Site icon BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

A bank holiday at Chasewater in the swinging sixties

I’m pleased and delighted to have been contacted once more by top local photographer and friend of the blog Peter Booth, who this time has sent me some images from his father’s collection of Chasewater and Brownhills on a bank holiday in 1966. These are some astounding images.

Taken looking up the High Street from about where Morris stands today. Nice one for vintage vehicle buffs. Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.
Im interested that the carnival seems to be happening at Chasewater. Anyone got the full story? Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.

Peter Booth is a remarkable photographer with a genuine talent and has previously supplied black and white galleries of Brownhills, and also one in full colour. A few months ago, Peter also sent in a stunning set of a late 1970s Brownhills carnival, and he Urbexed the derelict Chasewater stadium before it was demolished.

In the last few weeks Peter has sent remarkable sets from Roy Craddock and the Craddock family of Brownhills Carnival in 1972, Brownhills Wesleyan Chapel and the construction of Silver Street Methodist Church.

Looking up the A5 Watling Street in the direction of Muckley Corner, from outside the Prince of Wales pub. Image generously supplied by Peter Booth, who’s actually the wee lad in the picture! Click for a larger version.
Someone must recognise these people. And what about the extra from Reservoir Dogs in the shades, stage left? Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.

It’s worth remembering that Peter’s dad was working with conventional film, not digital.

Hello Bob

Found these images while looking through some of my Dads old slides taken in 1966 – shows how bad the bank holiday traffic used to be through Brownhills, along the A5 and through the High Street.

The one on the A5 looks like it’s taken from by the Prince of Wales (the little one on that photo is me being dragged along by my Mom and my Auntie) and the other on the bridge looking down the High Street.

Also a few of Chasewater, could have been taken the same day I’m not sure – it certainly shows how popular it was back in the 60s by the sheer amount of people there.

Regards Peter Booth

Yes, Chasewater paddling pool in the day. I remember it like this. The main reason being it was close, and free, or next to free. Love the dude with the pipe. Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.

Peter said:

That’s the castle that still stands today! Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.

Again, my thanks and gratitude to Peter, it’s a pleasure and an honour to feature material of this quality here. We have had so many fine donations from Peter I must surely owe him a beer or eight now!

Of course, this part of the dam is much unchanged today – but what strikes me is how treeless the landscape was then. Whatever happened to frogmen? Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.
Some great clothes in this – and hats. The wee lad in the mustard cards and tie – I bet he’s still about… Image generously supplied by Peter Booth. Click for a larger version.

If readers have anything to add, please do comment here, tug my sleeve on social media or mail me: Brownhillsbob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.

Exit mobile version