Hagley Historical and Field Society

Chairman, Ray Porter, opened the November meeting by announcing that the Society had received a donation in memory of the late Alan Rankin.  He then reported the death of long-time member Winifred Beaver.  Recent activities of the Research Group were noted and members were invited to buy tickets for the Christmas Social.  Ray encouraged all present to complete the outings questionnaire and gave details of the forthcoming rambles.

The speaker was Graham Sutherland, talking on ‘The Golden Age of Coaching’.  Graham was an inspiring speaker and took us on an imaginary early nineteenth century journey to London by coach.  He showed us the many difficulties faced by travellers: tollgates and bridges, slow moving waggons and highwaymen all conspired to lengthen the journey.  Our imaginary traveller would have enjoyed the many coaching inns along his route but large quantities of food and drink combined with the rough ride would have made for an unpleasant experience.  To go with a humorous but scholarly presentation, Graham had chosen suitable illustrations and few were in any doubt at the end of the evening that the popular Christmas card image of coach and horses battling through a pretty snow scene was far removed from reality.