Wordsley History Society

Chairman Brian Idoine welcomed 49 members and 44 visitors to the meeting, and after reminding everyone of the safety and refreshment arrangements, he gave the following notices:

Community Centre Open Day will be on May 21, to include the spring fair. The society to sell good second-hand books and good quality bric-a-brac

Copies of Stan Hill’s book –Wordsley Past and Present are still available at £10 per copy.

Brian then introduced Mark Hannam from Fieldings Auctioneers. His talk was made up of several strands, not artificially separated under ‘headings’ but naturally interwoven as one led to another. So metal-detecting, coins and ceramics, the practicalities and the romantic appeal of unearthing the past and a career in auction houses, became inseparable in a way which cannot be reproduced in the necessary tidiness of a summary.

On metal detecting, the scope was wide-ranging, from the technical (the range of available machines, prices and performances) to the importance of correct dealings with landowners and compliance with the statutory authorities. On the more personal qualities required of a detectorist, Mark outlined the need for painstaking preparation and research while still retaining a sense of the romance of having the first eyes to see, and hands to touch, items hidden for hundreds and even thousands, of years. As an enthusiast beginning in the late l970s in the Poole and Bournemouth area, Mark has a rich store of anecdotes to bring his account to life.

We moved on to coins and pottery more specifically in the second half, illustrated by many examples from Mark’s own collection, interspersed with stories of his career as an auctioneer and valuer (especially latterly at Fieldings of Stourbridge), with fascinating glimpses of the inner workings of that extraordinary trade.

Following this most interesting of talks, Brian thanked Mark for an intriguing account of his ‘hobby’, - obviously greatly enjoyed by the audience. He also took the opportunity to thank the ladies who had provided refreshments, and then reminded everyone that on March 10 the talk is entitled ‘Whiskers on kittens’, when Graham Fisher will be giving an illustrated talk on his most recent book, detailing his favourite aspects of the glass industry. The talk takes place at 7.30pm in the Community Centre, Wordsley Green. New members and visitors welcome.