The former Smithy in Coppice Road, Walsall Wood. Image kindly supplied by Emma Smith.
Here’s a great enquiry from Emma Smith about bit of still-existing history in Walsall Wood that she’d like to know more about – can anyone help please?
This is a wonderful enquiry. Emma wrote:
Hello Bob
My 92 year old grandmother Ruth Hewitt has lived in a cottage in Coppice Road,Walsall Wood for over 50 years.
In her garden is an old barn that used to be a Smithy. On old maps it is marked as a Smithy but I have never been able to find any information on it, or who the Smithy or Smithys may have been.
I would love to find any history and have enclosed a pic of the old barn today along with the odd chain link still attached to the beams. The barn as you will see was extended to incorporate the air aid shelter during the war.
I have many memories of playing in the barn and fear one day it will be knocked down so all help will be much appreciated.
Thanks Emma
Can anyone help, please? If you can, please do comment here or mail me: Brownhillsbob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
Thanks to Emma for a really great question!
1884 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey mapping with the Smithy highlighted. Click for a larger version – imagery from the National Library of Scotland Archive.