lives when the ferry crossing the River Severn capsized. It remains one of the most significant and least-known tragedies in our local history.

📅 Thursday 18 June
⏰ 6:00pm
📍 The Boat Inn, Jackfield

The evening will feature:

🎭 An original play, *That Fateful Day*, performed by children from Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School

🎵 Music from the Jackfield Band

📚 A short talk by local historian Robert Herrick on the disaster and its impact on the Gorge

This moving tribute remembers those who died and the generations of workers whose lives helped shape the Industrial Revolution.

Please note: Parking is not available at The Boat Inn. Alternative parking is available at Coalport Museum, The Shakespeare, The Half Moon and The Maws.

Have you heard the story of the Coalport Ferry Disaster before?

26/05/2026

SUMMER WALK IN MADELEY ON 3rd JUNE/ FREE EVENT:

"Madeley walk with Steve Dewhirst: 7pm outside the entrance of the Anstice. The main walk will be about 1.5 mile around the centre of Madeley, which is relatively flat, with a total ascent of around 100 feet.
It is mainly on pavement and hard surfaces, but we will be walking through Madeley Churchyard, which is grass.
Depending on the time and weather, Steve can lead an additional 1-mile walk to Madeley Court, but those who don’t want to do it can make their way back to the Anstice.
Timewise, it should be under 2 hours."
(Pics courtesy of J Barbier)

08/05/2026

INFORMATION WANTED ABOUT Eleanor M. Wiggins (nee Downes)(1889-1975) . It would be great if you could provide any more information about this lady (memories, photos etc.).
We already know through archives, a lot about her, about her work as a school teacher that she lived in Stourbridge, Cheltenham, and that she lived in her later life at 39 King Street in Broseley. Her mother was Mary Downes (not related to Nick). After her marriage in 1881 to Alfred E Wiggings (engineer at Maws) she moved to Broseley becoming headmistress of Broseley Wood School.
The person who is researching his great aunt said about her: "I visited her in the 1940s/50s and thought she was a recluse with cats. I also remember a ‘three holer’ in her back garden and a mineshaft outside her back door. I think the pipe works was still in operation as I saw clay pipes in the window next door. It will be interesting to hear reminiscences and about where she taught. I have an oil painting by Eleanor and a clock (which is still chiming) awarded to her father when he retired from the VBKSLI after 22years service."

07/05/2026

UPDATE: Thanks everyyone who took the time to answer & to Elaine Fletcher we have all the names, so left to right we have Ted Meredith, Dorothy Carter and Mrs Lena Fielding, the info provided by FB folks tend to suggest circa 1955 (Thanks Joan)
MONTHLY MYSTERY PICTURE (thanks to G. Pope): Which year was it? It is a carnival float quick laundry but that is all we know.
As usual, your sleuthing skills would be ever so precious, and many thanks in advance, the picture is slightly blurred and this is the best resolution we can offer you.

29/04/2026

BLHS NEXT TALK: A family of Iron men, come and learn about "The Botfields" / Newport History Society

14/04/2026

BREAKING NEWS ON THE MYSTERY PICTURE: the picture is in fact dated from March 1937 and represents one scene of "The Ghost Train"as mentioned in The Wellington Journal dated 20th March 1937. (see added pic below), we have our own Hercule Poirot aka Steve Dewhirst to thank for that.
Thanks to various folks we can place it in the old Town Hall. Thanks to Gill Pope, we now know it was a BROADS 's performance in the early 40s, and we have all the thanks to Janet Robinson.
As usual, many thanks in advance for your help, actors numbered 1 to 7 below:
-1 Mrs C Davies
-2 Annie Lloyd
-3 John Dixon (Gill's dad)
-4 Not named
-5 Doctor Sherlock Hoy
-6 Mollie Dixon (Gill's mum née Oswell)
-7 Walter Davies