I’m currently trying to find out about he area of Brownhills Common roughly centred around Marklew’s Pond, north of Engine Lane. Today, it’s quiet and a mixture of heath, farmland and wood, but formerly it has been a hive of industry for miners and brickmakers alike.
For years, like many explorers of the common, I’ve wondered about the twin shafts that can be found in the copse by the old level crossing at what is now the end of Engine Lane. I’ve been hoping to find out something about them, without any success whatsoever. That having been said, I’ve got some lovely maps of the area.
Brick lined, capped with old sleepers at a bout six feet down, terminates a good eight feet above surrounding ground level by means of a built mound. Too narrow to be a coal shft – perhaps an air/ventillation bore.
So, I’m open to suggestions, and asking the audience. Any ideas, folks? I know about the Marklew family and their farm here, that gives name to the fishing pool. I’m also aware that they ran the last Tommy Shop in the area.
1884 1:2500 Ordnance Survey plan. Note the brick works and ‘Cathederal Pit’. Click to enlarge.
1919 1:2500 Ordnance Survey plan. The industry has mostly gone. Nothing by the level crossing at all. Click to enlarge.
1962 1:2500 Ordnance Survey plan. By now, the Rising Sun junction has begun to evolve, but still nothing to indicate what the shafts are. Click to enlarge
1972 1:2500 Ordnance Survey plan. This has obviously been resurveyed since the ’62 version, annd shows more detail. Sadly, no shafts. Click to enlarge.