The achievements of the Society since its formation include the following:
- Leading the campaign to save the 1906 library building when it was left empty in 2000 following the relocation of the facility to new larger premises in Unity Walk. It was refurbished for other uses in 2006, but in a cost saving exercise the library was transferred back to the 1906 building in April 2024.
- Playing a major role in establishing the Tipton Heritage Centre in 1996, which later became the Tipton Community Museum on its transfer in 2000 to the new library in Unity walk. But the Museum was dismantled when the library was transferred back to the 1906 building in April 2024, wiping out 30 years of work. The Society is now campaigning to have key elements of Tipton`s civic heritage put on display in the library.
- Celebrating the town’s history and achievements by erecting a series of blue commemorative plaques.
- Commemorating the millennium by erecting the Neptune Anchor in recognition of the town’s old heavy engineering industries.
- Suggesting new street names with a local significance, around 150 of which have been accepted by the Local Authority.
- Making representations to the Local Authority on planning and development issues.
- Campaigning for an enlargement of the Factory Locks Conservation Area to encompass the complete ring of canals and former canals around the town centre. The extension was designated in 2010.
- Working with the Local Authority and other voluntary groups on the production of Heritage Trails
- Organising, from 1991 to 2013, an annual Tiptonian of the Year Award in recognition of voluntary and charitable work by Tipton people.
- Organising, since 2010, the annual Tipton Christmas Tree of Light Appeal to raise money for local charities. £80,500 has been raised to date.
- Obtaining listed building status for the former St Paul`s church following its closure in 2018.
The Society produces a quarterly newsletter and holds monthly illustrated talks with a local flavour, together with other varied social events. Membership is open to all, Tiptonians or not, who have a genuine interest in the town. The Society is non-political, non-sectarian and independent of any other organisation, but is a member of Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic movement in England.
My name is Smith (Keith) and I'm from Pendlebury, near Manchester. I was born locally (Clifton) in 1946 and my father was John Smith, born in Pendlebury (1908-1978). His father Richard (my paternal grandfather) was also Pendlebury born (1875-1931). However, his father (my great-grandfather), John Smith (son of Edward Smith) was born c. 1837 (died January 1919 'aged 81') in (according to census records) 'Tipton, Staffordshire'. In fact at some point during the 19th century many people from Staffordshire left their homes to move to this part of Lancashire to seek work, more likely as not, because local workers had down-tooled for better pay and/or working conditions in the pits/mills. These Staffs arrivals occupied a few certain streets which for many years became known locally as 'the Bilston' due to the homes of people originating from that area.
ReplyDeleteIn fact as a boy at secondary school in the late 1950s, one of my classmates used to jokingly tease his mother as a 'Staffordshire pig', a reference to the then still lingering bitterness towards the incoming ‘strike breakers’ from Staffordshire.
Some years ago I visited the area to see if I could connect in some way to my Midlands roots, but as you can image having a name (my great-grandfather’s) such as ‘John Smith’ son of ‘Edward Smith’ born Tipton circa 1837 it was always going to be a total non-starter for obvious reasons.
Hi there. I am a direct decedent of Tybba who came to England from Germany. The name was later changed to Tipton. I'm glad I found your website.
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping the history alive.
Paula Tipton Murphy