West Bromwich
| West Bromwich | |
|---|---|
| Population | Expression error: "136,940 (2001 Census)" must be numeric |
| OS grid reference | SO9992 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WEST BROMWICH |
| Postcode district | B70-B71 |
| Dialling code | 0121 |
| Police | West Midlands |
| Fire | West Midlands |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
West Bromwich is a town in the metropolitan borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England, five miles north west of Birmingham lying on the A41 London to Holyhead road. It is part of the Black Country. West Bromwich is the largest town within the borough of Sandwell with a population of 136,940 (2001).
The motto on the town's coat of arms proclaims in Latin "Labor Omnia Vincit" which translates as "Work Conquers All".
Features
The town is famous for its football team, West Bromwich Albion. The team has been outside the top division of English football for most of its time since the mid 1980s, but did win the league championship in 1920 and has so far won five FA Cups; the most recent in 1968. Many well-known players have turned out for Albion; these include Jeff Astle, Bryan Robson, Laurie Cunningham, Willie Johnston and Kevin Phillips.
Engineering and chemicals are important to the town's economy, as it played a crucial part in the Industrial Revolution during the 19th century and still retains many manufacturing jobs to this day, despite a steady nationwide decline in this sector since the 1970s.
The Sandwell General Hospital is located near the town centre. The hospital is part of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, and is one of the largest NHS teaching Trusts in the United Kingdom.
William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth had his seat at Sandwell Hall. Legge was unusual as an aristocrat of this period by being a Methodist and attending the Wednesbury Methodist meetings, where fellow Methodist - many of them colliers and drovers - knew him as "Brother Earl".
West Bromwich Town Hall and the Grand Organ within are features along with the Walk West Bromwich Heritage Trail. This was constructed by the West Bromwich Town Improvement Commissioners who had also constructed a market hall, free library and public baths[1].
In 2004, a modern community arts centre known as "The Public" was developed in the town centre. Designed by the architect Will Alsop, the £52million venue comprises a massive cuboid building constructed in dark grey and silver metal cladding with irregularly-shaped windows edged in magenta; its appearance has drawn comparisons with a fish tank [2]. The development has been beset by financial difficulties, going into administration even before the expected opening date of July 2006 [3].
History
| Year | Population figure |
|---|---|
| 1801 | 5,687 |
| 1811 | 7,485 |
| 1821 | 9,505 |
| 1831 | 15,377 |
| 1841 | 26,121 |
| 1851 | 34,581 |
| 1861 | 41,795 |
| 1871 | 47,918 |
| 1881 | 56,295 |
| 1891 | 59,538 |
| 1901 | 65,175 |
| 1950 | 89,000 |
| 1991 | 146,386 |
West Bromwich was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, the name meaning "the little village on the heath of broom" (broom being a particular type of bush). It is believed that it may have originally been part of the Handsworth parish[5]. A Benedictine priory existed in West Bromwich from the 12th century around which much of the town grew. In 1727 the town became a stop on the coaching road between London and Shrewsbury and its growth began. In the 19th century coal deposits were discovered, ensuring that the town grew rapidly as an industrial centre, with industries such as spring, gun and nail making developing.
In 1888 West Bromwich became a county borough, incorporating the village of Great Barr. It was expanded in 1966 to include most of the borough of Tipton and Wednesbury urban district, before joining with the neighbouring county borough of Warley in 1974 to form the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell.
Charlemont Hall built c.1755 stood on the west side of the present Charlemont Crescent, in the Charlemont and Grove Vale neighbourhood of the town. Charlemont Hall was described c. 1800 as 'a lofty neat-looking house of brick, faced with stone, with iron palisades etc. in front'. An east wing was added in 1855. The last occupants were Thomas Jones, town clerk of Wednesbury 1897-1921, and his widow. The house was demolished in 1948, and is now covered by a number of smaller detached homes.
During 1822, West Bromwich suffered heavily in the Cholera epidemic of 1831 which spread northwards into the town. A temporary board of health was set up and a hospital opened in the former Revivalist chapel in Spon Lane. The natural gradual slope of the land provided drainage within the soil, however, urbanisation made this increasingly difficult and drainage along the streets was described as inadequate.
The West Bromwich Town Improvement Commissioners was established in 1854, and they tackled the drainage problem in the town. They appointed members to new titles and in the 1880s bought land in Friar Park for a sewerage farm.
Under the Reform Act of 1832, West Bromwich became part of the new southern division of Staffordshire, and under the Reform Act of 1867 it was transferred to the parliamentary borough of Wednesbury[6]. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885, the borough of West Bromwich became a parliamentary borough returning one member. In 1885, it was held by the Liberal Democrats but from 1886 to 1906 it was held by the Conservative Party before being held by the Liberal Democrats again until 1910 when the Conservative Part regained the area which they held until 1918 under the representation of Viscount Lewisham[6]. In 1918, it became a Labour hold who held it since except for between 1931 to 1935 when it held by the National Unionists[6].
Politics
The town is divided into two constituencies; West Bromwich East and West Bromwich West. West Bromwich East is served by Tom Watson of Labour. He has held the position since the 2001 general election. Before him was Peter Snape, also of Labour who had served the ward since the 1992 general election[7].
West Bromwich West is served by Adrian Bailey of Labour who won a 54.3% share in the 2005 General election. He has been MP for the ward since the 2000 By-election[8]. Before this, the MP for the ward was Betty Boothroyd[9].
Religion
West Bromwich is a culturally diverse area with many places of worship for several different religions.
The Christian church is still the predominant faith group in the area, with the Church of England providing the most places of worship across the geographically wider West Bromwich Deanery (taking in West Bromwich, Hill Top, Stone Cross, Carter's Green, Friars Green and others) which contains nine Anglican churches and the newly formed West Bromwich Network Church. Other Christian denominations are present, including Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Elim Pentecostal, Assemblies of God and other independent churches. The parish of West Bromwich is under the Diocese of Lichfield.
Hindus have had a formal place of worship in West Bromwich since the opening of the Shree Krishna Temple in 1974, in a converted church once called Ebenezer Congregational chapel which had closed in 1971[10].
In 1875 being locked out of a packed evangelist meeting in Birmingham caused John Blackham of Ebenezer Congregational Church to start the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Movement[11].
Transport
For roads, the M5 motorway between the West Midlands and the West Country passes through the town. West Bromwich has its own bus station in the town centre, with connections to Birmingham and other major towns in the West Midlands.
West Bromwich railway station was opened by the Great Western Railway on its route between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level on 14 November 1854. The trackbed of that line is now served by the Midland Metro light rail (tram) system.
The nearest main-line railway station is now Sandwell and Dudley railway station, approximately one mile away in Oldbury town centre.
The nearest airport which is approximately 16 miles away, is Birmingham International Airport.
Neighbourhoods
Famous people
- Francis Asbury - Methodist bishop
- Denise Lewis - heptathlete
- Robert Plant - singer with Led Zeppelin
- Madeleine Carroll - Actress
- Jana Bellin - Chess Grandmaster
- Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy
- Ian Hill - Judas Priest
- K.K. Downing - Judas Priest guitarist
- Frank Skinner - comedian
- Brian Walden - Member of Parliament, journalist and broadcaster
- Matthew Marsden- Actor
- Lee Woodley - boxer
Local dialect
The West Bromwich dialect owes much to the Black Country which has words of its own and strong pronunciation. The West Bromwich version, however, is slightly diluted but still contrasts markedly with the adjacent Birmingham "Brummie" dialect.
Quotes
- "I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to chose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I would make straight for West Bromwich." J.B. Priestley, English Journey
References
- ^ Vision Of Britain: West Bromwich
- ^ What looks like a magenta fish, cost £52m and closed before it opened? - The Observer (Guardian Arts), June 25 2006
- ^ Debts put new arts centre on hold, BBC News, 6 March 2006
- ^ GENUKI: West Bromwich Census information
- ^ British History Online: West Bromwich Churches
- ^ a b c British History Online: West Bromwich parliamentary history
- ^ The Guardian: West Bromwich East
- ^ The Guardian: West Bromwich West
- ^ The Guardian: West Bromwich West full election history
- ^ British History Online: West Bromwich Hindus
- ^ Black Country Society:Pleasant Sunday Afternoon