Blog

In this week’s blog, BCLM Researcher Simon Briercliffe uncovers the hidden stories of 5 Black lives in the history of the Black Country, going as far back as the 1700s, and discusses the challenges historians face in finding out more about Black lives in the past. From eighteenth-century entrepreneur George Africanus to George Cosens, Britain’s first Black pastor who became minister in Cradley Heath in 1837, Simon uncovers the contributions these incredible individuals made to Black Country history.

In this week’s blog we’re taking a relaxing break and looking at leisure time in the past for Black Country Folk. Researcher Clare Weston explores the types of holidays experienced in the past.

In 1913 Wolverhampton residents had had enough of poor housing conditions and high rents set by profiteering landlords. With help from reformers they formed the “Tenants Defence League” and went on strike. Resarcher Simon Briercliffe explores this fraught story.

As part of South Asian heritage month, in this week’s blog we explore the history of Desi Pubs and their important place in the Black Country’s social story.

Dr Jenny Gilbert explores five fascinating facts about Britain’s National Health Service in 1961, a key year in the organisation’s history.

From cholera to diphtheria, epidemics are a tragic feature throughout Black Country history. In our latest blog researcher Nadia Awal explores how these deadly diseases affected local towns, and how health innovations & vaccines helped us to overcome them.

Dr Jenny Gilbert explores the fascinating story of Mary Garman and her intricate relationship with some of the most influential writers of the early 20th century.

Researcher Clare Weston details the impressive journey that Titanic’s Anchor made, from it’s creation in the forges of the Black Country to the shipyards of Belfast.

Researchers Simon Briercliffe and Dr Jenny Gilbert uncover 10 Black Country objects that were on show in 1951s Festival of Britain, a nationwide celebration of British identity, industry and innovation.