Amblecote History Society

Quite coincidentally and most historically on the day that Queen Elizabeth II appointed Theresa May as the 13th Prime Minister of her long reign, members of the society, together with a number of visitors gathered at the Bonded Warehouse to participate in a walk through history up the Stour Valley, where in days long since gone a number of important industries located themselves close to this water source. The aim was to look at points of interest in the railway viaduct area of Amblecote and Stambermill, considering the early history of the Amblecote end of the Stourbridge canal arm and the importance of the River Stour and the growth of this area of Amblecote with the coming of the railway age.

Geoff Longmore, Chairman of the Society and the guide for the evening, set the scene with some background information and handed out leaflets depicting old maps and photographs of the area as the group of 50 or so assembled expectantly at the Bonded Warehouse.

The well-researched route took us across areas where at one time trams, both steam and electric, ran along the road, with canals and railways providing transportation services to support the variety of industries operational in the area. We used our memories and vivid imaginations to recall what the area looked like not so many years ago, reminiscing about the steam trains, the engine sheds and the Stambermill viaduct itself before completing the most enjoyable and informative walk with refreshments on the Blackcountry Man canal boat.