Broseley Local History Society

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

05/04/2026

BROSELEY: Walk around the Jitties organised by the Friends of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum, thank you Glyn Bowen for the information (see pic below for details), meeting at The Pipe Museum :)

25/03/2026

HAVE YOU SEEN SOME OF THESE 'BLACK' PLAQUES BEFORE?
They represent various aspects of Broseley's History and pay homage to those who contributed to the development & welfare of Broseley's inhabitants.

11/03/2026

VICTORY!!!All names have now been found
UPDATE: Jackfield Band 1983!
Many thanks to all the people participating and a special thank to Tony Mugridge who provided names & some extra information about the band.
1- Glyn Bowen
2- Ronald Morris
3- Phil Biggin
4- Simon Wall
5- Paul France
6-Neville Titley
7-Pauline Petford
8-Harry Hudson
9- Norman Hudson
10- Ken Evans
11- Nigel Chard
12- Peter Lee
13-Corrine Evans
14- Steve Morris
15- Wayne Ruston
16- Kerry Ruston
17- Ron Rowley
18- Jayne Gallier
19- Tim Maunder
20- Louise Davies-Armstrong
21- Laurie Fletcher
22- Graham Clare
23- Joy Philips

03/03/2026

National Trust sets out plan for latest attraction: Mark Agnew will run the sites for the National Trust!

Mark Agnew, who will run the Ironbridge attractions, says they already have a 'successful formula'.