Well, since it’s a miserable Saturday here in the Hills I thought I’d feature another gallery from the selection of wonderful photos donated to the blog by noted Brownhills historian Gerald Reece – and this set of Ravens Court is rather wonderful.

This montage features a variety of images from the 80s and 90s – of the opening of the Boulevard – an Inshops indoor market in the former Tesco unit (which was never really a success) at the rear of Ravens Court, the closing of Currys on the corner (which I believe was in the 90s) and some good views with signage that should jog memories.

This set is also notable for featuring the aftermath of an attempted bank robbery at I believe, the Natwest. More detail on that would be most welcome if anyone recalls the incident.

This is also a good set for classic vehicle spotters.

One the subject of local criminality, Gerald also supplied this image of a pair of horses tethered in the meadow where the Watermead Estate is now; it’s taken from the canal and that’s the houses of the Pelsall Road in the background.

David (from Gerald I think) has alluded to the story of an attempted holdup of Tesco in Brownhills, when the robbers made a getaway, but were apparently chased by local police, and one or more miscreants ended up the the meadow being attacked by the notoriously truculent horse whose efforts enabled arrest.

Does anyone know anything about this story at all?

There is, of course, also the story of the person who grazed this field for many years and successfully, I believe claimed ownership when it was sold. Must see what I can find out about that one.

I thank Gerald and David for this remarkable set – it really is most excellent and for me personally has stirred many memories.

What do you recall from this gallery? If you have any thoughts or questions, please do share them – comment here, find me on social media or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

The donor of these remarkable images, Gerald Reece is of course a talented and superlative local historian, indeed now resident in Devon, who wrote the seminal work ‘Brownhills – A walk into history’ upon which this blog stands.