Why Not Bring Back the Witton News!

Thank you to Fred Brookes for this 1952 copy of the Witton News. The surprising thing is just how many social activities were going on in the area; there were all the social events at the Magnet Club (dances, drama, discussion clubs and children's parties), plus rugby, football, chess, hocky, angling and so many more.

It was very people centred, sharing and celebrating the achievements in the area, as well as weddings and special birthdays. It was issued by the G. E. C. so also talked about the different aspects of that industry too.

It would be great to bring the Witton News back, especially considering that the notable Kynoch Press was situated in Witton as well- a world renowned printing press. The publication could include some of Witton's residents and local heroes, the activities in the area- including those over the next year linked with the flood defences and the Tamed project, some of the areas history and heritage, the memories of local residents, a 'Made in Witton' section, and much more. It could be a real local resource; a modern interpretation for the Witton of today, inspired by the Witton of the past.

I will get cracking! Any suggestions? Please post in the comment below or send me an email.

Made in Witton #3

This wonderful 1950s film (click above to see the film) describes how the 'lightning zip fasteners' were produced and tested in Witton, a real novelty of the day. If only skirts still could be transformed into capes! Why didn't that catch on?!?

Another British Pathe video of Witton is below. In 1967 the Witton Isolation Hospital was burnt down by the authorities to halt the smallpox that had been spreading.

HOSPITAL BURNT DOWN

If anyone has any memories of working in Kynoch's, the burning of the hospital, or any other events in Witton or Perry Barr, that they would like to share with the project, please let us know.
Contact Jenni jenni.colesharris@gmail.com

Made in Witton #2

Kynoch's (later ICI and IMI) was a huge part of Witton, in regards to its size, the amount of people it employed and its industrial output. It began making ammunition in the 1860s, but grew and diversified over the decades producing bikes and motorbikes, zips, engines, paper, metal products, lamps, and the list goes on. The video above shows a portable gas engine working that was made in Witton, and below is a trade image of a similar oil engine from 1904.

If anyone has any memories of working in Kynoch's, or any other places/events in Witton or Perry Barr, that they would like to share with the project, please let us know.
Contact Jenni jenni.colesharris@gmail.com

Made in Witton #1

The Milner Initials typeface was commissioned by Witton's Kynoch's Press in about 1924. The designer was Donald Ewart Milner who was headmaster of the Aston School of Arts and Crafts at the time, so it has a real local connection. The Kynoch Press was world renowned, working as an in-house printer for Kynoch Ltd, and then ICI, and producing a body of work for outside commissions.





Historian Dr. Caroline Archer has written a book about the press, see here.
Donald Ewart Milner on the BBC Your Paintings website.