The History of Women in the Glass Industry

The next meeting of the Society takes place on Thursday 13th March at 7:30 pm in St. Andrew's Church, Bilston Street, Sedgley. The speaker is Kate Round an outreach presenter and tour guide for Dudley Museum Service.

Kate traces the contribution women have made in the Stourbridge and Brierley Hill industry from the 1860s to the present day. This is a long struggle to be recognised as designers, glass blowers, and cutters - indeed to be treated as equal to men in every aspect of the business. There are many stories uncovered as workers are interviewed and family histories researched.

Pushing through the 'glass ceiling' is a fascinating account embracing workers, unions, and management - a fight to overcome the reluctance of men to accept a cultural change.

Admission is £2 – exact amount appreciated.

2025 – Winter Teaser Answer

The image shows a church built before 1600. It was replaced during the reign of George IV and still welcomes worshippers today. We asked if you could name the church.

This sketch shows All Saints' Church in Sedgley around 1800. A balcony was added c.1660 to accommodate around 400 worshippers. Four bells hung in the tower in 1552 and six in 1720.

A mortuary chapel was built on the south side for the Homer family. These vaults can now be seen outside today's church.

It took from 1826 to 1829 to build a larger church on nearly the same footprint even encasing part of the previous tower. The peal increased to eight bells.

The old church was constructed in red sandstone, the new one in buff / greenish yellow Gornal sandstone.