The rRising Sun remains in surprisingly good condition, but is fading now somewhat.
An interesting query for the researchers amongst us comes in from reader and Brownhills Resident Joe Lloyd. Joe asks a question several of us have been asking for a while – who owns the Rising Sun, the derelict pub on the A5 near the island?
Joe is quite right that the pub is historically significant, but also asks interesting questions about the history of the cottage where he lives.
Joe asked:
Hi bob
I live in laurel cottages (next to the rising sun) and I have been researching the cottages, but cannot find much at all.
I know the pub dates back to circa 1630 but the architecture of my house I believe would be later – I was interested to find a picture in one of your blogs of the old chapel taken from wilkin road as it shows the cottages and the rising sun.
The 1901 census shows the Heath family living here – a family of miners. I would love to see the Rising sun bought back to life it is in a sorry state and is so significant historically to Brownhills – I don’t know who owns it but intend to investigate further.
Just wondered if you were aware of anyone who knows anything about the history of my lovely little house
Kind regards
Joe Lloyd
Can you help Joe illuminate the history of Laurel Cottages, or indeed, throw any light at all on the sad fate of the Rising Sun? Please, comment here of email me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
This chapel was demolished to make way for the Rising Sun island;Laurel Coattages and the Rising Sun (net the familiar gables) are in the background. Taken from ‘Memories of Brownhills Past’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.