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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group Logo

Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Regular meetings currently held from 2:30pm to 4:00pm in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield.
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Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Sutton Coldfield has an interesting history, well documented by an extensive collection of primary sources, formerly to be found in Sutton Coldfield Library. Unfortunately, due to the permanent closure of the library by Birmingham City Council on 27th June 2025, this material has subsequently been transferred to the Central Library, situated on Broad Street, Birmingham. However, members of the Research Group can now access this collection, as most material has been given new accession references.

Members now meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month in Holy Trinity Parish Church (Refreshment Area), Sutton Coldfield, from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.  On the 4th Tuesday of each month, members are encouraged to visit the Wolfson Centre of Birmingham Library to peruse material they have ordered.

It is therefore hoped that new research articles will continually appear on the website.  All members will receive regular emails from the Secretary or other members of the Committee, with details of issues affecting the Group.

For further information, see Join Us.

 

Telling Sutton's Stories

telling suttons stories map

A simple click is all it takes and you will find hundreds of interesting facts about anywhere you choose to look at in the town of Sutton Coldfield.  This map could be used as a town guide as you walk around, inspire research, or even provide the answers to a quiz.  Whatever you do, it will surprise you and provide a wonderful source of entertainment. Click to view the Map …

Elizabeth Allison BEM
Elizabeth Allison BEM

Remembering Elizabeth Allison BEM

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Elizabeth Allison BEM, who was a much-admired member of the Sutton Coldfield community, a noted champion of our local heritage and a campaigner for civic life here in the Royal Town.

  • Author: Andrew Mitchell MP (SCLHRG)
  • Public
  • News
  • Date: 3rd June 2026
  • Click to read more …
Walmley Infant School Newspaper - July 2026
Walmley Infant School Newspaper - July 2026

Walmley Infant School, 70th Anniversary, July 2026

This delightful School Newspaper will become a treasured memento for many children who attended Walmley Infant School over the past 70 years.  It was collated and presented by Amy Baines (Assistant Headteacher) and Harley Burns (Year 1 Class Teacher and History Lead) who have unearthed the school’s old history and discovered some very interesting photographs along the way.

  • Author: Amy Bains; Harley Burns; Janet Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Research
  • Non-Member’s Research
  • Date: 15th July 2026
  • Click to view this Newspaper …
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Recent Research

Old Histories of Sutton Coldfield (Sir William Dugdale and others)

Old Histories of Sutton Coldfield
Old Histories of Sutton Coldfield
The Antiquities of Warwickshire written by Sir William Dugdale in 1656 is a much-quoted source of information on Sutton Coldfield, but access to the original book is not easy. In this article I have reproduced the whole text of Dugdale’s description of Sutton Coldfield under its several headings: Sutton, The Grammar School, Hill and Little Sutton, Maney and Warmley, Wigginshill, Langley, New-Hall, Pedimore, Curdworth, Minworth, Berwood, Dunton, Wishaw and Moxhull, to which I have added some notes. By way of comparison, I have also treated in the same way much shorter accounts of Sutton Coldfield by John Leyland (1535/43), William Camden (1586) and Thomas Cox (1711/17)
  • Author: Kerry Osbourne (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 9th September 2026
  • Research
  • Transcriptions
  • Click to view this Transcription …

A Brief Discussion on the Impact of a Military Camp In Sutton Coldfield

Camp Field Sutton Coldfield
Camp Field Sutton Coldfield
Sometimes, it is not easy to find lots of information about the movements of former Regiments in the country, but Paul Harrison has managed to gather together more than we have ever known about the military camp on Hill Common in the early 1800s. It is hard to imagine troop movements in the area beyond Mere Green during the Napoleonic Wars, but the soldiers certainly left evidence of their stay in the area as shown by the parish register!
  • Author: Paul Harrison (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 10th September 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research …

Outside Sutton Park

Outside Sutton Park
Outside Sutton Park
Sutton Park was originally larger than it is now, extending beyond Monmouth Drive, and up to the town centre and Lichfield Road. By walking around the outside, you can appreciate the land it included, and how its boundary was laid out.
  • Author: Mike Hodder (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 2nd September 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research …

Dr James Preston His life and times

Dr James Preston
Dr James Preston
It has been said that this article is really the result of a community project as well as a family project. Combined, they have produced here many interesting details of his life, making a most fitting and affectionate tribute to a man so well known to many Suttonians, especially those who had occasion to be patients at the James Preston Health Centre.
  • Author: Yvonne Moore; Paul Harrison (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 28th August 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research …
  • Visitors:
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_ZZ49%Unknown
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_GB32%United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_US16%United States of America

History Spot

Railway 2 [401]

2016-02-05-1623-57_edited.png
Railway 2
The opening of the Sutton Coldfield Branch line of railway in 1862 marked a great change in the town’s history. Looking back, it seemed to...
  • Published: 12th February 2016

Read More …

Photo Galleries

Visit to Coffin Works on Tuesday, 10th March 2026

Visit to Coffin Works on Tuesday, 10th March 2026 Visit to Coffin Works on Tuesday, 10th March 2026 Visit to Coffin Works on Tuesday, 10th March 2026 Visit to Coffin Works on Tuesday, 10th March 2026

Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023

Hazel showing cameo of Emma Holbeche - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023 The Bay Window - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023 Local History Group Members - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023 Looking at Holbeche pictures - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023

Shenstone Visit 8th March 2023

Shenstone Visit 8th March 2023 Shenstone Visit 8th March 2023 Shenstone Visit 8th March 2023 Shenstone Visit 8th March 2023
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