Hi Folks, Newbie here,
Just reading the stuff Don has posted, well I am a good friend of himself and can vouch for all the info posted here especially the info
from Langstraat and jasper14.
I too lived in Spouthouse lane and all the posts regarding Blue bell woods (wonderfull days) the Geordie estate, Gorse farm school with miss lunn, miss
Horabin, miss Wallett and Miss Sneden the Holy one LOL...
The memories are a good mix from the ( cut ) Spouthouse lane aqueduct to
Old walsall rd aqueduct right through to the high bridges at Green lane and
Newton rd.
What memories of the Hamstead brickworks where we could go and explore the disused works, as stated before would not be allowed now.
What fun was had down Big Jim's woods accessed from opposite Hamstead
station again wonderful days.
My folks still live in Spouthouse lane and the house backed on to the (Rec),
which as stated, was visited by the Fairground every year and if memory
serve's could have been twice a year.
The Miners gala was held every year which surely was a great day had by all.
The sad thing is the Miners wash and shower rooms that were opposite the pit were converted into the Golden throstle club, then the Kings nightclub and finally demolished, and now built on for housing.
The Miners club thankfully is still there, my father being one of a half dozen
remaining miners left still use's the club.
The Bowling green ajacent to the club is still used, but the Tennis courts &
Football field have all gone have being sold to raise money for upkeep of
the Miners club. Consequently the land has now house's built in place.
There is a small amount of the ( Rec ) left so the memories linger.
Best regards Mack.....