At DUDLEY ARCHIVES, the staff are friendly and helpful. Unfortunately I didn't break down any walls with my research, but did find some new facts.
I would certainly recommend a visit to the BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM, where you can ride a tram, go down a mine, take a trip on a canal barge, eat fish and chips and even have a pint of Mild or Bitter!
Originally on Brierley Hill Road, backing on to the canal at the 'Stourbridge Flight' of 16 locks. On a map of 1822 it was shown as The Bush public house but was known by it's current name by the 1840's.
The drivers used to 'barge' their way through using rods against the ceilings and walls, but that took it's toll. The solution was for the driver and his wife to lay flat on the boat and use their legs to 'walk' the barge through. Eventually they employed 'Leggers' to do this work.
