FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Evening meetings (unless otherwise stated) are held at our regular venue, Tipton Green Methodist  Church Hall, Park Lane West, Tipton, DY4 8LD

Non members are welcome for an entry fee of £3.

Tuesday 28th October. 7.30pm.

The Story of Van 132.

An illustrated talk by Barry Picken.

Van 132 is a railway luggage van which played a poignant part in 20th century British history. In 1919 it carried the repatriated remians of Nurse Edith Cavell from Dover to London and then in 1922 bore the  coffin of the Great War`s Unknown Soldier to Victoria station on route to its internment in Westminster Abbey. The story behind these figures is told through the story of the van itself.

Tuesday 25th November. 7.30pm.

The Countess of Computing.

A illustrated talk by Rob Broadbent.

The computer age has come about in a relatively short time and the common belief is that the pioneering ideas behind it developed in the mid 20th century. But this was not the case. The understanding of computers and their incredible potential was demonstrated a hundred years earlier by Lady Ada Lovelace, who in 1843 published a remarkable vision of the future in which she effectively prophesied the 21st century computer age.

Friday 28th November. 7pm.

Christmas Tree of Light Dedication Service and Lights Switch-On.

The Christmas Tree of Light Dedication Service, featuring the singing of Tipton Community Choir. will be held at the St Paul`s Community Centre in Brick Kiln Street, followed by the switching on of the Tree lights by the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Steve Melia, at around 8pm.

Tuesday 27th January. 7.30pm.

A Stroll Around Tipton in the 1970s.

An illustrated talk by Keith Hodgkins.

Keith started taking photographs of Tipton in the 1970s, concentrating on areas such as Owen Street which were about to undergo dramatic change. He will take us on a stoll around the town, looking at the streets and buildings which have disappeared or changed beyond recognition over the past 50 years.

Tuesday 24th February. 7.30pm.

An Evening of Somg with Black Country Voices. 

Since its formation in 2011 the Tipton Community Choir has grown to embrace many members from beyond Tipton`s boundaries. Consequently, in 2026 they have rebranded themselves as Black Country Voices to better reflect their larger catchment area and growing ambitions.

Tuesday 24th March. 7.30pm.

Society Annual General Meeting followed by:

Joseph Davies VC and the Story of the Victoria Cross.

An illustrated talk by Andrew Johnson.

Joseph Davies is the only Tipton-born holder of the Victoria Cross, awarded for his vallant action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The talk will cover Davies`s life and military career together with the background story of the Victoria Cross which was instituted in 1856 during the Crimean War.

Tuesday 28th April. 7.30pm.

Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill. Or Did They?

The Real Meaning of Some of Our Nursery Rhymes.

An illustrated talk by Nigel Metcalf.

Plague, philandering, glutteny, executions, taxation, religious persecution, prostitution and peep shows: these are not exactly the subjects you would expect from your favourite nursery rhymes, many of which date back hundreds of years. The talk explores the theories and facts behind 15 well-known rhymes and many dark secrets are revealed.

Tuesday 26th May. 7.30pm.

Beers and Breweries of the Black Country.

An illustrated talk by Keith Hodgkins.

A review of the region`s distinctive local beers and breweries over the past 50 years, looking not only at the sad losses such as Simpkiss`s, Hanson`s and Banks`s, but also the revivals and new arrivals like Sarah Hughes, Black Country Ales, Green Duck and Fixed Wheel.

For further information ring Keith Hodgkins on 0121 520 0080.