colleygate and cradley - exploring the black country 

Loved the video! Brought back lots of memories for me. I lived in Drews Holloway South for many years. I remember Holloway House very well. My grandmother was Housekeeper there before I was born. The Memorial Gardens at one time had a very large fish pond on one area and a kids playing area on the other side. I used to walk through the gardens which lead into Highfield Creasant as my friend lived there. Past the derelict shops the pub on the other corner, now a nursery I think, was The Talbot. Was good to see the Church Bell Ringing as I'd been a member of St.Peters for many years but never ventured up to the tower! My parents were married there in 1940, as were most of my family me included. My Dad was deputy organist there. I'll be sharing your video with my eldest son who no longer lives in the area...he'll love it, especially seeing Shakas Kebab House as he thought they were great! He'll be able to show his sons where he grew up and show his eldest son where he was Christened at St. Peters. Thanks again for showing this and I'll look forward to seeing more of your videos. Great work!

First time I have seen Cradley in 50 years. A great video thank you I really enjoyed it.

Love your passion mate. Taking an interest in Black Country heritage and keeping the history alive is so important.

Hi Mr Taylor, I was Christened in St Peter’s, Cradley. Good to see that the church is being looked after so well and vibrant in the community. Congrats to the congregation and volunteers. Cradley Forge was a playground for me and my mates. We had a swinging rope over the Brook where the brick walls are located and hot day we would wade or swim there. The Wagon and Horses pub nearby looks 😮 place to smelt iron and before Ironbridge. The Earl of 5:49 Dudley owned it. I am enjoying your video as. Keep up the good work. Derek The pub on the left up Windmill Hill was The Little Chop House, one of many of old pubs that were changed into eating houses. I cannot recall the previous name of the pub before it was LCH.

Interesting video, will watch some more of your work, well done for your work.

Thanks for another great video, Love the history and the architecture,

great work

You missed the chop house pub halfway up collley gate...intersting fact the hanging sign was a butcher chopping meat on the other side he had chopped his finger off !!

Oakleys park i spent many a night on the band stand getting pissed lol

I heard the derelict shops and Golden Cup takeaway belonged to someone who thought they could get rich by buying them up and selling them to the council who had plans to improve the junction that needed the land but the council changed their mind.

The pub was called the gate

Brill video. Was that a red squirrel that you filmed? If so, you were lucky to catch it. Quite rare this far south I think.

Holloway House looks worth a return visit! Loved the character of Colley Gate with the old buildings that remain.

I was there!

Good video, that church part is amazing with the bell tower 😊

Brilliant video Drew!!! I had no idea the memorial gardens existed on Coleman Hill. The shops boarded up have apparently been brought by the council to redevelope into affordable accomodation as they call it. Awesome to see they let you help with the bell ringing, how cool was that!!!

Really nice people and church. The free organ concerts are fantastic and during the interval as much tea and cakes as you can eat 🙂

Great video, Drew 👏👏👏 I drove up and down that road to get to work and never saw the memorial gardens until now😂 The pub opposite Cradley Labour Club was called The Gate Inn👍

Did St Peter’s have a Boys Brigade group.