This is just a quick one, as I’m absolutely knackered tonight, to be honest, but I just had to share this…

One of the things that has always delighted me about doing this blog is the way that subjects and interests ebb and flow. There will, for instance, be huge involvement in an enquiry, until the subject dies. It will then lie dormant, until hopefully, some passing soul spots the discussion, adds something new and the whole process starts over. So it is with the mining activities on Brownhills Common at Engine Lane.

There’s been much debate about the nature of the ‘engine’ that gave the lane its name, particularly in the last 12 months. Now, thanks to top Panoramio enthusiast, ninja-rambler and all round top chap Pete ‘Pedro’ Cutler, here’s a real revelation that reveals the state of the patch, and manufacturer of the engine, way back in 1835. The article doesn’t expressly say that this is Engine Lane, but the description matches quite well – remember, the big houses The Coppice, Coombe House and Marklew’s Farm were there at the time. It seems that portion of the common was up for auction, and Pedro has found the advert for the auction in the Staffordshire Advertiser, of February 28th that year.

From the Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday, 28th February 1825. The engine, then, was a 30hp Parkes and Otway.

My heartfelt thanks to Pedro, as ever, and a quick heads up that Andy Dennis has been busy with the Derry Family and Goblins Pit, which will be coming up later in the week… I don’t know what I’d do without such fine and generous readers.