Updated: May 2002
smethwick-heritage.co.uk is the picture website
for the Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust.

In the West Midlands, metalworking, especially nail making, dates from the European Middle Ages. Coal was mined in the 13th century and Iron smelted from its ores. The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries changed the rural landscape and brought wealth and prosperity to some, but for most workers and labourers in the factories and foundries life was often hard. They worked long hours at heavy work to make an adequate living. By the first quarter of the twentieth century working and living conditions had much improved for many working people

Until recently Smethwick had guarded its independence with considerable zeal - from Birmingham in the south or the Black Country to the north. In the early twentieth century it was created a County Borough. Its citizens and its industry have made a considerable contribution to the great industrial developments of Britain during the last 150 years.

Improved images of 29 Original Photos

SCHOOLS OF SMETHWICK will appeal to those who are looking back - and who may recognise themselves, their teachers and friends - and to those who would like to gain a glimpse into this important part of Smethwick's history.

We are also actively forming links with present-day schools in Smethwick and hope that this photo-archive will provide interest and perhaps provoke discussion and a wish to learn more.

Notes for Teachers Photographs of Smethwick School pupils and buildings. Why are these photographs of interest? They can be used to compare changes through the years and promote discussions/classwork/comparisons on, for example - Style of dress/uniform Layout of classrooms Activities Equipment in classrooms Sporting achievements It is possible that some of the backgrounds to photographs (school buildings, classrooms etc.) still exist. Photographs of current pupils in the same background would be interesting. (And make a welcome addition to the SHCT archive.) Finding out more from some of the documents in our archive - and, where possible, involving parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. It is even possible that some pupils may have had forebears at their school; they could even be pictures on the website photographs. This material could be used as a basis for a small exhibition or presentation at the school for pupils, their families and people who live nearby the school. This is something with which the SHCT may be able to help by bringing documents, photographs/ items etc., for display. The selection of photographs of Smethwick schools are all from the SHCT archive. We have included as many schools as possible at this time. We still have gaps in our photographic archive and would be grateful for any photographs, documents or information to make it more representative of all Smethwick schools.

We look back on the products of our Smethwick companies with pride and also remember that an integral part of all successful engineering companies is the work-force. In this selection of photographs we have included some of the people who, in the past, worked in Smethwick and produced the high standard of products which were used world-wide.

Today Smethwick and the surrounding area still form an important centre of engineering and iron foundries, producing a wide range of metal products. Chemicals and glass making are also important. Three motorways converge in the area. Pop. (1989 est.) 295,600.

We are indebted to historian Mary Bodfish, Chairman of the Smethwick Local History Society, for her advice on the text accompanying the photographs of Smethwick industry.

Previous RoadShow Photos

Shops & Stores of Old Smethwick

Do Read This Please
The photographs on this site may be downloaded for personal/private use. An individual or organisation wishing to use any of the photographs in a publication or other commercial context should obtain written permission for such use from The Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust, 17 Pitcairn Road, Smethwick, West Midlands B67 5NF. England

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The Webmaster and Web Page Designer is Victor Bryant.
Christine Round chose the selection of photographs and contributed the text captions.
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