Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on August 15, 2011, 11:49:54 AM
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December 20th marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the great man, and to mark this event we, and the Supporters Trust, are raising funds to have his grave in St Mary's, Handsworth Wood, renovated.
Much of the preliminary work has been done by historian and author Peter Lupson, who has obtained a quote for the work of around £1,100. We hope we can get this money raised in good enough time to be completed by the anniversary itself, when there will be a service at the church with representatives from the 12 founder members and from the Football League in attendance.
As with the recent fundraising for the memorial plaque, donations can be made via Paypal at www.villatrust.org.uk or by cheque to Aston Villa Supporters Trust, 2 Coton Rd, Walton on Trent, Derbys, DE12 8NL.
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I've assumed it's the general donate button on the left?
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I've assumed it's the general donate button on the left?
Yes.
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I've assumed it's the general donate button on the left?
On the VillaTrust page, not this one?
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I've assumed it's the general donate button on the left?
On the VillaTrust page, not this one?
Yes
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Donated.
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Donated.
Donated.
It will show my old Northumberland address, not my Kenilworth one.
Not that it matters...I think?
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Done. William McGregor is another reminder (in case you need one) of what sets us apart and why we're the best club in the world.
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At last a non rant post from me - a cheque will be winging its way to the Trust.
Please keep us informed as to the collection and the arrangements for the service.
Thanks
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Great initiative. Just donated.
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Happy to help
A photo later would be great
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(http://www.search.digitalhandsworth.org.uk/content/images/12/10/Resource/3826-0.jpg)
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Cheque on it's way.
Will the service be public or private?
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Cheque on it's way.
Will the service be public or private?
Public. It would be great to have the church filled.
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Done, great initiative.
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I'm not with it on Paypal and what not - would I be able to give you some cash on Saturday Dave (for the grave and also my Golden Muppets) that you could pass on to the powers that be?
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Donated.
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Donated.
Can you give us some kind of reminder about the service Dave?
Worked in Handsworth for years and my grandad used to be the "Parky" in Handsworth Park - know St Mary's well. Would love to be there.
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Donated. It was easier than joining the trust itself which doesn't seem to work for me.
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Donated.
Can you give us some kind of reminder about the service Dave?
Worked in Handsworth for years and my grandad used to be the "Parky" in Handsworth Park - know St Mary's well. Would love to be there.
It's all very tentative at the moment, but it's hoped that it will be on 20th December (the anniversary), to be conducted by the Bishop of Aston.
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Any collections prior to home games?
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VCTM jnr came up with a good idea - why don`t we organise a - "dress up as a Victorian " match day - get people to be sponsored to wear fancy dress (Tweed jackets and Bushy moustaches sort of thing)?
Or all of the H&V sellers dress up in Victorian garb? - I can just see N`Percy in a plaid Fred Perry shirt ::)
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Or all of the H&V sellers dress up in Victorian garb? - I can just see N`Percy in a plaid Fred Perry shirt ::)
Woodhall wouldn't need fancy dress.
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Donated. Will hopefully make the service too.
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Will donate asap!
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Dave if you organise a collection day I'm happy to shake a tin so please message me.
If you could have a facebook page set up perhaps with a 'donate' link I reckon countless would join the group and be proud to spread the word.
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Dave if you organise a collection day I'm happy to shake a tin so please message me.
If you could have a facebook page set up perhaps with a 'donate' link I reckon countless would join the group and be proud to spread the word.
I agree with the Facebook idea. I know that we like to think of William McGregor as "one of us" but I know that countless other fans understand the history and realise that if it wasn't for him they would be off down to Ikea with the wife, or where ever on a Saturday afternoon in stead of forlornly supporting their team in pursuit of league points.
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Donated.
Can you give us some kind of reminder about the service Dave?
Worked in Handsworth for years and my grandad used to be the "Parky" in Handsworth Park - know St Mary's well. Would love to be there.
It's all very tentative at the moment, but it's hoped that it will be on 20th December (the anniversary), to be conducted by the Bishop of Aston.
Cheers mate. I've finished work then so could make it. Thanks.
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VCTM jnr came up with a good idea - why don`t we organise a - "dress up as a Victorian " match day - get people to be sponsored to wear fancy dress (Tweed jackets and Bushy moustaches sort of thing)?
Or all of the H&V sellers dress up in Victorian garb? - I can just see N`Percy in a plaid Fred Perry shirt ::)
Last time I looked they were wearing Victorian garb anyway.
I think naked is best, particularly in December!!!
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Any collections prior to home games?
Excellent idea. Any positive response?
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Donated
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Cheque winging its way. Will the headstone tell of the great man's achievement or are the details simply personal? It is not clear from the photo.
If the Bishop of Aston cannot do the gig, the retired bishop who performed the marriage of my younger son is a mad Sunderland (founder members) fan who wears his red and white stripes under his clerical vestments.
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Cheque winging its way. Will the headstone tell of the great man's achievement or are the details simply personal? It is not clear from the photo.
His gravestone inscription reads:
"In Loving Memory.
Jessie the beloved wife of William McGregor, who died December 13th 1908 aged 60 years. Peace Perfect Peace.
Also William McGregor, beloved husband of the above, who died December 20th 1911, aged 65 years. Thy Will Be Done."
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Thank you. I suppose a small inset panel or secondary inscription conveying the importance of WMcG historically would be inappropriate or out of the question.
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Done - Best fiver i've spent this weekend.
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Thank you. I suppose a small inset panel or secondary inscription conveying the importance of WMcG historically would be inappropriate or out of the question.
I may be wrong, but I love the fact that the grave of the most important figure in football history doesn't mention football.
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great cause, and count me in a for a few quid. Often lost with the Sky revolution of how many consider football today is the history of the game. Always important to keep a candle burning to the memory of this great man.
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Thank you. I suppose a small inset panel or secondary inscription conveying the importance of WMcG historically would be inappropriate or out of the question.
I may be wrong, but I love the fact that the grave of the most important figure in football history doesn't mention football.
Same here.
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Donated. Thanks for setting this up
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Good cause. I've got Simon Inglis' centenary history of the Football League - the Men Who Made It (1988) and his opening chapter is appropriately devoted to McGregor and there are some good anecdotes in there, including when he once tracked a thief to London who had stolen a piano from Villa's meeting room.
A couple of years ago, before inevitably dropping in at the Barton's Arms, I had a walk around the area to see how many of the old Villa haunts were still standing (not too many). Not many on the No 7 bus would think there's a bit of heritage not far away...
McGregor's old house in the late 1880s, early 1890s in Witton Road:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg)
Roughly the site of his old draper's shop in Summer Lane, where according to Inglis, Andy Hunter worked as an assistant after he retired from playing:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg)
This has been flattened now. It's the site of the old coffee house, where according to the story McGregor and his friend Joe Tillotson - both active Liberals and Villa enthusiasts - discussed the idea of a Football League. Apparently its use by the Villa players was also encouraged to keep them out of pubs:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg)
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I too think the understatement of a headstone bearing only the minimum information is refined and dignified.
However, I still think his monumental accomplishments should be nodded to even in death.
When Damon and I took Toby his son to see the Flanders war graves we came by chance upon the cemetery where Baron Von Richthofen had been laid to rest. A simple plaque by the gate of the cemetery noted the location of the Bloody Red Baron's plot.
All in very good taste I thought.
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Good cause. I've got Simon Inglis' centenary history of the Football League - the Men Who Made It (1988) and his opening chapter is appropriately devoted to McGregor and there are some good anecdotes in there, including when he once tracked a thief to London who had stolen a piano from Villa's meeting room.
A couple of years ago, before inevitably dropping in at the Barton's Arms, I had a walk around the area to see how many of the old Villa haunts were still standing (not too many). Not many on the No 7 bus would think there's a bit of heritage not far away...
McGregor's old house in the late 1880s, early 1890s in Witton Road:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg)
Roughly the site of his old draper's shop in Summer Lane, where according to Inglis, Andy Hunter worked as an assistant after he retired from playing:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg)
This has been flattened now. It's the site of the old coffee house, where according to the story McGregor and his friend Joe Tillotson - both active Liberals and Villa enthusiasts - discussed the idea of a Football League. Apparently its use by the Villa players was also encouraged to keep them out of pubs:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg)
Great pictures Steve. McGregor's house on Witton Road should be marked with some sort of heritage plaque.
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The idea of a Blue Plaque on 9 Witton Road is excellent. I wonder if the people that live there now realise the significance of that address?
I often bump into Mike Whitby in my local and next time I see him I'll bring the subject up.
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It's been mentioned but the current owners aren't too keen.
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I am a member of the Auden Society and we had the devil of a job trying to get a blue plaque on the poet's family home in Harborne. People seem to think it attracts burglars.
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Donated.
Could there be something introduced on the FA website, the National Trust/Heritage literature or on the wall outside or inside the church?
Could BBC/ITV/SKY be induced to cover a service on 20th December?
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Donated.
Could there be something introduced on the FA website, the National Trust/Heritage literature or on the wall outside or inside the church?
Could BBC/ITV/SKY be induced to cover a service on 20th December?
It's all in hand.
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Good! Appreciate what you are doing to mark this, Dave.
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Good! Appreciate what you are doing to mark this, Dave.
I've hardly done anything. The man pulling it all together is Peter Lupson.
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A friend's donated via Paypal tonight on my behalf and I've paid her in cash.
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Done.
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Donations to date stand at just shy of GBP 345 (from 29 people) + 1 cheque received by post
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Done.
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You posted this on Villa talk?
Also, could the club not advertise this on the OS, Facebook or Twitter?
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You posted this on Villa talk?
Also, could the club not advertise this on the OS, Facebook or Twitter?
The club know about it; I don't know if they've linked. If anyone wants to mention this on Villatalk or elsewhere they're more than welcome.
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I am experiencing difficulty in accessing the Trust website. I have managed to find the paypal link and donate but might need someone to have a look at?
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Good cause. I've got Simon Inglis' centenary history of the Football League - the Men Who Made It (1988) and his opening chapter is appropriately devoted to McGregor and there are some good anecdotes in there, including when he once tracked a thief to London who had stolen a piano from Villa's meeting room.
A couple of years ago, before inevitably dropping in at the Barton's Arms, I had a walk around the area to see how many of the old Villa haunts were still standing (not too many). Not many on the No 7 bus would think there's a bit of heritage not far away...
McGregor's old house in the late 1880s, early 1890s in Witton Road:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla10.jpg)
Roughly the site of his old draper's shop in Summer Lane, where according to Inglis, Andy Hunter worked as an assistant after he retired from playing:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla4.jpg)
This has been flattened now. It's the site of the old coffee house, where according to the story McGregor and his friend Joe Tillotson - both active Liberals and Villa enthusiasts - discussed the idea of a Football League. Apparently its use by the Villa players was also encouraged to keep them out of pubs:
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg (http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/DAFTS_photos/OldVilla5.jpg)
Brilliant photos Steve.
Much of the area has changed now, but I was born and used to live in Rodway Street. It wer'n 'alf rough! It was my grandma's house and mum and dad took it over after she passed away. The street was flattened but they kept some of the road names, hence Rodway Close. Just the names Brearly St and Alma St, and "good old" Summer Lane have taken me back to the 50s and early 60s when I was a babby and we used to sneak into Villa Park free after half time!. Happy days!
Cheers mate!
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It would be nice to see a blue plaque on the house. Birmingham Civic Society need to pull their fingers out. There's one for Major Tennis-Chap, one for Sid Field and three for frickin' Tolkein. McGregor certainly deserves one in that company.
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It would be nice to see a blue plaque on the house. Birmingham Civic Society need to pull their fingers out. There's one for Major Tennis-Chap, one for Sid Field and three for frickin' Tolkein. McGregor certainly deserves one in that company.
It's mentioned earlier that the current residents don't want one. There's also been mention of a plaque on the site of his shop but the building is derelict and therefore the blue plaque people didn't think the surroundings appropriate.
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That's the problem with the area, it's all changing. Even the buildings which replaced the old McGregor shop are being replaced. That's why the statue was such a good idea in the first place. Plaques (and not blue, claret please) could only really go on buildings with the consent of the owners. I like the idea of some sort of Victorian Villa trail - you could have pavement plaques etc at some of the old sites. A lot of council red tape I suspect though.
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Someone mentioned earlier in thread on how to join Trust -> see http://www.villatrust.org.uk/?page_id=396
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Update: The service will be at 2.00 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th December; it is expected to last until circa 3.30 p.m. and at the end there will be a parade to William McGregor's grave.
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My tenner's worth has been submitted. How far are we towards the overall total?
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The idea of a Blue Plaque on 9 Witton Road is excellent. I wonder if the people that live there now realise the significance of that address?
I often bump into Mike Whitby in my local and next time I see him I'll bring the subject up.
I had a chat with Mike Whitby at lunchtime about this subject and he seemed to be genuinely interested. Although he did say that Blue Plaques were down to The Birmingham Civic Society.
However he took notes and he said he would email me after he had contacted them. Just to add that he said that if it came down to cost, even in these hard times a few spare quid could be squeezed out of the councils coffers to help with the cost of the plaque.
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The idea of a Blue Plaque on 9 Witton Road is excellent. I wonder if the people that live there now realise the significance of that address?
I often bump into Mike Whitby in my local and next time I see him I'll bring the subject up.
I had a chat with Mike Whitby at lunchtime about this subject and he seemed to be genuinely interested. Although he did say that Blue Plaques were down to The Birmingham Civic Society.
However he took notes and he said he would email me after he had contacted them. Just to add that he said that if it came down to cost, even in these hard times a few spare quid could be squeezed out of the councils coffers to help with the cost of the plaque.
As already pointed out a couple of times on this thread, the current residents of McGregor's old house don't want the plaque so it's a non-starter.
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For legal reasons we need to make attempts to contact any possible descendants. If you know of any, PM me.
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Is there a chance there might be something about his descendants in the club archives?
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Is there a chance there might be something about his descendants in the club archives?
There isn't.
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And for those that don't know also buried in the same church grounds is George Ramsay, whose headstone reads ‘Founder of Aston Villa’.
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The idea of a Blue Plaque on 9 Witton Road is excellent. I wonder if the people that live there now realise the significance of that address?
I often bump into Mike Whitby in my local and next time I see him I'll bring the subject up.
I had a chat with Mike Whitby at lunchtime about this subject and he seemed to be genuinely interested. Although he did say that Blue Plaques were down to The Birmingham Civic Society.
However he took notes and he said he would email me after he had contacted them. Just to add that he said that if it came down to cost, even in these hard times a few spare quid could be squeezed out of the councils coffers to help with the cost of the plaque.
Mike has his own budget for which he can use for almost any good cause he sees fit. If you are short of money for the grave, ask him for a donation. Anything that boosts his image is always good for a few quid :-))
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Great idea, will be donating later today..
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10% donation to Grave fund on shirt purchase (http://www.villatrust.org.uk/?p=416)