Blimey – there’s a memory. Remarkable photo from Mike Leonard and posted on Panoramio.
Yesterday, whilst mooching on Panoramio for an image of Chasewater (sometimes it’s the best way to find my own photos, oddly enough…) I came upon a gallery by a reader and contributor the the blog, Mike Leonard – it’s remarkable.
I’m not sure how I’ve missed this as it’s a couple of years old now – and Mike has generously contributed pictures from this set to the blog previously – of the Station Hotel, Railway Tavern and Wheatsheaf. But there are other, great images of lost or fading Brownhills in his gallery which is well worth checking out.
The images date, I think from the 1990s, mostly, with the derelict trotting track stadium, Chasewater play area and Silver Court Gardens being seemingly of that era. The Warreners Arms is captured in transition between being a pub, and MacDonalds. The Forward Garage is still selling cars, with a Suzuki SJ413 on the front and a curious ghost-sign. Brownhills Cricket Club is vandalised and derelict, and the former Don Marine works looks ready for demolition.
If Mike is reading this, thanks for sharing these, and I hope you don’t mind me reproaching them here – these are wonderful images and I’m sorry I hadn’t spotted them sooner. Thanks Mike.
You can check out Mike Leonard’s Panoramio gallery here.
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yes i remember all those except don marine allso i have a old post card showing the brownhills toll gate any idea where it was.
Just on the Brownhills side of Anchor Bridge I believe
hi Bob
super photos and big thanks to Mike. Swingbridge farm..was that the pig farm? Looks very old..do we know much about this building’s history? Are there any other photos?
kind regards
David
Yes, the pig farm.
Don’t think the building was especially old, but the site certainly was. Gerald Reece certainly considers it a very old farm.
http://brownhillsbob.com/2012/03/07/light-in-the-darkness-2/
The above, which at the time I considered to be about the Coombe House/Engine Lane area, battery became clear as Swingbridge Farm.
Cheers
Bob
Mike you have some cracking photos, thank you.
All credit should to my late Father who had the foresight to take these photos.I do have some more photos to post on Panoramio.Thanks Mike.
Thank you Mike for your hard work and generosity in sharing them.
And thanks to your late dad for taking them.
Sorry it took me so long to notice they were there!
All the best
Bob