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The
Society has in its files several printed programmes of productions given by the ALNE HILLS PLAYERS towards the end of the 1930s. A
list is given of their productions since 1924. Does any reader know hew long this dramatic
society survived? One imagines that the second World War put paid to it - but we would
like to know. Some of the players named in 1939 were well-known in these parts: Woodward
Jephcott, James and Violet Adcock, Raymond Jephcott.
The Memorial Hall at Great Alne was the venue for the productions
New Books
Or at least a new book.It's a book on international history but has a good deal of
application to local areas.
It is SEEDS OF CHANGE: FIVE PLANTS THAT TRANSFORMED MANKIND by Henry Hobhouse, published
by Sidgwick at £15:
It seems a high price but may be got through the Library service. The five plants which
have had a powerful influence on human history are: Pepper, Quinine, Sugar, Potato,
Cotton.
The search for pepper partially accounted for the discovery of the Americas, a
chance find in Peru led to the cure for malaria the effects of sugar (native to Polynesia
and unknown in Europe before the modern era), not yet fully understood, the subsistence of
a whole nation (Ireland) on a crop whose failure led to masses of Irish crossing the sea
and founding the Kennedys and Reagans,etc, the slave trade and the industrialisation of
cotton in Lancashire due to a crop which originated in Egypt.
Mrs.E.Heneghan of Bidford on Avon has sent this extract from the ‘Stratford
Herald’ for 20 July, 1860
‘Assault: Henry Skirvington was charged by Caroline Oddle with assaulting her on the
2nd July - whilst proceeding to Bidford and again on her way home. He was warned not to be
so rough in his wooing in future;(he had thrown stones at her, followed her and kissed
her). He was fined 1s. and costs of 15s. or 7 days imprisonment. Not being in funds he was
obliged to accept the latter alternative.’
Epigrams or whatever they are called but some
readers may remember the examples recently sent in by the score to a Radio 2 programme:
here is a sample:
‘My friend went to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa but when he got there he didn’t
have the inclination'
Corny? Yes, if course it is but it is fun making them up. Here are some which have
occurred to us:
The above are more or less connected with the area; perhaps there are some readers mad enough to invent a few more which are related to local history topics please let us have them.
Society News
April 9 (Wednesday) 8 p.m. 1986 at the Greig Hall, Alcester
A session of ‘ANY QUESTIONS with Chairman and panel of four members to deal with any
topics whatsoever related to local history questions or problems. Questions may be put on
the night itself but it would be very helpful indeed if readers could send in some in
writing before April 9. The panel will include those who are knowledgeable on Roman
Alcester, mediaeval Alcester, industrial archaeology, villages in the area and much more !
The Local History Society’s Meetings during the winter - A.E.D.
The November 1986 A.G.M. was a mile stone in the history of the Soc iety: we acquired a
new Chairman, Mr.Cyril Johnson; it gave us chance to honour the retiring. chairman and
founder of the Society, Edward Saville, with the title of President . The illustrated talk
that evening was on old farm tools, with special emphasis a crude,pointed stick to the
sophisticated machinery of modern times. In December, thanks to the folk-group
‘Calico’ and our Vice-Chairman, Richard Churchley, we had an entertaining and
swinging time, plus the excellent refreshments supplied by the Society members. The
January meeting brought to us Mr.Dix, an authority of the Battle of Edgehill, who not only
illustrated the talk with slides but with a collection of 17th century artefacts. A museum
near the battle site has been set up.
© Alcester & District Local History Society 1986