Langley Local History Society launched its latest book "The Fallen of Oldbury, Langley and Warley 1914-18" at the Oldbury War Memorial and Sandwell Council House on 15th November 2007. This was the culmination of an eighteen month project, led by Nadia Neale, Lynn Paynter and Terry Daniels, to identify all the local men who died in the war.

Members and guests followed a piper and six standards, including those of the Oldbury Royal British Legion, from the Big House to the War Memorial.

A short service conducted by Canon John Barnett was followed by an act of remembrance led by Frederick Phipps of the Oldbury Branch of the Royal British Legion. Nadia Neale, one of the researchers on the book, then laid a wreath of behalf of Langley Local History Society. This was identical to one laid in June at Thiepval, France, by another researcher, Lynn Paynter.

The Mayor of Sandwell, Gurchuran Singh Sidhu, and the Chair of Langley Local History Society, Dr Terry Daniels, launched the book on the steps of the Council House. Dr Daniels presented copies to those organisations and individuals who had supported the project financially or by supplying information, including the Big Lottery Awards for All, the Oldbury Town Team, the Oldbury Royal British Legion Branch and Club, the Royal Artillery Association and the Worcestershire Regimental Museum.

The book costs £12.50 and is available through Langley Local History Society via this website, at Oldbury, Langley, Rounds Green, Brandhall and Bleakhouse Libraries, Sandwell Community Archives and History Service, and 'LuvNKissiz' card shop at High Street, Langley.

The parade sets out from the Big House

Assembling at the Oldbury War Memorial

The Act of Remembrance

The Mayor of Sandwell with two of the three main authors, Nadia Neale and Dr Terry Daniels, launch the book

Pictures by Barry Willetts

The church of St Michael and All Angels at Causeway Green Road, Langley Green was the parish church for Langley from 1890, replacing the smaller Trinity Church, Langley. Recently, with falling congregations, it proved impossible to maintain the fabric of this large late-Victorian church, and, after due process, it closed this year. The last service was held on 1st July, ironically as always on these occasions, with a large congregation of people associated with the church across the years, but no longer attending!

The Birmingham Diocese has been unable to find a purchaser for the building to date, and it is now likely that the building, at the heart of the Langley community for nearly a century, will be demolished.

The building contains many interesting features, including a Nicolson organ, tablets and memorial stones to leaders of the Langley area, and several fine stained glass windows. These windows are of concern to local people and Langley Local History Society.

One is a fine window dedicated to Gladys Pryor, the daughter of the Vicar, who died at the age of twelve in 1900. This was made by the Camm studio in Smethwick, and includes Glady as one of the children gathered at the feet of Christ.

The east window contains a fine cricifixion panel showing Mary, St John and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross. There is also a three-light window in memory of Mary Amphlett, with the pastoral theme of Christ the Good Shepherd, and a modern baptistry window showing the progress of the soul from conception to rest in heaven.

Of particular concern are the two war memorial windows commemorating the dead of Langley in the Great War. The main window depicts in its three lights St George, Faith and Hope. It also lists the names of sixty-four men of the parish who died in the Great War, the only public record of these men. The second window commemorates Cecil Percy William Lloyd, who was associated with the church, and was killed on the Somme in 1916.

Langley Local History Society accepts that the closure of such buildings may be inevitable when they are no longer viable, and takes no view on the decision for closure itself. It is concerned, however, that the historic fabric is preserved and adequately protected during the period when the building is not in use, and suitably re-sited following any decision to demolish the building.

St Michael's Church and Schools, 1900s

The nave and sanctuary of St Micgael and All Angels Church

Detail of the Gladys Pryor window

The Langley War Memorial window

Colour photographs: Dr Terry Daniels, 2005

Coffin carrier used in the cemetery in former times

The chapel awaiting demolition, autumn 2007