Mysterious Britain At Sandwell Libraries

There has been much talk recently about how to save our under threat libraries. With funding being cut by cash strapped councils, and with talk about how to encourage people to use them more, libraries have been a big talking point. Sandwell Libraries are, however, bucking a trend, hosting a wide range of events that have had people flooding through their doors in droves to listen to speakers, watch live performances, and even take part in musical sessions.

The guest speakers have been brilliant, from children’s illustrator Nick Sharratt to local Peaky Blinder expert and historian Dr Carl Chinn. Last week I was lucky enough to attend a talk by the brilliant local historian Andrew Lound at the wonderful Wednesbury Library. (a Carnegie building no less.)

Andrew Lound – Mysterious Britain

Andrew Lound is a Presenter, writer, lecturer and broadcaster. The former curator of the Avery Historical Museum, he  Regularly commentates on all areas of science and history on broadcast outlets including BBC Radio,Talk Radio., Talk Sport, GB News, Sky News etc Writer and also presents the TV series ‘Streets of Birmingham’.

He has recently been giving informative and entertaining talks in a range of Sandwell libraries on the subject of the Titanic, and its links to the West Midlands, but the talk I attended had a far darker feel to it. Recently, I have become fairly obsessed with all things ‘Uncanny‘, binge watching both series, and listening to almost all the podcasts. When I heard that Andrew was doing a talk on ‘Mysterious Britain’ looking at myths, legends, witches and happenings in the Midlands area, I knew that this would be right up my street, so I took my dad along for an entertaining, escapist afternoon.

Mysterious Britain

Andrew’s talk about the mysteries of the West Midlands said that this was/is(?) an area full of witches. He claims that witches were less persecuted in the Midlands compared to the North, and explained that witches were followers of the old religions, before Christianity, and that their reverence was for plants, trees, nature and animals. He cites fascinating examples of how they could often ‘heal’ and treat minor remedies because of their knowledge of plants and herbs. The Jesuit trained doctors were all men and so the women who practiced medicine locally due to their knowledge were labelled witches and persecuted, because they were against the norm.

He asked the question – How much medicine was lost due to the persecution of witches?

He cites the story of the treatment of Mollie Lee in the late 17th century. She was notorious in the Burslem area, where her constant companion was a large black bird. She was non confirmist, non church going and was a thorn in the side of Rev. Spencer. When she died, of natural causes, she was buried her coffin was buried in the opposite direction to all the other coffins in the graveyard. But rumours persisted that she had been ‘seen’ in her cottage as a ghostly form. Local children sang the song ‘Mollie Lee, Mollie Lee, can’t catch me.’ Her corpse was dug up, and a stake was thrust through her heart. Her blackbird was caught, put into a sack and buried with her. If you see a blackbird flying high in Burslem, people are still respectful.

Spring Heeled Jack

But not all stories that have a macabre feel are really anything to be worried about. The legends of Spring Heeled Jack are heard across the nation (you can take a look here)

The stories were particularly popular in the Midlands, with a possibility that they had been brought over from Germanic nations. The most notorious is linked to Netherton. There were numerous stories of Spring Heeled Jack in the area that were followed by reports that he had actually been seen jumping over the ‘cut’ (Canal). Police believed the stories and surrounded the canal with guns, actually catching Spring Heeled Jack. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t Spring heeled jack at all, but rather a famous canal jumper who had been jumping at night to practice!

Other Stories

Andrew has a veritable feasts of stories and legends that cover the whole of the Midlands, from the Wishing Tree of Bloxwich, to legends of Cannock Chase and strange big cats that have been allegedly spotted there. There are the stories of the St Leonard Wakes in Bilston, and the mummified Arm found in the Grade 2 listed White Hart in Caldmore, Walsall. Andrew refutes the footballing legend that St Andrews was built on gypsy ground leading to a curse of Birmingham City, but tells stories linked to the Lunar Society and to Prince Rupert and the Civil War. His presentation style is riveting and totally entertaining, and you come away feeling educated and determined to do your own research.

Highly entertaining!

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