.... Friends of Sandwell Archives

Langley Local History Society was started at Langley Library in February 1996 for members to exchange and record their reminiscences. These were published as 'Langley and Langley Green Recalled' in 1996 and 'Langley and Round About' in 1997.

The society grew in membership, [now about 80], until it could no longer fit into the space available at the library, and then moved to the Church Hall at Warley Institutional Church/Oldbury Salvation Army.

We are currently producing a series of books on life in Langley, Langley Green, Causeway Green and Rood End. We have completed research on transport and industries, published as 'Making and Moving in Langley' in 1999, and sport and leisure in the area, published as 'Playing and Performing in Langley' in 2004. Our ongoing project is a study of the shops and trades of Langley.

With the impending closure of Langley's parish church, St Michael and All Angels, which happened in 2007, the society published a history of the church and parish in 2006. [Now out of print, but available as an Adobe Acrobat file.]

We have just completed research on the men of Oldbury who died in the First World War, and launched a book in November 2007 as 'The Fallen of Oldbury, Langley & Warley 1914 - 1918'. This includes details of over 550 men with an Oldbury connection who gave their lives. Its production was supported by grants from the Lottery Fund and Oldbury Town Committee, as well as local firms and individuals.

The society has just bought a collection of over 200 postcards of Langley, Oldbury and Warley and, in July, will release a book containing 50 postcards from the period 1900 - 1925.

The society arranges a programme of monthly talks and visits to local historical sites. There is no charge for membership, but a charge of £1.50 for members and non-members is made at monthly meetings, including 30p for refreshments. All are welcome.

Monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.45 at Salvation ArmyCentre / Warley Institutional Church, Pound Road, Oldbury.

Contact: via this website or Langley Library, Barrs Street, Langley