Here’s news of a great new group on Facey for canal enthusiasts – particularly those into canal cottages.
The BCN Canalside Cottages group has been created by BCN Society member and old friend of the blog Brenda Ward to try and track down the surviving houses, and try and find any images or ephemera from those lost.
Cottage 272 near The Long Pound, now Grasmere Gardens. Image kindly supplied by Brenda Ward.
This is of course, a worthy pursuit and one that’s thrown up so fascinating posts so far on the group.
Brenda said:
Hi Bob
I wonder if your readers could help.
I have just started a Facebook group entitled ‘BCN Canalside Cottages’. All welcome to join to contribute & for interest!
There were 273 in total all over the Birmingham Canal Navigations but now there is a mere fraction left. So far I have located 54 in existence but there may be more. I know of the two at the top of Ogley Junction that are owned and rented by Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) (photos attached) and a bit further afield at Pelsall Junction.
Your readers may know of one or two in the Brownhills area that no longer exist and may even have a photograph from long ago. I believe there was one at Catshill Junction along with a smithy Small map attached). I know this is a big ask but “Brownhills Bob” does come up with some surprises.
Map fragment kindly supplied by Brenda Ward.
Many thanks
Brenda Ward
The BCN Society
Thanks to Brenda for the heads – and I do wonder if houses with canal numbers count? There are still two on Lindon Road in Brownhills and a couple in Hall Lane, Walsall Wood…
Please do join the group, or if you’re not into Facebook, feel free to comment here or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
Cottage 271 near The Long Pound, now Grasmere Gardens. Image kindly supplied by Brenda Ward.
RSS - Posts
Thanks Bob this is much appreciated. The two on Lindon Road (BCN numbers 225 & 226) I have since discovered but not the two on Hall Lane, Walsall Wood. I would be interested to see those. I also know of two 222 & 223 below the Chasewater dam. These have been greatly enlarged but the original cottages are visible. There is so much to learn. Since sending you my email the group have come up with several more including a group of 4 near Tipton.
Cottage 265 is at lock 24 next to Tamworth Road Lichfield. Still occupied.
Thank you for your interest Godfrey. It’s so much appreciated. We have featured this cottage on our Facebook group with photos of it in past times. Do have a look at our Facebook group. I would appciate any information.