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Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 8:38 am
by Northern Lass
Anyone know of any Tunnels from Dudley Hill to Wednesbury area?

Maybe something to do with /or used during the Gun powder Plot?

:?

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 9:00 am
by Antie Em
I only know about the Netherton tunnel, underground canal system - you can see air holes in some places - there is one by Tividale Park.

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 11:24 am
by Northern Lass
I am reading Meg Hutchinsons A Penny Dip
about her Black Country Childhood

it mentions in there about Tunnels and being warned about going down Cellars in old houses where they lived.
She says her mother used to mention about Tunnels and one from Dudley castle to
Church Hill (presume in Wednesbury) as that is where they are living.

Says that her mothers tale was vindicated as excavations for a building development
in West Bromwich showed a tunnel underground.
Archaeological investigation showed it connected to Dudley Hill to Wednesbury Church Hill.
Apparently there were also revealed a network of similar tunnels in other directions.
She mentions that Cromwell ordered Dudley castle Blown up and that artefacts found dating
from that period

Have to say a lovely Book I am really enjoying it.

A Penny dip a slice of bread dipped in gravy ............ :grin:

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:57 am
by snoopysue
Thanks for metioning this book, it's well worth a read.
Just the first few pages mentioned places my ancestors lived, and even a mention of Wilson Lloyd (colliery and iron works owner) appears in my family history as he signed the application form for my ancestor who secured a place in Wolverhampton Orhanage. I didn't know that some of the streets mentioned were rougher than others, so it gives an insight into how people in my family might have lived.

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:02 pm
by Antie Em
Meg's books are brilliant, especially if you have ancestors from the area. She always adds a bit of history.

I've just finished reading Friendship's bond - this one includes the family of the Tsar of Russia - very interesting.

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:22 pm
by Northern Lass
snoopysue wrote:Thanks for metioning this book, it's well worth a read.
Just the first few pages mentioned places my ancestors lived, and even a mention of Wilson Lloyd (colliery and iron works owner) appears in my family history as he signed the application form for my ancestor who secured a place in Wolverhampton Orhanage. I didn't know that some of the streets mentioned were rougher than others, so it gives an insight into how people in my family might have lived.


I really enjoyed reading it it gave me a real taste of what it was like
brilliant book :grin:

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 6:46 pm
by linell
Don't forget Jan, that Legend has it that there were more people underground than above ground in the 17th and 18th Century.

Linell.

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:17 am
by linell
Found this:-

A network of caverns and tunnels extending for more than 3 miles beneath Castle Hill and Wrens Nest

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:35 am
by Antie Em
Where did you find that Linell, does it have something to do with the Limestone caverns ?

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:12 am
by Northern Lass
linell wrote:Found this:-

A network of caverns and tunnels extending for more than 3 miles beneath Castle Hill and Wrens Nest


That sounds interesting wonder if they still exist

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:16 am
by mallosa
Found this -

http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/News ... 072011.htm

The fame of Dudley Geological Museum and the ongoing research into the Wrens Nest Hill which is taking place, under the keen leadership of the Keeper of Geology, Graham Worton, made a visit to Dudley essential.


Any relation Linell?

Re: Tunnels in the Black Country area

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:36 am
by linell
Hi all, here is the link where I found the bit about the 3 miles of tunnels:-

http://www.geowestmidlands.org.uk/wiki/ ... d_You_Know

Don't know of Graham Worton San, looks like Genealogy is in the family line then. :-)

Keep up the good work, your all super sleuths.............

Linell.