I dont even like tower blocks - but i'll take it :lol:

I've never seen that block on the Chester Road... very odd.

I'm surprised you haven't cos it's not a million miles from where you live. I've seen it, just the once. I think there were two of them. Can't believe it's taken this long for it to be demolished! But I'm not complaining. ;)

Heath Town estate

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/203581506_7b89fb11aa_b.jpg

really wanna see the Merry Hill estate now.

:cool:

Good news everyone, my new computer arrives today.

I could see those blocks ^^ the other day in the sun from the top of my nans road in Little Dawley.

Actually it might have been Mander House, whatever it was big white and in Wolverhampton.

The Mander Centre has just been sold!

Good news everyone, my new computer arrives today.

I could see those blocks ^^ the other day in the sun from the top of my nans road in Little Dawley.

Actually it might have been Mander House, whatever it was big white and in Wolverhampton.

Yeah, more likely Mander House I think, as it stands higher up than the Heath Town blocks which are below the city centre, plus they are the otherside of Wolverhampton from Telford.

Found out that the 10 storey tower block behind Wylde Green Shopping Centre is called Heron Court.

Found out that the 10 storey tower block behind Wylde Green Shopping Centre is called Heron Court.

Well done! :applause: (and that's not meant to be patronising or sarcastic)

That's the white one isn't it that no one seems to know of?

Well, creamy coloured. We had a picture of it taken by Smiley from the top of Harlech Tower somewhere. I've been looking around for it but to no avail.

The search function doesn't seem to be working at the moment making it harder to locate photos. :cry:

^^

Tut, tut. That middle photo is taken from Delves in Walsall not Hamstead, Pete:)

Oh yeah! I hang my head in shame. :nuts:

Hallam Street, West Bromwich. All towers in Sandwell (Sandwell Homes blocks) are getting makeovers.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/collins56/445030605_bcba9f477f.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/collins56/445030593_2a5a8e10a9.jpg

pics courtesy of alumet_systems_uk

OH MY ABSOLUTELY GOODNESS!!!!!!! I've never seen these before!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

I must have a look on my A-Z to see where these are. They look really nice and new!

Can't believe I've not heard about these! Thanks Pete! :okay:

Oh okay, they're behind Sandwell Hospital. I really cannot believe how nice these fellas look, this is how all tower blocks should look after a refurbishment! :yes:

Y'know, I really like those :happy:

Wow thats pretty impressive, I wouldn't mind living in one of those.

How old are they because I would have thought they were brand new if I drove past it!? They are grrrrreat! :happy:

Yeah, more likely Mander House I think, as it stands higher up than the Heath Town blocks which are below the city centre, plus they are the otherside of Wolverhampton from Telford.

Ok today from TTC I could see Mander House and a group of at least 3 tower blocks to the north, what are they?

^^

It could be these blocks of which there are 5, by the Wolves ground.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/LaneCourt.jpg
(courtesy of van heckler)

It could also be the three big 'uns at Merry Hill, Wolverhampton which can be seen on the horizon as you head away from Bridgnorth.

still not quite summer enough to get decent light, given the times i get to visit ...


but -

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/Druids1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/Druids3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/Druids2.jpg


Welcome to Druds Heath :lol:

:eek: :eek:

I love this place! ...to a certain degree. ;)

It just doesn't look like part of a city does it? It looks so flat in these photos. 45 years ago, these were still fields in Worcestershire!

Thanks for those Grendel! :happy:

Thanks Grendel! You might want to try and save your images to PNG because they keep all the quality when uploaded :yes:.

Druid's Heath looks mighty impressive. Some of the blocks remind me of the apartment buildings in The Netherlands with the funny windows. Look at the roofs on a couple of the lowrise buildings :lol: - they have given them a unique pitch to be all continental!

It could be these blocks of which there are 5, by the Wolves ground.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/LaneCourt.jpg
(courtesy of van heckler)

It could also be the three big 'uns at Merry Hill, Wolverhampton which can be seen on the horizon as you head away from Bridgnorth.

Nah not these, they were taller and whiter. What are the westernmost blocks in Wolves?

Nah not these, they were taller and whiter. What are the westernmost blocks in Wolves?

The westernmost blocks are the ones in Merry Hill, right on the South Staffordshire border. They're very big but not white! So - you may just be right and it is the blocks at Heath Town, but I'd have thought it was only the tops you can see.

Oh ok, cheers mate.

Hi there, have been watching this topic for a while now so I thought I would join! Have always been a fan of tower blocks, especially Walsall blocks. I was fortunate enough to have family and friends who lived in some of these blocks and it is nce to see how they alook inside and out. I will post some pictures soon of blocks that I have that I do not believe have been posted before of some blocks standing and some that are now sadly not with us.

Hey Citywest :hi:!

Please please pleeeeeease show us them pictures. It's always interesting to see the blocks that have bitten the dust :yes:.

Hello and welcome Citywest! :wave:

Wow! Walsall's tower blocks are my personal favourite - I love the style and the colour of them, plus I liked them as a child when we used to go past them on the way to my cousin's house in Bloxwich.

Any of your photos be they new or old are most welcome here. :yes:

It's always interesting to see the blocks that have bitten the dust :yes:.

...of which there aren't that many in Walsall as I think most are still standing. I can only think of one in Brownhills, two in Darlaston and two in Willenhall that have been demolished.

^^Just 5? That was a normal day on the Castle Vale estate. :lol:

Oh and by the way Citywest, if you've got any, internal photos of tower blocks always go down well on here for some strange reason. They are a rarity!

You may also be interested in the British Tower Blocks thread if you haven't already discovered it. :) http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=408485

Bannington and Pearson Court (Lodge Farm Willenhall) were demolished in 2003, Leys and Alma Court (Darlaston - not the ones opposite Asda) were demolished in 2002. I have poor quality scans that I need to dig out for these 4 blocks. There were at one time 3 tall blocks at Brownhills, Wayne House and Bayley House demolished but Humphries House still stands.

There used to be two blocks by Asda in Darlaston that are no longer there. I never saw the two in Willenhall you mentioned. :( I didn't realise it was two that were demolished in Brownhills, but I knew there was one left.

Do you know how to add attchments? I'm sure it's a simple thing like a checkbox that hasn't been ticked - but I just can't find it...:ohno:

Go into "post reply" and everything you will need is above where you type.

You need to upload the images to a website (I use http://www.photobucket.com). Once the image is uploaded, there should be a code provided beneath it beginning with IMG in squared brackets. Click this and it is automatically copied.

Then come to this website to post a comment and just press Ctrl-V on your keyboard and it is pasted.

The code should look like IMAGE URL HERE . It should then work.

Oh okay, you've gone into more detail than I did. :lol:

Here are photo's of Alma & Leys Court In Darlaston, before and during demolition in 2002:


http://http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=05AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=08AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=15AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=13AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=16AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/?action=view&current=19AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

oops sorry guys - normal service to be resumed shortly...:nuts:

:lol:

Don't worry, just edit your post. You'll get there eventually.

IMG]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/05AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg[/IMG]

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/08AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/15AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/13AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/16AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/19AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

...and how they looked o start with...

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/05AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

Apologies for the poor quality - but anyway:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/06BanningtonPearsonCourt2003.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/05BanningtonPearsonCourt2003.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/04BanningtonPearsonCourt2003.jpg

(One of your photos isn't working due to a missed [ at the beginning :))

Wow wow wow wow wow!!!! Super photos and ultra rare! :yes:
I remember the Darlaston blocks quite well and you used to be able to see them from the Black Country Route.
I always got mixed up between these twins and the twins in Bentley, I think it is, that are currently awaiting demolition.

I never saw the ones in Willenhall but I know of their existence.

This photos is fantastique :eek::

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/19AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg

Ball House. This is the same design as the Paddock Flats, looking as they did before refurb, only I think did not get into this state which is why they looke earmarked for demolition.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BallHouseBloxwich.jpg

Leadbeater House. This is the same design as the Pleck 16 story blocks.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/LeadbeaterHouseBloxwich-1.jpg

These pictures were take early 2006, and when i went past a month or so ago they were in series decline, with one of the flats in ball house looked like it had been torched. Shame really as the flats are nice and spacious inside and make nice homes if only they were cared for in the first place.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/LeadbeaterandBallHouseBloxwich.jpg

LOVE THEM!!! :pepper:

These two are due for demolition. :( The block on the left is also identical to the blocks in Bloxwich. This design is my favourite. :happy:

Bamford House, Lower farm, Bloxwich. A mini Hi-Rise!
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BamfordHouseLowerFarmB.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BamfordHouseLowerFarmA.jpg

Wyn, Tibbets and Richard House, Birchills, Walsall
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BorrowsRoadFlatsA.jpg

Not sure which block is called which, but they are Clarke House, Cartwight House, Davies House and the 16 storey block is Wilkins House.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/SandbankBloxwichC.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/SandbankBloxwichB.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/SandbankBlockwichA.jpg

Humphries House is the only block left standing since Bayley House and Wayne House were demolished a few years ago. These seem to be to the same design as the Wednesfield blocks only these do not have balconies.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HumprhriesHouseBrownhillsB.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HumphriesHouseBrownhillsC.jpg
There are other smaller blocks (5-6 storeys) also standing on the High Street, but do not have any pictures of these.

(One of your photos isn't working due to a missed [ at the beginning :))

Wow wow wow wow wow!!!! Super photos and ultra rare! :yes:
I remember the Darlaston blocks quite well and you used to be able to see them from the Black Country Route.
I always got mixed up between these twins and the twins in Bentley, I think it is, that are currently awaiting demolition.

I never saw the ones in Willenhall but I know of their existence.

This photos is fantastique :eek::

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/19AlmaLeysCourt2002.jpg


The 2 blocks in Bentley - Fairview and Grange Court - were the unrefurbished twins of the 2 blocks in Darlaston directly opposite the Asda - Great Croft House and John Wooton House(??) which were sadley demolished a few years ago. I do not have any photos of the Darlaston twins however I do have the Bentley ones to add.

Grrreat photos! I especially like the ones in Bloxwich. :yes:

And you're right, Humphries House in Brownhills is like the 3 blocks in Wednesfield, especially from the side, but without balconies. I hadn't thought about that before. I don't think we've ever had a close up of this block before!

I thought the two demolished blocks in Darlaston in your photos were the ones by the Asda - where are these ones then? :?

Wow, these are great! There's something about Bamford House which is very appealing!

Great work and thanks a mundo for sharing the pictures!

Thanks for those Citywest.The half standing one in Darlo is a great pic.

I have a problem, tower blocks seem to be growing on me, I was in Kidderminster the other day, I was surprised at how many they have down there but there were these 2 black ones shaped a bit like the Sears tower one with red panels and one with blue and I actually thought oh they're nice. Then yesterday I were watching a presentation on redeveloping them instead of demolishing them and I was talking to the guy about how they can look really good and about the Sentinals and how ace they are. That was when I became scared.

:lol:

Oh poor Telfordboy! :pet:

By the sounds of it, you mean these two fellas (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Thames_House_and_Avon_House). Not exactly Sears Tower but I know what you mean, they're quite randomly shaped. :yes:

D'ya know Telfordboy, you've just reminded me - I had a dream last night that I was in an area of Telford where there were these tallish tower blocks (that you never told me about! :lol:) and I was out of the car taking photos. This beautiful mixed race girl (who was pretty much exactly like Leona Lewis) walked up to me and gave me "the wink" - I think she was after something, so I said "Erm, no thanks" and continued walking with her following me. I can't remember what happened after but I was back in my car driving past these same tower blocks thinking "Wow, I'll have to tell Telfordboy about this"!!! :eek: :lol:

Dreaming about me now? not a good sign:nuts: :lol:
And they were the ones, I liked them. Kiddie despite being very small feels very city-esque IMO.

Well, yeah! :|

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HamiltonHouseBloxwichB.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HamiltonHouseBloxwichA.jpg

One of many similar styled early 1960's blocks that can also be found in Birmingham and Sandwell.

Grrreat photos! I especially like the ones in Bloxwich. :yes:

And you're right, Humphries House in Brownhills is like the 3 blocks in Wednesfield, especially from the side, but without balconies. I hadn't thought about that before. I don't think we've ever had a close up of this block before!

I thought the two demolished blocks in Darlaston in your photos were the ones by the Asda - where are these ones then? :?

These blocks in Darlaston were literally a couple of hundred yards up the road at the back of the Adsa, as if you were travelling towards Willenhall. My friend used to live on the 17th floor of Alma Court, but the lifts only go to the 16th! Anyway, as there was no balcony on the top 2 flats, the residents were given a key to the roof to dry washing etc, however you couldn't see much (apart from inside the lift motor room!) as there was a 8" foot wall around the top, although you could just squint through the grills. There was a fantastic view from the flat - if only I had taken some photos!

Not sure which flats are called which:
16 Storey are Wesley, Marshall, Derby and Salisbury
11 Storey are Srimshaw and Taylor House
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/PleckFlatsbeforedemolition7.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/PleckFlatsbeforedemolition4.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/PleckFlatsbeforedemolition5.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/PleckFlatsBeforeDemolition06.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/PleckFlatsBeforeDemolition09.jpg

Tekn a couple of weeks ago with a camera phone whilst passing. As you can see, the soft strip is under way - Marshall House I think.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/DSC00028.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/DSC00027.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/DSC00026.jpg

These blocks in Darlaston were literally a couple of hundred yards up the road at the back of the Adsa, as if you were travelling towards Willenhall. My friend used to live on the 17th floor of Alma Court, but the lifts only go to the 16th! Anyway, as there was no balcony on the top 2 flats, the residents were given a key to the roof to dry washing etc, however you couldn't see much (apart from inside the lift motor room!) as there was a 8" foot wall around the top, although you could just squint through the grills. There was a fantastic view from the flat - if only I had taken some photos!

Ahh I see! I don't know if I ever saw these blocks then, I remember the ones to the front of Asda though. You've got some interesting information you know. :yes:

...And photos. Although the Pleck photos make me sad. I will miss this dense little cluster so much when they're gone but at least we've got loads of photos of them. Despite their derelict state, they still somehow manage to look fresh and not as dated as most other tower blocks!

EDIT: The first photo of the second Pleck post is amazing... :eek:

I think that fact that the Walsall Blocks are clad in brick over the concrete LPS makes them look much more attractive than just bear concrete which looks so dated now. Also, the one left in Stafford (i don't know it's name) looks extremely simliar design to the Plecks ones. It would be interesting to know if local councils still had the original plans when these estates were first built and any original photos during contruction. If only I was 30 years older!!!

Yeps, some time ago we had photos of the other almost identical cluster of blocks in Walsall showing the brickwork close up. I'm sure even tower block haters would appreciate it!

There are actually two tower blocks in Stafford - one near the town centre and the other to the west by the M6 and both of that Walsall marooney colour. Here's at least one of them:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photos/30/44/304471_b027896c.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/285888971_dc0a400a65_o.jpg

There are also some blocks in London that have a similar look but apart from those this design is quite unique. :yes:

Thanks for the Pleck photos.I know the blocks quite well as my best friend lives in Oxford St Pleck ,in the shadow (literally) of these blocks.If you are at the top of the Church Hill in Wednesbury these blocks appear to be a small city in their own right.A veritble landmark.

Whoooaaa!!! Virtually a tower block tour of Walsall there, thanks for all of those Citywest. I'm so pleased you've got pictures of the Lodge Farm blocks, they're probably the only ones in existence and I agree with everyone else that the various demolition photos are amazing if a little sad.

Pleck Flats - I intend to get as many photos of this little cluster as I can before they bite the dust. I took one from my mate's 10th floor balcony, here in Paddock flats, the other day - along with a few more - and I'll upload them tomorrow night.

Good to see photos of Humphries house in Brownhills too. Just wish we had some photos when the other two were standing too!

Ball House and Leadbeater house in Bloxwich: I used to work across the road from these two ina car shop called Fastcar (which is still there). Last time I was in Blocko I was shocked at the state of these two but sadly never had my camera on me. Again, I'll try and get up there with a camera soon. In that neck of the woods too, coming back towards Walsall, there's a nice little cluster of 8 storey near to Leamore traffic lights, which can just be seen to the left of Leadbeater and Ball House in the foreground here.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200647.jpg

There's also a similar cluster in Caldmore which can be seen on the ridge just in front of Bham's skyline on the horizon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200648.jpg

Another cluster exists at the bottom of Green lane, going into the town centre from Bloxwich (near the police station). I'm sure I had some photo's of these but alas, no!

I'm taking my camera into West Bromwich tomorrow! To be more specific I'm taking it to The Hawthorns to photograph a couple of mates who are playing in a charity match there - anyway! If I get the chance I'll, of course, get some tower block shots en-route:)

Walsall really is still riddled with tower blocks! :happy: More than Wolverhampton I'd say. Walsall's blocks make for such a distinctive skyline. :yes:

I look forward to your photos Smiley!

great work...

Thanks for the photos Smiley.

Good work Smiley - I love the skyline shots everytime!

Just a little update - Dorset House is empty still but I saw lights on on the ground floor, first floor and somewhere around the 5th floor last night.

Normansell House is also empty but I did see lights on the ground and first floor.

The condemned Bromford blocks look quite far developed now. If I saw right, the top few floors have had the windows removed.

Hey Simleyface, I think these are the Leamore Flats you saw:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/LeamoreFlatsB-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/LeamoreFlatsE.jpg
The names I can remember for these are Dover, Harlech, Conway and Pembroke House.

Here are 2 blocks out of 4 at Caldmore. Pictured are Orlando and Newhall House. Their neighbours are Sandwell and Barleyfield House. Also, just round the corner from these just near to St. Mathews Church is Whiston House, but would not ever know they were there. As they are the same style as the Bamford House Flats in Lower Farm, ie only 6 storeys high, conceal themselves pretty well!
Orlando House
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/OrlandoHouseCaldmore-1.jpg
Newhall House
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/NewhallHouseCaldmore-1.jpg

Orlando House
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/OrlandoHouseCaldmore-1.jpg
]
Thanks for the photos.This one looks quite nice....especially the green setting .

Smileyface, you mention Paddock Flats a little earlier. Well my Nan & Grandad (well Grandad now any) have lived in Preston House since 1971. Their house in Lime Street was demolished to make way for the garage block to serve the flats in Tantarra Street which were demolished several years ago now. Anyway I think this is where my facination comes from as all my life would visit those flats virtually every week. They went through a refurb a little while ago - New bathrooms/electrics and communal redecotation etc and they are now very nice inside. I can always remember when I was very small that the ground floor lift area used to be glad in a truly awful 70's style green/white/orange mosaic looking like a desert cactus scene!!! ..honest:eek:

Thanks citywest! These blocks all look pretty much the same but look in decent condition and as Nacho said Orlando House in in quite a nice setting by the looks of it. I know the ones in Leamore quite well, just off the main road between Walsall and Bloxwich, kinda near the two empty blocks you pictured earlier.

I love your tower block story as well, visiting your grandparents. Nothing like a good tower block story. :yes: ;)

Am I right in thinking that you pronounce "Caldmore" as "Karma"??

Just got back in and I've taken a few photo's of the Caldmore flats etc....I see Citywest has beat me to them again lol. You've got an amazing set of photos though, very impressed:)

BREAKING NEWS: Pleck flats are in the process of being demolished now! I walked through Caldmore on my way to being picked up near the Fullbrook Pub (on the way to West Brom) and I could see Pleck Flats in the distance (Caldmore's high up) with one of the tall ones half ripped down. I took a few photos but they were on full zoom so I've no idea how they look. I'll try to pop by there on my way to work tomorrow. All my photos - hopefully - will be posted up during the course of this evening.

Smileyface, you mention Paddock Flats a little earlier. Well my Nan & Grandad (well Grandad now any) have lived in Preston House since 1971. Their house in Lime Street was demolished to make way for the garage block to serve the flats in Tantarra Street which were demolished several years ago now. Anyway I think this is where my facination comes from as all my life would visit those flats virtually every week. They went through a refurb a little while ago - New bathrooms/electrics and communal redecotation etc and they are now very nice inside. I can always remember when I was very small that the ground floor lift area used to be glad in a truly awful 70's style green/white/orange mosaic looking like a desert cactus scene!!! ..honest:eek:

Yep, Paddock flats are very communal and a nice place to live. I'm having new heaters fitted next Thursday and should have the new kitchen in by the end of the summer. What floor, in Preston House, do your Grandparents live on? If they're the side facing the Barr Beacon they should have a nice view of central Bham from their balcony.

Can anyone guess what is here now?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/CW.png

Just got back in and I've taken a few photo's of the Caldmore flats etc....I see Citywest has beat me to them again lol. You've got an amazing set of photos though, very impressed:)

BREAKING NEWS: Pleck flats are in the process of being demolished now! I walked through Caldmore on my way to being picked up near the Fullbrook Pub (on the way to West Brom) and I could see Pleck Flats in the distance (Caldmore's high up) with one of the tall ones half ripped down. I took a few photos but they were on full zoom so I've no idea how they look. I'll try to pop by there on my way to work tomorrow. All my photos - hopefully - will be posted up during the course of this evening.

Yikes... Although I do look forward to your photos, if a little nervous... :shifty:

Yep, Paddock flats are very communal and a nice place to live. I'm having new heaters fitted next Thursday and should have the new kitchen in by the end of the summer. What floor, in Preston House, do your Grandparents live on? If they're the side facing the Barr Beacon they should have a nice view of central Bham from their balcony.

Sounds lovely!

Can anyone guess what is here now?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/CW.png

I dread to think. They look lovely little quiet woods. :yes:

I'll wait for a couple of people to see if they know, and if they don't get it then I'll reveal all! :happy:

A little bit of Tipton:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000372.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000373.jpg

That's not a answer to Erebus question, just a couple of pics I took

Oi! That's my patch! :nono: Get back to Cheshireshire/Lancashireshire you! :bash:

Those blocks are in Great Bridge anyway. :bowtie:

...which is an area of Tipton. :|

Thanks for your photos anyway. :happy: As you can see, these blocks are identical to the ones in Walsall despite being miles away.

I like the panelling on the balconies! It's looks quite unusual.

Anyway, I'll give you the answer prematurely. The picture is of Chelmsley Wood :yes:.

Oh my. Shocking. Now we know how it got its name. You didn't let us ponder over that for long did you?

I think all those balconies are original by the looks of it. :yes:

^^Sorry about that. I can get rather impatient. The original photo had "Chelmsley Wood" written along the bottom of it so I had to chop it off (on MS Paint).

I have just come across some interesting information about the old Duddeston blocks (High, Queens, Home and South Towers): according to documents given to the first residents that moved into Queens Tower, there were a further two planned blocks to be constructed. However, as one person who lived in the tower block said, construction was postponed and then cancelled altogether due to land acquisition problems.

So how about that, eh? We could have been looking at a Duddeston Six instead of the Duddeston Four. They are pretty spectacular blocks even if they are stubby.

A few more pics of the Walsall area including the Pleck flats which are now well under way to being demolished :(

Austin House in the Butts (including the soon to be redeveloped Arboretum island)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0170_800.jpg

Another of Austin House from St Matthews Church
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0287_800.jpg

Paddock flats from St Matthews Church
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0306_800.jpg

Caldmore flats
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0276_800.jpg

These are between Goscote and Bloxwich, they need some spring cleaning I think...
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0311_800.jpg

Finally the Pleck flats which are being demolished, don't know if the blocks on the right are still occupied?
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0875_800.jpg

Whoa, that last photo, wow!!! Much better than any I've got, which I'll hopefully post soon (busy on msn at the moment), cheers for those radioguy:banana:

That's ok, thanks to everyone on here also for the many uploads, especially those of Walsall :)

Just thought I would post a zoomed in pic to show the makeup of the block, shame really that they have to come down.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0875_800_2.jpg

Here's a quickie photo of mine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047042.jpg

aah, I wondered what they were using, looks like some kind of claw that eats into the concrete... Thanks

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0875_800.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/img_0875_800_2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047042.jpg

:puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke: :puke: :( :mad2: :cry: :puke: :bash: :puke:

Seriously, thanks guys. And a nice selection of the other blocks from yourself radioguy just to keep ourselves upbeat about this. :yes:

It makes me feel more ill seeing these blocks come down than any others I've seen. They are much nicer to look at than most blocks (the Paddock flats being the bestest example) and IMO should have been kept and the terraced housing nearby demolished instead! But there we go. They're even picking them apart slowly just to make it worse, although I s'pose it makes for good photo opportunities. :yes:

Smiley, what's it like for you seeing similar-looking blocks to yours being torn down? Or doesn't it really bother you cos they were skanky?

radioguy - I always think that Austin House was the one that got away - from the Paddock flats just up the road! I didn't realise that the island there was being redeveloped.

The twins in what I believe to be Little Bloxwich are so relatively isolated being stuck in a suburban area right on the edge of the town by the countryside. I want to live there. :happy:

Hey radioguy - you beat me to it with the Pleck demolition! I passed yesterday coming from Darlaston and was amazed with what I could see in the distance! I took a picture with my cameraphone and have exactly the same shot as you. Took it yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately I am not at home until tomorrow night, so not able to pick up digital camera and return until Tuesday! Oh well. I thought it was interesting to see the internal structure - just like a set of boxes stacked one on top of the other. And some people do put up some 'interesting' wallpaper!!

Also I passed Fairview and Grange Court in Bentley yesterday. Demolition has now in it's early stages here. They have removed the interna brick balconies on the ground floor flats and you can see straight into the livings rooms! Not seen this practice before. Will get some pictures of these too on Tuesday hopefully.

Also Booth and O'Hare House in Teddersley also look set for the chop - aaagh!
Same design as the Pleck and Paddock 11 storeys design.

What is it with Walsall Council and demoltion at the moment? Have they got a BOGOFF or something with the contactors??:nuts:

Sorry to upset you Butterfield, I do feel the same, as Citywest says it is madness really as when they are properly maintained and a good community lives there they are great housing. A fine example is the Paddock flats by me, a great community driven scheme which works well, why can't they use this in the Pleck instead of building "Luxury" houses or apartments which will proberbly cost a fortune as usual. :ohno:

Citywest, the Teddersly street ones have always confused me, why pull down O'Hare and Booth when Austin seems to be thriving? What happened there do you know? Oh and yes and some of the wallpaper does make you wonder doesn't it :lol:

Sorry to upset you Butterfield, I do feel the same, as Citywest says it is madness really as when they are properly maintained and a good community lives there they are great housing. A fine example is the Paddock flats by me, a great community driven scheme which works well, why can't they use this in the Pleck instead of building "Luxury" houses or apartments which will proberbly cost a fortune as usual. :ohno:

Citywest, the Teddersly street ones have always confused me, why pull down O'Hare and Booth when Austin seems to be thriving? What happened there do you know? Oh and yes and some of the wallpaper does make you wonder doesn't it :lol:

As far as I know O'hare and Booth House have always had a bad reputation. I remember my uncle who was a postman at the time saying how terrible they were inside and did not feel safe there. Ans that was years ago (early 80's I guess). I think -but correct me if I am wrong -Austin House is designated for elderley people only and have the Piper alarm system fitted. Why they could not do something like this with other blocks I don't know. Perhaps at the end of the day money has it's part to play.

Yep, Paddock flats are very communal and a nice place to live. I'm having new heaters fitted next Thursday and should have the new kitchen in by the end of the summer. What floor, in Preston House, do your Grandparents live on? If they're the side facing the Barr Beacon they should have a nice view of central Bham from their balcony.

Live on the 5th floor facing Milsum House. Would prefer if they lived on the other side as great views as you mention. Although you can see Cannock Chase from the kitchen window.

Hmm, thinking about it, maybe O'Hare and Booth have to come down for the redevelopments to Walsall for the new college and Tesco?

My friend lives in Millsum on the town side, yes he does have great views of the Walsall town centre, from what I hear Millsum is the best block out of them all to live though?

My friend lives in Millsum on the town side, yes he does have great views of the Walsall town centre, from what I hear Millsum is the best block out of them all to live though?

Yes, Milsum and Croft Houses always look to be the best. BTW I believe there are some rooms on the ground floor between the main front entrance and the staircase entrance (facing Preston House). Anybody know what these are or were? As far as I am aware Walsall blocks did not have laundry facilities - not that I know of anyhow.

I've just read through your posts Citywest and Radioguy - it's nice to get a perspective from a different set of people!

And you're right, if Austin House is a success with security and the like, why can't the others be like this? Maybe it's because that one overlooks the arboretum or something!

Yes, Milsum and Croft Houses always look to be the best. BTW I believe there are some rooms on the ground floor between the main front entrance and the staircase entrance (facing Preston House). Anybody know what these are or were? As far as I am aware Walsall blocks did not have laundry facilities - not that I know of anyhow.

Yes, I wondered this myself, can never recall them being used over the years for laundry, maybe they are for utilities (electric, phone, water?), I take it these are the ones by the steps leading to the rear doors of the blocks, hmm I'll see if I can find out.

Do Preston, Brooks and Bywater have these, never noticed them in there?

Also, what are the doors for on the front of Millsum by the rubbish bins, blue doors which look like storage cupboards of some kind?

Two aerial pictures of the Nechells Green area in Nechells/ Duddeston. You maybe able to recognise the Duddeston Four.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/NechellsGreenaerial.png
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/NechellsGreenaerial2.png

Fox Hollies

http://aghs.virtualbrum.co.uk/foxhollies/fhtowers.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/362889995_308db8ca45_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/362882855_a07b15b556_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/362882853_b4a6c8bb50_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/362876618_f1b9a61566_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/362868653_23dab77456_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/362868651_1fee7fd410_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/357384597_4981d630b1_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/357367878_7edcc05f1b_o.jpg

Think I've just stumbled across smileyfaces pics on flickr :)

I think you have. :yes:

Where is Fox Hollies?

I definitely think you have:) ...and where is Fox Hollies?

Hopefully, I'll get those Walsall photos of mine up on here today, I've just been mega busy the last couple of days I just haven't had chance!

haha.. sorry mate, some very fine pics up there, now I know where you are I WILL be back... :)

Fox Hollies = Acocks Green

The Lyndhurst estate is looking very sorry (last picture) for itself.

That pic reminds me of the area that you pass on the Metro before reaching Bilston.There must be about ten buildings like that.Apparently the area is going to be wiped clear and a massive new development is going to take place.

Thanks for the old photos Erebus.

We still haven't seen a definitve Chemsley Wood collection.With Citywest posting some oldies of Walsall I'm still hoping that someone will pop up with a bundle of the 35(?) blocks from all types of angles.Today I've been taking photos of blocks in Seville....there must be more than ten thousand blocks maybe many more.Average is six stories with the heighest coming in at fifteen I believe.

Yes, I wondered this myself, can never recall them being used over the years for laundry, maybe they are for utilities (electric, phone, water?), I take it these are the ones by the steps leading to the rear doors of the blocks, hmm I'll see if I can find out.

Do Preston, Brooks and Bywater have these, never noticed them in there?

Also, what are the doors for on the front of Millsum by the rubbish bins, blue doors which look like storage cupboards of some kind?

There are no laundry facilities on the estate that I'm aware of. I haven't really been in Millsum or croft House that often so I don't really know what these "mysterious" rooms could be though there is a security centre on the ground floor of one of the blocks. Brookes House also houses the estate's offices on its ground floor and there's a communal area in Croft House too.

A few photos I took from my mate's 10th floor balcony in Brookes House. It was a bit hazy so I'm going to have to try again sometime when it's nice and sunny. These were taken over a week ago and by the look of Pleck Flats demolition started earlier than I thought!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047022.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047028.jpg

Pleck Flats from Caldmore. These were taken Saturday, April 28th.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047043.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047044.jpg

My mate - who picked me up to drop me in West Brom that day - lives right by these beauties in West Bromwich, so I had to get a few pictures even if he thought I was a nutter taking photos of Tower Blocks!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047045.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047046.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047048.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047049.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047050.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047051.jpg

I managed to get to the top of Little London House in Caldmore to get a few shots.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%202/WalsallAutumn5.jpg


Excuse the quality of some of these coz they suffer from being taken through dirty windows!

Paddock Flats
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047052.jpg

Love this image, just wish it was better quality - Walsall, almost looking like a quaint country town!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047053.jpg

Another Pleck Flats collection
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047066.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047067.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047072.jpg

Looking out, towards Wednesbury
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047073.jpg

Butterfield Court on the horizon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047074.jpg

Towards Barr Beacon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047060.jpg

One of Walsall's cranes
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047061.jpg

....and of course, the obligitary City Centre shots:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047054.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047054a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047055.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047059.jpg


Who said only the view from over Edgbaston showed up the city's greenery?:)

Caldmore's little cluster
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047081.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047082.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047083.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047084.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047085.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047086.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047087.jpg


Forgot to add this one for all you folk moaning about not seeing the inside of tower blocks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047062.jpg

A few more shots from Caldmore
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047089.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047090.jpg

Whiston House (I think it's called)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047094.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047095.jpg

A couple of full zoom shots from Caldmore - Pleck flats, again.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047093.jpg

Bloxwich blocks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047092.jpg

One of The Butts flats with the Town Hall Bell tower and new Asda in the foreground
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047088.jpg

And finally some photos from the top of Church Hill, mainly of Paddock Flats and a few more for good measure including this of the UK's largest grafitti mural going up near the top of the Market.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470113.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470111.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470109.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470106.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470105.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470103.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470102.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470117.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470121.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks280470126.jpg

Woaaaahhhh!!!! :eek: Great photos Smiley and what a lot of tower blocks! Walsall would look a whole lot different if more of these blocks go, although I'm sure a lot will be kept for years yet including your blocks.

The Paddock flats and Pleck flats look a long way from each other judging by the photos from your mate's balcony. It's interesting (for me at least!) to see how far apart they are. And it's nice to see my namesake keeping a watchful eye over all the happenings, although "she" looks a little lonely. :(

I love the "new" West Bromwich blocks - they are how tower blocks should look if they are to be refurbished and they complement the tall block that was refurbished 2 or 3 years ago. :yes:

Nice to see you scaled yet another block! I'm sure it'll get more difficult for you the more security that's brought in. Great shots of Brum too, as ever they belong on the skyline thread but that's up to you. ;)

Pleck Flats from Caldmore. These were taken Saturday, April 28th.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Towerblocks28047049.jpg



Mini Orion?

Or is it me

Mini Orion?

Or is it me

Nahh, these are way better and for a fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction fraction of the price. :yes:

Great pics Smiley - thanks :cheers:

Thanks for all the photos Smiley I really enjoyed those.The West Brom reburbs look fantastic......you even caught one of my old watering holes ...The Queens Head.The Caldmore flats have a nice setting too with all that greenery.Wednesbury looks almost countryfide there.That hill (Church Hill) with the two churches provides possibly some of the best views of the Black country;out to Wolverhampton,views onto Pleck and beyond,views towards West Brom ,and views to Tipton and Dudley.Apparently,when the Black Country was at its peak of production the whole area was lit up at night by its furnaces.Its a graet angle.

Once again thanks for the legwork.

Hey Smileyface - those pictures are outstanding!!! :yes: You really have a good eye for shots! I would love to be able to get inside some of the blocks, but feel a bit awkward about tailgaiting someone through the doors!

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt5-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt7-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt1-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt2-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt8-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt3-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt4-May2007.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BoothandOHareHouse1-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BoothandOHareHouse3-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/BoothandOHareHouse4-May2007.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-3.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-4.jpg

Hugh Gaitskell, William Churchill and Clement Attlee Court
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HughGaitskellWinstonChurchillandCle.jpg

These are the one you can see for miles when approaching Wolverhampton from Bridgnorth. They have a slight Birmingham-esque style to them I think.
They are St. Josephs Court, Penwood Court and Highfield Court.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-7.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-6.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/St-5.jpg

If you coould get inside this block you you have brilliant view of the Arboretum, and various other skyline.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/AustinHouse1-May2007.jpg

The block currently being demolished at the moment is Stansbury House - not Marshall as I had previously said.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/xxx008.jpg

Top work there Citywest - you've been busy! :okay:

The demolition of the two blocks at Bentley has progressed somewhat since I was last there a few months ago. :eek: Nice to see the "most offensive" word graffitied onto one of those little green electricity boxes! :lol:

Booth and O'Hare Houses look in a sorry state and I doubt will last much longer. :(

I love those blocks in Willenhall (a new entry on this thread! :cheer:) - each level has one long balcony of glass! :happy: I only discovered these a couple of years ago but there were 3 similar blocks at Portobello (I think it's called) between Willenhall and Wolverhampton that were demolished.

Same with the 3 blocks in Bilston - I never knew about these until recently as they're quite hidden away and awkward to get to. I think these too are a new entry on this thread!

And finally, the three giant blocks right on the edge of Wolverhampton - these are some of the easiest blocks for me to get to, I think I may have posted pics of these before. They really stand out as you approach Wolverhampton from the west. They were grey until 2004 when they were painted that peach colour which I think was chosen by the residents!

EDIT: Look at the contrast between Austin House and the one that's being demolished! :eek: I love that big munch that's been taken out of it. :happy: although :(

brilliant work, those Merry Hill ones are huge...

[QUOTE=Butterfield;12937273]Top work there Citywest - you've been busy! :okay:

The demolition of the two blocks at Bentley has progressed somewhat since I was last there a few months ago. :eek: Nice to see the "most offensive" word graffitied onto one of those little green electricity boxes! :lol:

Ooops sorry about that I never noticed. Trust me to lower the tone

Anyway just for you::laugh:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt1a-May2007.jpg

They were assembling the concrete muching machine this morning (whatever it's called!) so I think they will start this week. Will pop ever regularly with camera.

Yes, I wondered this myself, can never recall them being used over the years for laundry, maybe they are for utilities (electric, phone, water?), I take it these are the ones by the steps leading to the rear doors of the blocks, hmm I'll see if I can find out.

Do Preston, Brooks and Bywater have these, never noticed them in there?

Also, what are the doors for on the front of Millsum by the rubbish bins, blue doors which look like storage cupboards of some kind?

As far as I can recall, this 'secret' room is situated between the main entrance door and the external staircase door that both face Preston House.
The door to the room itself was just inside the foyer. Most intriguing!!:nuts:

On the ground floor on Preston/Brookes/Bywater are 3 flats and a room which contains a few sorage cupboards/sheds that can be rented out to tenants. You can access this room via an external door next to the dustbins/bin room at the back of the blocks (facing Tantarra St. for Preston/Bywater etc) and via an internal door from the lift lobbey area. I guess this can be what the external blue door of Millsum opens into.

Ooops sorry about that I never noticed. Trust me to lower the tone


Don't worry, that word is used on here sometimes by some very naughty people. :nono: ;)

But you did well by photoshopping it out. :yes: :tongue2:

I think you'll find it is the acronym of the United Nations, surrounded by poorly-drawn parentheses ;)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt1-May2007.jpg

Great work Smiley! I love some of the refurbs I am seeing there, they really are top quality. I usually don't have much interest for Walsall/ Sandwell blocks but you have made me think twice now!

And the same goes for you, Citywest, as well. You have got some great looking blocks there and the ones in Merry Hill are massive! It makes Inkerman House in Newtown, Aston weep!

Now I've managed to find some pre-tower block photos. I met a guy called Bryan today in Sutton town centre and he happened to have a small pile of books about local history and he let me snoop through the Erdington one. Some great photos in there and tonnes of information - I'll be sure to be purchasing/ withdrawing the book sometime soon!

Here is Bromford Lane quite a while back. Not too sure which direction this is looking but my mom certainly recognises it well!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC00332.jpg

And here is Sutton Road before the Lyndhurst estate was built. Again, I can't quite work out the direction, but I have a feeling this is looking away from Erdington town centre so Lyndhurst would be to the right. Anyone want to correct me?
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC00333.jpg

That is all from me.

Oh yes! Before I forget!

I found out that there was another tower block in Sutton Coldfield. It was built in the 1960s on the Falcon Lodge estate next to Churchill Brook which runs through the area.

Appropriately, it was named Brook Tower. Unfortunately, almost immediately, it suffered from subsidence because they underestimated the impact the brook made to the ground (though builders reported frequent site flooding).

Also, the tower suffered from serious damp and overall poor construction quality and in 1977, it was demolished for safety reasons.

I'm trying to trace the location and I think I've found it: It is next to the Falcon Lodge shopping area opposite the Churchill Brook.

Great detective work Erebus! You must have the same skills as your mother. :yes: ;)

I'd love to see pictures of that missing tower block in Sutton Coldfield if ever you find any. In fact, I wonder if it's on the internet somewhere in some old photos. :dunno:

Regarding that old picture you posted where the Lyndhurst estate is now, I think you're right that the estate would be on the right. Remember, I think it was you who found out that the estate was built on old victorian villas or something and I should say that's what is lurking behind those fancy hedges and gates!

Also, why is there what looks like a camel walking down the road?! :?

^^Those Victorians were very fancy back in the day! I think it could be on the right but the problem is, the church spire down the road is missing.

I'm going to keep rooting around for old pictures though I am more interested in construction pictures now. But old pictures of places before the blocks do interest me.

Today, I saw an old picture of Reddicap Hill before the Reddicap blocks :yes:. It was all woodland and heathland so it was no real loss. On the opposite side were cottages which are still there today.

As for Brook Tower, it was actually demolished in 1990 (misheard the person (really need an ear test)) but they didn't let the residents move in until 1977 - some 10 years after it was finished - because so many safety assessments had to be taken.

Lo! and Behold! - I have found a picture!

CLICK HERE (http://k53.pbase.com/u13/beppuu/large/41631730.BrookTower20.jpg)

All i can see is :redx:

Sorry, I changed it to a link now. :)

Erebus it says that the link is "forbidden". :bash:

Otherwise I'm very excited!

Grr, OK time for Plan C!

OK, uploaded it to photobucket. It's a demolition picture and it's the only one I could find. Sorry!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/41631730.jpg

Oh wow! I wonder what design that was - it kinda looks like the others in Sutton although there's some strange panels on the very left of the picture.

Good one Erebus. :okay:

Btw, note the old "021" number on the crane before the "1" was brought in in 1995.

I think it was very similar to the Reddicap blocks by the looks of the light coloured bricks at the front. Also, by the looks of it, one of the rooms was burned out. I can imagine this to be the same height as the Reddicap blocks too. Anyway, I'll keep digging! :happy:

Oooh, good find Erebus! Probably, the tower block with the shortest life span ever and one of the first victims of the Great West Midlands Cull. They're a dying breed so thank goodness there are folk like us sad enough to keep their memory alive:banana:

Citywest - Wow mate, you're certainly doing the business! Fantastic photos and great legwork! Those Merry Hill blocks are huge and don't look too bad, did you manage to get any picturess with them all in the same shot?

I'm loving all your photos from around Walsall too. Austin House is one I'd love to scale but I'm a bit dubious about trying to blag my way in because of the extra security there and the fact it's an elder residency block - I'll look suspicious hanging around outside or following somone in. I bet the views from the top are amazing!

Hello all!

Been back to Bentley today, and they are going at great speed. Here's what I got:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt11-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt12-May2007.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/FairviewandGrangeCourt13-May2007.jpg

:puke: :puke: :puke:

That's it then, no going back. I used to love seeing these twins off the Black Country Route. :cry: But hello again Citywest :wave: and thanks for the update!

A couple more pictures I have found of Alma & Leys Court in Darlaston, including a aerial shot. Unusually, these 2 block had the top few floors di-assembled by crane before the muncher moved in. A practice I have not seen before. They were 16 storeys - same as Pleck.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/AlmaandLeysCourtDarlaston01.gif
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/AlmaandLeysCourtDarlaston02.gif

Also on the aerial photo, you can see how Alma & Leys Court stood in fairly close proximity to Great Croft and John Wooten House. You can just make out the old Asda opposite these.

According the the Express and Star website, The muncher working on the Pleck flats is the biggest in the world! 51 meters high/170 feet in height.

Scrimshaw House will stay intact until next year [this is the only one still occupied]

The webpage also states
"The nibbler machine has become a hit with children and adults alike for its methods with websites springing up for world-wide fans who enjoy watching its painstaking demolition work"

Websites...:lol:

Were Great Croft and John Wooten Houses really that close together?! :eek:

According the the Express and Star website, The muncher working on the Pleck flats is the biggest in the world! 51 meters high/170 feet in height.

Scrimshaw House will stay intact until next year [this is the only one still occupied]

The webpage also states
"The nibbler machine has become a hit with children and adults alike for its methods with websites springing up for world-wide fans who enjoy watching its painstaking demolition work"

Websites...:lol:

Interesting! Thanks for finding that out.

Hello Butterfield:hi:
Were Great Croft and John Wooten Houses really that close together?! :eek:

Great Croft and John Wooten Houses were not that close to each other[/I]. I meant that before you were not sure where Leys and Alma used to stand so I thought this picture may help with their location a little in relation to Great Croft and John Wooten.

Also, another little fact that Fairview & Grange (Bentley) and John Wooten & Great Croft (Darlaston) were an Identical design that incorporated an underground car park beneath the blocks which you could access via the main lifts and stairs? Not seen this anywhere else in Walsall:nuts:

Ahh I see. I just can't believe that Darlaston would get rid of all four of its blocks, leaving a very bland and unrecognisable landscape! :bash:

Underground carparks?? I remember seeing a little building by the side of the blocks in Bentley with a ramp.

The ramp used to go to a high level overground car park, and round the corner was a ramp that went to the underground car park. However I have always known the underground car park to be closed off internally and externally.

I'm not surprised, I bet some dodgy dealings went on there... :|

Wow, there's been a lot of activity on here from Walsall recently I see :)

Thanks so much Smileyface and Citywest, your efforts are outstanding, love the paddock views from up high in Brookes, gives a new perspective on my area :cheers: :banana:

Here are a few more Walsall photos for you:) I went past Pleck Flats today (or what's left of them) and, of course, snapped a few shots.

This is the one that's still occupied: Scrimshaw House.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200718.jpg

...and the rest!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200720.jpg

Looks like a few of the houses are biting the dust too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200719.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200717.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200716.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200715.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200714.jpg

Ouch!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200713.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200712.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200711.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200710.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20079.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20078.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20077.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20076.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20075.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20074.jpg

When I got home I ventured up to the 16th floor of Brookes House (I live on the 4th) to see if was worth getting any shots. The windows are really tiny and dirty, in most of the Paddock Flats, but the end result wasn't too bad.

The blocks opposite:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200725.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200722.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200721.jpg

Calmore's little cluster
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200723.jpg

St Matthews Church with Pleck Flats in the distance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200724.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay2007.jpg

Looking out over towards The Barr Beacon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200727.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay200728.jpg

i didbnt realise so many tower blocks were coming down and in such a boring way. i would have throught they would have atleast blown a few of these up!

Fantastic stuff Smileyface, I did go past the Pleck today and saw they had started on the second block, didn't get chance for any pics at the time though.

The views from Brookes though are great, thanks very much, really appreciate those :)

I see Chuckery school in the last but one, remember going there as a kid...

Thanks for the pictures Smiley! I am looking for a new tower block to photograph and maybe even scale. Barry Jackson Tower and Pritchett Tower are my two favourites at the mo!

Great photos Smiley, some real artistic ones. :yes: Not so sure about the ones with all the wires hanging out though. :puke:

Great photos Smiley, some real artistic ones. :yes: Not so sure about the ones with all the wires hanging out though. :puke:

Do they look like the block's entrails or something?:lol:

Tower block giblets! :lol:

Great pictures Smileyface!. Pleck is going to be so well documented. And the pictures from Brookes House are great too. There are some fantastic views from Paddock, helped by the fact they are quite high up over Walsall.

A bit random I know but I really like Walsall's brown street name signs.

I do too. As soon as you cross the border into Walsall the street name signs are brown. :happy:

I like the Brum ones with the coat of arms on as well.

I like the old Birmingham ones because they were all moulded and not just flat pieces of sheet metal. But they are getting vandalised so much now that they are an endangered species!

Just thought I would mention I noticed there is a fence being put up around the two Leamore blocks (Ball House and the other one), looks like demolition work may be starting there soon as well :(

Oh maaaan. :(

/

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%205/Tower%20Blocks%206/PleckFlats5thMay20077.jpg

]

Thanks for the photos Smiley.This one looks like something from the Middle East.Prince St doesn't look so ...er..princely there.

Just found out that the two tower blocks in the Berryfields Estate in Sutton are called Elizabeth House and Margarets House.

That's these two:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0072.jpg

Just some snaps I took of Civic Gardens today :)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/Mr_Glide/DSCF1119.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/Mr_Glide/DSCF1116.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m149/Mr_Glide/DSCF1120.jpg

My oh my, don't they just look 1000% better than before!!
And those gardens? One of Brums best kept secrets I'd say.

They are gorgeous now. One the skyline, they stand out so much now. I love 'em! :happy:

Thanks for the pictures!

I like the old Birmingham ones because they were all moulded and not just flat pieces of sheet metal. But they are getting vandalised so much now that they are an endangered species!

The ones in Wolverhampton are also like this - one sheet with the letters pressed into it from behind so the letters 'stand' proud. They have been like this for years now.

Thanks for the photos Mr Glide.I'm really glad they refurbished these towers and it looks like they've made a good job of them.I see that they have the same metallic strip as The Sentinels have. (lighting I presume).Those gardens are great and the plus point is that you have the canal next door.I read about someone paying around 9,000 pounds for a flat here about six or seven years ago.What a great buy!

Thanks Mr Glide, good upbeat post, great refurbishment there, those gardens are really nice I must say.

Shame more like this can't be done elsewhere rather than demolition as we're seeing recently.

Thanks for those photos Mr Glide. :happy:

I agree they look so much better than before, they're much more suited to a big city centre now and look that bit more like apartments rather than flats!

Does anyone know why the middle block is facing the opposite direction to the other two? Note the panels of the stairwells/lifts in the middle. :?

A quick reminder of just how bad they were...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Flats.jpg

Whoa, they look so much better now.

Yeah, what a major, major difference! Thanks for the reminder VH. :yes:

Does anyone know why the middle block is facing the opposite direction to the other two? Note the panels of the stairwells/lifts in the middle. :?


they are 2 opposing pairs :okay:


loving the new bright 'chavy' blue lighting next to the stairwells, at night ....


need sunglasses on, just to throw your rubbish down the chute :lol:

they are 2 opposing pairs :okay:



I was thinking there were just 3 blocks when I wrote that. :doh:

Hello again Grendel :wave: haven't seen you around for a while. :)

Nice and white - would've liked a touch of colour to each one somewhere, like around the very top though. Red, Green, Yellow and Blue for example.

Terrible Picture of a new construction in Wendsbury obscuring the view of a tower block.

Probably for the best...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000412.jpg

Sky looks good though..

Thanks for that Stephen.It's an area that I know very well.The building in the foreground is the new Morriisons which will be a real boost for the town and,as can be seen from the photo,a short walk from the Metro station and next door to the bus station.The block we can see is Queens Gardens I believe and povides flats for the elderly.This one is staying as far as I know.

I did wonder what it was going to be.

Here's the photo again for those forumers with 20 post pages.




http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000412.jpg

..

It does look grim there but the flats are well maintained complete with security.Its setting is OK and of course it's in the town centre so the residents have everything at hand.How did you find yourself in those parts Stephen ?

Nacho I thought it was called Russell House! :dunno: I took photos of this block in the late 90s.

I didn't know there was a new Morrisons being built there.

It does look grim there but the flats are well maintained complete with security.Its setting is OK and of course it's in the town centre so the residents have everything at hand.How did you find yourself in those parts Stephen ?

A newish job that involves traveling. A lots of it...

Have you guys seen how many posts are on this thread? :)

^^It's crazy isn't it. And 153 of them are from me :crazy:

anybody else gonna be watching Demolition, this wednesday on BBC1 .....



be rude not to, what with the hamilton house being featured on it :okay:

Nacho I thought it was called Russell House! :dunno: I took photos of this block in the late 90s.

I didn't know there was a new Morrisons being built there.

I think you're right Butterfield...I'm mixing my Wednesbury blocks.Queens Gardens are/were on the same road but past the bus station in the direction of Darlaston/Bilston.I haven't seen them for some time so I don't know if they are still standing.

The Morrison's store is seen as vital for the economic growth in that area.The council demolished a petrol station and a cluster of houses to make way for the development.I hope it proves to be a success.

Here's a link for Russell House
http://www.housingcare.org/retirement-housing/scheme-81019-russell-house-wednesbury-england.aspx

Have you guys seen how many posts are on this thread? :)

^^It's crazy isn't it. And 153 of them are from me :crazy:

This is my 322nd post in this thread! It's popular amongst a small number of us but compared with other threads with 1000+ posts it hasn't had many views. :(

anybody else gonna be watching Demolition, this wednesday on BBC1 .....



be rude not to, what with the hamilton house being featured on it :okay:

Thanks Grendel! I'll try and remember to watch it. :yes:

I think you're right Butterfield...I'm mixing my Wednesbury blocks.Queens Gardens are/were on the same road but past the bus station in the direction of Darlaston/Bilston.I haven't seen them for some time so I don't know if they are still standing.

The Morrison's store is seen as vital for the economic growth in that area.The council demolished a petrol station and a cluster of houses to make way for the development.I hope it proves to be a success.

Here's a link for Russell House
http://www.housingcare.org/retirement-housing/scheme-81019-russell-house-wednesbury-england.aspx

Thanks for the info Nacho. Russell House seems to be the only tower block left in Wednesbury. There used to be a tall West Bromwich-style block closer to the M6 which was demolished some years ago but apart from that I don't think Wednesbury was a tower block town.

Glad to see this block is being looked after by old people! :happy:

Thanks for the info Nacho. Russell House seems to be the only tower block left in Wednesbury. There used to be a tall West Bromwich-style block closer to the M6 which was demolished some years ago but apart from that I don't think Wednesbury was a tower block town.

:

Butterfield ,that was Carisbrooke House on the Friar Park Estate.I used to crash out there on a mate's (5th)floor.Great views of the M6/M5 interchange,views of the Charlemont blocks (full set),great views of the Bescot marshelling yards,and a wonderful vista of the Pleck flats too.I remember a few years ago that Woodhousen was present at the demolition of the block and posted various photos on here and and on one of his pages.We'll have to ask him where they are.

I've been visiting this thread for some time now and i've noticed the tower blocks that are gradually being nibbled away- a very different method of demolition and far more depressing than a controlled explosion, well it probably is a sad sight for you lot living close to them. Having to see them gradually deteriorate due to vandalism and then resembe a warzone before they are gone completely.

Butterfield ,that was Carisbrooke House on the Friar Park Estate.I used to crash out there on a mate's (5th)floor.Great views of the M6/M5 interchange,views of the Charlemont blocks (full set),great views of the Bescot marshelling yards,and a wonderful vista of the Pleck flats too.I remember a few years ago that Woodhousen was present at the demolition of the block and posted various photos on here and and on one of his pages.We'll have to ask him where they are.

Ahhh! That's the chap! And you knew it well too. :happy: Interesting that there were photos posted on here of its demolition - that was well before my time on here of course. That was the block that was due to be used as a giant advertising board for people passing on the M6 when it was empty but it was said that it would cause crashes so was demolished instead. :bash:

I've been visiting this thread for some time now and i've noticed the tower blocks that are gradually being nibbled away- a very different method of demolition and far more depressing than a controlled explosion, well it probably is a sad sight for you lot living close to them. Having to see them gradually deteriorate due to vandalism and then resembe a warzone before they are gone completely.

Yeah, it looks horrible because I know those blocks well although I haven't seen the demolitions in real life, and dont really want to! :cry:

I've been visiting this thread for some time now and i've noticed the tower blocks that are gradually being nibbled away- a very different method of demolition and far more depressing than a controlled explosion, well it probably is a sad sight for you lot living close to them. Having to see them gradually deteriorate due to vandalism and then resembe a warzone before they are gone completely.

This is because a lot of the time they are located really close to properties that they don't want to get damaged or demolished, therefore, slow more accurate demolition is better. Controlled explosion is quite controversial in populated areas because of the dust created which settles on other buildings thus boosting up the cleaning up cost - which is usually paid for by the proprietors.

Butterfield,here's the link for Woodhousen's demolition page complete with Carisbrooke photos.

http://www.geocities.com/birmingham_highrise/demoltions.html

I've been visiting this thread for some time now and i've noticed the tower blocks that are gradually being nibbled away- a very different method of demolition and far more depressing than a controlled explosion, well it probably is a sad sight for you lot living close to them. Having to see them gradually deteriorate due to vandalism and then resembe a warzone before they are gone completely.

I personally prefer the slower demolition method of slowly nibbling away at the concrete. I like to see the insides and I feel you sought of get an insight of how the tower blocks may have looked during the different stages of constuction, eg. fist adding the LPS panels then adding the outer cladding (brickwork). I have to agree it's kind of depressing seeing these tower blocks dissappear as they have always been there as long as I can remember (well in my case anyway...) and soon will be gone:eek:

i do regularly check this thread as well, despite never having anything useful to say, there aren't many tower blocks that i know of in Solihull apart from Chelmsley Wood. It does annoy me that the default treatment for towers seems to be demolition, when we have seen some really good renovations such as the ones behind Centenary Square. Is this because others are beyond repair or its not thought it would be worth it?

Butterfield,here's the link for Woodhousen's demolition page complete with Carisbrooke photos.

http://www.geocities.com/birmingham_highrise/demoltions.html

Thanks Nacho! ...and Woody. :yes: Most of the tall West Bromwich blocks looked the same, you don't see that style anywhere else.

I personally prefer the slower demolition method of slowly nibbling away at the concrete. I like to see the insides and I feel you sought of get an insight of how the tower blocks may have looked during the different stages of constuction, eg. fist adding the LPS panels then adding the outer cladding (brickwork). I have to agree it's kind of depressing seeing these tower blocks dissappear as they have always been there as long as I can remember (well in my case anyway...) and soon will be gone:eek:

You're right, the slow demolition is interesting if a little upsetting, like a painful death. I like it when they take out the windows and the block looks pretty much as it will have done when it was being constructed in the 1960s!

i do regularly check this thread as well, despite never having anything useful to say, there aren't many tower blocks that i know of in Solihull apart from Chelmsley Wood. It does annoy me that the default treatment for towers seems to be demolition, when we have seen some really good renovations such as the ones behind Centenary Square. Is this because others are beyond repair or its not thought it would be worth it?

Quite often it's because the blocks would cost too much to repair so it's cheaper just to demolish them, especially if they were unpopular anyway. Usually the ones that are saved are the more popular ones that are worth doing up. Sometimes out of a cluster of a few blocks, all will be demolished apart from one that will get done up.

I look at this thread regularly too, I don't contribute very often but its pretty friendly and there are usually some good skyline and urban sprawl photos.

P.s look at my post count woo hoo.

Nothing wrong with people not having anything to say in this thread - it's pretty specialist after all. I just wish that more people would poke their heads round the door from time to time to see what's going on. As you say, some of the best skyline photos are to be found here!

Good luck with your milestone post Telfordboy! :lol:

I too am a regular voyuer without contributing, but I find all this really, really interesting. I don't know if you've seen this before, but a book about Castle Vale has been written:

http://www.cvhat.org.uk/media.html

Butterfield, I used to live in the shadow of your eponymous home. Can you remember the shops in the concrete precinct at the foot of further flat from Butterfield Court was? There was the Fruitique, newsagents, butcher's, and one other, I think, but can't remember what it was. I've got some photos of Eve Hill before the other two flats were blown down. I'll fish 'em out and post them.

Welcome Delacourt, :wave:
Cheers for the link, I'll have a look at it.

Hey Delacourt :hi:. Welcome aboard :happy:.

I remember seeing that back on the net somewhere. I think it follows the processes undertaken by the HAT to redevelop Castle Vale. I also remember seeing an exhibition in BM&AG with some photos of the old estate - it was about 5 years ago when I was a bit too young to truly appreciate tower blocks.

I'd love to see the Eve Hill photos. :yes:

Hello Delacourt and welcome! :wave:

I bet there was a big shadow over where you lived by Eve Hill! ;) I can remember the shops, on one of the photos I took of the flats before they were demolished you can see a pizza shop and a post office. I still have photos of the blocks before they were demolished but they're the old style photos and I don't have a scanner so if you have any photos handy that would be great!

I see you live in Manchester now, have you seen the new estate where the blocks once stood or have you only just moved away?

Here's a link to the Eve Hill article (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Eve_Hill) on the UK Housing Wiki that Erebus set up. Don't tell him but I haven't added anything to it in a while. :shifty:

There's some great pictures of Castle Vale on that link you posted. I think I've seen it before but I'm sure there's more info compared to when I read it. I soooo wish we had more photos of this estate, I only saw it once in real life before it was demolished. :(

Here's a link to the Eve Hill article (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Eve_Hill) on the UK Housing Wiki that Erebus set up. Don't tell him but I haven't added anything to it in a while. :shifty:

I know you haven't been editting for a while :nono:. I check up every so often to see if anything's changed - don't worry, I haven't done much for a while too. :)

Well there's no rush. I just got a bit frustrated with what categories to put some articles in, plus half the time I don't know the name of some estates or even some tower blocks themselves. Plus I have zero information on most - I don't know heights or floors even!
:gaah:

I do however know locations. :yes:

Anyone watch Demolition then? I managed to catch the bit where they blew up Hamilton House. It was fascinating and quite sad because it was so enormous. It was an impressive building.

Some fantastic skyline shots as well.

:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

I forgot that it was on!!

:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

They had camera shots from every possible angle. You missed a treat :ohno:

Well I was watching Emmerdale instead with my mom...... :crazy:

:gaah: :gaah: :gaah:

Emmerdale?!!?! What tower block goodness do you get out of that?! :no:

:lol:

Well at least there was a good car crash at the end for a bit of excitement. Not that I condone car crashes of course. :nono:

Another OTT storyline in Emmerdale - surprise surprise. At least you get realistic storylines in DEMOLITION. :yes:

Do you have to?! :mad2:

I hasten to add that I was busying away on my laptop whilst Emmerdale was on, I wasn't actually watching it... properly.

^^ yeah, of course you were :lol:





loved the shot of hamilton falling, from behind the lampost :okay:

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Ah, yes, I remember the pizza place – Pizza Time! it was called.

I moved oop north only about six months ago and I’m back regularly enough as my folks still live there in the homelands. I used to pop into the shops every day on my way to and from school. I’m really glad they kept one of the blocks. As a kid, whenever I’d meet new people from one of the neighbouring areas or towns and they’d ask me where in Dudley I lived I had a set way of telling them. I’d say “Do you know where Eve Hill is?”. They’d say “Hmmm…..not sure”. That wasn’t a problem. I could still invariably give them a clear picture. I’d simply say, “You know when you come towards Dudley from Himley or Wombourne direction?”. “Yeah”, they’d reply tentatively, still struggling to picture it. “Well, do you know those three big tower blocks you can see from miles away in that direction?” I’d ask. “Oh yes, the ones not very far from town near that church spire on the horizon?” they’d say, now fully with me. “Well I live just below those flats”. And that was how people found out where I lived. So tower blocks can be a useful tool as well. Unfortunately the ones at Eve Hill were a tool for thieves too, the police thought, as they used to use the view to see when people had left a bike or something else of value outside unattended and then go and nick it. They’d use the adjacent concrete car park as a repository for their dodgy goods. I remember one of the demolished blocks actually starring on Crimewatch near the end of its life! Anyway, sorry to ramble.

I have recent photos to hand of Eve Hill and Pleck flats at night, but can’t for the life of me find how to attach em. Can anyone help me out here??? Sorry for being a dick.

Rightio - don't worry, you're not a dick, everyone has this problem at the start ;).

Register an account at Photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com). There you can upload photos to the website. Underneath the photo are three long boxes with three different codes. You want the code that begins with . Click on that (it should automatically copy it), and then paste it in to a reply box on here and you're done!

If you just have the URL of the image, then paste it between these two codes [IMG] and

Oh and I got my camera back today so I should be back out on the prowl for more blocks in the next few weeks :)

Thank you Delacourt for that extreme local knowledge! :happy: I live in Sedgley, all of 3 miles away, so you've made me feel like a foreigner all of a sudden. ;)

You're right about the 3 Eve Hill blocks being good for directions - after all, you could tell someone from as far as Kidderminster, Telford, towards Lichfield, and Birmingham where you lived just by telling them to follow the blocks, or block that they can see on the horizon. I'm sure I even saw Butterfield Court from just this side of Ludlow last year so the same can apply to the people there - just head towards that tower block!

I don't remember the Eve Hill blocks being on Crimewatch. :eek: But I can imagine they were a useful tool for such, erm, happenings.

I can't imagine just how great the views would be from Butterfield Court being so high up on the side of the hill at 17 floors! Must be an amazing view over towards Wales one way and Birmingham and beyond the other way. Surely some of the best views from a tower block in the UK?? :yes:

Oh, and thanks Erebus for explaining the [IMG] things - a lot of people get confused with those. So I very much look forward to seeing any of your photos as I can't find any on the internet of these blocks - I simply have to rely on my own old photos.

Thanks Erebus :banana: Easy when you know how! Well here you go then (It was you lot who inspired me to take 'em afterall!). For starters here's one of Pleck flats taken in April. It got my heart pumping taking this is an area I don't know.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/PleckFlatsWalsallawaitingdemolition.jpg

Butterfield Court, also in April.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/ButterfieldCourtfromGrangeParkDudle.jpg

Oh my.... high quality photos alert! :happy:

That's the first time we've had Butterfield Court at night - my camera won't take nightime photos. :bash:

Great stuff! :okay:

Echoing what Butterfield said! They're great. You can even see the stars in the picture of Butterfield Court :yes:.

Oh yeah! I thought it was dust on my screen. :lol:

...Actually, 99% of it is dust on my screen. :bash:

Thanks for the great photos Delacourt.

Glad you like em. Here are a few more for you.

You’ll recognise this pair, Butterfield. The flats on Grange Road, Dudley. Taken from Grange Park.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/GrangeRoadFlatsDudley06.jpg

Bartley Green. If you look very closely in one of the windows you can see an iron hangin out of one window. It must’ve been an almighty domestic!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/Newman3rdNov20067.jpg

Another of Bartley Green from the other side of the reservoir.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/Birmingham4thNov20064.jpg

Walsall. I think these look really beautiful with all the soft colours created by different coloured curtains, and with the different patterns of white light from the stair wells.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/WalsallPanorama05.jpg

I'm back in the homelands this weekend actually so I'll see if I can't get me some more tower block action!

I love the last picture! The lights in stairwells at night do look great. The ones which I can see from the back of my house in Sutton Coldfield don't half look as good as that at night!

Thanks again :okay:

Delacourt, I don't mind when we have identical photos of tower blocks posted but yours are all completely different to what we've seen before! :eek:

Clent and Claverley Courts almost look beautiful in the first photo! These twins are seen from miles around too but not quite as obvious as Butterfield Court. Shame their nearby identical relatives at Queen's Cross were demolished some years ago. :(

On the Walsall blocks, the pattern down the stairwells really is impressive. I think it's those blocks that legendary forumer Smileyface lives. The tower blocks at Brierley Hill always look great at night too - like a little city. :happy:

I think the Bartley Green blocks are due to leave us shortly. :( They are in such a great location overlooking the reservoir and fields full of cows! Who wouldn't want to live there?! Or am I just very naive...? :?

I’d love to get shots of the Brierley Hill cluster at night Butterfield. Any idea where I could get them from? Clent is probably a good bet, which is where I got the ones below from, but a bit far away for a good night time shot.

The Bartley Green ones I shall miss when they’re gone (any idea when they’re being brought down? I haven’t been there since I took that photo last Autumn). I used to work at Newman College just next door so I saw them regularly. I must say there’s a real concentration of unsavoury types living in and around those flats. The rest of the area is pretty nice though. I think you said ages ago that you like those ones, and I agree. They look somehow good and strong – Proper no messing rectangles. :nuts:


http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/BrierleyHillFlatsfromClent.jpg

Oh my!!!! :eek: :eek: I'll repeat what I said before - never seen a photo of these fellas quite like that before! Amazing. :yes:

I've been to Clent a few times and you can see the Brierley Hill blocks well from the car park (Nimmings Wood I think it's called) and of course on the walk to the top of the hill which is where I'm guessing your photo is from. The best place to take closer up photos is on Amblecote Road which heads away from Merry Hill, by Withymoor Village. This is where one of my humble photos was taken, would be great to see this at night:

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/9776/brierleyhill12ju.jpg

Also, Delph Road (which is the road the blocks are off) for extreme close ups plus the roadlets which the blocks are on (Hill Street, Lower Derry Street etc). Those aren't from the top of my head btw, I have my A-Z by me! Google Maps or similar will do as an alternative. :yes:

I'm not sure when the Bartley Green blocks are coming down. Last time I drove past (probably about 6 months ago) they were all boarded up on the lower floors. They looked awful close up but as ever great from a distance!

And yes, I like the style of those ones. It's what I consider to be the norm in Birmingham - from north to south you will see this design, large and small. Dudley never really had it's 'own' design but of course Walsall did!