Earlier this week I was pleased to receive an e mail from Margarette O'Callaghan who was once the secretary to the Chairman of H.G.Smith, Steel Fabrications formerly situated in St.Annes Rd. prior to demolition. Margarette advised me that the late chairman's wife had recently died and the family had some photo's and cine film relating to the firms Home Guard detachment from the 2nd.W.W. and were now looking to re-home it. I offered it a safe haven and we now eagerly awaiting news.

  Next we have an appeal for help and I will simply quote it; '' I am trying to trace the relatives of Alfred Edward Johnson, who was killed in Holland in 1944 during Operation Market Garden. He was 25 years old and the son of Mr.and Mrs.Charles Johnson. I believe Alfred was from Willenhall. He joined the South Staffs Regiment and volunteered for glider training. He was employed by Rubery Owen. He married Dorothy Ruby Parry of Abersychan, Monmouthshire and the last known contact between the families was in 1963. I am the widow of Dorothy's brother, Derek. My family and I have made many visits to Alf's grave and I have information which his family may not know. I can be contacted on 07368 383145. Josephine Parry, Newport, South Wales.''

  It is soon our A.G.M. and we are looking to extend our scope by holding a Local History Fair. This will be held at the Pavilion in Willenhall Park and is planned for Saturday 26th.September,2020, about 10am - 3.30pm. It is a small venue with about 10 tables and will be a rather embryonic affair, but if it captures peoples interest then we could move on to grander things in future. More later.

  We shall  be having another open night later in the year. Our meeting on the 14th.April will be a talk by Keith Robinson entitled 'A Victorian History of Darlaston told through the people of one street.' and on the 12th.May we have a talk by Peter Butler-Hollington about 'The History of Glass Bottles' Usual time and place - 7.15pm, Gomer St CHART Centre. No evening meeting in June as we shall be on our day trip.

  Also, men do not get breast cancer do they? Yes they do. At Christmas I saw my G.P. about a small marble sized lump near my one nipple which had become a little uncomfortable. Next stop New Cross and a mastectomy. It was breast cancer, but had not spread to the lymph glands so my prognosis is good, even at 75.

So Chaps. Check your bits (that's not a spelling mistake) as you might be one of those 400 male cases each year.  Bye for now. Bob.