Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Roger Lea was one of the founders of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group in the 1980s.  He set up a course which new members could attend to equip them with a sound knowledge of the history of the area.  These walks were an invaluable part of the course, leaving members with a visual knowledge that would  remain for ever.  Of course, some things have changed since then, but these notes can still be used as a guide to finding out more about the surroundings of area

This is Part 10 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 10 provides information derived from the Sutton Coldfield Register of Electors, Burgess Rolls and Voters Register 1851-1938 and brings the research as a whole to a conclusion. The Register of Electors for Sutton Coldfield can be found in the Archives Section of Sutton Coldfield Library.  These books list families residing in Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, together with their addresses.  They are complete, from 1920 until 1938/39. The Burgess Rolls for Sutton Coldfield can be found in the Local Studies Section of Sutton Coldfield Library.  These books initially list just the main occupant, with no address provided.  Addresses, however, begin to be included from 1893.  They are also virtually complete from 1886 until 1914-15, with the exception of the years 1888 and 1889.

Francis James Chavasse, Bishop of Liverpool (1900-1923), is a name that is becoming better known to the people of Sutton Coldfield partly as a result of the transcription of his compelling diary, two large volumes of which are now to be found in the Local Studies Department of Sutton Coldfield Library (Reference: SH78.1CHA). Frank lived at Wylde Green House, Sutton Coldfield and he and other members of his family made their mark on the town, many being doctors or clergymen.

This is Part 9 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 9 provides information derived from the Sutton Coldfield Poor Rate Books. The Poor Rate Books can be found in the Archives Section of Sutton Coldfield Library.  These books list individuals who owned properties and were paying rates.  The names of the occupants of the properties are also included. In many instances, lists were produced twice a year, usually in May and October but, for the purposes of this research, only one list per year has been included. The Poor Rate Books were issued between 1839 and 1895.  Unfortunately, not all are available to view, many being missing for whatever reason and these have been duly noted as such.

This is Part 8 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 8 provides information derived from the Sutton Coldfield Directories. In addition to the Sutton Coldfield Directories there are extracts from Pigot’s, Cope’s, Kelly’s and Aubrey’s Directories. These Directories were issued between 1830 and 1936 but, unfortunately, not all are available to view in Sutton Coldfield Library, many being missing for whatever reason.

The research traces the various owners of the property from Edward Hill James, a prominent Wine & Spirit Merchant in Birmingham who had the house built between 1883 and 1884, via Millicent Mary Ryland of the well known Ryland Family, Henry Owen a successful Jewellery Manufacturer in the Jewellery Quarter, Alfred Roberts, Alfred Cheatle a partner in the architectural firm of Newton & Cheatle to finally Herbert Smith who was a Lord Mayor of Walsall.

Why does this building in Lichfield Road remind you of a church?  Because that is what it was.  In 1834, it was the first Roman Catholic place of worship to be built in Sutton Coldfield, then to be known as Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Chapel.  One hundred years later, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church was built further up the road and the old chapel took on a new lease of life as the parish hall, known as 'The Guildhall'.  Yet another fifty years or so passed by and the building was in some need of repair.  A complete conversion into office space was made and, eventually, Jordan's Financial Management took ownership.  They made further sympathetic changes and today the building certainly earns its place in Sutton Coldfield's Conservation Area as a Grade II Listed Building. This is the story of how all of these events transpired.

This is Part 7 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 7 concentrates upon Mill Street, from its early origins. The information extends to encompass the Upper & Town Schools, the Workhouse, Moot Halls & Town Hall, the Almshouses, the Town Corn Mill & Dam, Drunkenness in Sutton Coldfield, Public Houses and the Shops & Shopkeepers trading in Mill Street during the 1920’s. Census Returns covering the period between 1841 and 1911 have been used, together with Burgess Rolls, Poor Rate Books, Sutton Directories and Roger Lea’s invaluable resource material contained in his ‘History Spots’, which members can, of course, view on our own website. Photographs, many from the author’s own collection, have been included to highlight the various sections.

Who will notice any changes in the park since the  Members of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Group joined Mike Hinson on this walk?  Take this guide and see what you can spot.

An Archaeological Appreciation and Historical Notes to accompany a visit by Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group Summer 1992.