I’m going to share here an absolutely astounding image donated by Brownhills Local History researcher in exile Gerald Reece, which is sure to create some debate. I’m going to be brief, as I feel it’s best.
Remember the surge stack, subject of intense debate, and rediscovered thanks to David Moore and Chris Pattison?
This 100ft stack was a pressure relief ventilator for the South Staffordshire Water main between Lichfield and the Black Country, and sat at the highest point of the pipe. When it was demolished is hotly disputed. Image posted by Dave Moore on Flickr.
When it was demolished has been the subject of much debate. Yesterday, Gerald Reece sent me the following image he found in his collection, which he thinks (and I’m inclined to agree) is from the mid-1960s.
A truncated surge stack, viewed possibly from the Pelsall Road or embankment nearby. Note the pipe linking it to the main. Image very kindly supplied by Gerald Reece.
The key to the age of the photo is the fence panels, right, and the date of the housing next to the canal here – I’d say those panels are fairly modern. I have only gone as far as the 1951 1:25,000 map so far, but no houses marked there then.
If you look carefully, you can just see scaffold around the top of the tower.
I’ll just leave this here, for y’all to chew over…