The Priory Estate is a housing estate in Dudley , West Midlands , England , which has largely been developed since 1929.
89-590: The Priory Estate is so named because it is located near the Priory ruins and Priory Park. It stands on the land which once straddled the border of Dudley County Borough and Sedgley Urban District, which were in the counties of Worcestershire and Staffordshire respectively. The borders were moved back several hundred yards in 1926 when Dudley Council purchased the land with a view to building council houses to rehouse more than 2,000 families from town centre slums. Hundreds of council houses had already been built across
178-725: A long distance to pay their rent. There was also anger that the European Union had spent millions of pounds during the 1990s on upgrading the neighbouring Wren's Nest Estate , while the Priory Estate remained relatively short on investment. However, Darby's popularity with the electorate was short-lived. He resigned the following year, and once again Castle and Priory became a Labour stronghold. 52°31′20″N 2°5′16″W / 52.52222°N 2.08778°W / 52.52222; -2.08778 Sedgley Sedgley
267-407: A seating capacity of over 1,000, but was later re-seated to hold 850. The church is located on the corner of Vicar Street and Dean Street, with the modern vicarage and church hall on the opposite side of Vicar Street. At the time, it was the only parish church in the large but relatively lightly populated parish of Sedgley, but the parish was later divided into five ecclesiastical districts, to cover
356-407: A secondary school from 1965, when Mons Hill School opened on Wrens Hill Road (running between the Priory and the neighbouring Wren's Nest Estate ) to replace Wolverhampton Street School. This school closed in 1990 due to falling pupil numbers, with the remaining pupils split between Castle High and Coseley School . The Mons Hill buildings then became part of Dudley College , which vacated most of
445-407: A secondary school from 1965, when Mons Hill School opened on Wrens Hill Road (running between the Priory and the neighbouring Wren's Nest Estate ) to replace Wolverhampton Street School. This school closed in 1990 due to falling pupil numbers, with the remaining pupils split between Castle High and Coseley School . The Mons Hill buildings then became part of Dudley College , which vacated most of
534-611: A temporary 5-7 infant school in Priory Hall, relocating on 19 October 1932 to the permanent site on Limes Road, to serve the surrounding Priory Estate, which was in the early stages of development at this time. Lady Astor opened a nursery unit in a corrugated iron building on the site on 8 March 1938, the first of its kind in the Dudley area, with most local schools not following suit until the 1970s and some still lacking such facilities to this day. The junior school, opened later in 1938,
623-499: A temporary 5-7 infant school in Priory Hall, relocating on 19 October 1932 to the permanent site on Limes Road, to serve the surrounding Priory Estate, which was in the early stages of development at this time. Lady Astor opened a nursery unit in a corrugated iron building on the site on 8 March 1938, the first of its kind in the Dudley area, with most local schools not following suit until the 1970s and some still lacking such facilities to this day. The junior school, opened later in 1938,
712-545: A year later following a serious arson attack. The King Arthur closed in 2011 and after demolition following an arson attack, the building stood empty until Aldi opened on the site in 2016. The Caves is now the only remaining pub in the area. Shops were built on the estate, mostly in Priory Road, with smaller shops being erected in Lilac Road and Thornhill Road. However, the Lilac Road shops were converted into houses in
801-426: A year later following a serious arson attack. The King Arthur closed in 2011 and after demolition following an arson attack, the building stood empty until Aldi opened on the site in 2016. The Caves is now the only remaining pub in the area. Shops were built on the estate, mostly in Priory Road, with smaller shops being erected in Lilac Road and Thornhill Road. However, the Lilac Road shops were converted into houses in
890-517: Is a town in the north of the Dudley district, in the county of the West Midlands , England. Historically part of Staffordshire , Sedgley is on the A459 road between Wolverhampton and Dudley , and was formerly the seat of an ancient manor comprising several smaller villages, including Gornal , Gospel End , Woodsetton , Ettingshall , Coseley , and Brierley (now Bradley ). In 1894,
979-656: Is also possible to see another Beacon hill – Barr Beacon , some 15 miles away. The Sarah Hughes Brewery founded in 1921 in a Victorian brew house and pub is situated in Bilston Street, Sedgley, attached to the Beacon Hotel. Due to its hilly geography Sedgley has never had a rail or canal link, although near its historic border with Kingswinford there was a halt on the railway between Stourbridge and Wolverhampton known as Gornal Halt which opened in 1925 and closed in 1932 after just seven years in use, although
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#17327729803321068-487: Is approximately the same age as the Court House, and was once the village prison. It is still connected to the Court House by a passageway, though this has long fallen into disuse. The Clifton was opened in 1937 as Sedgley's first cinema, and remained open until 1978, when it closed and was converted into a bingo hall before being taken over by JD Wetherspoon and converted into a public house in 1998. The White Horse
1157-483: Is next to the estate. Also adjoining the estate is Sedgley Hall Park, built in the grounds of Sedgley Hall, a 15th-century house which was demolished in 1966. The park includes playing facilities for children, although some of the playing equipment was dismantled in the 1990s and 2000s due to vandalism. The centre of the Northway Estate features shops, a medical centre and public house called "The Cabin", which
1246-464: Is the bulk of Woodsetton. Gospel End is no longer even in the same county as Sedgley, having remained in Staffordshire. The central area of Sedgley, so named because it was originally the site of bull baiting before the sport was declared illegal in 1835. All signs of the actual ring were destroyed in about 1930 on the construction of a traffic island, but the traffic island is still known as
1335-404: The "isolated" layout of the estate, which was accessible from six points but only two of those points are accessible by motor vehicles. Most of the roads on the estate are relatively narrow (including one which is one-way) compared to roads on other parts of the Priory, which was less of a problem when the area was first developed – as virtually none of the local residents owned a car when the estate
1424-404: The "isolated" layout of the estate, which was accessible from six points but only two of those points are accessible by motor vehicles. Most of the roads on the estate are relatively narrow (including one which is one-way) compared to roads on other parts of the Priory, which was less of a problem when the area was first developed – as virtually none of the local residents owned a car when the estate
1513-492: The Bull Ring. The current Bull Ring is surrounded by a number of notable buildings. The Court House, built in the early 19th century, was originally the law court for Sedgley but is now empty despite their attempts of a succession of owners to keep in competitive with other local pubs. These law courts were relocated to a building at the nearby police station until the town's courts were declared redundant in 1988. The Red Lion
1602-684: The Coseley and Brierley Hill districts. The Gospel End area, however, was merged into the Seisdon Rural District (later South Staffordshire ), and the Goldthorn Park estate in the extreme north of the area was transferred into Wolverhampton . The civil parish was also abolished on 1 April 1966 and merged with Dudley, Himley and Wolverhampton. In 1961 the parish had a population of 27,912. The Gornal villages are generally not considered part of modern-day Sedgley, nor
1691-570: The Dudley Borough in the last decade, but the Priory Estate was to be the largest council housing development yet in the area as the town's slum problem was still far from being solved. The boundary changes also meant that Dudley Castle was finally transferred to the borough of Dudley after centuries in Sedgley. The foundation stone of the very first house, 9 Oak Road, was laid on 16 July 1929. The first houses were occupied in 1930 and by
1780-450: The Dudley Borough in the last decade, but the Priory Estate was to be the largest council housing development yet in the area as the town's slum problem was still far from being solved. The boundary changes also meant that Dudley Castle was finally transferred to the borough of Dudley after centuries in Sedgley. The foundation stone of the very first house, 9 Oak Road, was laid on 16 July 1929. The first houses were occupied in 1930 and by
1869-608: The Duncan Edwards public house in Priory Road. The pub had been refurbished just five years earlier and renamed in honour of Duncan Edwards, but had been closed a short time earlier in spite of its popularity in the local community. The building has since been demolished and plans have already been unveiled for the site to be developed for housing and retail, but construction work has yet to start. The rehousing of North Priory residents in preparation for demolition resulted in empty properties being scoured by scrap metal dealers in
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#17327729803321958-543: The Duncan Edwards public house in Priory Road. The pub had been refurbished just five years earlier and renamed in honour of Duncan Edwards, but had been closed a short time earlier in spite of its popularity in the local community. The building has since been demolished and plans have already been unveiled for the site to be developed for housing and retail, but construction work has yet to start. The rehousing of North Priory residents in preparation for demolition resulted in empty properties being scoured by scrap metal dealers in
2047-468: The Priory Estate. On 2 March 2006 a consultation firm employed by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council recommended the demolition of between 40 and 100 per cent of 260 homes on the northern part of the estate. The consultation firm had studied four scenarios. The first had been refurbishment of all the existing properties, many of which were currently in disrepair as well as being unsuitable for elderly and disabled occupants. But this scenario would not alter
2136-468: The Priory Estate. On 2 March 2006 a consultation firm employed by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council recommended the demolition of between 40 and 100 per cent of 260 homes on the northern part of the estate. The consultation firm had studied four scenarios. The first had been refurbishment of all the existing properties, many of which were currently in disrepair as well as being unsuitable for elderly and disabled occupants. But this scenario would not alter
2225-532: The Priory Ruins as well as Priory Hall (former home of Sir Gilbert Claughton ). Priory Hall is currently in use as Dudley Registry Office, and has been based there since the office's relocation from a building in Ednam Road in about 1990. The Park itself was restored between 2012 and 2013 through support from Dudley Council , Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund . Most of the people living in
2314-411: The Priory Ruins as well as Priory Hall (former home of Sir Gilbert Claughton ). Priory Hall is currently in use as Dudley Registry Office, and has been based there since the office's relocation from a building in Ednam Road in about 1990. The Park itself was restored between 2012 and 2013 through support from Dudley Council , Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund . Most of the people living in
2403-480: The Priory ruins and Priory Park. It stands on the land which once straddled the border of Dudley County Borough and Sedgley Urban District, which were in the counties of Worcestershire and Staffordshire respectively. The borders were moved back several hundred yards in 1926 when Dudley Council purchased the land with a view to building council houses to rehouse more than 2,000 families from town centre slums. Hundreds of council houses had already been built across
2492-456: The age of 21 from injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster . After his death, a stained glass window was dedicated to Edwards at St Francis' Parish Church at the junction of Laurel Road and Poplar Crescent. The church was founded in 1931 and was originally based at Priory Hall before the church building on the newly developed housing estate was opened on 10 May 1932. The estate was served by
2581-403: The age of 21 from injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster . After his death, a stained glass window was dedicated to Edwards at St Francis' Parish Church at the junction of Laurel Road and Poplar Crescent. The church was founded in 1931 and was originally based at Priory Hall before the church building on the newly developed housing estate was opened on 10 May 1932. The estate was served by
2670-468: The area became redeveloped, with residential suburbs now dominating the landscape. Many pre-1900 buildings in Sedgley survive to this day. They include Queen Victoria Primary School (1897), All Saints' Church (1805) and the early 19th century courthouse, now used as a public house. The ancient Manor of Sedgley consisted of nine villages; Sedgley, Gospel End, Cotwall End, Upper Gornal, Lower Gornal, Woodsetton, Coseley, Ettingshall and Brierley. In 1897,
2759-554: The area has changed dramatically since the Second World War by the construction of mostly upmarket detached houses in Cotwall End Road and Catholic Lane. Cotwall End Primary School has served the area since 1962, by which time most of the current surrounding houses had been built. The Sandyfields Estate between Cotwall End Road and Sandyfields Road was built in the late 1950s, and is similar in style and layout to
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2848-519: The border with Wolverhampton. The development began in the mid 1950s on land to the north of Gospel End Road, gathered pace in the 1960s and was mostly completed in the 1970s (by which time some 1,000 houses had been built) to join up with Wolverhampton Road. Alder Coppice Primary School was opened on the Northway estate in 1967. Alder Coppice , designated a local nature reserve in November 2019,
2937-461: The council houses on the Priory Estate were rehoused from town centre slum clearances. They were generally pleased with living in new houses which had gardens, electricity, hot and cold running tap water, bathrooms, toilets, a solid fuel boiler, with kitchens and an adjacent pantry. But the Priory Estate quickly ran into problems, with vandalism , litter , graffiti , vehicle crime , burglary and drug dealing becoming widespread, particularly on
3026-461: The council houses on the Priory Estate were rehoused from town centre slum clearances. They were generally pleased with living in new houses which had gardens, electricity, hot and cold running tap water, bathrooms, toilets, a solid fuel boiler, with kitchens and an adjacent pantry. But the Priory Estate quickly ran into problems, with vandalism , litter , graffiti , vehicle crime , burglary and drug dealing becoming widespread, particularly on
3115-649: The demolition of all homes in Pine Road and Berry Road, as well as some in Thornhill Road. The fourth and final option was total redevelopment. The planned demolition was deemed necessary as most of the houses in this area were in a poor state of repair, with the council finding it increasingly difficult to let the properties and being faced with a high demand for moves away from the area from existing tenants. The environment has been plagued by vandalism, arson attacks, litter and graffiti. The report also criticised
3204-527: The demolition of all homes in Pine Road and Berry Road, as well as some in Thornhill Road. The fourth and final option was total redevelopment. The planned demolition was deemed necessary as most of the houses in this area were in a poor state of repair, with the council finding it increasingly difficult to let the properties and being faced with a high demand for moves away from the area from existing tenants. The environment has been plagued by vandalism, arson attacks, litter and graffiti. The report also criticised
3293-559: The development of the Priory and Wrens Nest Estates , where new council housing was built to rehouse families from the slum clearances in central Dudley in the 10 years leading up to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The Old Park Farm Estate was added in the early 1950s. Sedgley Urban District Council survived until 1 April 1966, when the majority of the area was merged into the Dudley County Borough , along with
3382-474: The end of 2008. As the rehousing gathered pace throughout 2007 and 2008, empty properties on the estate were regularly targeted by vandals and arsonists, as were a number of vehicles parked in the area. However, six families remained on the estate by January 2009 and the last tenant did not leave until May 2009, a month after demolition work started. The final buildings were demolished in October 2009 and work on
3471-419: The end of 2008. As the rehousing gathered pace throughout 2007 and 2008, empty properties on the estate were regularly targeted by vandals and arsonists, as were a number of vehicles parked in the area. However, six families remained on the estate by January 2009 and the last tenant did not leave until May 2009, a month after demolition work started. The final buildings were demolished in October 2009 and work on
3560-428: The end of the decade more than 2,000 houses had been built on the Priory and Wren's Nest estates. There were also private houses for owner-occupiers built mostly on the south side of the estate near Priory Park, around the southern section of Priory Road, Hazel Road, Woodland Avenue, Chesnut Avenue, Somery Road, Forest Road, Paganel Drive and Gervase Drive. The Broadway, a new link road from Dudley town centre to Sedgley,
3649-428: The end of the decade more than 2,000 houses had been built on the Priory and Wren's Nest estates. There were also private houses for owner-occupiers built mostly on the south side of the estate near Priory Park, around the southern section of Priory Road, Hazel Road, Woodland Avenue, Chesnut Avenue, Somery Road, Forest Road, Paganel Drive and Gervase Drive. The Broadway, a new link road from Dudley town centre to Sedgley,
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3738-465: The estate began 12 months later, being completed by 2014. The redeveloped estate, which includes a mix of private and public sector housing, has a completely redesigned road layout and new street names. Fears were rife in the local community that other parts of the Priory Estate would be demolished once the North Priory redevelopment was completed, but the local council has instead opted to improve
3827-404: The estate began 12 months later, being completed by 2014. The redeveloped estate, which includes a mix of private and public sector housing, has a completely redesigned road layout and new street names. Fears were rife in the local community that other parts of the Priory Estate would be demolished once the North Priory redevelopment was completed, but the local council has instead opted to improve
3916-461: The estate's "isolated" position, highlighted by just two out of the six road links to the estate being accessible for vehicles. Nor would it make any difference to the narrow roads in the estate, one of which is now one-way. The second option had been 20% redevelopment along Pine Road, which would include refurbishment of the remaining properties but no major alterations to the road layout. The third option had been 40% redevelopment, which would have seen
4005-461: The estate's "isolated" position, highlighted by just two out of the six road links to the estate being accessible for vehicles. Nor would it make any difference to the narrow roads in the estate, one of which is now one-way. The second option had been 20% redevelopment along Pine Road, which would include refurbishment of the remaining properties but no major alterations to the road layout. The third option had been 40% redevelopment, which would have seen
4094-619: The estate. Two local men, Shylon Wishart and James Cartwright, were later convicted of Mr Watson's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. All Saints' Church is a parish church situated in the centre of Sedgley. The first records of the church date back to the Domesday Survey of 1086, but the current structure dates to the early 19th century. Paid for by the Earl of Dudley , the Neo-Gothic building, completed in 1829, originally had
4183-408: The homes on the estate are three-bedroomed semi detached houses. It is also served by a recreation ground which includes a large football pitch and at one stage also a playground. However, the playground was dismantled in 2000 after more than 10 years of continued vandalism and gradual loss of playing equipment, which had reduced its popularity with local children. Situated north of Cotwall End towards
4272-454: The hope of finding items of value, despite council workers having already stripped these properties of tanks and copper piping. Most of the empty properties were vandalised in some way, while several were damaged in arson attacks and at least two residents had their cars damaged in arson attacks on neighbouring properties which had already been vacated. The estate also became a popular destination for fly tippers and joyriders dumping stolen cars in
4361-454: The hope of finding items of value, despite council workers having already stripped these properties of tanks and copper piping. Most of the empty properties were vandalised in some way, while several were damaged in arson attacks and at least two residents had their cars damaged in arson attacks on neighbouring properties which had already been vacated. The estate also became a popular destination for fly tippers and joyriders dumping stolen cars in
4450-591: The land commenced in January 1981, with the park officially opened by Princess Anne in June 1983. It has so far been largely free of many of the problems which have become increasingly common across the rest of Sedgley since then. Beacon Hill , one of several Beacon hills in England, is 237 metres (778 ft) above sea level, one of the highest points in the West Midlands . It is well known for fossils . The hill
4539-533: The late 2000s, and the Thornhill Road shop was demolished in the 2009 as part of the North Priory redevelopment. Priory Park was laid out in 1932, with iron railing around the perimeter.(These were removed during the war for the metal to be used in the war effort.) The same year that Priory Road was fully opened to give Dudley a direct road link with the Birmingham New Road in Coseley – incorporating
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#17327729803324628-408: The late 2000s, and the Thornhill Road shop was demolished in the 2009 as part of the North Priory redevelopment. Priory Park was laid out in 1932, with iron railing around the perimeter.(These were removed during the war for the metal to be used in the war effort.) The same year that Priory Road was fully opened to give Dudley a direct road link with the Birmingham New Road in Coseley – incorporating
4717-423: The line on which it was situated survived into the 1960s. However, it is served by bus routes to neighbouring areas such as Wolverhampton , Dudley , Bilston and Tipton . Services 27, 27A, 223, 224 and 229 are operated by Diamond Bus and service 1 is operated by National Express West Midlands . Crime in Sedgley increased significantly during the 1990s and early 2000s, but has fallen in more recent years. In
4806-669: The local council for failing to respond to their demands for a transfer. In March 2004, Dudley Register Office (located in Priory Park) was set alight by arsonists. It took 100 firefighters a whole night to defeat the blaze. Also in March 2004, a 90-year-old widow on the Estate criticised a judge for failing to hand out a prison sentence to the heroin addict and career criminal who broke into her house and stole £80 from her purse. In April 2006, an arson attack caused severe damage to
4895-501: The local council for failing to respond to their demands for a transfer. In March 2004, Dudley Register Office (located in Priory Park) was set alight by arsonists. It took 100 firefighters a whole night to defeat the blaze. Also in March 2004, a 90-year-old widow on the Estate criticised a judge for failing to hand out a prison sentence to the heroin addict and career criminal who broke into her house and stole £80 from her purse. In April 2006, an arson attack caused severe damage to
4984-528: The manor was split to create the Sedgley and Coseley urban districts , the bulk of which were later merged into the Dudley County Borough in 1966. Most of Sedgley was absorbed into an expanded County Borough of Dudley in 1966, with some parts being incorporated into Seisdon and Wolverhampton . Since 1974 it has been part of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. The place name Sedgley
5073-445: The middle-ages, the village became industrialized as natural resources such as coal and limestone were exploited, and by the 18th century it was producing goods such as iron and brick. Sedgley expanded rapidly during the early part of the 20th century, partly in response to the development of the nearby Baggeridge Colliery , despite a depletion in raw materials and a general decline in industry. As industry continued to decline, much of
5162-408: The most frequent type of property in the area. Most residents on the estate are tenants of their homes, while some have shared ownership or full ownership. High Arcal is the largest post-1970s housing development in Sedgley. Cotwall End is situated around the rural Cotwall End Valley, and is one of the nine historic villages of the Sedgley manor. A few pre-1900 buildings still exist, but the face of
5251-434: The nearby Brownswall and Straits Estates. One of the few surviving buildings from the historic village of Cotwall End is Spout House Farm, which was built in the 18th century and remained in use for some 200 years, finally being abandoned during the 1970s. The farm house and buildings fell into disrepair over the next two decades but were restored in 2001 and converted into apartments. A nature reserve, Cotwall End Valley ,
5340-662: The nine villages of the Manor. Baggeridge Park is a country park located 1.5 miles south-west of Sedgley in Gospel End. Originally part of the Earl of Dudley's Himley estate, coal mining operations began on the site in 1902, with the opening of the Baggeridge Colliery . After its closure in 1968 the colliery was bought by Seisdon Rural District Council, and later granted country park status in 1970. Full reclamation of
5429-469: The north side of the estate, by the 1980s. Unemployment in the area was also relatively high. However, the Priory Estate was not as severely affected by these issues as the neighbouring Wren's Nest, or indeed several other parts of the Dudley borough and neighbouring Sandwell . The homes of elderly people were targeted most frequently by vandals and other criminals; in 1991, a plank of wood was hurled through
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#17327729803325518-416: The north side of the estate, by the 1980s. Unemployment in the area was also relatively high. However, the Priory Estate was not as severely affected by these issues as the neighbouring Wren's Nest, or indeed several other parts of the Dudley borough and neighbouring Sandwell . The homes of elderly people were targeted most frequently by vandals and other criminals; in 1991, a plank of wood was hurled through
5607-414: The number of reported crimes in the Sedgley ward has regularly fallen to less than 50 crimes in a month, with the final two months of 2013 seeing less than 40 crimes reported each month. Priory Primary School The Priory Estate is a housing estate in Dudley , West Midlands , England , which has largely been developed since 1929. The Priory Estate is so named because it is located near
5696-524: The older properties on the estate. The Priory Estate has traditionally had a very high crime rate. In October 2003, arsonists set fire to a pigeon loft in the garden of a house in Linwood Road and killed nine pigeons. On another part of the estate, anti-social behaviour was creating so much trouble that one family gave an interview to the Express and Star regional newspaper openly criticising
5785-408: The older properties on the estate. The Priory Estate has traditionally had a very high crime rate. In October 2003, arsonists set fire to a pigeon loft in the garden of a house in Linwood Road and killed nine pigeons. On another part of the estate, anti-social behaviour was creating so much trouble that one family gave an interview to the Express and Star regional newspaper openly criticising
5874-568: The run up to its demolition. On 1 May 2003, the British National Party gained one its first councillors, when Simon Darby was elected to the Castle and Priory ward (which includes the Priory Estate) in the council elections. The area had previously been represented by three Labour Party councillors. Darby had gained 26.2% of the vote in Castle and Priory a year earlier, and on being elected he obtained almost half of
5963-431: The run up to its demolition. On 1 May 2003, the British National Party gained one its first councillors, when Simon Darby was elected to the Castle and Priory ward (which includes the Priory Estate) in the council elections. The area had previously been represented by three Labour Party councillors. Darby had gained 26.2% of the vote in Castle and Priory a year earlier, and on being elected he obtained almost half of
6052-415: The site in 2012. The redundant buildings were demolished in 2015. Dudley College vacated the remaining part of the site in 2018 and this building was reutilised as The Wenlock School. Priory Primary School is a primary school located on the Priory Estate in Dudley , West Midlands , England . It includes a nursery unit, and is open to pupils aged from 3 to 11 years. It was opened on 1 October 1930 as
6141-414: The site in 2012. The redundant buildings were demolished in 2015. Dudley College vacated the remaining part of the site in 2018 and this building was reutilised as The Wenlock School. Priory Primary School is a primary school located on the Priory Estate in Dudley , West Midlands , England . It includes a nursery unit, and is open to pupils aged from 3 to 11 years. It was opened on 1 October 1930 as
6230-687: The villages of Coseley, Ettingshall and Brierley broke away from the Manor of Sedgley to form the Coseley Urban District , while Sedgley itself, Gospel End, Cotwall End, Upper Gornal, Lower Gornal, and Woodsetton were formed into the Sedgley Urban District . The entire area was part of the Wolverhampton Parliamentary Borough , created in 1832. The east of the Sedgley district was transferred into Dudley as long ago as 1926, to allow for
6319-460: The votes cast. In 2003, Castle and Priory was the most deprived ward in the whole Dudley borough, and among the 7% most deprived wards in England. Many local people also saw the BNP as the answer to the Priory Estate's many social problems. House repairs weren't being carried out efficiently, the local youth centre was rarely open and the estate office had closed leaving residents without cars to travel
6408-411: The votes cast. In 2003, Castle and Priory was the most deprived ward in the whole Dudley borough, and among the 7% most deprived wards in England. Many local people also saw the BNP as the answer to the Priory Estate's many social problems. House repairs weren't being carried out efficiently, the local youth centre was rarely open and the estate office had closed leaving residents without cars to travel
6497-498: The ward of Sedgley (which includes the town centre, Brownswall, Northway and Beacon estates as well as some of the High Arcal Estate) it was not uncommon for more than 100 crimes to be reported in a single month – with anti-social behaviour by teenagers being particularly rife, more often than not fuelled by alcohol or drugs. The police regularly had to deal with incidents at Dormston School involving pupils. However, by 2014
6586-481: The window of a room in which a 90-year-old woman was sleeping. The most famous former resident of the Priory Estate is footballer Duncan Edwards , who was born two miles away at Holly Hall but moved to 31 Elm Road as a small child, attending Priory Primary School (1941 to 1948) and then Wolverhampton Street School . Edwards went on to play 18 times for England as well as winning two Football League championships with Manchester United , before he died in 1958 at
6675-481: The window of a room in which a 90-year-old woman was sleeping. The most famous former resident of the Priory Estate is footballer Duncan Edwards , who was born two miles away at Holly Hall but moved to 31 Elm Road as a small child, attending Priory Primary School (1941 to 1948) and then Wolverhampton Street School . Edwards went on to play 18 times for England as well as winning two Football League championships with Manchester United , before he died in 1958 at
6764-641: Was also laid out to include more than 200 private houses. Three public houses served the estate: the Wren's Nest in Priory Road (built in the mid-1930s), the King Arthur on the corner of Birmingham New Road and Priory Road (built in 1939) and the Caves in Wrens Hill Road (built in the 1950s). However, the Wren's Nest (which was renamed the Duncan Edwards in 2001) was closed in late 2005 and was demolished
6853-413: Was also laid out to include more than 200 private houses. Three public houses served the estate: the Wren's Nest in Priory Road (built in the mid-1930s), the King Arthur on the corner of Birmingham New Road and Priory Road (built in 1939) and the Caves in Wrens Hill Road (built in the 1950s). However, the Wren's Nest (which was renamed the Duncan Edwards in 2001) was closed in late 2005 and was demolished
6942-424: Was built during the 1930s. The rising level of car ownership since the houses were built had led to many local residents parking their cars on pavements and even gardens, mainly due to the narrow streets. The council voted for a total redevelopment of the estate on 4 December 2006, and rehousing of tenants began in early 2007, with a view to completing the rehousing within 18 months and demolition work starting before
7031-424: Was built during the 1930s. The rising level of car ownership since the houses were built had led to many local residents parking their cars on pavements and even gardens, mainly due to the narrow streets. The council voted for a total redevelopment of the estate on 4 December 2006, and rehousing of tenants began in early 2007, with a view to completing the rehousing within 18 months and demolition work starting before
7120-431: Was built in the 19th century and was refurbished in 2014. Since then it has been the liveliest pub in Sedgley. Monty's wine bar also opened in 1998 in what was once a food store. Presto opened a large supermarket on High Holborn in the town centre in 1987, on the site of a former filling station – with a former public car park being incorporated into the supermarket. A year later it was re-branded Safeway , and in 2004 it
7209-586: Was first mentioned in a 985 charter from King Æthelred to Lady Wulfrūn , when describing the Wolverhampton border. The original Old English place name was 'Secg's lēah' – Secg being a personal name (meaning sword-bearing man or warrior) and lēah meaning wood, glade or woodland clearing. Sedgley was also mentioned in the Domesday Book , as an estate held by William Fitz-Ansculf , Lord of Dudley. Originally dotted with farming communities in
7298-516: Was once the site where beacons were lit to warn local people of invaders. Sedgley Beacon Hill provides views across the Black Country , Cannock Chase and Birmingham to the east, and to the Wrekin , Clee Hills and Malvern Hills to the west; on very clear days it is possible to see the hills of North Staffordshire and Derbyshire , as well as the mountains of both North and South Wales. It
7387-527: Was opened in the area by Dudley council in 1969. Since 2005 the Brockswood Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit making company caring for rescued animals, has operated from the nature reserve. Situated to the north of Cotwall End Valley, this private housing estate was developed by Coseley-based builders Joseph Webb between 1956 and 1959, consisting of semi-detached and detached houses and bungalows with either two or three bedrooms. Most of
7476-411: Was part of the late 1960s phase of the estate. The Beacon Estate was built by Sedgley UDC in the shadow of Beacon Hill during the 1920s and 1930s, with two small sections being added in the 1940s and 1950s. Some of the first houses built by Sedgley UDC were on the estate. During the early hours of 28 July 2012, Shane Watson, a 23-year-old man who lived on the estate, was found murdered in an alleyway on
7565-424: Was replaced in the early 1990s and the old building demolished to make way for a development of new private starter homes. The current nursery building also incorporates a children's centre. Former pupils at the school published a book during the summer of 2000 to commemorate the school's anniversary, with former pupils and staff sharing their memories and photographs of the school as well as their memories of life on
7654-424: Was replaced in the early 1990s and the old building demolished to make way for a development of new private starter homes. The current nursery building also incorporates a children's centre. Former pupils at the school published a book during the summer of 2000 to commemorate the school's anniversary, with former pupils and staff sharing their memories and photographs of the school as well as their memories of life on
7743-650: Was taken over by the Midcounties Co-Operative . This in turn closed in the April 2017 and was re-opened in August 2017 as an Asda following a major refurbishment. Situated to the south of the town centre. It was developed in phases on part of a large field between 1992 and 1996; part of the field has been retained as a public open space and play area. The estate consists of around 300 Housing Association houses, flats and bungalows. Three-bedroom houses are
7832-476: Was the final phase. By now, the Priory Estate was largely complete. In September 1972, the infant school became a 5-8 first school and the junior school became an 8-12 middle school. The two schools merged to form a single primary school in September 1985, with the first and middle departments reverting to infant and junior from September 1990 when the secondary transfer age was reverted to 11. The nursery unit
7921-419: Was the final phase. By now, the Priory Estate was largely complete. In September 1972, the infant school became a 5-8 first school and the junior school became an 8-12 middle school. The two schools merged to form a single primary school in September 1985, with the first and middle departments reverting to infant and junior from September 1990 when the secondary transfer age was reverted to 11. The nursery unit
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