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Sedgley historian looks to unearth history of The Limes

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A drawing by Ron Baker, of The Limes as it might have looked in its Victorian heyday.

A Sedgley historian is appealing to local residents to get in touch with any information relating to landmark property, The Limes, which was the former residence of famous Black Country chainmaker, Eliza Tinsley.

The early Victorian house, located on the corner of Dudley Road and Catholic Lane, is currently being turned into flats after standing empty for many years. And, to help future generations and prospective buyers learn more about this iconic building’s history,  Dudley Council  has asked Martin Jones to help gather information and photos from local people to produce an interpretation panel explaining its history.

Piecing together the history of The Limes

Martin, who organised the popular exhibition ‘Sedgley’s Diamond 60’ last year to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee, says:  “We want local residents who may have lived or worked at The Limes since the war to come forward so we can piece together this historic building’s recent story.”

The Limes was built by the Tinsleys in around 1851, shortly before Thomas Tinsley died, probably from cholera. His wife Eliza carried on the family business, expanding it dramatically to the point where she employed over 4,000 outworkers in Cradley Heath in 1871.

Researchers have traced subsequent owners up to World War II, but its more recent past is sketchy. During the war it was used by firewatchers, Air Raid Patrol and the Auxiliary Fire Service, and during the 1960s by Sedgley Urban District Council as offices, until the abolition of the authority. After that a computer company rented it before it was vacated and became derelict.

Martin can be contacted on 07947 068023 or mmjones29@blueyonder.co.uk

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Sedgley Residents Invited to Give Their Jubilee Memories

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Sedgley residents are being invited to share their memories of the last 60 years as part of an exciting exhibition put together to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year.

The exhibition, called Sedgley’s Diamond 60, is the brainchild of local resident Martin Jones, who has helped the careers of numerous famous Black Country faces over the years, including music and movie star, Goldie.

Sedgley Memories

He says: “I’ve been interviewing Sedgley people for their memories of one day in the past 60 years of the Queen’s reign (i.e. Since 1952) that was especially important to them or to Sedgley itself. We have around 40 of the 60 stories we are looking for so far but still have plenty of gaps and some years are alas duplicated – so we’re still looking for contributions, particularly from the last 30 years.

 “Contributions should be around 300 words and up to 4 images can be accommodated – the displays will be on paper, black and white laser prints, A1 size.”
The finished stories will be presented to Sedgley Library and Dudley Archives and the exhibition itself will take place at All Saints’ Parish Hall from June 2-5, open from 11am -3pm daily.
Email Martin at mmjones29@blueyonder.co.uk  or call him on 07947 068023 to share your memories for Sedgley’s Diamond 60.