THE OFFICIAL HOST TO THE

Founded in 1972, the "Black Country Bugle" started out as a monthly newspaper, however due to its enormous success it is now published weekly and is distributed worldwide. Over the years it has developed into becoming the most wonderful source of information to those who not only still live within the area, but for those like myself who can trace their ancestors back to this unique part of England. The term "Black Country" came from the days of the industrial revolution when the skies in and around my hometown of Dudley were black with the smoke from the Iron and Steel furnaces. The neighbouring towns of Cradley Heath, Quarry Bank, Old Hill, Brierley Hill, Tipton were famous for their steel industry, and Stourbridge for its glass making which is still strong today. There was also a large coal mining and nailmaking industry, therefore families moved into the area from all parts of the country to find work.

I am myself a true Black Country wench (woman) and although it took me many years I finally managed to trace my ancestors back to the mid 1500's in and around Dudley and Gornal. Now I live just outside the area, but my feet return often for they are never happier than when they stand back on good old "Black Country" soil. My loyalties stay firmly with my roots and the place where I was born, of which I am and always will be deeply proud.

The Bugle has many ardent and devoted readers of whom I am one, for I always find myself waiting eagerly for each issue to drop through my letter box, then I can see what wonderful things are in store for us in the latest edition. It offers regular features like the "Post Bag" "Readers Write-in" "Ancestral Quests" "Female Focus" "Black Country Ballads" "Information Exchange" "In The Garden" and sports pages including a "Sporting Postbag." Every issue is full of old photographs, stories and special features, plus readers write in from all parts of the world sharing their thoughts with others who also have fond memories of this area. For those having ancestral ties within The Black Country and wish to know more about the lives and times they lived in, the "Black Country Bugle" is by far the best source of information on hand and I strongly recommend that you subscribe to this wonderful newspaper.

Each month this page is updated to show just a selection of some of the "Main Headline Stories" that have been featured during the past four weeks. Once you receive your own copy of the " Bugle" you will soon realise that this will help create a better image of those "Good Old, Bad Old Days" that we Black Country people are so fond of talking about.

Diane Adams.
Worcestershire Family History Research

Below are Just a Selection of the Story Headlines That Have Been Featured in Recent Issues

Diane's 'Black Country Ballad' Choice of the Month	The Black Country's Own
WHO ASKED ME? by Peter Hill	N C Big Band & Singers
I'm six foot tall and sixteen stoon Why cor them Europeans leave me aloon? Out comes the sun, off wi me coat Degrees Fahrenheit has now gone up the shoot My body's no longer ninety eight point fower With centigrade it now seems much lower I goo to the butchers for me mate It's all in kilograms, Oh! I'm in a state I only want two pounds of bacon & four ounce of fat But they'll lock me up if I ask for that A dozen eggs am now in tens I'll have a word with those clucking hens A gallon of beer tastes fine to me So why drink in litres, it's to please them you see Pints of milk in fluid ounces I'll keep the pound while the Euro bounces I'll run a mile or half a yard Metres and millimeters I'll disregard Our children learn metric everyday Knowing this is now the English way Gone is the measure, I'll always treasure And when I'm gone, bury me at your leisure But please mek sure that I'm six foot under Maybe then they'll realise thir biggest blunder	If you live in the 'Black Country' and like Big Band music then the N C Big Band and Singers offer you FREE Monday night sessions at various venues within the area. My husband and I were first introduced to this enthusiastic group of musicians through various articles featuring them in the Black Country Bugle. We now find ourselves attending most of the venues and always look forward to hearing them play a variety of music including traditional swing complemented with superb vocals. Diane Adams. Worcestershire Family History Research For more information on the band, forthcoming dates and venues click on the icon below

BUGLE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE