Brownhills West has always been a small, self-contained community. I don’t feature it much here on the Brownhills Blog, which is a shame. Reflecting on that fact, for this pictures from the past feature, I thought we’d take a trip up the Wilkin… as ever, I salute the authors of the books concerned. If you can find copies, please do purchase them. These works are wonderful…
This chapel was demolished to make way for the Rising Sun island; if it were still extant today, it would be stood in the centre. Taken from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.
Locals will note that although this Post Office closed a while back, the shopfront hasn’t changed much – last time I passed it was still pretty much as it is in this picture. If I recall correctly, there used to be a small sorting office at the back. I’m sure I can remember going there in the mid-90’s to collect a parcel. Taken from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.
Spot the buildings that still remain – I think there are one or two still present. From ‘Brownhills and Walsall Wood on old picture postcards’ by Jan Farrow.
This one has me mystified. I certainly don’t remember this pub, but the building looks quite familiar. Who was Betty Brookes and what did her shop sell? Was she the same Brookes that owned the clothing shop in the High Street in the 1970’s? What became of the pike, is it still around? Taken from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.