• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Black Country Museum

Yes, that is most important that all those years of knowledge and techniques are never lost!
Agree, Richard. He was himself a volunteer and didn't work in the trade. The museum is excellent, but an expensive day out for the locals at £19.95 for adults. £17.95 for age 65+.
Noah Bloomer is still in business, but I don't know if they still forge any by hand. Derek
 
Agree, Richard. He was himself a volunteer and didn't work in the trade. The museum is excellent, but an expensive day out for the locals at £19.95 for adults. £17.95 for age 65+.
Noah Bloomer is still in business, but I don't know if they still forge any by hand. Derek
maybe not as expensive as it seems stokkie...dont forget its pay once and then you can visit as many times as you want for a whole year for nothing on your unchained pass..this is not including their special night time themed nights..i reckon that is excellent value

lyn
 
forgot to add to my above post that the unchained passes apply to all ages including children...i can visit about 5 or 6 times a year so for the price of my ticket thats works out to about 3 quid a throw...dont know how they do it to be honest as you cant get a cup of tea for less

lyn
 
maybe not as expensive as it seems stokkie...dont forget its pay once and then you can visit as many times as you want for a whole year for nothing on your unchained pass..this is not including their special night time themed nights..i reckon that is excellent value

lyn
That's what they say, Lyn. I generally have visited with my family once a year. But my kids are young adults now. They never lived in the Black Country. I was thinking of poorer people in the area, with hard times coming again. But we all have our own ideas of what is good value. Derek

ps. I see your later post, which looks good.
 
i actually think it would be good value for the locals as they could get there more often...i am quite lucky as its only about a 30 min drive from here so i do take advantage of the unchained pass when i can...all i need is the atmosphere of the place and the price of fish and chips :D ps so if you visit once a year try and time it so that you get your 2nd visit in before the yearly pass runs out that way you only pay once for 2 visits

lyn
 
Lyn, I always learn from visiting the Forum, that's the way of working visits. And I'm due a visit as I haven't been since before lockdown.
Derek
 
Lyn, I always learn from visiting the Forum, that's the way of working visits. And I'm due a visit as I haven't been since before lockdown.
Derek
great stokkie...so if you visit this month your pass will easily be valid all the way through next summer :) enjoy

lyn
 
It seems that black smithing in what we call the flyover states (mostly) is being taken up by many younger people. There appears to be renewed interest in our past. There are a number of national (tv) shows that feature it and local stations that show it frequently.
 
It seems that black smithing in what we call the flyover states (mostly) is being taken up by many younger people. There appears to be renewed interest in our past. There are a number of national (tv) shows that feature it and local stations that show it frequently.
We get 'artist blacksmiths' who make novelty items and gates. Also some talented and expensive knife and scissors makers. Axes and knives for historical re-enactors sell too. Local colleges offer blacksmithing courses too.
 
On Saturday I went to a conference at the BCLM and stayed over and visited the actual museum on the Sunday. Incindently normal visitors now have to access the turnstiles, shop and entrance etc through what looks like the tradesman's entrance, just to the left of the large emblazened entrance those who have been there know. What we knew as the entrance block is now used only for admin, conferences and teaching, while the public slink round the corner, though the new main block is spacious and well-equipped. The new 40s-60s shops could be seen, but , as Janice;s piece mentioned, are not open or (officially ) accessible.
P1000027A.jpg

I slipped behind the barrier to view the ones at the far end.
P1000028A.jpg
P1000026a.jpg

and was returned behind the barrier by the local milkman , who, together with the local policeman, was patrolling the area..
Next to the shops are a couple of reconstructed houses
P1000033A.jpg
A little further down, on the opposite side of the road, another attraction, which will open in October, will be a brickworks. It is behind a fence and not much can be seen, but, viewed from the park next door, it looks like the actual building itself is complete
P1000030A.jpg
 
Last edited:
But one thing I was keen to see was the Elephant & Castle pub, which was open, and serving beer, - very refreshing before the fish and chips. Admittedly it is not a rebuilt original, as the original was destroyed 2 days before listing ( I remember seeing it as a rather derilect pub one day and 5 days later seeing it just as a pile of rubble). Only consolation is that the site was never built on (is now just grassed space), so the developers did not make any money from it. They did have the original plans , however , and have done a good job on it, particularly the outside. The inside could do with a bit of battering and cigarette smoke. I would have thought thta the tiles were original, but obviosly there is a kiln somewhere able to reproduce the old ones perfectly.
P1000008A.jpgP1000009A.jpg

Inside good beer (Bank's-well a reasonable imitation nowadays) is served,, and there is an ancient piano

P1000015A.jpgP1000017A.jpg
 
Back
Top