Diary 14

Jez had suggested I go to the library and take a look at the files he used ; mainly the Census registers, but some from local sources. I asked him why the collection had moved to Bewdley. it seems Kidderminster once had a museum and library, both part of the borough council. Then in the mid-Seventies the library service became a county function within museum staying with the borough. Now clarified, but I’m none the wiser. He also said it might be nice to put on a small exhibition of his photographs some time. He shares my enthusiasm for Albert’s photographic skills. “May be we could pay some tribute to his work,” he said.

There was something else to do. Perhaps when I take back the next batch of scanned plates I can call in at St, Mary’s Church, Kidderminster. The name R.E. Grove has also cropped up. His name appears on some of the slides. When I made my visit to Kidderminster Library I was introduced to a local historian. He knew a little about Chambers saying that he thought he lived near the church. I mentioned the name Grove and he knew of him too; a borough official, I think he said; and that there is a picture of him in the Chantry of St Mary’s.

10th June.

I returned the latest batch to Bewdley. Charles had some more boxes ready for me. There were 4 more of the 10 inch by 12 inch. Liz came in and confirmed that was all there were of those, so at least one collection will be complete. In fact it will be two, for the boxes A to J appear  to be the total of that group which I call the Chambers Collection. There are however many more of the  small boxes left. Too many! I took the four large boxes and eight of the 3 1/4 inch slides. There was also one box outside the specification so far; a miniature version of the large negative books with the label – ‘Prize Medal London 1887’ It contained glass negatives 4 1/4 by 3 1/4 – 12 . I took a couple out and thought I saw Albert. I can pick him out now, even in negative form, or so I imagined. But the proof will have to wait, for there are other things to do first, like keeping these notes up-to-date. And I am jumping ahead of myself.

Before I had arrived home and taken that first hurried look, I had, as planned stopped off at St. Mary’s Church in Kidderminster. I learned that parts were built in the early 15th century and it has periodically been added to, the last being a special chapel in 1922. Some of the internal furnishings are as recent as 1990, and blend in well. But all I wanted to see was a picture on a wall. The guide  who greeted me was Bob, a Kidderminster carpet man, retired. He was unaware of the Grove picture. Not to be beaten, he excused himself for a moment saying he would ask someone who he felt sure would know. We were in the Chancel. He went into the Nave. Someone was sitting in a pew at the back. He got up and as they approached I heard him say, “It’s odd; someone asked me about this in the library the other day.”

“Yes, it was me.”

I was now in hearing range and he recognised me.

“Don Gilbert. Hello again.”

I was shown the picture, but it was not of R.E. Grove; more likely his father. It had been presented to the church by R. E. Grove in 1962, so the small plaque advised. This was   leading nowhere. Then Don and I started talking about Chambers. Bob became quite interested, and made this contribution.

” If it’s the Chambers that lived in Church Street and Hall Street there were two sisters living there. They were Chambers. They ran the Post Office at the Horsefair. This was before the ring road, and I was only a kid. I used to have to sit outside the Peacock while my folks had a drink. The sisters were getting on then. The Post Office was opposite the Peacock”