| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Bi-monthly. Dates and places to be agreed |
The West Midlands has so much history to explore, and some very interesting places to visit, where we can find out about how people lived in the past, and how things have changed and evolved into what we see today. We sometimes visit a National Trust property, in which case entry is free to National Trust members. We use either public transport or self-drive/car share to get to our destination.. Prices vary depending on the location.
The facilitators for this group are Pat K, Lynne C and Carol R.
Future meetings
Our trip on 17th July is to the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings has been cancelled. Further visits will be scheduled from September.
Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
In March our group visited the Museum of Jewellery and the Pen Museum.
The Jewellery Museum was the historic Smith and Pepper factory where, when the owners ceased trading in the 1980's, they just locked the doors and left an amazing time capsule of tools, stamps and machinery. The outing included a guided tour of the Pen Museum, including an interactive experience.
Starting around 1820, pen nibs of all types were made in their thousands, replacing quills. In Victorian times nibs were even made for individual professions. The members had a go on the various machines to fashion their own nibs. Then to the pub for lunch! A great day out and we all learned so much.
Other recent trips
St Nicholas Church and Grammar School
On 21st November a party of 22 visited St Nicolas church and the Tudor Grammar School in Kings Norton. We were blessed by a fine, sunny but cold day. Our guide Michael, who had specially conducted the tour for us, was very knowledgeable and also very entertaining. The church is 900 years old and the Grammar school 500 years old. There was a medieval water font, medieval wood still in use and the ancient stained glass was beautiful. Fun fact: the author of Thomas the Tank Engine used to be a curate at the church. We learned lots and laughed lots. We were also kindly provided with tea and biscuits, which were very welcome. A super day out!
Wythall Transport Museum
Our members had a very interesting visit to Wythall Transport Museum in September. Our guides had extensive knowledge of the transport of the West Midland and gave us an amusing and nostalgic tour, with the sight of the old cream and dark blue buses taking us back in time.
The workshop, where the vehicles are repaired was also fascinating - because of the age of the vehicles some engineering parts have to be made by hand to keep the buses on the road. Our visit concluded with a short trip on a vintage bus, the conductor came round and gave us all a ticket! A great day out.
Previous trips
Here is a list of just a few of the places we have visited over the past few years. If you have any suggestions for future trips, please contact the Group Facilitators via the link above. We would love to hear from you
- Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum
- Birmingham Assay Office
- Birmingham College of Food
- The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
- Birmingham REP Backstage tour
- Museum Storage, Nechells
- Forge Mill Needle Museum
- The Round House, Birmingham
- Selly Manor, Bourneville
- Singers Hill Synagogue
- Winterbourne Gardens
- St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry
- Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings
- St Nicholas Church and Grammar School