colleygate and cradley - exploring the black country

[@ElaineWhitelaw-er3gv]

Loved the video! Brought back lots of memories for me. I lived in Drews Holloway South for many years. I remember Holloway House very well. My grandmother was Housekeeper there before I was born. The Memorial Gardens at one time had a very large fish pond on one area and a kids playing area on the other side. I used to walk through the gardens which lead into Highfield Creasant as my friend lived there. Past the derelict shops the pub on the other corner, now a nursery I think, was The Talbot. Was good to see the Church Bell Ringing as I'd been a member of St.Peters for many years but never ventured up to the tower! My parents were married there in 1940, as were most of my family me included. My Dad was deputy organist there. I'll be sharing your video with my eldest son who no longer lives in the area...he'll love it, especially seeing Shakas Kebab House as he thought they were great! He'll be able to show his sons where he grew up and show his eldest son where he was Christened at St. Peters. Thanks again for showing this and I'll look forward to seeing more of your videos. Great work!

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Hi there thanks for sharing this really interesting glad you have enjoyed this enjoy filming old stuff in local area gives people a chance to see what the area would have been like and it's history 😄

[@Shadrak-jb6lx]

First time I have seen Cradley in 50 years. A great video thank you I really enjoyed it.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thank you bud it was awesome filming this one having permission to go inside the church

[@DavidHalfordsLane]

Love your passion mate. Taking an interest in Black Country heritage and keeping the history alive is so important.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks mate nice to keep the black country history alive and show what we had on film 😁📸

[@paulhipwood1]

Interesting video, will watch some more of your work, well done for your work.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks mate appreciate it 🙂

[@derekhackett2486]

Hi Mr Taylor, I was Christened in St Peter’s, Cradley. Good to see that the church is being looked after so well and vibrant in the community. Congrats to the congregation and volunteers. Cradley Forge was a playground for me and my mates. We had a swinging rope over the Brook where the brick walls are located and hot day we would wade or swim there. The Wagon and Horses pub nearby looks 😮 place to smelt iron and before Ironbridge. The Earl of 5:49 Dudley owned it. I am enjoying your video as. Keep up the good work. Derek The pub on the left up Windmill Hill was The Little Chop House, one of many of old pubs that were changed into eating houses. I cannot recall the previous name of the pub before it was LCH.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Hi Derek thanks for your reply I enjoyed looking round that church probably one my favourites I've explored lovely people who volunteer for it . Thanks for sharing that but of information 😁

[@BlackcountryhistoryhunterBCHH]

great work

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks mate 🙂📸

[@outlawedpagan2025]

Thanks for another great video, Love the history and the architecture,

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thank you 👍 love the old architecture of churches one my favourite explores

[@trevorpeauk3931]

I believe the pub that was opposite Wilson Hall in Colley Gate was the Gate Hangs Well. My Dad used to drink there on occasions.

[@suzannasmiths6590]

Good video, that church part is amazing with the bell tower 😊

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks was a privilege to explore the church and bell tower enjoyed it 😄📸

[@xxing672]

Holloway House looks worth a return visit! Loved the character of Colley Gate with the old buildings that remain.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

I'm gonna go back on foot and explore further be interesting 😄

[@helenstone9711]

Brilliant video Drew!!! I had no idea the memorial gardens existed on Coleman Hill. The shops boarded up have apparently been brought by the council to redevelope into affordable accomodation as they call it. Awesome to see they let you help with the bell ringing, how cool was that!!!

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Hi Helen I've always passed the memorial gardens never thought about going in for the years I've lived here , can't wait to go Halesowen church bell ringing

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Really nice people and church. The free organ concerts are fantastic and during the interval as much tea and cakes as you can eat 🙂

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Enjoyed visiting definitely will go back , be nice to see the organ concerts . When it comes to cake and tea I'm in lol 🤣🤣 but overall lovely people I'm gonna go to the Halesowen church ring on tuesday at 7:30pm

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Definitely 👍

[@Black_Country_Chad]

Great video, Drew 👏👏👏 I drove up and down that road to get to work and never saw the memorial gardens until now😂 The pub opposite Cradley Labour Club was called The Gate Inn👍

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks mate that memorial garden is cool I'll return for a overview on a quiet day lots of history around the area 😁📸

[@vo1dmystic616]

Interesting bit of info for you - the Shaks shop and the golden cup were both amazing takeaways, sadly the owners of both of these shops had to deal with family issues abroad and the council would not stop dragging prices up for them to use the buildings and eventually both had to shut down, but were great takeaways and always busy! - Lived in the area my whole life and knew the owners of both of them well

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Shame tbh some old buildings those where should have been grade listed . But for the businesses that's a shame tbh never tried the Chinese bet it was a good one tbh

[@daveashman8301]

The pub was called the gate

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks for sharing bud 😁📸

[@Mark3ABE]

Yes, or “The Colley Gate”. It was owned by my Great-grandparents, Albert and Eliza Mole and run by their daughters Florence and Lucy Mole.

[@grahamhall8249]

Brill video. Was that a red squirrel that you filmed? If so, you were lucky to catch it. Quite rare this far south I think.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks bud , I'll have to have another look I only ever seen one once in some part of Wales

[@Ollie28188]

I was there!

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Enjoyed visiting this church

[@Ollie28188]

@@drewsoutdooradventures01 Will you return to ring?

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

@@Ollie28188 yh I'll definitely come back sometime . I'll have a go at ringing again

[@electrickle7210]

Oakleys park i spent many a night on the band stand getting pissed lol

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Omg aha bet some good nights 🤣🤣

[@electrickle7210]

You missed the chop house pub halfway up collley gate...intersting fact the hanging sign was a butcher chopping meat on the other side he had chopped his finger off !!

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

I might do a bit more filming sometime around that area some stuff I missed that I wanna refilm , thanks for sharing this 😁

[@gthbtn]

I heard the derelict shops and Golden Cup takeaway belonged to someone who thought they could get rich by buying them up and selling them to the council who had plans to improve the junction that needed the land but the council changed their mind.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

Thanks for sharing this mate mad how it's all still left hopefully council renevate it and doesn't fall into disrepair

[@brendawebb3812]

Did St Peter’s have a Boys Brigade group.

[@drewsoutdooradventures01]

I'll have to ask about that next time I visit there 🙂