BLACK Country History Day will be marked with a day long event at the University of Birmingham next month.

The Black Country Society will host the event for the 14th year on Saturday, November 9 to celebrate the proud history of the region.

Historian Dr Malcolm Dick OBE will showcase a different perspective of the region by exploring the history of the Black Country in 100 objects.

The day will also see a talk on the legendary strike leader Mary Macarthur, where historian Dr Cathy Hunt will consider what motivated the middle class Mary to become leader of the country’s all-female general trade union, the National Federation of Women Workers, travelling the length and breadth of the country to make sure that women’s lives were improved by better pay and working conditions.

Macarthur is best known for the prominent part she played in the women chain makers’ strike in Cradley Heath in 1910, which ended with the women receiving the minimum wage.

Artist Steve Field, who has spent more than 20 years celebrating the Black Country’s industrial heritage through sculptures, mosaics and murals, will talk about his work, including a statue of Major Frank Foley, ‘the British Schindler’ in Mary Stevens Park and the upcoming statue of ironmaster Abraham Darby in Woodsetton.

Black Country Living Museum demonstrator Rebecca Wilton will also be on hand to tell the story of pioneering 19th century nail making businesswoman Eliza Tinsley.

The day takes place in the Large Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Edgbaston Campus, University of Birmingham from 10am to 4pm.

To book a place call 0121 415 8253.