Once again, Gareth Thomas from Lichfield District Council has gifted a whole bunch of fascinating geographic material to readers of the Brownhills Blog. If anyone had told me when I started this adventure that I’d have images like this donated to the blog, I’d never have believed them. This is the kind of stuff I pored over as a kid. I still have my books of Britain from the Air, and this stuff fascinates and enthrals me by turns.

Unlike the previous aerials, all taken in 1963, these images were taken 18 years later in 1981 – on Sunday the 2nd of August to be precise. They show a community now entering it’s post-industrial phase. As usual, I won’t point too much out, but there are some wonderful things that may help farm points in time.

The Superalloys Chimney is still standing, and Brownhills Market is in it’s original home. The refuse tip on The Spot – latterly Clayhanger Common – is captured being capped with the spoil from the removed heap behind the Big House in Clayhanger. There is not yet a main island in Brownhills, and the original Anchor Inn still stands. The raceway just south of Chasewater looks fresh and well used. The old chapel, on the opposite side of The Parade from Watling Street School has gone. Clayhanger – what we can see of it – is still a tiny community.

As usual, please take a good look, and comment on anything you find. Gareth has supplied an embarrassment of riches, of which this is but a small selection. Please join with me in thanking him – it’s thanks to donations like this that we’re slowly but surely building up a record of our community history.

East Brownhills – Catshill, Ogley Hay and Home (Lanes) Farm. Meridian Airmaps Image taken on 2nd August 1981, kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas of Lichfield District Council, and reproduced with their permission. Click for a larger version.

West Brownhills – Wyrley Common, Brownhills Common, and the Potters Clay and Coal opencast – Swan Works on the Pelsall Road. Meridian Airmaps Image taken on 2nd August 1981, kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas of Lichfield District Council, and reproduced with their permission. Click for a larger version.

North central Brownhills – Hussey Estate, Holland Park, northern High Street and Ravens Court. Meridian Airmaps Image taken on 2nd August 1981, kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas of Lichfield District Council, and reproduced with their permission. Click for a larger version.

Central Brownhills – Catshill, Silver Court Gardens and Newtown. Meridian Airmaps Image taken on 2nd August 1981, kindly supplied by Gareth Thomas of Lichfield District Council, and reproduced with their permission. Click for a larger version.