Great Wyrley
Great Wyrley maps (2 available)
Map of West Midlands
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of West Midlands
Personalised maps
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Great Wyrley books (4 available)
Great Wyrley memories
Read and share memories of Great Wyrley and West Midlands inspired by Frith photos
Be the first to add a memory of Great Wyrley.
You can also read memories of nearby places in West Midlands below.
West Midlands memories
Miitre pub/signal box
Just past the signal box on the left over the motorway bridge is the Mitre Pub. Many happy evenings were spent there on hot summer nights with my parents. I remember Vimto through a straw and Smiths crisps with the blue salt wrap inside, and playing in the high fenced gardens there. Mom would enthrall us all with tales of how they laid out the miners on the table in the back room, then the long walk back up the hill singing our heads off...
A memory of Essington contributed by David Hector
Key factory
The long low building to the rear of the picture I remember as the Key factory (Huffs), my mom worked there for some time and we would rush to meet her on payday to get our treat. It was one of the few places in Essington to employ women and is still there now I believe... To the right of the Key factory (out of shot) was the Scout hut, then the pit and the doctors surgery.
A memory of Essington contributed by David Hector
Hells Angels in the box
I'm not sure if the box was still in use in 1965. I remember it better about five years later when Hells Angels used it as a type of den. We (a few mates and I) used to walk the railway line from the pithead to Broad Lane playing fields, we always had a nosey into the box as it was pretty derelict by then (aged about 10). I see it now and can't believe how well the owners have restored it and converted it into a lovely home. I think only goods (coal etc) used the line and it has long been removed along with the pit it served.
A memory of Essington contributed by David Hector
Schools
I was five and walked down this road to the infants school on the left (you can just see the school railings). My future primary school (St Johns) is in the old building to the right. There was a little sweet shop on the left (out of shot ) where we all rushed to get our halfpenny's worth of 'SUCK'. At the bottom left past the car is the HAUNTED vicarage that put the willys up me on dark stormy wintry mornings. I was only just turned five and could safely walk to school and home in this quiet village.
A memory of Essington contributed by David Hector
Extracts From Great Wyrley & West Midlands books
The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con-
structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked
Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous
canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to
compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con-
structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked
Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous
canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to
compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
One of the few thatched buildings in the area, the Duke’s Head is no longer
a public house. It has recently been renovated, and the timber-frame, probably
dating from the 16th century, is now exposed. For centuries Gnosall was a
small agricultural village, but in the 19th century many of the villagers also
made shoes for the Stafford shoe manufacturers.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
One of the few thatched buildings in the area, the Duke’s Head is no longer
a public house. It has recently been renovated, and the timber-frame, probably
dating from the 16th century, is now exposed. For centuries Gnosall was a
small agricultural village, but in the 19th century many of the villagers also
made shoes for the Stafford shoe manufacturers.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".
The bishop was granted the right to hold a weekly market in 1153, and
later an annual fair. During the 19th century the market prospered; this
new market hall was built for £700, the money having been raised by
public subscription. It is now a shop. Note Tompkinson’s Garage with
its petrol pumps further up the street.
An extract from from"Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album".