Little Wenlock Noticeboard page 7
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Ken Jones has released his latest book:
"PITMEN,POACHERS AND PREACHERS"
Life and the Poor Law
in the Madeley Union of Parishes
1700-1930
by Ken Jones
As the acknowledged expert on the oral history of the East Shropshire Coalfield and Coalbrookdale, Ken Jones is well placed to write the history of the way the Madeley Union of Parishes were affected by the Poor Laws. These parishes include Barrow, Posenhall, Benthall, Broseley, Dawley, Linley, Little Wenlock, Madeley, Much Wenlock, Stirchley and Willey.He traces this history through the Old Poor Law and then the New Poor Law and demonstrates the hardships and poverty of those times. The book also examines the education of the poor and the important role of the Methodist Church at that time.
For one chapter, Ken draws on the oral history recordings he has made over more than 30 years and some of these many recordings can be heard on the CD included with this book. The black and white photographs show scenes from that time and include many of the ‘characters’ of the area.
The book is published by The Dog Rose Press, Ludlow, and is available from local bookshops.
Ken Jones has been appointed MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2010.
Warmest congratulations from the whole of Little Wenlock Parish go to Kenneth Jones, aged 88, who was honoured for services to the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site.
Ken, who is vice president of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT), set up a scheme to record an oral history of the Coalbrookdale coalfield area.
The IGMT was set up to preserve and interpret the remains of the Industrial Revolution in the Ironbridge Gorge, and Ken who established the project to record the memories of older residents in 1975, said he felt "very honoured".
He added: "It came as a complete surprise. I never expected anything like this. I wouldn't like to guess how many hours we have. We must have had 300 or 400 people that we've spoken to over the years - some for half an hour, some for two and three hours."
Ken Jones said the audio and transcripts of recordings, which are stored at the museum's library, had links with the 1850s.
He said: "Some people were in their 80s and 90s - some speaking of memories of their father, grandfather and in some cases great-grandfather."
The IGMT was set up in 1967 and Ken Jones, who used to conduct guided tours in the area, first became involved in 1970.
Ken said: "The honour really is due to the people I've had the pleasure of working with, both staff and volunteers, and the people recorded over the years."
Any Questions - Live Debate 13th August 2010
(Click the photos to enlarge)
BBC Radio 4’s “Any Questions” came to Little Wenlock Village Hall on Friday 13th August, broadcast live and chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby. The Village Hall was filled to capacity with approx 200 people attending.
Questions from the audience were put to a guest panel featuring Tony Benn, former Labour Minister, James Delingpole author and journalist, John Sergeant, former BBC political correspondent, and Ruth Lea, head of policy at the Institute of Directors.
The questions covered a range of topics including Public Spending Cuts, Ageism, The Need for Trident Nuclear Missile System, and a topic of local interest raised by John Marcham our Parish Council Clerk namely "If scarring the beautiful landscape around The Wrekin was too high a price to pay, and whether nuclear power electricity generation should be pursued instead."
In reply, John Sergeant said that "The planned mine was horrible, he felt very sorry for the people in the area, and he believed the operation should not be carried out". James Delingpole said "it was right to push ahead with the expansion of nuclear power, but in the meantime the use of fossil fuels was necessary. Tony Benn said "Nuclear power was not safe, but regarding the Huntington Lane plans he thought that they should only be done with the consent of local people". Ruth Lea agreed "That nuclear power generation plant replacement is essential and action is needed urgently, otherwise there is a grave risk of 'the lights going out' "
In response, John Marcham said that "Despite a very strong opposition case put at a public inquiry into the mining proposals, the then Labour Government minister had accepted and approved the inspectors report. The former Labour Government had never turned down an application from UK Coal to surface mine, and as such we had lost the cause before we began"
The general opinion following the broadcast was that the event was very successful, and the there was a high standard of both questions and answers. As well as being entertaining and informative, it provided an opportunity to see behind the scenes of how live broadcasts are produced.
For additional reports see "Shropshire Star" 14th August 2010
The effort and time given by many local residents to ensure that the the broadcast went without a hitch, is appreciated by the whole of Little Wenlock Parish
Little Wenlock residents can vote for spending on their favourite project
From July 5th 2010, Telford & Wrekin Council begins a ground-breaking scheme "£££ for projects", that gives local people the chance to decide on how they want to see money spent in their area.
All suggestions must be received by 6th August 2010, so make sure you get voting, and ask people in your area to put their suggestions forward.
You can vote at www.telford.gov.uk/poundsforprojects, by calling 01952 382527 or in person at your local library, leisure centres and First Point which is based at Civic Offices.
