Rowley Regis

 

Rowley Regis grew in a similar way to Oldbury and Smethwick and was just a collection of scattered rural communities. The Industrial Revolution changed all that and the town grew rapidly as a result.

Once a roman settlement, this area has been inhabited for over 2000 years. Traces of Roman occupation were discovered in the 18th century when 120 silver coins were found bearing the head of the Emperor Galba ( AD 68-69 ). Rowley Regis is noted for its quarrying history on Turners Hill. The name comes from the Anglo Saxon term 'Ruh Leah' which in broad terms means a rough and rugged land. The name also would appear to derive from King's Rowley which was part of the Pensnett Forest hunting grounds until the Tudors. It is not clear how the full name of Rowley Regis came about and it is not until the 14th century that records show Rowley as having become Rowley Regis. During the 14th century the area fell under the jurisdiction of Halesowen Abbey.

Large scale quarrying took place at Rowley Regis and nail making, coal mining and the manufacture of chains have been prime providers of employment over the centuries. There is still a working quarry which is one of the areas top leisure attractions.

Other places of interest in Rowley Regis include Haden Hill Park in Old Hill which dates back some 900 years. Covering over 50 acres this an impressive parkland. There is also Haden Hill House a grade II listed building that was built in 1876 by George Haden-Best and which is open to the public and an older Tudor Hall is situated alongside. These buildings were restored recently to their former glory by Sandwell Council. Ownership of the land and estates by the Haden family can be traced back some 600 years. The Tudor House which has been altered considerably dates back from 1570.

Another interesting building of merit is Corngreaves Hall which dates back from the late 18th century and was the home of James Attwood the ironmaster whose son John built the Congreaves Iron Works in 1818. Interestingly in 1825 the iron works and the estate were offered to the British Iron Company for £600,000 but ended in dispute between Attwood and the Company which made legal history at the time.

World famous engineering firms have a history in Rowley Regis, the most notable of these being Samuel Woodhouse & Sons Ltd, Benjamin Priest & Sons Ltd, Joseph Penn & Co. Ltd and William Griffin & Sons Ltd.

Famous people from Rowley include Ambrose Crowley, ironmaster ( 1682 - 1728 ), James Woodhouse, the poet ( 1735 - 1820 ), Joseph Parkes the chainmaker and composer of hymns and the Rev. George Barrs, curate at Rowley ( 1800 - 1840 ).

The old village of Rowley had to be demolished due to subsidence and the Rowley Regis of today is primarily residential with industrial units and retail outlets.

The Sandwell Council Website can be found at http://www.smbc.sandwell.gov.uk/ .