Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). This housing estate sits on what was once a vast area of land used for coal and clay mining. The first record of Amblecote's rich mineral resources goes back as far as the 12th century and in 1372 a lease for property mentions coal and ironstone mining rights. Clay is recorded in a written record two hundred years later and by the 17th century, clay, coal and sand were combined to produce glass. This is the reason why Amblecote played such an integral part in the glass industry and is recognised for its decorative cut glass products. In the 1960's and 1970's there was a huge opencast project that removed the old workings and Amblecote's past was changed forever, because the reclaimed land was used to build this immense housing estate in the late 1970's, early 1980's. As a child, I remember Dad taking us along the Amblecote Road in his little Mini Van on our way to Cradley Heath. The huge mounds of clay were visible along Amblecote Bank and I often felt as though we were on a different planet because as a six year old, it all seemed very surreal!
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). Another view of the housing estate with the lake in the foreground.
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). The flats at Brierley Hill can be seen in the background. They dominate the skyline which changed dramatically when they were built in the 1960's.
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A view of Brierley Hill flats with St Michael's Church in the background on the left of the photograph.
Withymoor Village Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A view of the Brierley Hill transmitter which dominates the skyline.
Withymoor Village Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A closer view of the Brierley Hill transmitter
Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). This new building opened in 2007, replacing the original Corbett Hospital which closed in 2005 after serving the area for more than 100 years.
Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). The hospital is in Vicarage Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge.
Land opposite Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). Land which has not been built upon and which adds a contrast to the newly built hospital buildings which are, in my opinion, very 'space age'.
Land opposite Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). The view in the distance is the 'old' part of Amblecote, namely Collis Street, Vale Street and Villa Street to name a few streets which still retain their character and old world charm.
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008).
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008). This church is constructed with yellow bricks made from fireclay which was mined in the Withymoor, Amblecote area. It is in the early English style, being a Commissioners' type church. The church was built around 1844, the site having been agreed in 1839.
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008). Another view of the Church which has a large churchyard and many old headstones.
Old Buildings, Amblecote (2009). I cannot remember the original use for these buildings which are located near to Mill Race Lane and the slip road onto Stourbridge ring road.
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). This housing estate sits on what was once a vast area of land used for coal and clay mining. The first record of Amblecote's rich mineral resources goes back as far as the 12th century and in 1372 a lease for property mentions coal and ironstone mining rights. Clay is recorded in a written record two hundred years later and by the 17th century, clay, coal and sand were combined to produce glass. This is the reason why Amblecote played such an integral part in the glass industry and is recognised for its decorative cut glass products. In the 1960's and 1970's there was a huge opencast project that removed the old workings and Amblecote's past was changed forever, because the reclaimed land was used to build this immense housing estate in the late 1970's, early 1980's. As a child, I remember Dad taking us along the Amblecote Road in his little Mini Van on our way to Cradley Heath. The huge mounds of clay were visible along Amblecote Bank and I often felt as though we were on a different planet because as a six year old, it all seemed very surreal!
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). Another view of the housing estate with the lake in the foreground.
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). The flats at Brierley Hill can be seen in the background. They dominate the skyline which changed dramatically when they were built in the 1960's.
Lakeside Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A view of Brierley Hill flats with St Michael's Church in the background on the left of the photograph.
Withymoor Village Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A view of the Brierley Hill transmitter which dominates the skyline.
Withymoor Village Housing Estate, Amblecote (2009). A closer view of the Brierley Hill transmitter
Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). This new building opened in 2007, replacing the original Corbett Hospital which closed in 2005 after serving the area for more than 100 years. 
Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). The hospital is in Vicarage Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge. 
Land opposite Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). Land which has not been built upon and which adds a contrast to the newly built hospital buildings which are, in my opinion, very 'space age'.
Land opposite Corbett Hospital, Amblecote (2009). The view in the distance is the 'old' part of Amblecote, namely Collis Street, Vale Street and Villa Street to name a few streets which still retain their character and old world charm.
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008).
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008). This church is constructed with yellow bricks made from fireclay which was mined in the Withymoor, Amblecote area. It is in the early English style, being a Commissioners' type church. The church was built around 1844, the site having been agreed in 1839.
Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote (2008). Another view of the Church which has a large churchyard and many old headstones. 
Old Buildings, Amblecote (2009). I cannot remember the original use for these buildings which are located near to Mill Race Lane and the slip road onto Stourbridge ring road.