"Welcome to Our Town Of Bromsgrove

Photographs of Bromsgrove & Worcestershire

Bromsgrove was once a very busy market town that dealt with all sorts of livestock which came from as far as Hereford, traders even traveled from parts of Wales. 
During the Industrial Revolution Bromsgrove became embroiled in the nail making industry, and was known as the center of this thriving industry.
The nail makers of Bromsgrove remained as a cottage industry for many years.

A thriving market place still exists in almost the same position as the old market, although no livestock is sold.  The local farmers do hold sales of their produce every two weeks, this practice has only recently been restored, and has brought a lot of the life and colour back into the town.
The market remains open most of the week with a variety of merchandise for sale. 

This picture shows the statue of AE Houseman, the well known poet and author of 'A Shropshire Lad'.

Here we have a photo of one 
of the oldest buildings in the town

This picture shows St Johns Church that commands a landmark to the town.

You only have a short distance to travel from Bromsgrove when you find your in the most beautiful Worcestershire countryside. This picture was taken just outside the village of  Fairfield, about 1.5 miles from Bromsgrove town center.

The 48 flagstone steps lead from the High Street,
and on to St Johns Church. "Many a bride & Groom have labored up these steps to descend as Man & Wife.
{Painting by Norframe Gallery, Bromsgrove. 1993

As with most towns, cities and villages throughout the UK, the the past architecture have made way for modern building designs.  It's a great joy and sense of relief to know that some of our heritage and family links to the past have survived and are protected by legislation.         
Bromsgrove High Street has thankfully managed to keep some of its historical buildings but has also lost a great deal of wonderful structures that can be seen in the old sketch's and pictures at the Museum.
This picture on the right has a quite modern shop front, above the fascia the old hand made bricks are still visible. There is a stone plaque inset which dates the building to 1699.  To the right of the building is a narrow alleyway that leads to some beautiful tiny shops that have been wonderfully restored.  It is believed to have once been a coach house. It now houses a delightful coffee shop and fine art assortments.

'As Time Goes by'

Like all things in the world time moves on, places change, people change, and with it values change.  What seemed important yesterday is only a memory today. What we carry with us in our memories can also fade into the distance and sometimes disappear, forgotten, and lost forever with new generations coming along bringing with them their own beliefs and values.
For this reason I believe it's so very important to have a past, for without a past how can we have a future?

This picture shows a similar view,
it was taken in the year 2000.
Notice some of the beautiful Tudor
buildings have disappeared

This photograph was also taken in 1931, it shows the view looking North of the High Street.  The road is now a pedestrian area only with easy access to the shops.

This photograph shows the town Ironmonger and Blacksmith, unfortunately only this photograph and the memories of the few are all that remain.

I cannot mention Bromsgrove without one of the main employment manufacturers 'The Austin Motor Works' as it was known. It is now called the Rover. this delightful picture was taken at a local fair in the town.

This is another picture of the old Austin

Here again we have a really good example of early Tudor building that has managed to survive.

A close up of the Tudor building shows the goods for sale in the window, it really is a wonderful building, if you stand close to the window, it's very easy to imagine yourself back in the times when the house was built.

This picture shows the High Street, the Tudor building on the right is the same building as above, the picture was taken in 1931

This wonderful picture of a Tudor House was very sadly demolished in the early 19th century. It was judged to be in an unsafe condition.  This destruction would certainly not be allowed today.  permission for the use of this photograph was Given by Michael Dawes a quality men's outfitter Bromsgrove  town center.

Here is another beautiful Tudor building.  It was taken down to make way for a new road in the town, thank heavens someone had the foresight to have the building re-built in a more suitable spot in the town center.

 
Witley House Nr Stourport.
This fine old 19th century Jacobean manor house was abandoned by the then owner,' The Earl Of Dudley' following a fire to one of the wings of the manor. The house soon became a sad ruin and vandalised. The English Heritage thankfully rescued the decaying building.  The gardens have been beautifully landscaped by William Nesfield
For further information about Witley Manor Please click on the picture.
This site is well worth the time it takes to open, please be patient!
Don't forget to come back!!!
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This is a non profit making organisation
Copyright to photographs on this page belong to E.Kirk