{"product_id":"a-history-of-halesowen-9781803990446","title":"A History of Halesowen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHalesowen is an old place. \u003c\/b\u003eIt was planned and laid out by the monks of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Hales - founded by King John - whose Abbot obtained permission to hold a market and a fair as long ago as 1220. Much has been written about its medieval past and William Shenstone's landscape gardens at the Leasowes, but this new history of the town is the first to explore fully the growth of its industry, involving all levels of society in the manufacture of iron and its use in a host of products.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite its proximity to rural Worcestershire, Julian Hunt maintains that it is really part of the Black Country. Having traced the history of Hales Furnace, with its voracious appetite for charcoal, and the development of the forges and slitting mills on the River Stour, which enabled local craftsmen to fashion nails on the hearths behind their cottages, he identifies the nail ironmongers who controlled the trade and describes their business premises. He shows how they were involved in the promotion of turnpike roads, canals and railways with dramatic effect on the economy and landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition to an account of the churches and schools that catered for the needs of the growing town, he also traces the history of each shop and public house on the main streets, splendidly illustrated with elevations of the buildings specially prepared by the popular local artist, Bill Hazlehurst. These drawing should be of special interest to younger readers and more recent inhabitants in revealing the happy confusion of building styles that gave great character to the town before its redevelopment in the 1960s. The author discusses the motives of local councilors determined that Halesowen's architectural heritage should not impede 'progress'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA significant contribution to the published history of both Worcestershire and the Black Country, this very readable and well-illustrated new book will be warmly welcomed in Halesowen and the surrounding area. It puts the town's past and present.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Phillimore \u0026amp; Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/13\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781803990446\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192","brand":"Julian Hunt","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42843656782005,"sku":"9781803990446","price":27.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_c4490c2f-ec84-4845-bdb9-460cf2ea3765.jpg?v=1681813135","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/a-history-of-halesowen-9781803990446","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}