Ow Us Used Ter Live! (Black Country Museum)

Member Name: Suzan

Product:	Black Country Museum
Date:	28/11/01 (272 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: So much to see and do, educational for young and old., Great value for money

Disadvantages: Gets crowded in Summer season

The Black Country Living Museum, in Dudley, West Midlands (from Junction 2 of M5 take A4123 and follow signs for Dudley or from junction 10 of M6 – keep an eye out for the brown and white tourist signs.) is an open-air museum covering some 26 acres, and is a living record of how life used to be in this area in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

For those who don't know, the Black Country is a region which encompasses Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall, as well as the smaller towns of Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, Old Hill and Cradley.It is to the west of, but does not include, Birmingham (Never call a Black Countryman or woman a Brummie – they will take it as an insult) The area derives its name from the traditional (and mostly vanished) industries of coal mining, iron and steelmaking, lockmaking, nail and chainmaking, glassmaking and beer brewing.Coal dust settling over the area gave it its "black" appearance.

The buildings and exhibits in the Museum have all been carefully and skilfully lifted from their original locations and reconstructed on site. There is so much to see that I advise you set a whole day aside when you visit.

As you enter the Museum you will see a pair of semi-detached cast-iron houses, built in 1925 when traditional materials were in short supply. They are very rare, as it was soon realised that they were expensive to build, and none too warm either.

Nearby are some traditional cottages and a Toll House.Living conditions were poor and homes were cramped and lacked modern facilities. Toilets were outside, and many a frosty night it was a choice between a trip down the icy path or using the “gozunder” (think about it!) Baths were tin and hung on a hook behind the door to be fetched down on bathnight, which was usually Sunday night before school and then the whole family had to share the water. This is where being the eldest had an advantage, as you could claim first dip, before th
e water got too scummy.

Water was often only available from a standpipe in the street. Many houses had a "brewuss" (Brew House) where families made their own beer. A decent (or not) pint of “Wumbrew” was sometimes the only pleasure a Black Country man had to look forward to after a twelve-hour shift down the pit.

You can see what life was like down the mines for yourself. The drift mine is underground and quite safe, but very realistic, especially when the miners use dynamite to loosen a stubborn seam of coal. Your guide,'Lijah Wedge will take you through the mine and introduce you to his workmates. Children will be horrified to learn that they would have been down the pits at the tender age of fourteen! Oh, the good old days…well, at least you knew where the little blighters were!

The village centre is fascinating, with so many buildings to see. Visit the Chemist's Shop to see how pills were made by hand, pop into the Hardware shop for a new broom, or follow your nose to the Baker's to see their mouth-watering display of bread and cakes (regrettably, not for sale due to Food regulations) and go to the Sweetshop for some aniseed drops. If you are very peckish, join the queue for the Fried Fish Shop (fish 'n'chips the old-fashioned way) Or if you have a thirst, pop into the Bottle & Glass Inn for a taste of real Black Country Ales.Be warned that both the Fried Fish Shop and The Bottle are very popular and there are often long queues, especially in summer.
There is also a restaurant on site called “Stables” which offers snacks as well as more substantial meals, and a selection of traditional Black Country food (oh, alright, faggots and pays…but more besides.)

Children can see what school was like in the old days by visiting St James' School, where you sit at a hard desk with your slate and pay attention when "Miss" raps your desk with her cane! There
was no running home to Mother in those days, because if you did, the likelihood was that Mother Dear would give you a good “lampin” for whatever you had done to upset the teacher in the first place.

On Sunday, assuming you had been able to get your best clothes back from the Pawnbrokers, you would attend the Darby Hand Methodist Chapel for Sunday Worship.For a great treat, you could go to the Limelight Cinema to see the latest "Laurel & Hardy".

It is nice to stroll along at a gentle pace, but if you want, you can jump onto one of the electric trams or trolley buses that run round the Museum.Or go down to the Canal for a ride on a barge.

The Museum is called the “Living” Museum, and this is very true as there are new sttractions being added all the time. Currently underway is the huge Rolfe Street complex which is being built near to the Museum entrance and which will house exhibition halls, educational facilities, a resource centre and improved visitor facilities. Much of the materials being used, including the impressive terracotta and moulded brick façade, has been rescued from the Rolfe Street swimming baths in Smethwick.In this exciting new complex, study facilities will be available for the huge numbers of pupils and students who visit the Museum every year.

The Museum is open every day from 10am - 5pm from March to October.Most, but not all, buildings have wheelchair access...the Museum staff will advise you. Wheelchair users are invited to bring along a helper who will be admitted to the Museum free of charge. There are disabled toilets available on site. The Museum has done much to make sure that disabled visitors have an enjoyable visit and are always open to suggestions for improvements.

The main car park is situated just in front of the Museum entrance and is quite large, with room also for coaches.

Charges when I went last summer were Adults £7.95,Seniors £6.95,Juni
ors £4.75 (Under fives free). There is also a Family ticket, priced at £21.50,which covers two adults and up to three children. Special bookings are taken for Groups.Guide books are available as well as a range of souvenirs. For more details contact the Museum on 0121 557 9643 or email: info@bclm.co.uk

The Museum often runs special events throughout the year which are well worth looking out for. The Christmas Carol concert is always very well attended, as is the old-fashioned Bonfire Night.Some events are pre-book only, so please check before arriving on speck. Also, the Museum may have shorter opening hours in the winter months. Again, it is advisable to check before your visit.

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I was born and raised in the Black Country and so I have a special interest in the Museum, but I am sure visitors from all over will have a great day here. Tourists sometimes have a problem with the dialect, as many of the authentically dressed Guides speak in the Black Country tongue. Do not be afraid to request a translation into the Queen’s English.

Anyrode, doe ferget ter goo as soon as yow con, aer kid. Yow’ll ‘ave a bostin’ time!

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