Wordsley History Society

"Chairman, Brian Idoine, welcomed 59 members and 43 visitors to the meeting, wishing all a Happy New Year. After the usual reminders re safety and refreshments, he gave the following notices:

a) A special raffle is to be held in February with all proceeds going to the Wordsley Community Centre.

b) The Bottles & Jars stall at the Centre Annual Bazaar had raised £128, and Brian thanked everyone for their contributions.

c) Copies of Stan Hill’s book – Wordsley Past and Present – were still available at £10 per copy. All proceeds to Mary Stevens Hospice.

Brian then introduced the speaker – Melvyn Thompson – whose subject was ‘Mills and Tall Chimneys’. In an earlier talk, Melvyn had covered Kidderminster and the carpet industry to the beginning of World War Two. Tonight he continued the story from l945, when there had been 25 companies and 15,000 people in the business, to the present, with 5 companies (only 2 actually weaving) and perhaps 500 employees. This great decline was the main theme of the evening.

But behind it lay fascinating stories. For example, the extraordinary skills of dyers who could consistently create yarns in up to 40 colours for a single carpet design, or up to 150 shades of, say, red.

There was the size and increasing intricacy of the machines, and (a shock to the people of today) the lack of concern for health and safety: massive noise levels in vast weaving sheds; lack of protective clothing; unfenced machinery and drive systems in the days when Kidderminster from its very centre was a carpet town.

Melvyn’s knowledge and affection for his industry were obvious; his slides, donated by, or rescued from, the companies gave authenticity, and overall the evening demonstrated the inseparable links of those days between the town, its industry and the lives of its people. Throughout the talk he emphasised the part the Carpet Museum now plays in remembering those days now past, encouraging everyone to make a visit.

Following Melvyn’s talk, there was time for questions and several of the audience took this opportunity which added greatly to the interest shown in following Melvyn’s delving into Kidderminster’s past.

Brian thanked Melvyn for another most interesting evening. He also thanked the ladies who had provided refreshments and wished everyone a safe journey home.

Next meeting: 11 February – ‘Under the Auctioneer’s Gavel’ – Mark Hannon will talk about the work involved in organising Fieldings monthly sales with particular reference to coins and pottery. Visitors and new members always welcome".