WEDNESBURY CHURCH HILL, the site of two churches, 3 pubs and a windmill
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ย. 2024
- A walk up Church Hill in Wednesbury for a historical visit to the 2 churches, 3 pubs and and a windmill
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I was born in Portland house in Wednesbury 65 years ago. I believe it's now a home for the old and infirm so I'll probably end up back there one day. My first memories of Churchill was joining the boy scouts. It was run from a lovely big old double fronted house situated right next to Squires Walk, not your usual scout hut. We would leave for home about 9pm and would sometimes brave the short cut through Squires Walk that was said to be haunted. We always felt as if we were being followed and would end up running down the last few steps. We would then run down to the ridding lane chip shop and eat our chips on the top deck of the bus through a hole in the newspaper as we made our way home to the Woods Estate where we all lived. For nine old pence they were the best chips ever with enhanced flavour from being wrapped in newspaper, (of course, this was before germs were invented). Great days.
We first saw the windmill when driving down from hilltop. We then turned into Browns lane where we could still see it. My partner and I were fascinated by it and went off on a half hour drive to find out were it actually was. We eventually found it and later found out that it was owned by Harry Humphries. You probably know that Harry Humphries owned the massive timber yard known as Monway that spanned almost the whole length of Portway Road. Being in the building trade it was brilliant for me because you could buy 18 foot lengths of timber instead of those silly 6 ft lengths you get from DIY stores these days that you have to piece together. I worked there briefly and could see that this massive business was going to collapse due to bad management. It's a shame. Your knowledge of Wednesbury with names and dates is very impressive. Great vid Phil.
Thanks TS, eating chips through a hole in the paper was exactly how I ate them, stuffed them in my coat pocket, as i was brought up not to eat food walking along the street. I spent many a time walking around Humphries timber yard, it always seemed a very popular place. As for the invention of germs, interesting that one, as I have recently discovered the Terrain theory. Appreciate the memories.
Who remember's The CB Shop just a few shops a long from Teddy Grays back in the day of 81 !??
I remember it,, great call!! I'd forgotten that one. CB all the rage in the early 80s I think most of us were operating illegally as the FM was dire, thanks andy
👍👍
Years ago I had a job working for Rubery Owen and I still get my private staff pension from them, fantastic company to work for.
Thanks for the memories Phil, it's difficult to remember Wednesbury now 👍
Its gets more difficult as the years pass to pinpoint exactly where things used to be. Thanks RR
Fascinating tour Phil, I did not grow up around here, but live nearby now so it was nice to hear how the area used to be. My only memory of Wednesbury was visiting once many years ago to Patrick's nightclub/bar some 30 years ago. Great video, All the best, Andy 👍
Thanks Webby
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Loved that walk, thanks for the interesting facts. I must say as soon as you started walking up that hill the whole vibe changed, didn’t feel or look like Wednesbury. 😊
Many thanks, much appreciated
Hi Phil I found the History of Churchill very interesting I never realised there were more than one cinema in Wednesbury I liked the photos of these old pubs and cinemas I used to live 4 doors down from the Old Leather un Bottle I was surprised to know there was a windmill and a Reservoir around that area all the best Paul
It surprised me also when I discovered that a reservoir was situated at Church Hill, incidentally West Brom also had a reservoir I will point it out when I next visit the High Street area
@awalkwithphil Hi Phil just as you crossed Walsall Road by Weatherspoons somewhere along the main road I'm not sure but I remember the old Wednesbury Baths all the best Paul
@@paulhill196 There was indeed a public baths before the current leisure centre. They were situated on the corner of Brunswick Terrace and Walsall Street. They did lie back a little because they were behind the original library that was demolished in 1912. The library was replaced by an educational building which I do remember and I think it was demolished in the late 70s early 80s. The baths them selves were demolished in 1973
@awalkwithphil Thanks Phil for the update I remember Baths were around that area all the best Paul
Really enjoyed that walk around, I lived on the old park road as a boy. Kings Hill school for boys was my school. Remember squires walk those steps were steep, wonder if any of that exists now. The churches I remember well. Our family used to go to the spring head Methodist Chapel bet that's changed some, thanks for the interesting stroll, some memories for me there many many years ago. The town looked very different.
Thanks Alister, much appreciated
One of the lads that used to come with us to all the music festivals back In the 80s used to live at the Rosehill Tavern as his parents ran it for a few years, great stuff
Used to be a smashing little pub not sure what its like these days. Thanks Dave
Oh my gosh. Almost every video you’ve posted, you seem to be following in my footsteps.
I was Baptised in St. Mary’s. I remember going to a church fate there which was opened by the great Tony “Bommer” Brown. It looks a far cry from those days.
Thanks Nigel, Tony Brown what a great player he was, doubt we'll ever see his likes again
Loved watching this video bab!..I never knew Wednesbury had such a rich history..The old pubs & churches look amazing..Shame you couldn't get a proper look at the windmill though..😉🤘
When he built that windmill you'd have thought he wanted it to be seen far easier, the only place one can see it clearly though is from the top of Holloway bank... about 2 miles away
@awalkwithphil Oh, I didn't know the geezer who owns the house built it, I thought it was already there..Bit saft building it to show off if nobody else can see it..🤔
Nice one Phil. On my doorstep. Wensbree aye it.
Thanks Mk
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I remember coming out the rising sun with my old man after the Xmas disco it was thick with snow we crawled up that hill pissed to my nans house.
My old man ran a cb club upstairs in the rising sun used to put a disco on at Xmas the woden pub was my nans in the 70s he moved the club next to the cop shop upstairs in the pub can't remember it's name. God blimey me and our kid had some laughs around Wednesbury specifically in the bottle.
Sounds like great times
My dad went into the grapes the day it closed to have a pint, he went to go in on the night time but it was all boarded up. Webbs funeral directors was originally where coop funeral parlour was but for some reason they moved to upper high street. There is another place that has 2 churches on the same hill over in Shenstone St John the Baptist church built next to a much older church (Anglo Saxon) I think all that remains of the old church is the tower.
Brilliant info....many thanks
@ your welcome 🙏
I remember when Harry Humphries had the Humphries Demolition firm in Portway Road which later became Monway Timber, the windmill house was made up of some of the items from the demolitions, his son David took over and i believe he died last year. Looks like the cycle shop has gone (Thornleigh Cycles) and there used to be a cafe by there called Barry's Cafe.
Barrys cafe I used quite often and yes I had forgotten about the cycle shop i always thought it was a bit too small, many thanks