Tony K

Perhaps not so lateral after all Richard, more my naivety of historical industry. Speaking to a local retired mining surveyor on Friday evening he told me there was a brickworks associated with Hollybank Colliery and the reasons behind it being a 'common practice'

An interesting bit of lateral thought Richard - I hadn't considered that, just automatically assumed the reverse - that a 'local' brickworks (and there were loads in the area - even one near to the side of the nearby Essington Farm Coliery on the bend of this canal section) had made it and it was used in some construction at Hawkins Colliery itself and somehow it had 'moved' 5 miles over the years.

Time to find out my SD memory card and ‘finish’ this little tour......... North of Wharf Cottage we ‘hopped over’ to the opposite side of the canal which still held a few inches of water Moving a little east, 40 odd years ago we used to cross the canal bridge then head north west, crossing the coal tram lines on route that still used to exist on our way to the Mitre PH/Holly Bank Colliery. It’s only recently having discovered this site (and Capt Ahab’s) that I’ve actually learnt of the arm that headed off from this point to the Essington Wood/Holly Bank. It obviously didn’t exist back in the 60’s, but it explained why the canal appeared to ‘widen’ in that child’s eyes with a reed infested ‘basin’ – it would have been the head of this long since departed arm. There obviously was no sign back in the 60s of a ‘second’ bridge that used to exist at Essington Farm Colliery – but we decided to have a ‘mooch’ in its vicinity. And as we did, we uncovered this bit of brickwork. Aok, now I’m not suggesting that this was anything 'associated' with the canal, but it did make me wonder what it was doing there as Hawkins Colliery lay several miles north from this spot...........answers on a postcard thanks Still on the ‘far bank’ of the canal I noticed this culvert that appeared to link to the canal. Never ever noticed it as a kid, perhaps it was constructed/added when the area was open casted in the late 70s/early 80s(?) to assist drain surface water to the canal? Back onto the tarmac towpath and heading east again, behind the primary school the canal still holds a few inches of water A little further on it dries out.......looking west And the line of the canal looking east In the ‘centre’ of the bed On page 1 of this topic AMModels added a flicker link showing the canal in water just off Glastonbury Cres (annotated as Cresswell Cres in the post) as the opencast was in progress. Here’s the view today as the canal would have headed onto Broad Lane Next trip out, north of Brad lane to Long lane........

Me too soon winja.............just pressed the button and spent a few bob, now waiting for the postie to call. Birthday later this month. Know that 'little' bro has sorted me a copy of Ray S's 'Wyrley & Essington throughout time' ........... just got to put out the call for someone to get me one of those signed copies of 'Despite.....'

You have 'splashed out' winja . You certainly learn lots about life as a member of the Wiggins family in M O a M which I'm enjoying so much - just put the book down after digesting another 30 odd pages. So much so, that those two books you mention, as well as In Spite of the Price of Hay, are definately on the 'to get' list. In fact I nearly splashed out last week on one of the autographed editions of the 'hay' book available, but disciplined myself to wait and see whats 'on offer' when I finish this good read

Glad you enjoyed the book Winja – I was a little concerned that it might not be your cup of tea. I’m only 60 odd pages through the Memoirs of a Maverick – which has minimal references to angling so far (apart from a ‘repeated’ tale of ‘On the box’) so I think you will enjoy that more. But I reckon that’s one giant leap to your conclusion that Ralph christened the wharf ‘Naboth’s’ though. Can’t recollect Ralph featuring in that specific tale/recollection regarding Naboth’s and as kids didn’t we all name or inherit names for inanimate things – eg the Hangman’s Tree – my there must be thousands of those dotted around the country. One of those ‘minimal references’ in M O M does read ‘There was Pratts Bridge cut, Little Bloxwich cut, Stafford Road cut, Fishley cut, Long Lane cut, and Sneyd Lane cut. At times we fished them all, but Broad lane and Long Lane cuts were the nearest and most favoured. Actually it was all the same canal system, but local patriotism lent special virtues to this or that stretch. Access went by bridges’ There’s no reference by M W (so far) to the canal south west of the Sneyd – is that sufficient to rule out Linthouse Lane area? But who knows – I’m clutching at straws that perhaps there’s further reference to Naboths in this or some of the authors other works that will assist to pinpoint it. Well I’ve always been the eternal optimist.........

Several shots of the remaining brickwork of the other side of the lock...... ‘Head on’ looking south The towpath side canal wall The ‘far bank’ canal wall A little further along the ‘far bank’ you can still make out the top of the brickwork – bottom lhs just in front of the paper Continuing north to Wharf Cottage we spent several minutes searching for an overflow chamber on the towpath side that as kids we used to clamber into. Our presence obviously stirred some interest as we were greeted by this 'familiar' face who I instantly recognised. It was 'young Wally' who I hadnt seen for 45 years, but I had vivid recollections of his blonde curly hair as he'd played in that yard all those years ago We chatted for 10 or 15 minutes about our childhood memories of the canal. We learnt that his 87 year old father, who'd lived nearly all his life at the cottage since the early 1930s still actually lived there. Young Wally recounted tales about the canal from the 40's and 50's passed down from his father. Those memories are probably the last surviving ones of someone living so close to the canal whilst it still operated. Whilst there's still 'time' and the opportunity, I thought later that night that those memories ought to be captured and documented for posterity..............perhaps thats a cue call for a local historian TBC again......

Me too David - never mind not wishing to attempt it now - I wouldnt get through the end now !!! Re the previous old photo, I was recently passed the notes of the photographer who took it back in 1970 - he stated that it was taken from the basically the same point on the bank as the bricked culvert/drain, so I believe it was slightly north of the pump house Talking of that 'drain'culvert, continuing north the other day along the feeder channel I looked for evidence of it (pictured in 1970 on page 4 of this topic). I’d ‘missed it’ on my last ‘tour’ and here’s the reason - just a draincover now with all brickwork removed The view from the picture on page 4 is now obscured by self setting saplings A few years ago, the water level of the reservoir rose to a critical level and was in danger of exceeding the bank on the school side so a new drainage system was installed Obviously the concrete block was a new addition – but it did get me wandering – was it ever a remnant of lock 4, moved here at a later date? Crossing Vernon Way where it sweeps left to the school (and just before the site of buried lock 5) I spotted this brickwork which sat on the immediate western side of the line of the canal – could it possibly be surviving brickwork from the northern end of the feeder channel? And just north of this is the visible remains of the filled in lock 5 as previously referred to by Laurence. The capped end of lock 5 sits at the end of this lawned spot, visible the other side of the bushes TBC............

Many thanks

Been out snapping 'over the Sneyd' again today - even managed an interesting chat 'across the cut' with the son 'Young Wally' whose 87 year old father still lives in Wharf Cottage which is pictured above. (Young Wally is my age but I havent seen him for 45 years !!!) I'm a bit strapped for time to post all pictures now, but anyway here's the first couple - back to the top of the 'feeder channel' above the pumping/valve house of the reservoir Remember this...... This is a snap of it 'from above' - I presume when the overflow/inlet to the reservoir was operational all those years ago, some form of 'cut off' gate was fitted within the 'slit' of the stone block (???) Scampering down the otherside of the reservoir bank, the overflow emerges half way down the 'dam wall' A 'close up' of the remaining brickwork of it

Cheers Laurence

Mark recommended 'Cottage Idyll' and 'In spite of the price of hay' - well to me at least. There's also this solitary review on Amazon of M O a M http://www.amazon.co.uk/Memoirs-Maverick-Maurice-Wiggin/dp/0171420055/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367440943&sr=1-3&keywords=memoirs+of+a+maverick

Just too add, the book was first published in 1960, when he was 48. Yep Winja - when I googled, apart from links to his published material there's nowt about him which I found surprising Obviously you start learning about his character and snippets of his family life in the book, but here's a 'summary' from the dust jacket of another of his books - which incidentally, although I've only read the first two chapters, may have been 'more up your street' Winja

Elsewhere in the book we learn that the author was born two years before the war – ie 1912. Lets assume he’s aged 10, so I’ve snipped a copy of the nearest OS map to that 1920/24 – sorry it’s not brilliant, had to use 1/10000 scale because of the possible ‘distances’ involved. You’ll have to zoom/blow it up to see greater detail Richard The author lived about 100/200 yards west of the green blob I’ve added to the eastern side of the map The Wyrley & Essington canal is highlighted in blue. The staggered blue highlights are path of a long since disused arm which headed north west up to ‘Olly Bonk’ Colliery which is highlighted in red square. Sneyd Colliery is highlighted yellow. ‘Main’ road routes highlighted ‘orange’ – to the east Broad Lane heading north, then MW would have to cross a number of fields dotted with shafts on his way to Olly Bonk, almost via Sneyd Colliery Alternatively he continues west towards New Invention and either heads north west up Sneyd Lane – but he now appears too far west of the canal. Just wondering aloud – given his statement regarding ‘the sun going down behind the huge smoking tips of Olly Bonk’, wouldn’t Naboth’s Wharf be more likely to be in the vicinity of Sneyd Colliery – or up that dead arm of the canal, although I’m uncertain as to how much water it would now be holding as it had serious issues with water supply a century earlier..........

Nice one Sherlock Winja........... looks like I'm gunna spend another hour or two tonight 'tracking' routes to The Blue Bank. There’s a possible critical clue that I’ve just spotted nearing the end of the tale ....... ‘..........there were some desperately exciting evenings with the sun going down behind the huge smoking tips of Olly Bonk and the rats stirring in their catacombs under the decaying planks.’ That would indicate to me Naboths Wharf was to the eastern side (somewhere) of Olly Bonk Given your aversion to angling, hope you haven’t spent too much on the book. As Mark said - 'it's biographical, but centred around fishing so unless a fisherman or a lover of Black Country references beware.' I’m sure you’ll enjoy the first half dozen chapters or so which contain some limited references to the towpath, but there are a few chapters that will turn you off – skip them and ‘move on’ – there’s still some interesting experiences and the authors vocabulary and style is at times fascinating - well at least to me.

Which Broad Lane is that Ray - the Bloxwich/Essington Broad Lane or the one Short Heath way?

Talking of Sneyd House Heartland, I'm still waiting for young bro to catch up with the ex owner - he did pop round at the weekend, but sadly it was an abortive visit. Would love to see a picture or two of it on this forum

Cheers Winja - I'll check out the maps of Broad Lane again, I was just poring over the 1902 OS Lane Head area - but just wondered if that may have been a tad too far for him too venture fishing as a child, given the sections of canal closer to Bell Lane...........? I'm also having a bit of an education into some of the local mines - and note, or am led to believe that interestingly The Holly Bank Colliery Company Limited was formed in 1891 taking over from the Essington Wood Colliery - just got to do a bit more digging - did E W Cy have a colliery near to those sidings up Broad Lane.....? Changing subject, the book is primarily the piscatorial adventures and experiences of the author - all 27 of them - which span a few decades, starting 'locally' on the canals and then futher afield when adulthood comes along.. As Mark states above, those early chapters contain several references to Bloxwich and surrounding areas and also go some way to paint a picture of life and values back then, not forgetting the true life 'characters' he comes into contact with. Ooooops - didnt spot Marks incoming post........

Hi Mark - thanks for the recommendations. I'd noticed 'Despite the Price of Hay'; and the title intrigued me so much that I'd added it to the agenda to track down a copy. So enthralled by the first few chapters of Troubled Waters it inspired me to 'search out' and pick up a copy of 'Memoirs of a Maverick' last week - and with only a couple of chapters of T W left, I'll be digesting that in the next day or two Looks like I'll be shelling out a few more bob on 'A cottage Idyl' too now

Winja - are you aware of an Olly Bonk Basin off Broad Lane? Looking at the 1902 OS maps if he did go up Broad Lane Essington as the W&E canal heads north east we have a) Springhill Colliery basin nr to Essington Wood sidings Further on there is Norton Cannock Colliery – with extensive basins to the east just before the canal ‘doglegs off’ to Long Lane Alternatively, going west from Broad Lane bridge, back in the direction of what I ‘relate ‘ to as Olly Bonk (by the Mitre PH) there’s firstly a large basin just above Essington Farm Colliery (which is marked as disused way back then on the 1902 OS maps) And as we do approach Holly Bank Colliery, the disused canal above ‘Essington Locks’ appears to end with these pronged ‘arms’ on the ‘other side of the road’ to the colliery

Cheers for the input Heartland Thats an interesting point Winja - sadly he doesnt specify. Given that he lived in Bell Lane if he headed 'up' Broad Lane he certainly would be coming 'at it from the south'

Thanks again Laurence- looks like I'll be spending the next hour or so on that '45 map..........no doubt another question or two will arise

Hi Rchard - thanks for those kind words, in a nutshell, for you yes - I'll pop back. Whilst the canal was derelict when I was a youngster, I still have pretty vivid images of it back then and so many childhood happy memories of it, including the next couple of miles of it as it headed on to Gt Wyrley. When I think back as a child 40 years or more ago of this particular abandoned section of the Sneyd, despite its death knell, it was then still so 'majestic' and 'grandiose' in my eyes - although chocked with weeds and vegetation and with its damaged locks (and off course the 'mysterous' pump house and other chambers that a number of us crave more details of). Iit was so undescribably distinctive in those childs eyes - so steeped with an air of historical character and so 'unlike' other navigable sections within a few miles radius. Perhaps the ghost of it lives on in our memories........ Like to thank everyone who's contributed to the topic so far - its been a real nostalgia trip for me and finally motivated me to do what I've 'threatened' to do for many years, that is, visit the old hunting grounds.............. but in doing so, its been so much of a roller coaster of emotions. I'd better get those camera batteries recharged for the next expedition..........after all, I did spot a bit of old railing on the southern bank of the reservoir that I didnt snap Hi Laurence - saw Capt Ahabs snap of them on his feature of the section, but didnt 'search' for them on this trip, was more focused after 40 odd years of the bed of the feeder channel and canal heading north.........hope the grass hasnt grown over them in the next fortnight........... Capt Ahab - if you ever intend revisiting, 'give me a shout' if you want companion for a hour or two.......

Had a wander over The Sneyd the other day – like others report, it is totally devastated compared to my childhood memories of the then disused canal back in the 60's . I took a few snaps of what ‘remains’ for posterity before it vanishes forever either because of the power of nature as it reclaims the land, or worse, the future ravages of man. A similar number of my snaps – because there is so little left to point the lens at – have been documented elsewhere, typically amongst Capt Ahab’s interesting explorations of this lost section. I made my way to the scene subject of many posts in this thread – the pump or valve house situated at the southern tip of the reservoir. Sadly today, despite my best endeavours amongst the bushes and growth I could find absolutely trace of any remaining facing brickwork. I didn’t take a snap but include a snip off Google maps for any reader not au fait with the scene. Climbing to the top via the lhs path and standing on what was the end of the feeder channel immediately where the Pump house was sited to the RHS I took this snap From the same position I swivelled west and captured the overflow running to some way to the base of the reservoir A view of what remains of the feeder channel looking north from the base of the pylon The Feeder channel looking south from approx the position of where lock 4 would have been Leaving the reservoir behind and ‘heading north’ past the site of where the Sneyd Inn stood, I took these couple of pictures of what remains of the outer towpath ‘supporting’ brickwork leading up to Sneyd Drawbridge More brickwork – the remains of ‘The Fort’ – on the east side of what was Sneyd drawbridge/lock no 5 The canal bed looking north immediately after ‘capped’ lock no 5 The canal bed continuing north After passing that section of overgrown canal bed, the bed is more visible as it continues north heading towards ‘Wally Paynes’ cottage, named as Wharf Cottage on some maps Canal bed outside Wharf Cottage, complete with dog on guard Now looking south along back to Wharf Cottage Finally, sweeping east round the bend towards where Essington Farm Colliery stood a century or so ago, I wanted to search for any evidence of the remains of the canal bridge that spanned the canal there. As a youngster I used to view the bridge from my bedroom window some 400 yards away Amongst the banked up spoil, I may have spotted remnants of the brickwork – but you’ll have to ‘zoom in’ to make them out – that’s if indeed they are the limited visible remains of it.