31-01-2015, 01:43
(This post was last modified: 31-01-2015, 14:29 by BaggyBomber.
Edit Reason: Clarification
)
TheBaggieMan,
Further to DD's information, the archway was the entrance to Sandwell Park, an estate owned by the Earl of Dartmouth. Upon the estate stood Sandwell Hall, demolished in 1928. The arch would have been about 200 yards from the Hall. Close by where the Hall would have stood are the remains of Sandwell Priory, a 12th century Benedictine monastery. The Sand Well still rises at the site of the remains and runs out of the ground, cool and clear, at the side of the priory remains. Presumably the spring was a main reason for the siting of the priory and for the origin of the name of Sandwell.
The arch, pre-motorway, was actually on the left-hand side of the A41 Birmingham Road as you approached The Shrine from West Brom town. It was, I believe, intended to be demolished in the motorway construction but it was decided to build around it. Someone obviously had a bit of soul. Again, pre-motorway, the arch became the main entrance to Sandwell Park Golf Club developed on the estate, presumably after the Hall's hey-day.
The golf course, which still thrives, is private. The entrance to the course is now on the Brummie Road at the far side West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club which is behind the large, old brick wall running along the main road after the roundabout.
In my school days, the arch stood directly across the Brummie Road from my school playing fields. We would start our cross-country runs in the archway and run down over the golf course and, what is now named, Sandwell Valley and back. Errgh!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwell_Va...untry_Park
Further to DD's information, the archway was the entrance to Sandwell Park, an estate owned by the Earl of Dartmouth. Upon the estate stood Sandwell Hall, demolished in 1928. The arch would have been about 200 yards from the Hall. Close by where the Hall would have stood are the remains of Sandwell Priory, a 12th century Benedictine monastery. The Sand Well still rises at the site of the remains and runs out of the ground, cool and clear, at the side of the priory remains. Presumably the spring was a main reason for the siting of the priory and for the origin of the name of Sandwell.
The arch, pre-motorway, was actually on the left-hand side of the A41 Birmingham Road as you approached The Shrine from West Brom town. It was, I believe, intended to be demolished in the motorway construction but it was decided to build around it. Someone obviously had a bit of soul. Again, pre-motorway, the arch became the main entrance to Sandwell Park Golf Club developed on the estate, presumably after the Hall's hey-day.
The golf course, which still thrives, is private. The entrance to the course is now on the Brummie Road at the far side West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club which is behind the large, old brick wall running along the main road after the roundabout.
In my school days, the arch stood directly across the Brummie Road from my school playing fields. We would start our cross-country runs in the archway and run down over the golf course and, what is now named, Sandwell Valley and back. Errgh!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwell_Va...untry_Park