Carl's book of memories may be his last

Lucy Woodall and Emma Sproson, the names are not well known but they deserve recognition for the part they played in shaping the history of the Black Country.

In his latest book Professor Carl Chinn pays tribute to Lucy Woodall, the last female chainmaker in England and Emma Sproson, a West Bromwich-born suffragette.

Her political fervour was fired as politician Lord George Curzon refused to answer her question because she was a woman. She later became Wolverhampton's first female councillor in 1921.

The women are just two Black Country icons to capture the imagination of Professor Chinn, who said his book – Black Country Memories 5 – may be his last.

The book is published with the support of the Express & Star for whom Professor Chinn writes a weekly column, a favourite with readers. He said: "The book pays tribute to historical icons of the Black County. They are people who made an immense contribution to our past.

"Industrialists also feature such as chainmaker Noah Hingley, from Netherton, and Owens of Darlaston. The importance of working class people is also central to the book. For me no-one is ordinary, everyone is extraordinary such as Sam Humphries, born in Cradley Heath, who I have dedicated a whole chapter to about his memories of working in the factories."

Landscapes also feature in the 144 compilation which contains 116 black and white images.

Among them are the Rowley Hills which many have heard of but few are familiar with their significance. Professor Chinn said: "The Rowley Hills running from Penn to Sedgley Beacon and on to Kates Hill are the watershed of England. The rain falls on one side of the hills and drains into the River Stour and River Severn and on the other side it drains into the River Trent."

Professor Chinn signed copies of his new book at the Merry Hill Centre on Saturday and among the fans were Pauline Tromans, aged 51, of Sculthorpe Road, Kidderminster. He said: "This will be my 29th book and it may be the last I do in this series."