Comments for Tamworth Time Hikes

Comment on HOPWAS HAYES WOODHOUSE by Colin Bryan

Colin Bryan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:56:50 +0000

The Bryan family of Drayton Manor Park, owned the house for three years, 1959 to early ’63, when they moved back to Drayton Manor. The house had no heating, five fire places which had to be set every day, five bedrooms and huge kitchen with three oven Aga range. The family owned only 17 acres around the house with views over the whole of the compass from the lookout turret which was used as a fire allert viewing lookout, it also offered a fantastic night view with a star telescope set up. My memories of Woodhouse was the near 3/4 mile road where I learned to drive though the woods as a 14 year old. The woods were very busy at night with literally thousands of Birmingham Starlings flying in for their evening rest. The strong smell & mess created a problem with the Hopwas water storage tanks for the local water supply, the pump house is now a residence.
We at the time could not buy the hill,of 250 acres as buyers were bidding for the gravel, as readers are aware the hill is now owned by a large gravel company. My father George was unwell when we went back to Drayton and I was not at work. I am now 65 this July, Dad is 92 and both of us remember our many enjoyable days at Woodhouse on Hopwas Hayes hill. I am informed that vandals had entered the house and it is ,I believe ,raised to the ground. I am sorry for not being able now to go back and see the wonderful views and the Rose garden my mother nurtured facing south. She would cry if she could as at 96 she is very ill. Still have memories of driving my 1934 Austin 7 up and down the road to Hopwas Church as this was our other road down to the village. Hope this is interesting. Colin Bryan.

Comment on George Skey´s Wilnecote Works by Geoff Owen

Geoff Owen — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:40:06 +0000

Hi Steve. Thank you for contacting me. Are you a descendant of the Godderidge family? I have the family on my Owen-marjoram family tree on Ancestry.com. If you wish to contact me direct at geoffandsheena@hotmail.co.uk then I will be pleased to hear from you.
Geoff Owen

Comment on George Skey´s Wilnecote Works by Steve

Steve — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:29:48 +0000

Hi Geoff, If John’s parents were James and Sarah and they lived in watling street and Vallance row Two Gates, I think were related via John’s older sister Ann.
Steve

Comment on Colonel Kurtz in our midst by In the soup | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

In the soup | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:02:44 +0000

[...] history surrounding Colenal James Kilian, and his cruelty and subsequent disgrace following the mistreatment of soldiers at the U.S. Army base stationed at Whittington, near Lichfield, during the [...]

Comment on RIVER JOURNEYS by Ron

Ron — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:01:08 +0000

Just about to try the Rivers just bought Kayak to go and Explore just waiting for warmer weather.
Its sounds a great way of seeing the country side
Ron

Comment on HOPWAS HAYES WOODHOUSE by Nicola

Nicola — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:10:33 +0000

Hi, I have just stumbled upon this page after googling ‘Hopwas Hayes Woodhouse’. I’m currently tracing some of my ancestors and according to the 1871 census my great, great, great Grandfather William Haimes was a gamekeeper that resided in the Woodhouse. I live in Greece so it’s unlikely that i’d have the opportunity to visit the house, so I am delighted to find these photographs & decriptions. Please tell me that the building is still standing & has not been demolished?

Comment on George Skey´s Wilnecote Works by Geoff Owen

Geoff Owen — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:59:32 +0000

Many thanks for this. Do you by any chance have a list of workers at the George Skey works? My great grandfather, John Owen, worked as a potter’s thrower at the factory from the 1890′s until the 1930′s.
Geoff Owen

Comment on Colonel Kurtz in our midst by Diamonds and dust | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog

Diamonds and dust | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:28:09 +0000

[...] is an interesting and shocking fragment of history, touched on by the venerable, but dormant, Tamworth Time Hikes. It deserves wider exploration, which is why, I believe, Mark posted his original piece in [...]

Comment on Woodhouse campaign: Lessons learnt by A Lesson from the Past. | Morturn – Sandfields Pumping Station

A Lesson from the Past. | Morturn – Sandfields Pumping Station — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:06:57 +0000

[...] Alas this most amazing blog seems to be no longer active, but please take a few moments to look, it has some really great stuff, especially some lessons learned when Mark was trying to save the woodhouse, Hopwas. [...]

Comment on Woodhouse campaign: Lessons learnt by morturn

morturn — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:16:00 +0000

Reblogged this on Morturn - Sandfields Pumping Station.