November 2008 Archives

I grew up near a pleasant little bit of woodland known as the Harborne Walkway. This is a lovely disused railway line popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. Over the years I've heard many stories from people who have had strange experiences around here.

This was a busy railway line from 1874 to 1963. Bowler hatted Harborne gents would use it for the short commute to their offices in town and Chad Valley Toy Co, would send their tin plate penny toys and train sets to kids all over the world.

A lot of people will remember the noise of the old trains and the sight of their steam and smoke billowing over the rooftops. A later generation will remember playing in the derelict remains of the old station (now Rose Road Cop Shop).

In the midst of modern Harborne, the walkway can be an eerie, secluded place, especially at twilight or in the dark. The haunting sounds of owls hooting and foxes crying can be heard most nights. But these are not the only haunting sounds coming from the walkway.

In Birmingham's famed Jewellery Quarter we have the neighbouring cemeteries of Key Hill and Warstone Lane. You can't get buried here any longer, but you can have a fascinating stroll amongst the gravestones.

Some distinguished Brummies were laid to rest at Key Hill including the Chamberlains and Alfred Bird (the wonderful chap who gave the world custard).

Key Hill was opened for business in 1836. Anglicans had to wait until 1848 to get their very own cemetery at Warstone Lane. The area seems to have been associated with death long before the cemeteries were built. The junction where Warstone Lane meets Icknield Street (the site of the Birmingham Mint) was once known as "Dead Man's Lane".

Britain is full of castles; many of them are remarkably well preserved considering their great ages and violent histories. All of them have ghostly tales to tell.

We have some pretty fine examples here in the Midlands and I recently paid a fascinating visit to one of the best - Tamworth Castle.

Tamworth has a history stretching right back to Saxon times, when it was the capital of Mercia. Its strategic location meant that it has been fought over many times.

After the witches of Halloween have sped away on their broomsticks we get November 5th, bonfire night.

Most of us will visit firework displays and watch the burning effigy of Guy Fawkes, who once tried to blow up the King, along with a few dozen of his cronies, in the Houses of Parliament.

Guy Fawkes is the gunpowder conspirator that we all remember but, in fact, he was a relatively minor member of the gang. He was the poor chap who got caught with the matches.