Following Charles Roberts' excellent contribution to our lecture season we come to the Members Evening on 13th February. This will feature a talk from Maurice Handley on his recent trip from Rainhill to China via the Trans-Siberian railway, an update from Roy Forshaw on the latest discoveries at Hilbre, plus inputs from Graham Gladden and Malcolm Verity.

This promises to be a fascinating evening. Don't miss it!

Long Weekend - the West Midlands and Worcester

Railways, canals, wind and water power, historic buildings, metal working, carpet making and coal will all feature in the 36^th edition of the Long Weekend. There is a great deal to see in the area, and our programme will take in some sites open to the general public as well as a number of specially arranged visits. All MIHS members and friends are welcome on the weekend. The programme will be interesting and varied, with something for everyone. We will be based at the Holiday Inn Bromsgrove (Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, B61 9AB) where the roomy bedrooms are all en-suite, with double beds for single occupants. The hotel is equipped with a gym, a spa and a heated pool.  A three-course dinner with tea/coffee will be provided each evening and we will have a dedicated meeting room.

Visits will be selected from the following:   

Friday 4^th May - Bridgnorth and Stourport

·        Bridgnorth: Severn Valley Railway engine house (with possible train ride) and Daniels Mill

·        Stourport Canal Basins

·         Evening: Introductory talk - The Industrial Development of the West Midlands

Saturday 5^th May - In and around Worcester

·         Visits to sites in and around the city, guided by members of the Worcestershire IA and Local History Society  Evening: Talk - The Kidderminster Carpet Industry

Sunday 6^th May - Kidderminster, Dudley and Redditch             

·         Kidderminster: town tour with pre-view of new carpet museum

·         Dudley: Boat trip in Dudley Canal Tunnels, Red House Glass Cone, Redditch Forge Mill

·         Evening: Social evening and ever popular quiz

Monday 7^th May - Bromsgrove and Chell (Staffordshire)         

·         Bromsgrove: Avoncroft Collection of Historic Buildings, Tardebigge Locks (36 of them!)

·         En-route back to Merseyside, visit to Chatterley Whitfield Colliery, guided by the Friends

Costs:  For those in a double/twin room costs will be £199 per person. The cost in a single room will be £238. These charges cover dinner, bed and breakfast for three nights plus all talks, guides, admissions and gratuities, but not lunches or snacks. 

Travel:  These prices do NOT include travel to and from Bromsgrove and between the sites. A minibus will pick up at Lime Street on Friday, 4^th May, returning there on the evening of the 7^th May. The cost will be approximately £40 per person (depending on fuel prices). Space permitting, arrangements will be made for those travelling to Bromsgrove independently but wishing to use the minibus to visit the sites.

How to book:  Please contact Malcolm Verity before 23^rd January 2012 with a non-returnable deposit of £25 per person. The balance must be paid by 31^st March 2012. Any queries, contact Malcolm after 9^th January on 01928 724804. Please note that due to limited hotel accommodation, we cannot guarantee places for those booking late.

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Merseyside's Industrial Past - our gazetteer of the Industrial Archaeology sites of the region

 £6.00 per copy (includes postage).  To secure yours send a cheque made out to MIHS to:

Hon. Treasurer MIHS, 14 Ardern Lea, Alvanley, FRODSHAM, Cheshire WA6 9EQ

Telephone: 01928 724804