Absolutely fascinating! I never thought anyone would take an interest in my local backwater, let alone do a video series on it. Thank you so much! I attended Wednesbury Oak & Willingsworth schools & this whole video was my growing up & exploring area. The bridge/locks at 04.00min was a biggie. I used to play there in the late 80s-early 90s. We used to have a swing off the railway bridge above. Someone would climb up onto the railway above (as was) and tie it securely. A dustbin lid was fitted to the bottom as a seat & away we’d go, swinging off the bridge parapet below. Totally dangerous! The folly of youth! It was all untouched then. The locks were still there, derelict & rotted, but the water was no more than ankle deep. No bridge across at canal level. We’d use bricks in the water as stepping stones. The area next to the canal is of interest too. Locally known as ‘The Sanna’. It was until the 80s a TB sanitarium & has many pool that are used for walking & fishing. It’s full of ‘slag’ so I presume it was formed by abandoned coal or iron works. Incidentally, do you know why/how the Rocket Pool was formed at the top of the lock flight near Weddell Wynd? I can find any info. Thanks again.
Glad you enjoyed it. I always assumed that the Rocket Pool was caused by subsidence. I dont think it was there in 1900 but was in the old photos from the 1930's.
@@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 I just want to say thank you for doing what you do. I amazed anyone has bothered. I’ve just visited you captain ahab blog & it’s also excellent. I’ve just watched your Toll End comm video. I lived 20ft from that canal/walkway in New Cross St in 1982. I actually fell off the second lock from the top, the one they left in, & smashed my face in. Explains a lot! I always wondered what it looked like before it was filled in. Thanks again.
I grew up around the Bradley area and remember the locks and canals well. I used to play on what is the Bradley pumping station, two people were killed there hiding under the bridge from a zeppelin raid, Then there was reported in the newspaper the ghost of Bradley canal. And also l remember a dredging crane grabbing a chain and when it pulled it out a large oak plug was on the end. The canal started to empty. Into the rocket pools. Loads of memories and stories, what a shame it’s all gone
Hi Andy. Just watched your episode on the Bradley Locks Branch again, specifically to see the section on the Gospel Oak Branch. On an old map I came across a while ago, near the terminus basin of this branch, there is indicated a smithy. This was at the junction of Ocker Hill Road and Gospel Oak Road. In the course of my family history research I concluded that this was probably where my Great Great Grandfather William Dodd worked. He lived in Gospel Oak Road, and Census records show him 'blacksmithing' between 1851 and 1891. He died in 1899. Although I moved away from Tipton in the late 70s my sister still lives in Gospel Oak and my mum is still living on the Glebefields Estate. Next time I'm up that way I must walk the Willingsworth Linear Park! Keep up the great work Andy!
I haven't revisited this area since I left Tipton in the 1970's. I'm amazed at how much it has all changed. Although I lived in Gospel Oak, I never knew that the branch continued under the road through two locks. Well done on a very interesting video!
thank you Andy for the lovely video,s you have done on ogley hay you are a very interested chap to no very educational excellent mate ive learnt a lot watching you wonderful videos take care
Lived most of my younger days around the area and can remember the locks at Bradley well, fished bellow the bottom lock to its junction in mid 60's though it was part encroached with rush by then. Excellent doc thank you.
I live along side the Bradley locks and love the footage my regular walks are around these films. Would never think anyone else would be as interested as I am in what is here . Great job would like to meet you and chat over your beverage of choice, hopefully a pint of ale
I love this episode on the Bradley Locks Branch . I used to walk the branch from Moorcroft Junction everyday for work , passing adjacent to the Sanna of course. The thing is how far did the branch go or did it end at the Great Bridge Road. Help Andy please.
Bradley Locks Branch was made in two phases. First half way up to some furnaces and two branches, then oi was joined to the canal above at the "Rotten Brunt Shortening"
Absolutely fascinating! I never thought anyone would take an interest in my local backwater, let alone do a video series on it. Thank you so much!
I attended Wednesbury Oak & Willingsworth schools & this whole video was my growing up & exploring area. The bridge/locks at 04.00min was a biggie. I used to play there in the late 80s-early 90s. We used to have a swing off the railway bridge above. Someone would climb up onto the railway above (as was) and tie it securely. A dustbin lid was fitted to the bottom as a seat & away we’d go, swinging off the bridge parapet below. Totally dangerous! The folly of youth!
It was all untouched then. The locks were still there, derelict & rotted, but the water was no more than ankle deep. No bridge across at canal level. We’d use bricks in the water as stepping stones.
The area next to the canal is of interest too. Locally known as ‘The Sanna’. It was until the 80s a TB sanitarium & has many pool that are used for walking & fishing. It’s full of ‘slag’ so I presume it was formed by abandoned coal or iron works.
Incidentally, do you know why/how the Rocket Pool was formed at the top of the lock flight near Weddell Wynd? I can find any info.
Thanks again.
Glad you enjoyed it. I always assumed that the Rocket Pool was caused by subsidence. I dont think it was there in 1900 but was in the old photos from the 1930's.
@@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 I just want to say thank you for doing what you do.
I amazed anyone has bothered. I’ve just visited you captain ahab blog & it’s also excellent.
I’ve just watched your Toll End comm video. I lived 20ft from that canal/walkway in New Cross St in 1982. I actually fell off the second lock from the top, the one they left in, & smashed my face in. Explains a lot!
I always wondered what it looked like before it was filled in.
Thanks again.
@@nedseagoon5101 You are very welcome.
I grew up around the Bradley area and remember the locks and canals well. I used to play on what is the Bradley pumping station, two people were killed there hiding under the bridge from a zeppelin raid, Then there was reported in the newspaper the ghost of Bradley canal. And also l remember a dredging crane grabbing a chain and when it pulled it out a large oak plug was on the end. The canal started to empty. Into the rocket pools. Loads of memories and stories, what a shame it’s all gone
Hi Andy. Just watched your episode on the Bradley Locks Branch again, specifically to see the section on the Gospel Oak Branch. On an old map I came across a while ago, near the terminus basin of this branch, there is indicated a smithy. This was at the junction of Ocker Hill Road and Gospel Oak Road. In the course of my family history research I concluded that this was probably where my Great Great Grandfather William Dodd worked. He lived in Gospel Oak Road, and Census records show him 'blacksmithing' between 1851 and 1891. He died in 1899. Although I moved away from Tipton in the late 70s my sister still lives in Gospel Oak and my mum is still living on the Glebefields Estate. Next time I'm up that way I must walk the Willingsworth Linear Park! Keep up the great work Andy!
That adds real life to the old maps!
I haven't revisited this area since I left Tipton in the 1970's. I'm amazed at how much it has all changed. Although I lived in Gospel Oak, I never knew that the branch continued under the road through two locks. Well done on a very interesting video!
The Dumaresq extension must have bee very short lived because its only marked on one map, Glad you enjoyed it Malcolm.
thank you Andy for the lovely video,s you have done on ogley hay you are a very interested chap to no very educational excellent mate ive learnt a lot watching you wonderful videos take care
Grad you enjoyed them Adrian
Lived most of my younger days around the area and can remember the locks at Bradley well, fished bellow the bottom lock to its junction in mid 60's though it was part encroached with rush by then. Excellent doc thank you.
I live along side the Bradley locks and love the footage my regular walks are around these films. Would never think anyone else would be as interested as I am in what is here . Great job would like to meet you and chat over your beverage of choice, hopefully a pint of ale
I am up for that when we are vaccinated!
Probably ay the Gospel Oak?
@@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 my local when Kirsten is able to re open
Brilliant many thanks keep up the good work
Thanks, will do!
I love this episode on the Bradley Locks Branch . I used to walk the branch from Moorcroft Junction everyday for work , passing adjacent to the Sanna of course. The thing is how far did the branch go or did it end at the Great Bridge Road. Help Andy please.
Bradley Locks Branch was made in two phases. First half way up to some furnaces and two branches, then oi was joined to the canal above at the "Rotten Brunt Shortening"
Just fabulous, as are all previous episodes. Thank you!
Glad you have enjoyed them Robin.
Great video again!
oHi Karl - it west from Moorcroft Junction on the Walsall Canal up to Wedyll Wynd at the top.
most of the improvements on the canals started around the early 1990s. ( 1994 ? )
5:24
*Some of the UK money given back to us.
you should have a look at the Gopro hero 7 black. 4k and work well on moving bikes.
Roll on season three!
There is one more episode in series two on Wolverhampton but the Wyrley and Essington will have to wait till the autumn.
I find your vocal splicing so annoying. You cut yourself off before you start or finish a sentence, otherwise i enjoy the videos.