The Reunion May 2001

Sat 19th May

Kinver Country Fayre

The village of Kinver lies on the edge of the Black country near Stourbridge and has long been a favourite spot for BC folk. Visit the village and enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the country fayre in the historic High Street. email Jean for details

Social evening and historical talks at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Vicarage Road Wednesbury AZ ref : 1D 44) Start @ 7.00pm. Food available at very reasonable prices.

Sun 20th May

Cruise around the canals of Birmingham from Gas Street Basin, charge payable @ 4GBP meet @ 3.00pm outside the ICC next to the canal bridge

Mon 21st May

Social evening and historical talks at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Wednesbury. Start @ 6.30pm Food available at very reasonable prices.

Tue 22nd May

Daytime visit to Soho house and Aston Hall Birmingham. Aston Hall is free entry, Soho House is @ 2.50 GBP (see Jane's website for last years visit)

Evening mystery tour! Meet at the Park Inn, Woodsetton Dudley (AZ ref: 5D 42). It's marked as a Brewery!

Wed 23rd May

Daytime. Meet at St.Barts Church, Church Hill Wednesbury, @ 11am AZ ref: 1C 44) Graveyards North and Commonwealth War Graves Cannock Chase This is within a foot and mouth disease infected area. Those of you coming from rural/farming communities would be advised to not attend this event. We are concerned that you might have problems upon returning to your homelands if you have been in an infected area. Only attend this one if you are really sure about it.

Evening

A night out at Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory Tipton. Meet at 7.30pm at the pub(AZ ref: 5F 43) Junction of Sedgley Road West and Hurst Lane, Bloomfield Tipton Home of the famous Desperate Dan Cow Pie and a good night out with lots of other food for the less adventurous to sample.

Thur 24th May

Daytime Meet at @10.30am Oldbury Cenotaph (AZ ref 4D 56) you can't miss it! Graveyards south and Glass Museums at Wordsley/Stourbridge. An interesting day with an opportunity to see how the world famous Stourbridge Crystal glass is made. Nice gift shopping for a genuine Black Country souvenir.

Evening meet at @ 7.30-8.00pm Meal and talks by Dave Ogden and Alan Hale at the Horse and Jockey, Wood Green Road Wood Green, Wednesbury. (AZ ref 1E 45) Dave and Alan will be entertaining and informing us after our meal with talks on Family history related subjects! Food will be from the pub's own menu which will be posted soon. We have also secured a fantastic deal where two people will be able to eat for the price of one! This is THE not to be missed night out! Fantastic value for money in good surroundings and company.

Friday 25th May

Social evening and historical talks at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Wednesbury. Start @ 6.30pm Food available at very reasonable prices.

Sat 26th May

Daytime. Meet at Jewellery 1/4 Metro stop @ 11am ( well, just outside it on the bridge). Birmingham: Jewellery quarter, Visit to Jewellery 1/4 discovery centre Canal boat trip, Birmingham Archives and Cathedrals. A full day with plenty to see and do.

Sunday 27th May

Black country museum. A full day at our local award winning museum. See how the ancestors lived.

Monday 28th May

Bank Holiday Monday

Tuesday 29th May

Social evening and historical talks at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Wednesbury. Start @ 6.30pm Food available at very reasonable prices.

Wed 30th May

Trip to be led by Dave Ogden to Sarehole Mill and the Dingles, Birmingham. This is the one for Tolkien fans, walk the paths and glades where the Hobbits lived and imagine yourself in Lord of the Rings!

Thur 31st May

Daytime Sandwell Archives have kindly allowed us exclusive access on a day when they are normally closed to the public. Advance bookings only to Cassy please. Note: not all materials are stored on site. If you want further information regarding availability phone them on 0121 558 2561 for advice. The staff will be able to advise you of their holdings and procedures. If items need to be ordered in advance please make it clear to them that you are part of our party.

Monday 4th June

Social evening and historical talks at Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Wednesbury. Start @ 6.30pm Food available at very reasonable prices.

We have tried to leave you all with plenty of free time to visit archives and areas of your own interest and have also left a few nights free for you all to do your own thing and for us to rest!

If you are new to the area be assured it is easy to get around, even without a car. Any lodging near a bus stop is a good bet.

The archives can be gotten to by bus. It is important to remember that none of the archives can handle the whole group at one time. Birmingham comes close but reservations need to be made for the film viewers. Smethwick and Dudley (Roseville) were popular with our group. Wolverhampton archives was within walking distance of the train, bus stops and the metro.

Some links that might be helpful
Enjoy your visit to the Black Country A comprehensive BTA site featuring accommodation, attractions, walking, cycling, the waterways and the millennium.
Rail information, including timetables and network maps. Uk public transport information. For rail, air, coach, bus, ferry, metro
Timettables, Bus & Metro maps. Ticket prices, transport links All about Dudley
All about Wolverhampton The Britannia Hotel in Wolverhampton
Narrowboats in Birmingham The Black Country Bugle site.