Wordsley History Society

Chairman, Brian Idoine, welcomed 41 members and 59 visitors to the meeting, and after wishing everyone a belated 'Happy New Year' he reminded them of the safety regulations. Tickets were available for the National Trust Centenary Meeting to be hosted by Kinver Historical Association on February 2.

Brian then introduced the speaker, Keith Hodgkins whose subject was the final days of Round Oak Steelworks.

Keith began with a short background history of the works. A map of l820 shows the Old and New Level ironworks (site-names which persisted to the end in l982) operated by one Benjamin Gibbons. He was bought out by the Earl of Dudley in l857, under whose ownership the works became a very large-scale operation.

By 1892 the manufacture of steel was well under way and included in the works title. The site enjoyed excellent transport links with the canal, the GWR line and the Earl's Pensnett Railway.

The well-remembered 'Cunarder' chimneys were in place by the l950s. Keith showed a striking picture of corn-harvesting at Merry Hill Farm dominated by those structures.

In November l982, with growing pessimism over the works' future, Keith and a friend, both involved in photographic recording of the local industrial heritage, set out to capture what they could of the last days of Round Oak. They began taking pictures from outside the boundary. This went unchallenged, so they ventured inside, then later into the buildings at night. Eventually they got to photograph the dramatic pouring of molten metal, at which point they were noticed and escorted out. Keith reflected on the contrast with contemporary Health and Safety and security levels.

Meanwhile they had become friendly with the shunting crews, via the Level Street crossings box and 'The Three Furnaces', taking photographs from the footplate on the final day, December 12th l982.

Keith's self-effacing talk, and the pictures taken during his calculated trespass provided a valuable and engaging record of this vast local enterprise – in almost every respect a startling contrast with what we see in that same locality today.

Brian thanked Keith for a most unexpected look back at our recent history. It was obvious the audience, too, had enjoyed the talk, judging from the applause. After thanking those who had provided refreshments, Brian wished everyone a safe journey home.

The next meeting will be held at 7,30pm on February 9 when Alan Peace will give a talk entitled 'Himley Hall past and present', opening the doors of Himley Hall to remind us of the social history of the estate and the many notable people who visited. New members welcome, also visitors at a cost of £2 including light refreshments.