Cherry Orchards of Birmingham

[Vivienne14]

The growing of cherries aren't something I'd associate with Birmingham, but way back, the Priory and Hospital of St Thomas had their own cherry orchard. Later, Westley captured two cherry orchards on his map of 1731: Walkers and Greenwood's. Maybe these were all one orchard belonging to the earlier Priory. I wonder if they were grown mostly for Priory/Hospital use and/or if they sold the produce?

The use of the name 'Cherry Orchard' as an address in the area continued in use until the mid-1700s. Eventually, Cherry Street officially emerged as an address, supposedly taking its name from the early use of this central Birmingham land.



Source : British Newspaper Archive

 

[Pedrocut]

1870 Archaeological Journal…

“What a picture of the town the mention of these names conjures up! Here are fields, meadows, barns, and crofts, in places now occupied by the busiest streets, and the most crowded parts of the borough. And this state of things existed till within the memory of men still living. There was a "cherry orchard" in Pinfold Street, and the existence of another is perpetuated in the name of Cherry Street.”

 

[A Sparks]

There's a Cherry Orchard Road and School in Handsworth Wood so I guess there were probably orchards in that area once too.