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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group Logo

Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Regular meeting, Tuesday - Sutton Coldfield Library (2.00pm to 4.30pm)
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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Sutton Coldfield has an interesting history well documented by an extensive collection of primary sources housed in Sutton Coldfield Library.  Members of the Research Group have access to this material, and enjoy studying it to find out about aspects of the history of the Royal Town.  Completed research is now to be found on this website.

Members who wish to do research meet any Tuesday (1.30-4.00 pm) at Sutton Library, coming as often as they wish to pursue their research topic, with help from experienced members of the Group and library staff.  All members receive regular emails with details of our occasional field meetings, public lectures or issues that affect the group.

For further details, see Join Us.

Progress
Progress?

Progress?

Sad to say, but you will know the brook to which this poem refers.  It runs through the New Hall Valley.  Pollution of our country’s lakes, rivers and streams has become a national scandal.  Anne’s poem, however, ends with a note of optimism.

  • Author: Anne Nash (SCLHRG)
  • Serendipity
  • Sutton Coldfield Poetry
  • Date: 5th June 2024
  • Read this Poem ...
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Recent Research

The Corporation Upper School

The Corporation Upper School
The Corporation Upper School
It is well known that elementary schools were established in Sutton in the 1820s, but less well known that the Warden and Society ran a secondary school from 1830 to 1853, called the Corporation Upper School. This article explains how the Upper School started and why it closed down after only twenty-three years, and shows how two Headmasters of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, both members of the Corporation, were largely responsible for the Upper School’s establishment and its closure.
  • Author: Kerry Osbourne (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 29th January 2025
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research ...

The 2nd World War Anti-Aircraft site in Sutton Park

The 2nd World War Anti-Aircraft site
The 2nd World War Anti-Aircraft site
On a 33-acre site in the north of Sutton Park, a large anti-aircraft base was built to defend Birmingham against the threat of German bombing during the Second World War. The base held up to 200 personnel - initially manned by the regular army, but subsequently by the local Home Guard. After the war, the base housed homeless families - mainly ex-servicemen - until being demolished in the mid-fifties. Whilst in operation, knowledge of the site was kept secret, and after the war, existence of the site was forgotten. This is the story of Sutton Park’s anti-aircraft base and how it came to be rediscovered.
  • Author: Keith Hopkinson (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 17th December 2024
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research ...

The Site of the Royal Promenade Gardens, Etc.

The Royal Promenade Gardens
The Royal Promenade Gardens
A little while ago, I was looking through the Group’s website, when I came across an article on the grand sounding Royal Promenade Gardens , by Roger Lea, which formed part of his ‘History Spot’ series. These were, as members will recall, published in the Sutton Coldfield News, over a period of several years. Upon reading further, it appeared that the gardens were designed and laid out by a Job Cole, back in 1868. It was situated alongside, what is now, Clifton Road. Ten years later, the Royal Promenade Gardens were taken over by the Sutton Coldfield Crystal Palace Company . However, this venture was short lived and ended in bankruptcy. In 1906, the leasehold of the grounds was taken over by the Crystal Palace Amusement Park , owned by Patrick Collins, who was one of the best known showmen in the country. In 1907, a miniature railway opened adjacent to the funfair and ran alongside the boundary of Sutton Park down to Wyndley. This was purchased by Pat Collins in 1912. I found that, although all four enterprises were covered briefly on our website, it was only on an ad hoc basis and the picture as a whole was missing. I thought therefore that a project, bringing together all the various aspects, would be of benefit to members.
  • Author: Keith Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 26th November 2024
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research ...

The Warden’s Calendar

The Warden’s Calendar
The Warden’s Calendar
This remarkable article is the result of painstaking research and offers a myriad of facts relating to Sutton Coldfield from the 13th century onwards. The Warden’s Calendar for 1899 lists a commemorative event for every day of that year. Kerry Osbourne has used this document as the basis to discover more about each event, thus enabling him to paint a small pen picture of each one.
  • Author: Kerry Osbourne (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 9th October 2024
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research ...
  • Visitors:
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_RU49.4%Russian Federation
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_GB31.3%United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_US19.0%United States of America

History Spot

Oak Furniture [231]

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Oak Furniture
Most of the houses in Sutton in 1500 were single-storey buildings. The main room had a central hearth, and the smoke from the fire escaped through...
  • Published: 19th September 2012
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Photo Galleries

Visit of Princess Anne to Lingard House, 1971

Princess Anne unveiling a memorial plaque at Lingard House. - Visit of Princess Anne to Lingard House, 1971 Princess Anne greeted by crowds of well-wishers at Lingard House. - Visit of Princess Anne to Lingard House, 1971 Princess Anne about to sign the Visitors Book in Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. - Visit of Princess Anne to Lingard House, 1971

SCLHRG visit to St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula

SCLHRG visit to St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula SCLHRG visit to St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula Norman font bowl - SCLHRG visit to St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula

Memorials in Holy Trinity Parish Church

Joseph Handy - Memorials in Holy Trinity Parish Church Who are these people - Memorials in Holy Trinity Parish Church Thomas Hunnybourn - Memorials in Holy Trinity Parish Church
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