Here’s a New Year teaser for you! I had no idea until recently. Do you know where the name Three Shires Oak Road comes from? No Googling...that’s cheating! No? Well it’s because this is the road on which the three counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire meet.
The exact spot used to be marked by an ancient oak tree but it was uprooted in the early 1900s by a giant fire breathing dragon...oh alright then, maybe not. The blue plaque in the above photo shows us exactly where it used to be though. It’s just one of many fascinating facts about the ‘wood that seemingly lurk around every corner.
Here’s another one for you...The Smethwick Local History Society is almost 30 years old. The Society was founded to draw people's attention to their local history and to encourage research into and conservation of the history of the former County Borough of Smethwick. They have links with the Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust and the Warley Woods Community Trust too.
The Society’s a busy bunch and they regularly have speaker’s meeting and visits as well as holding an annual picnic and a guided walk. Here’s their programme for the next few months:
If you want to find out more, the meetings take place on the second Wednesday of the month at Bearwood Baptist Church on Rawlings Road. Doors open at 2.00 pm for a 2.30 pm start and the cover charge is only £1.
In the words of local historian and the society’s Chair, Mary Bodfish, “All are welcome to enjoy exploring with our friendly and informal group the remarkably rich and varied history of Smethwick and its surrounding area.”
Three Shires certainly, but which ones? Staffs, Worcs and Warks are the closest counties but the truth is surprising:
ReplyDeletehttp://blackcountryhistory.org/collections/getrecord/GB146_M1_1_17/
- Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire!
Thank you Dave - the link is fascinating! We always thought Shropshire was too far away for it to be true.
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