International Women’s Day Special: Women Who Shaped Cannock Chase

This International Women’s Day, we’re exploring legacy — and what it really means to leave a mark.

Within the Cannock Chase Collections, some women are instantly recognisable. Figures such as Jennie Lee helped shape national conversations, and their influence continues to be felt today. But alongside these well-known names are photographs, letters and records that capture women in quieter moments — at work, in the home, and in the heart of the community. Lives that weren’t always written into the history books, yet shaped Cannock Chase just as profoundly.

In this special episode, we bring those stories into conversation with women from our local community. Through shared reflections and personal experiences, we explore how the legacies of past women — both famous and everyday — continue to resonate, inspire, and influence the present.

A celebration of resilience, contribution and community, 

Coal, Community & Camaraderie: Stories from Lea Hall Colliery explores the history and human story of one of Cannock Chase’s most significant collieries.

Lea Hall Colliery was more than just a workplace — it was the heart of a community. In this episode, we delve into life at the pit, from the daily realities of working underground to the resilience, humour and determination that defined generations of miners and their families.

At the centre of the conversation are the friendships forged in the most challenging of environments. Bonds built on trust and teamwork underground didn’t end when the shifts were over — or even when the pit closed. Many of those connections continue today, a lasting testament to the strength of mining communities.

Through shared memories and personal reflections, this episode celebrates not only the industry that shaped Cannock Chase, but the enduring spirit of camaraderie that remains part of its identity.

In this special episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of poet Nancy Foster, exploring the woman behind the words and the lasting impact of her work.

We’re joined by Malcolm, Nancy’s nephew, who shares personal memories and reflections, offering a unique insight into her life, character, and creative spirit. His stories paint an intimate portrait of a writer whose voice resonated far beyond the page.

We also welcome Scarlett Ward, Staffordshire Poet Laureate, who reads selections of Nancy’s poetry and reflects on her own experiences as a female poet today. Through performance and conversation, Scarlett draws connections between past and present, considering the challenges and opportunities faced by women in poetry across generations.

The Dinks explores the story of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and their time training on Cannock Chase during the First World War. Known locally as “the Dinks”, these soldiers left a lasting impression on the landscape and communities around the Chase, forging friendships that endured long after the war.

This episode is centred around a fascinating object from the collections: an autograph book owned by a local Cannock Chase resident. Filled with names, messages, and signatures from New Zealand soldiers, the book offers an intimate glimpse into everyday encounters between local people and troops far from home.

Joined by Matt from Hednesford Town Council and Trevor from Friends of Cannock Chase, the discussion brings together personal stories, local memory, and historical context. Together, they reflect on why the New Zealand presence on the Chase still matters today, how objects like the autograph book help us connect with individual lives, and the importance of preserving and sharing these stories for future generations.

Through conversation and collections, this episode highlights Cannock Chase as a place of international significance, shaped not only by war, but by human connection.

In this episode, Through the Looking Glass – Part 1, we explore stories connected to Cannock Chase’s once-thriving glassmaking industry. Using objects from the Collections, we hear from people with different connections to glass — including a glass artist, the Lay Minister from St Luke’s Church, and a local heritage volunteer.

Together, they share reflections on skill, craft, and stories, helping to uncover how glassmaking shaped working lives, places of worship, and everyday life across the area.

 In the first episode of Cannock Chase Collections, we explore how local people have become their own historians, uncovering and preserving the heritage of their communities. 

Focusing on the Hednesford War Memorial, an expert reveals more stories behind this important local landmark. We also hear from community heritage groups, Cheslyn Hay & Bridgtown Local History Society and Hednesford in Partnership, about how they are inspired to undertake their own research projects and ongoing efforts to keep Cannock Chase’s history alive. 

Discover the stories behind the places, people, and objects that shaped Cannock Chase. In this new podcast series, local voices bring heritage to life — from industry and wartime stories to creativity, community, and everyday memories.

From next week, enjoy six weekly episodes, each uncovering a different part of Cannock Chase’s rich and varied heritage through the Collections and the voices connected to them.

This podcast has been made possible thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose funding helps us share these stories and keep local heritage alive for future generations.