Heritage Week

As part of its Keep Creative At Home initiative during lockdown, Bromsgrove District Council is putting on Heritage Week. BDC, together with the Bromsgrove Society, has brought together a fantastic set of resources to highlight some of our amazing local heritage.

There are plenty of opportunities to find out about local history online and whilst out taking exercise (depending on current restrictions). The Bromsgrove Society has worked with Bromsgrove District Council on a number of initiatives to this end. For example, you can discover the stories behind many of the buildings in the town centre by clicking the Interactive Heritage Map on the Heritage Week page.

Other highlights include finds from an archaeological dig and audio clips from an oral history project “Bromsgrove People and Places”.

Bookings for the Bromsgrove Society's Summer Talks - mentioned on the Heritage Week page - will open here shortly. Please check back soon.

The Bromsgrove Society Celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

Back in the late 1970s public concern was growing in the town as a number of centuries old and well loved buildings were falling into disrepair and facing the threat of demolition. Many people were anxious about the changing character of the town should the destruction of buildings such as The Mitre Inn, Stoke Prior Mill and Farm House and the old Workhouse go ahead. When the Stratford Road Almshouses were demolished without notice a steering group was formed to make the feelings of the public known.

Chris Pancheri and Jennie McGregor-Smith wrote to the Council and the local newspapers to drum up support for the formation of a new civic society which would promote pride in the town and district whilst encouraging an interest in conserving and enhancing the built and natural environment.

On Tuesday 13th May 1980 over 200 people packed the inaugural meeting and the new civic society for the district, The Bromsgrove Society, was formed.

Over the last 40 years the Bromsgrove Society has continued to promote an interest in local history and works hard to ensure the built environment and character of the town and district is preserved, keeping an eye on planning applications and supporting other initiatives within Bromsgrove.

The Society's 500 members and others who are interested in the local area are encouraged to attend activities including the series of monthly talks, an Annual Lecture, the Summer School and other events. Society members receive regular newsletters and the annual "Rousler" Publication.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary the Society had intended to host a social function after the AGM in July, sadly this now can't happen, but there will be an opportunity to mark the occasion and cut a cake in the future.

The anniversary will be recognised with the publication of a history of the Bromsgrove Society, written by society member Mike Sharpe. The booklet will be sent to all members with the June newsletter. Anyone wishing to join the Society to receive a copy and to support the Society's aims and objectives can find application details here. The anniversary was also covered in the Bromsgrove Standard.

Click through for a selection of photos from the last 40 years:

Cancellation of Bromsgrove Society Events

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the following Bromsgrove Society meetings and events scheduled for the next few months have been cancelled:

• The 34th Bromsgrove Lecture, Tuesday 7 April: This has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 3rd November. See separate notice below.
• The Local History Meetings on Tuesday 21 April and 17 May.
• The Bromsgrove Society Summer School, 7-9 July. This will be re-arranged for next year, 2021. Existing bookings are being refunded.
  

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 07749 581842 and leave a message.

The 2020 Bromsgrove Lecture

UPDATE: Due to the current health emergency, the Bromsgrove Society has decided to postpone the Bromsgrove Lecture due to take place on 7th April. This will now be held on Tuesday, 3rd November at Bromsgrove School.

Existing tickets will be honoured for the new date. Tickets purchased from FotoFactory, in Bromsgrove High Street, can be returned there for a refund.

The 34th Bromsgrove Lecture hosted by The Bromsgrove Society

Tuesday 7th April 2020 at 7.30pm
‘The Charles Archive: The Lives, Work and Legacy of Freddie and Mary Charles’
Presented by Emily Hathaway and Tegan Cornah

F.W.B Charles (1912-2002), better known as Freddie, was an architect and nationally recognised expert on the conservation and repair of timber-framed buildings.  He and his wife, architect Mary Charles (née Logan, 1924-2005), set up a private practice, initially in Bromsgrove and then in Worcester, that eventually specialised in the conservation and restoration of historic timber-framed buildings. Freddie and Mary were involved in the restoration of many important buildings across Worcestershire, including in Bromsgrove. Thanks to grant funding from Historic England and the Vernacular Architecture Group, the Charles Archive has now been fully catalogued and partially digitised.

Emily Hathaway is the Historic Landscape Officer and Tegan Cornah is a Historic Environment Record Assistant, both at Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service.

Routh Concert Hall, Bromsgrove School, B61 7HP
Tickets cost £6 and include a complimentary drink afterwards.
Buy online from Bromsgrove School
or in person from FotoFactory, 123 High Street, Bromsgrove.