West Midlands

News: Call for volunteers and visits to Worcester & Dudley zoo

Volunteers

The West Midlands committee has been meeting for a year now and we are preparing for a more formal set up, in line with the other regional groups of the Twentieth Century Society. Our committee roles throughout 2015 into 2016 will be held by:

Chair: Anna Douglas
Deputy Chair: Lou Robson
Secretary: Julia Lane
Treasurer: Katriona Byrne

We are seeking additional committee members with enthusiasm and expertise, or the desire to take on a specialism, in the following areas:

• Building research or casework and listing
• Photographing events and trips
• Campaigning, publicity and social media
• Short-term voluntary placements for students of all disciplines also welcome.

If you are interested in joining us please contact Anna Douglas for more information.

Autumn/winter Scouting event programme

architectural notes will not be issued and the emphasis is on having a good day out, usually with food and drink! Members are responsible for their own transport; car sharing and public transport is encouraged.

Attendance: £5 donation per member, to form a fund for future events programming.

Saturday 14th November: Worcester – booking now open.

Following the efforts of our members Katriona and Judith in short-listing buildings towards an updated local list in Worcester, they will guide us around their favourite local gems.

Meet: 9.30am start outside Worcester Foregate Street station or 10am at St Andrews Methodist Church, Pump St (off High St) in the upstairs coffee lounge. Followed by an informal guided tour around the town centre, finishing around 4pm.

Hold the dates: Full details for these December and January events to be confirmed.

Saturday 19 December (tbc): Christmas Film night

Film maker and collector Alan van Wijgerden presents a personal selection of films featuring the reconstruction of Coventry and the Midlands, from his private collection. A rare chance to see unique post-war documentary film making to be screened, appropriately, in the city’s 1960s shopping arcade.

Venue: Shop Front Theatre, 38 City Arcade, Coventry at 6.30pm – 9pm (details and booking information tbc)

Saturday 23 January 2016: Dudley Zoo

A visit to Dudley Zoo, with architect Larry Priest (http://bryantpriestnewman.com), whose work on the restoration of the zoo will give us special access to areas and information.

Venue: meet at the  main entrance gates of the Zoo (time tbc).

Tickets: £5 per head

Booking information – to be confirmed

2016 programme to include (dates tbc):

• University of Warwick and post-war private housing in Coventry
• Scouting visits to Nuneaton & Tibor Riech’s house in Stratford upon Avon
• Stoke on Trent
• Art Deco tour of Birmingham

Hope to see you there.

Anna Douglas