Kingswinford Ladies Social Circle.

The ladies met on June 2 at The Royal British Legion and were welcomed by Ann Cooper who was acting chairman. She also welcomed the speaker Dr Kate Round who was to talk

about the glass making industry in Stourbridge.

Apologies were received, and the secretary and treasurer’s report read, approved and signed.

Sheila will discuss the September lunch at the next meeting.

A trip to Trentham Gardens has been arranged for November 10, and the total cost will be £10.

Deposits of £5 to be taken at the July meeting.

Dr Kate Round gave us a condensed history of how the glass making industry arrived in Stourbridge.

Glass makers travelled from eastern Europe via Murano in Italy ,France, Bristol, and finally settling in Stourbridge due to its surplus supply of suitable materials and canals.

At one time there were 30 glass works in the Crystal Mile but sadly few remain.

Glass making was an extremely hard industry and many men developed "dropped hands" due to the

excessive absorption of lead in the body. There was no NHS, no benefits, no compensation and large

families to feed. Life was hard.

When the Broadfield House Glass Museum opened it had 2,000 pieces but at its closure it had 10,000 items. These will be displayed when the new White House Cone Museum opens later this year along with a copy of the famous Portland vase and other historical items.

Sylvia gave the vote of thanks and two ladies won raffle prizes.

The next meeting will be at 7.45pm on July 7 and the speaker will be Marlene.

Visitors always welcome.