A Quick Walk in The Footsteps of My Paternal Ancestors

Today it was "Dialch and Hawl Fawr" to Berriew and all of Wales. We packed a lot into our our 8 days in the beautiful country of Wales, had remarkable and memorable experiences and met some lovely people. England is less than an hour away from Berriew. There were no signs saying "welcome to England" but we knew immediately that we had changed countries as there were no more bilingual signs. Sheep, yes, but signs only in English and none saying ARAF, SLOW. Drat, I was just getting the hang of Welsh.


Now that we are somewhat experienced UK adventurers we decided that for the next couple of days we would amend the plans slightly. Originally, the idea was to visit several ancestral towns in the Midlands, also known as Black Country (rich in coal). My Dad's family came from this area not far from Birmingham. The towns of Bloxwich, Bilston and Walsall are all within a few miles of each other in what is known as Staffs or Staffordshire. Grandad and Grandma left this area in 1908 and 1919 respectively. Things are much changed since then. After a lot of research, much chatting with people in the know and having experienced driving in towns of all sizes we decided to scrap the plan of visiting B, B and W today and tomorrow. This area has pretty much been rebuilt since WWI and WWII. Little remains to show what it was like at the turn of the previous century or even earlier. Why drive to the old census addresses I had tracked down only to find a parking lot or a TESCO. It is urban sprawl from the centre of Birmingham to Wolverhampton. Somewhere in that mix are Bloxwich, Bilston and Walsall. We know; we saw the signs as we drove along the super fast motorways. Instead of going to Walsall et al we found the history all in one place at the Black Country Museum. Photo below of the bakery from Walsall circa 1850 complete with a great granddaughter.


We wisely opted for The Black Country Museum in a small town called Dudley, just 6 miles from Walsall, my Grandad's birthplace in 1895. The UK certainly knows how to showcase the history. Visiting here for a few hours was a good choice. Mind you it cost us pounds, unlike Wales where almost all the museums are free. It was money well spent for we found an amazing outdoor complex complete with original buildings, working shops and businesses as well as knowledgable guides dressed in period costumes. It was complete with a ride on the Bilston trolley.


I was able to get a sense of what life was like for my great grandparents during the peak of the Industrial Revolution and for my grandparents born just as that era was waning and the world would soon be at war. Photos of homes from Bilston, Bloxwich or Walsall circa 1840-1900.






I now have sense of what life was like for the great grandparents I never knew and for my grandparents in their youth. Granddad wont mind that I gave Walsall a pass. Grandma is always close to my heart wherever she or I may be. A few photos to,depict day to day life - the laundry, the fuel, the heating system and the privy.












So here we are lounging in our last B&B of the trip, Arden House, located in Stratford-Upon-Avon.


That we are but a stone's throw from Shakespeare's birth and burial place is not wasted on me. After all I studied the Bard extensively at UVIC. That too is part of my history. I loved English 200 and then signed on for more courses in year 3 and 4. RP groans at the thought of English 200 and the need to repeat the course. Nevertheless, here we are at the home of the bard.


Stratford is, as expected, a charming English village set on the shores of the famous River Avon. Lots to see and do, much related to the history and the theatre. Guess who has nixed a play here but has been given word we are doing the theatre in London. Photo below on the river footbridge with the renowned theatre on the background.


On our saunter to find a place to eat we discovered the Gower Memorial, created by Lord Ronald Gower in 1888 to honour of the great man and some of his memorable characters. Just a couple of tribute photos below.





As we were contemplating the menu outside the Garrick Pub, the oldest on the Avon (1594) and said to have served William himself, we struck up a conversation with a delightful elderly couple, who live here. They had just come for a pint before heading home to supper. They told us the building next door is famous in its own right. Built in 1596, it was owned by the mother of the man who established Harvard. The exterior carvings are incredibly ornate and very well preserved. What a cheery, friendly couple they were. He walked with 2 canes and told us it was her ancestors who caused him to do so. She playfully slapped him and off they went, wishing us a happy visit.


We decided to dine in the Garrick. I wonder how many pints have been served since 1594.





Since we have a free day tomorrow RP thought he would find a last chance golf game, but it is Saturday and there are no times until later in the day. The city is bustling with tourists of all ages. We will just take the day as it comes. It will be minus the theatre but he is being dragged to the site for the photo op. There will be no driving to obscure addresses anywhere. Cheers!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad