Black Country Theatres and Cinemas Project

Black Country Cinemas / Black Country Theatres

Stage & Screen in South Staffordshire and the Black Country

from Ned Williams
Uralia Press
23 Westland Road,
Wolverhampton
WV3 9NZ

Phone: 01902 773376
(Weekends: 0121 550 5943)

Email: nedwilliams@toucansurf.com

2011 - This year’s exciting book-production project

Back in 1982 I produced a book called “Cinemas of the Black Country” – an A4 hardback of 232 pages which dealt fairly thoroughly with its subject matter. One prospective publisher dismissed it as “Too much material on too small a subject – appealing to only a small readership!” Despite this judgement I went ahead and produced the book independently with the help of advance orders and a loan from the Co-operative Bank. 1000 copies were produced which seemed optimistic at the time, but the book was a great success and went “out of print” fairly quickly. That book is now quite a collectors’ item, which makes expensive appearances on Ebay! Meanwhile, of course, many people ask me if it is going to be made available again.

This year’s project is even more ambitious. I intend producing a revised updated version of “Cinemas of the Black Country” – but the project is a lot more than just that. The intention is two produce two books – one the companion of the other. The first will describe the “Theatres of the Black Country” – the second will return to the subject of cinemas. Some venues will appear in both books because they have served both functions, some will only appear in one of the books. Hopefully, as many people as possible will support the venture by buying both books, but they will be available separately.

At the moment the project is at an early stage – text is being revised, production details are being worked out etc. It’s not too late to add material to the books – information or photographs still very welcome! At the moment I am not clear about whether we will launch a special offer to customers who pre-order copies, or simply have a special offer available to those who come along when the book is ready – just at the time when I am having to pay the bills! However, what you can do now is let me know if you are interested in this project and would like to be kept informed of its progress. (Email addresses particularly welcome as that makes it easy to keep you informed.)

If you can help with information, interest or support – please do make contact.

Best Wishes

Ned Williams

Ned Williams latest book launch

Meet the authors: See the book!

Brierley Hill Volume 2:
Town Centre, Round Oak,
The Levels, Merry Hill,
Quarry Bank, Mill Street
The Delph, Silver End and Hawbush

Friday 4th March 2011, 7 for 7.30pm

Brierley Hill Methodist Church
Bank Street,
Brierley Hill

Shop price: £12.99
Special offer at the launch: £10
Enquiries: Ned Williams (01902 773376)

Jewels on the Cut Guided Walks for 2011

Jewels on the Cut is a leisurely stroll along the Town Arm of the Stourbridge Canal examining the industrial heritage of the area with particular reference to the Stourbridge Glass Industry. The guide is writer and broadcaster Graham Fisher MBE, an outreach worker with Broadfield House Glass Museum and author of the accompanying book Jewels on the Cut.


The walk takes roughly an hour and a half to cover approximately a mile and a half, starting from Canal Street and finishing at the Red House Glass Cone.

The programme of Jewels on the Cut Guided Walks for 2011 has been announced. Dates are ...

Saturday 30th April 10.00am
Sunday 22nd May 11.00am
Saturday 25th June 10.00am
Sunday 24th July 11.00am
Monday 29th August 10.00am

Building on the success of previous years, the times and days on which the walks are held have been varied this year to enable participants to tailor the event to their weekend. Cost is £3.50 per adult, under-16s by arrangement please.

Booking via Broadfield House on ...

01384 812745
http://www.glassmuseum.org.uk/

Groups and organisations are also advised that the walk can be organised as a bespoke event on specific dates; further details from Broadfield House Glass Museum.

The book Jewels on the Cut is available from various outlets including Broadfield House and Books Unlimited, RRP £12.50

The Jewels on the Cut Guided Walk is part of a wide range of activities, exhibitions and events hosted by Broadfield House Glass Museum throughout the year. Situated off Compton Drive, Kingswinford the Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 12.00 − 4.00pm and admission is free.