Yours is the only series of programmes that I have seen which has taken a deeper look at the old Cradley Heath and its old industry. I know the history intimately as my family came from Cradley heath. The lived ( all nine of my aunts and uncles) in Graingers Lane back in the 1950's - 70 when the houses, "Condemned" for a long time were finally emptied and the people moved out. The place seems to be the only bit of Cradley Heath still remaining much as it was - the only bit I could recognise anyway. My mum and dad owned four houses which were directly under the railway bridge ( I think its someones car park now) . Dads family also owned a number of the other houses around there which were rented out over the better part of the 20th century. I have for some inexplicable reason mum still had in her possession a history and some old deeds , dating back to Elizabethian times , for her houses. There are some interesting facts in there , including how at one time several houses exchanged hands in payment of a gambling debt. Other members of my family lived in South Gate ( gone now?) . This and North Gate were part of the farm that was in Grangers Lane back in Tudor times ( in the deeds it says so). It also looks as if there was a house in Graingers Lane ( farm house ) which pre ceeded the building of Corngreaves Hall ( owned by Grainger, not Attwoods). But that by the by. I went to school in Lomey Town ( gone now?) and Corngreaves Junior school ( girls and boys were in different schools then. I played in Mary Mc Auther Park . Two of my uncles worked for Ernie Stevens's. Another for Eliza Tinsley. A great uncle worked for Albright and Wilson. All industrial firms. Several worked in the industries working hammers. My grandmother ( dads mum) was a nail maker - had a forge in her brewhouse. She also lived in Graingers Lane. There was a sweet shop there when I was a child called "Dolly's" One further up the road called "Springers" . There was the New Inn pub and further toward town, the Labour Club. I went to Friday night films in the Royal with my friends in the 1960's. I have also been in the Majestic when it was a cinema - top of the ways - it was posher than the Royal!. I also remember the lion man. Thank you. You have done a good job recalling the area as I remember it. ( I moved off to university in the 1970's. Family all gone now so no draw back there).
Superb Bobby
Love the history of my home town thanks bobby hope to see you around
Yours is the only series of programmes that I have seen which has taken a deeper look at the old Cradley Heath and its old industry. I know the history intimately as my family came from Cradley heath. The lived ( all nine of my aunts and uncles) in Graingers Lane back in the 1950's - 70 when the houses, "Condemned" for a long time were finally emptied and the people moved out. The place seems to be the only bit of Cradley Heath still remaining much as it was - the only bit I could recognise anyway. My mum and dad owned four houses which were directly under the railway bridge ( I think its someones car park now) . Dads family also owned a number of the other houses around there which were rented out over the better part of the 20th century. I have for some inexplicable reason mum still had in her possession a history and some old deeds , dating back to Elizabethian times , for her houses. There are some interesting facts in there , including how at one time several houses exchanged hands in payment of a gambling debt. Other members of my family lived in South Gate ( gone now?) . This and North Gate were part of the farm that was in Grangers Lane back in Tudor times ( in the deeds it says so). It also looks as if there was a house in Graingers Lane ( farm house ) which pre ceeded the building of Corngreaves Hall ( owned by Grainger, not Attwoods). But that by the by. I went to school in Lomey Town ( gone now?) and Corngreaves Junior school ( girls and boys were in different schools then. I played in Mary Mc Auther Park . Two of my uncles worked for Ernie Stevens's. Another for Eliza Tinsley. A great uncle worked for Albright and Wilson. All industrial firms. Several worked in the industries working hammers. My grandmother ( dads mum) was a nail maker - had a forge in her brewhouse. She also lived in Graingers Lane. There was a sweet shop there when I was a child called "Dolly's" One further up the road called "Springers" . There was the New Inn pub and further toward town, the Labour Club. I went to Friday night films in the Royal with my friends in the 1960's. I have also been in the Majestic when it was a cinema - top of the ways - it was posher than the Royal!. I also remember the lion man. Thank you. You have done a good job recalling the area as I remember it. ( I moved off to university in the 1970's. Family all gone now so no draw back there).
as i said before born in oldhill plant street 74 years ago i live in devon for the past 50 years i miss the midlands