Wordsley M Townswomen's Guild

The May meeting was opened by chairman of the day Liz Hubbard and welcomed 60 members and visitors. Minutes of the previous meeting, prepared by secretary, Liz Moseley, were signed and Rosemary Skidmore, treasurer, gave brief details of the accounts to date.

The Federation report was given by Ann Birchell: Members will be attending the afternoon tea party, now fully booked, with entertainment by Beryl Brisco to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday on May 19 at Wollaston Village Hall 2 – 4pm. The Inter Guild Quiz will take place on Thursday 16th June at the Stourbridge Football and Social Club, Amblecote 7.30pm and Wordsley will be entering a team and observers. The Annual Lunch will again be held at the Vesuvio Restaurant, Stourbridge on July 25 £17 with Alison Snowden, from Fielding’s Auctioneers, speaker. The Harvest lunch has been arranged for September 28 at Wollaston Village Hall £10. Old Swinford T. G. have organised a trip to Charlecote Gardens for June 7.

The Guild Lunch Club will meet on June 6 at The Swan, Kingswinford 12 for 12.30pm.

Next coffee morning will be held at the home of Liz Hubbard Wednesday June 15 at10.30am.

Barbara Taylor said members are looking forward to the outing to the Grand Theatre for the musical ‘Made In Dagenham’ on May 25, matinee 2.30pm. Barbara has enquired about Saturday matinees of Annie at Brierley Hill Civic Hall and Carousel with Cradley Heath Operatic Society.

Liz Moseley gave details of the Community Centre Annual Raffle, tickets on sale now.

Liz Hubbard then introduced John Sparry who gave a talk entitled ‘Ghosts Along The Great Road’ or the A449 as we now know it. Going back to Roman times when there were only paths for pedestrians or horses which then became tracks turning into lanes and then roads. In around 100AD Romans must have marched along the Great Road when heading for the Roman camp at Greensforge and with carts, pulled by donkeys, carrying salt from Droitwich. In 1163 King Henry 2nd visited Dudley Castle with his entourage of bodyguards, musicians, cooks, dressmakers and courtiers. Henry 3rd visited Bridgnorth three times and was friends of the owners of Stourton Castle. The gun powder plotters must have used that road in 1605 as did also Charles 1st on his way to the battle of Naseby. Charles the 2nd, after losing the battle of Worcester, fled so far along the Great Road then into Stourbridge and through Wordsley onto Moseley Old Hall and then Boscobel House. General Booth travelled along this road as did Edward Elgar and the Prince of Wales on his way to Himley Hall, at one time with Mrs Simpson. More recently Barbara Cartland was seen to be riding along in her chauffeured limousine. John’s talk, punctuated with many humorous tales, was given an enthusiastic response from the appreciative audience and Liz Hubbard gave the vote of thanks.

The next meeting is on June 20 Chris Smith, editor of the Village Voice will tell us 10 local short stories of the area – but one story is untrue. Will you be able to tell which one?

All meetings are held at Wordsley Green Community Centre, the third Monday each month 10am. Visitors are very welcome to any of the meetings £2.50 which includes refreshments.

Programme cards have been printed and are now available.