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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Regular meetings currently held from 2:30pm to 4:00pm in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield.
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Shenstone
Shenstone

Visit to Shenstone on 8th March 2023

On Wednesday 8th March some of our members met at Shenstone Station for our planned walk along one of the Heritage Trails.

Unfortunately, due to unexpected cold, snowy weather, we had to cut out part of the walk which included Lammas, Bourne Brook, the Shining Stone sculpture and the woodland carvings.

We decided to go straight to the recently reconstructed Old Tower where we were meeting a few volunteers who had kindly agreed to give us a guided tour and a brief history.

It was extremely interesting to see the work that has been done.  The renovation was made possible by money raised by Friends of Shenstone Tower Trustees who worked with Historic England.

After our tour of the Tower, we made our way to the Library Community Cafe where staff had kindly kept open to provide us with very welcome refreshments.

Please look at the accompanying photographs which give an excellent account of the day.  There had to be a bit of re-jigging with times etc., but it wasn't a complete disaster and I was delighted to see so many people turn up.

For those who would like to visit again, the Tower is open every first Saturday in the month where volunteers will show you round and take you onto the roof.

Because this event was sadly cut short and some members were unable to attend, we will arrange to do it again later in the year when the weather is a bit kinder.

Eileen

  • Author: Eileen Donohoe (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 8th March 2023
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Recent Research

Rectory Park Field Meeting 1994

Rectory Park Field Meeting 1994
Rectory Park Field Meeting 1994
Although these notes are over 30 years old, they are still relevant. In 1994, Fred Waite was able to use the research facilities offered by Sutton Coldfield Local Studies Library, which were said to be the finest in the county. In 2026, it would take some effort to source all the different facets of this informative piece of work, as the material is now housed in the Archives & Collections at the Library of Birmingham, some distance away from Sutton Coldfield.
  • Author: Fred Waite; Janet Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 11th October 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
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Ruth Sherwood

Ruth Sherwood
Ruth Sherwood
Here you will find two articles that are inter-related. The first, Ruth Sherwood (A Lady with a Secret) was displayed during Heritage Week at Holy Trinity Parish Church. It reveals some part of her life which was unique only to a handful of people. The second, being Further Notes by Mr Adrian Sherwood , expands on her sketches of the ladies of the Sutton Coldfield Ambulance Service in the Second World War.
  • Author: Janet Jordan; Adrian Sherwood (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 29th September 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
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Dr James Robertson Preston

Dr James Robertson Preston
Dr James Robertson Preston
This is a brief resumé of Dr James Robertson Preston’s life, a small ‘taster’ written for the Group’s contribution to the quincentennial celebrations in 2028. There is a fuller version on this website, entitled Dr James Robertson Preston His life and Times, also by Yvonne Moore and Paul Harrison.
  • Author: Yvonne Moore; Paul Harrison (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 15th September 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
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Cleone de Hevenham Benest (aka) Miss C Griff

Cleone de Hevenham Benest
Cleone de Hevenham Benest
When this lady moved in to her new house in Sherifoot Lane, Four Oaks, in the 1920s, the neighbours must have wondered about her. The cars that she drove and the Motor House and the Tool Shed that she built probably intensified the interest, but nobody could have suspected her occupation, considering the fact that she was a woman. She was a pioneer – but of what?
  • Author: Janet Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 12th September 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
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500 for SC500
Bishop Vesey - King Henry VIII

This is the Group’s way of marking 500 years since the town’s local benefactor, Bishop Vesey, persuaded King Henry VIII to grant Sutton Coldfield its famous charter in 1528. In order to celebrate this remarkable quincentenary in 2028, these short local history articles have been written by our members and contain 500 words or less.

Click here to find out more …

History Spot

Sutton Fields Chapel Stones [171]

stones_1_edited.png
Sutton Fields
Relics of the Sutton Coldfield of 1150. These stone carvings from the Chapel of St. Blaise were recovered from the old manor house and...
  • Published: 16th September 2011

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Photo Galleries

Visit to West Midlands Fire Service Museum, 27th September 2026

Visit to West Midlands Fire Service Museum, 27th September 2026 Visit to West Midlands Fire Service Museum, 27th September 2026 Visit to West Midlands Fire Service Museum, 27th September 2026 Visit to West Midlands Fire Service Museum, 27th September 2026

Birmingham Heritage Week, 2026

Holy Trinity Parish Church Open Day - Birmingham Heritage Week, 2026 Four Oaks Baptist Church Sweet Heritage - Birmingham Heritage Week, 2026 Holy Trinity Parish Church Open Day - Birmingham Heritage Week, 2026 Moor Hall Walk Outside - Birmingham Heritage Week, 2026
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