I’m still perusing my recent acquisition ‘The Wyrley & Essington Canal Through Time’ by Ray Shill. It was while idly flicking though it the other night, I came across two rather interesting images on the same page. To save the work of cropping them down, I’ve scanned the whole page as the text is informative, too.
A pair of interesting images from Ray Shill’s book, ‘The Wyrley and Essington Canal Through Time’. Click for a larger version. Please buy a copy if you can.
My primary interest was in the upper image, but the lower large one, of Walsall Wood Colliery is another I hadn’t seen before; I’m fairly sure it was taken with the photographer stood on the towpath next to the Black Cock Bridge, with his back to the Black Cock Pub itself. This view would be one of gardens, trees and factories now.
The upper image had me head scratching for a while, so much so that I took the book to my good friend [Howmuch?] to ask his opinion.
It is indeed of Anglesey Wharf, a statement I originally doubted. The picture is taken from approximately where the anti-vehicle barrier blocks off the towpath to vehicles today. It’s looking towards the coal chutes – still present – and on to where the M6 Toll bridge is now.
I’m interested in the cottages. I couldn’t place them. I guess canal employees lived there, but what is the single storey building immediately to the right?
My curiosity piqued, I looked at the mapping record.
This fragment of the 1:2.500 1962 Ordnance Survey map of Anglesey Basin clearly shows Wharf Cottages, the large building next door, and over the road, Jasmine Cottages. Click for a larger version.
The 1962 Anglesey Basin map of 1962 shows the cottages, but of course, that’s not proof they were extant on that date. Jasmine Cottages, over Wharf/Whitehorse Road, are also interesting.
I’d already prepared an overlay map in Google Earth for my previous post on the drift shaft at Anglesey Basin. That shows clearly where the cottages would be today (mostly, under the motorway, sadly).
1938 1:2,500 ordnance survey plot of Anglesey Wharf. The area of the cottages in the photo above is highlighted on the map, and they can be seen to be eradicated by the M6 Toll. Click for a larger version.
I’m interested in anyone’s memories of Wharf or Jasmine Cottages (the latter are just hidden on the image, behind the bank). I’d like to know what went on in the large building next door. Loads of lads must have played around the wharf as kids, has anyone got any memories?
Were Wharf & Jasmine Cottages demolished for the construction of the Toll Road, or had they gone long before?
Answers and comments to BrownhillsBob at Googlemail.com or or comment here, please.