| Wednesbury is a medium-sized Black Country town,
with an interesting industrial heritage. Although well
known for large scale tube manufacturing and steel
making, its factories also supplied vast numbers of
axles for the early railway companies, including the
London & North Western Railway. The local canal network,
the BCN began as a venture to transport coal from the
many coal mines in the Wednesbury area to Birmingham.
Religion also played a part when John Wesley preached in
town and caused riots. Wednesbury market was well known
and frequented. It prospered in the Market Place for
many years. During the last few decades great changes
have taken place. The town is now part of Sandwell,
along with Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, and
West Bromwich. The shopping centre has been modernised
and new and better roads have been built. As in all
Black Country towns the traditional industries have
almost disappeared. The old and well-known factories
that dominated the area, and employed so many are now
few and far between. Modern industries have now taken
over many of the old industrial sites, and the town
appears to be quite prosperous with a bright future
ahead. |
