On Wednesday 11th September, 2019, a lovely sunny day, Julian Hunt gave members of the Society a historical walk around the town of Bromsgrove. He asked us to meet him outside Argos and with the aid of many old maps and photographs led the way.
He began by informing us that we were in fact standing on what was a Roman road. In the Doomsday Book all the land belonged to the King. To buy favour in heaven a King (not sure which one, I was listening but Julian gave us so many Kings and dates I should have taken a note book) gave half of the town to the Church. The side where the Post Office used to be, belonged to the Church and was the industrial part of the town with many traders. A King became aware of the prosperity and he saw an opportunity to make money on his side and subsequently this became the side of the professionals, such as doctors, bankers and solicitors. The now Slug and Lettuce once was a doctor's house. You always had to look up to see how the town buildings used to be and lots of wonderful architecture was pointed out to us by Julian. Many shoppers passing our tour listened and looked up to where Julian was referring. In 1150 Bromsgrove was a Market town and was turnpiked in 1727.
We travelled from where Wilsons used to be at the top of High Street all the way down via Worcester Street to Bromsgrove School, making the odd short excursion up an alley to see such as a nail house (now a restaurant).
We walked to the site where the Cotton Mill used to stand and by then we were all ready for a cup of tea. Julian guided us to a house, and although I had walked along the Kidderminster Road many times, I had never noticed it before. It lay just in front of St. John's Church Yard and was once the Rectory. We were all made very welcome at Rydale Mount House, the home of a member of Bromsgrove History Society with a grateful seat, tea and cake. The sun was still shining and eventually we made our way through the Churchyard back into town and home. Everyone really enjoyed our historical walk and talk, thanks to Julian and Jo Slade our kind host for tea (Jo is at present Reeve of Bromsgrove and will be Bailiff next year).
Where do we go next year?
Jean Cockin
