Delve into the past at Dudley History Festival

Each of the thirteen libraries and the Dudley Archive Centre will be hosting at least one specialist talk over the period and the range of topics covered is broad.

They include a personal look into the impact of the Coseley canal tragedy of 1901 by a family descendant, the history of Dudley Castle, growing up in Wall Heath in the 1950s and 1960s, the historical importance of the River Stour to Cradley and why the Gunpowder Plot has a connection to the Midlands.

Other area related talks include an insight into life and death in Dudley’s limestone mines, around and about Netherton, an exploration of St Edmund’s Church memorials and graves and why grave robbing as a trade once flourished in the West Midlands.

Local historian Ned Williams pays tribute to the Eve Hill area, Terry Church talks about 57 Black Country sportsmen, and with anecdotes and song, John Homer explores what it means to be from the Black Country.

Operating under the Better brand, GLL runs Dudley Libraries on behalf of Dudley Council.

“We’re very excited to be running this history festival for the first time,” said GLL Partnership Manager Stephanie Rhoden.

“We live in a fascinating part of the country and there are plenty of stories to tell. I’m delighted with the programme we’ve got – it promises a voyage of discovery for anyone interested in heritage and the past.”

The libraries involved are Wordsley, Halesowen, Sedgley, Long Lane, Coseley, Dudley, Gomal, Brierley Hill, Netherton, Stourbridge, Cradley, Lye, Kingswinford and the Dudley Archives and Local History Centre.

Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member responsible for libraries, said:

“We’ve always been proud of our heritage in the borough with events like the Black Country Festival going from strength to strength.

“For the library service to host their first ever Dudley History Festival is the icing on the cake and I’m sure people will discover something new about our borough’s fascinating history.”