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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

How did Banners Gate get its name?

How did Banners Gate get its name?
How did Banners Gate get its name?
Is ‘Banners Gate’ a modern name for one of the many gates into Sutton Park.? You may be surprised to find that it isn’t. But how far back does one have to go to find the time when the name was first used. This article answers the question and comes up with a ‘bloody’ story about Banner’s Pool.
  • Author: Zoe Toft (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 15th August 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research …

Sutton Coldfield Valuation Map (1857), Photographs and Spreadsheet

Sutton Coldfield Valuation Map (1857)
Sutton Coldfield Valuation Map (1857)
This article does not contain the Original Map. However, that has been photographed here in detail, showing plot numbers, and is accompanied by a very comprehensive spreadsheet enabling the researcher to find everything that is available about the plots.
  • Author: Don McCollam; Marian Baxter; Janet Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 10th August 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • Click to view this Research …

Buildings on The Parade (Railway side), used as businesses, from early 20th Century to mid/late 20th Century Re-development.

Buildings on The Parade
Buildings on The Parade
Having spent his childhood visiting the shops in the Parade, where his father worked as a newspaper editor/sub-editor, Adrian Lanchester-Hale is well placed to give a comprehensive account of the history of those shops as they became the bustling town centre of Sutton Coldfield. Sadly, a lot of the twentieth century façades were lost when they were replaced by the Gracechurch Centre development.
  • Author: Adrian Lanchester-Hale (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 1st July 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research …

Searching for the site of the Old Rectory, Sutton Coldfield (Prior to 1701)

Old Rectory, Sutton Coldfield
Old Rectory, Sutton Coldfield
Does this article prove that the Old Rectory occupied the same space as the new Rectory built by Rev. John Riland in 1701? Perhaps a more thorough search of this area of Rectory Park might reveal further evidence?
  • Author: Janet Jordan (SCLHRG)
  • Published: 21st June 2026
  • Research
  • Original Research
  • View this Research …
  • Visitors:
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_ZZ48%Unknown
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_GB32%United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • MOD_JSVISIT_COUNTRY_US17%United States of America

History Spot

Prince Of Wales [451]

sdc11126_edited
Prince Of Wales
Wednesday 22nd June 1898 was bright and sunny, and the railway station at Sutton looked a picture. Over a hundred and fifty ladies and...
  • Published: 24th January 2017

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

The last of the sandwiches and seftons - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023 Notice the Golden Eggs on the ceiling - Victorian Afternoon Tea - 30th March 2023 And who might you be - 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
Jonessoft
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