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Sutton Coldfield Station

Heartland said:
The rooms under the booking office were once occupied by CHESS as seen in this view beside the original platform
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My fellow local historian (Brumbirder) and I are writing a piece for the Sutton Local History Research Group (https://sclhrg.org.uk/) about the man behind Chess Magazine that was produced from Sutton Station. Please could we have your permission to reproduce the image in our document? We would of course credit you with thanks in our document. It's the only image I've been able to find that shows the Chess offices and it would be fantastic if we could include it.
 
Richard Dye said:
Had to read that a couple of times before it became clear enough to comprehend ( I know I’m a little slow), I thought it to be quite profound!
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"Here, dullness, universal dullness reigns" was the crabbed prefix to a crabbed history of our Royal Town by (?) Bohun when he was longing for the flesh pots of a Town. His choice of Motto "Semper Eadem" in the year of grace, whereas now the year of the Rail Train, may be added "the Peace of the Valley is fled".

ChatGPT said:​

This passage is a richly ironic and possibly satirical reflection on the contrast between an older, more sedate version of a place—likely Sutton Coldfield (often called the “Royal Town”)—and its transformation due to modernization, possibly symbolized by the arrival of the railway.

Let’s break it down:

​

"Here, dullness, universal dullness reigns"
This is likely a quotation or paraphrase from a historical writer (possibly Bohun, as mentioned), lamenting the quiet or uneventful nature of the town. It sets a sardonic tone.
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"was the crabbed prefix to a crabbed history of our Royal Town by (?) Bohun"
The phrase suggests the author Bohun—or someone else with that name—wrote a dry, tedious history of Sutton Coldfield, starting with a negative view of its lifelessness.
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"when he was longing for the flesh pots of a Town."
An allusion to Exodus 16:3 – “flesh pots” refers to the indulgences and luxuries of city life. The writer implies Bohun yearned for the excitement of an urban center while stuck in the quiet countryside.
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"His choice of Motto 'Semper Eadem'"
"Semper Eadem" means “Always the Same” — a motto associated with Queen Elizabeth I. If applied sarcastically, it suggests the town is unchanging to a fault.
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"in the year of grace, whereas now the year of the Rail Train"
This line compares a more reverent or traditional past (“year of grace”) to the modern, industrial present, marked by the arrival of the railway — a metaphor for change, disruption, and possibly progress.
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"may be added 'the Peace of the Valley is fled'"
The arrival of technology and movement (the railway) has shattered the tranquillity of the place.
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Interpretation​

This passage is a critique of nostalgia, perhaps mocking how past chroniclers like “Bohun” saw the town as dull, while the modern writer ironically mourns the loss of that same peace and simplicity due to industrial progress.

Context Clue: Sutton Coldfield​

  • It’s known as the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, granted that title by Henry VIII.
  • The railway arrived in the 1860s, which caused a shift from rural peace to commuter suburbia.
  • The motto Semper Eadem has historical links to the town and may have been adopted (or mocked) in this local writing.
Would you like me to trace where this passage comes from exactly (e.g. a historical book or local newspaper archive)?

You said:​

yes

ChatGPT said:​

Here’s what I found — the passage comes from the Sarah Holbeche Diary, dated 1862, documenting the arrival of the railway in Sutton Coldfield. It was transcribed and commented on by Janet Jordan for the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group sclhrg.org.uk+1birminghamhistory.co.uk+1.

  • The diary entry reads:

    “Here, dullness, universal dullness reigns was the crabbed prefix to a crabbed history of our Royal Town by (?) Bohun when he was longing for the flesh pots of a Town. His choice of Motto ‘Semper Eadem’ in the year of grace, whereas now the year of the Rail Train, may be added ‘the Peace of the Valley is fled’.” sclhrg.org.uk+1birminghamhistory.co.uk+1
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  • It’s dated 1862, coinciding with the opening of the Sutton Coldfield railway branch on June 2, 1862, and the diary goes on to note how the previously quiet town saw 2,000 visitors on the following Sunday — an event that visitors described as unlike anything seen before in that “hitherto quiet locality.” birminghamhistory.co.uk

Summary of the Passage:​

  • Author: Likely an unidentified “Bohun” quoted by Sarah Holbeche.
  • Context: A nostalgic and ironic lament at the railway’s arrival.
  • Meaning: Contrasts former “universal dullness” and the static motto “Semper Eadem” (“always the same”) with the newfound frenzy brought by the train — a loss of “the Peace of the Valley.”
 
"The peace of the valley is fled.”

Ruskin and the coming of the railway….

“The valley is gone, and the Gods with it; and now, every fool in Buxton can be in Bakewell in half an hour, and every fool in Bakewell at Buxton; which you think a lucrative process of exchange – you Fools everywhere.”
 
Paulo76 said:
My fellow local historian (Brumbirder) and I are writing a piece for the Sutton Local History Research Group (https://sclhrg.org.uk/) about the man behind Chess Magazine that was produced from Sutton Station. Please could we have your permission to reproduce the image in our document? We would of course credit you with thanks in our document. It's the only image I've been able to find that shows the Chess offices and it would be fantastic if we could include it.
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WE have now put together a history of Baruch Harold Wood also known as Barry Wood, chess man of Sutton Coldfield and it seems the world. There is so much information about this man we could have ended up writing his biography!
We thank everyone who has reached out to help. Brumbirder has never ever played chess or has a clue how to play chess. Paulo76 learned at school.
It has been tricky working with copyright issues but we hope that we have not stepped on any toes.
Barry Wood was a man of many complexities - obviously brilliant but also was summoned to many courts for various infringements of the law!
He and his family lived just a few doors down from Brumbirder's husband's family home until 2016. We are sure his parents would have known the Wood family, as they were a prominent shop keeping family on the Parade for decades and they seem to have known everyone. Sadly no longer with us.
If there is anything to add or change, please let us know. Many thanks.
 
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