Brierley Hill

In their second look at the history and development of Brierley Hill, Ned Williams and the Mount Pleasant Local History Group turn their attention to the areas of Round Oak, Harts Hill, Level Street, Merry Hill, Quarry Bank, Mill Street, The Delph, Silver End and Hawbush. The needs of industry formed these settlements, but once established, they became home to a vast number of schools, churches and chapels, shops and centres of entertainment - as well as a huge number of pubs. The collapse of the metal-based industries and the spread of housing has changed the landscape, but identifying these communities and recognising what went on there in the past helps us understand the development of Brierley Hill.