Wednesfield History & Heritage – Both Mary & I play a full role in the history & heritage of the Village. Back in April members of the Wednesfield History Society were shocked to find that the railings around the former New Cross Farm the home of the renowned Daisy Alcock and a local landmark of significance were not listed.
- The site of the farmhouse, including the extant railings and stables, is identified as a Heritage Asset and as such is recorded on the Wolverhampton Historic Environment Record (WoHER8624). The buildings were thought to have dated from around 1800, although there may have also been an earlier farmhouse on the site. The adjacent farm buildings (now demolished) were thought to have dated from the mid-18th century.
- The latest temporary planning approval for the site is for use as a car park (12-01486-FUL). The applicant agreed to retain the railings as part of the proposal – indeed the Design and Access Statement submitted as part of the application (P11, 7.4) states ‘The proposal recognises the important contribution that the walls and railings (at the western half of the site) make to the visual amenities of the area and these will be retained and maintained.’
- The lack of legal cover for the railings is an obvious weakness, and the History Society showed real concerns about the future retention of a wonderful local landmark and of course the link with such a famous Wednesfield resident and historical character.
- and maintained.’
- The lack of legal cover for the railings is an obvious weakness, and the History Society showed real concerns about the future retention of a wonderful local landmark and of course the link with such a famous Wednesfield resident and historical character..
Being Members of Wednesfield History Society has been a great experience for both Mary and I. This year we urged Wednesfield People to raise the Flag of St George or a Black Country Flag to remember the historic day of the 5th & 6th of August 910 on the anniversary of ‘The Battle of Wodensfield’. When Saxons defeated and killed 5 Danish Kings on
heathland which gave Wednesfield Village its name. This follows the resolution I placed in Wolverhampton City Council in 2014 calling for the City to recognise each year this important historical date, and the importance of the battle in 910AD to local history and to Wednesfield in particular. It was particularly pleasing to see the Wednesfield History Society lead and organise a great Battle of Wodensfield re-enactment at Wednesfield High School in August. with support from Wednesfield Magaine. The Village population turned out in force to watch and take part in the Fun Day stall and sideshows.October brought another big heritage issue into the public eye, with my call for recognition of the former Ashmore Park Colliery site, in its day it was a generator of jobs and coal. It was also the killer of Miners, I want the area to be recognised by the Civic Society and Wednesfield History Society and to receive a Blue Plaque indicating its impact upon the local area…
- In 1875 The Ashmore Park Colliery supplied some 231 jobs at its height for local people. I have called for a Blue Plaque to be erected on or near the site to reflect the history and the deaths of local people in the Mine. I have proposed a Memorial Service to take place in 2016. This is the subject of research with the Local Clergy.
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- In December I met with the Reverend Sam Leach and in January 2016, we will be meeting again to plan a memorial service relating to the Mine for early Spring.
Wednesfield History and its recognition has grown very popular in 2015!
