Charlemont and Grove Vale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charlemont and Grove Vale is a political ward in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the English Midlands constituency of West Bromwich East.
The ward is made up of several neighbourhoods including, Charlemont Farm, Bustlehome Mill, Church Vale, and the leafier neighbourhoods of Charlemont, Bird End, Wigmore and Grove Vale. It also covers part of the Sandwell Valley. The ward currently has three Conservative councillors.
[edit] History
The area became known as Charly Mount by c.1723 and was home to Charlemont Hall, proceeded by Crump Hall. The hall stood on the east side of the present day Charlemont Crescent until 1948.
The ward was also home to Wigmore School, erected in 1872, for the maintenance and education of Children chargeable to the Walsall and West Bromwich Poor Law Unions. The buildings, situated on a hill overlooking the Tame Valley were erected in the Elizabethan style, and included an Infirmary. Following the Local Government Act 1929, all poor law responsibility was transferred to the Local Authority, and Wigmore was administered by the Education Committee. From 1935 Wigmore became an "Approved School" which continued until the 1960's when it was transferred for use as Sandwell Council Offices. The building failed to get listed building status and despite local pressure was demolished by Sandwell Council in 2002, to make way for a new housing estate. The Gatehouse however remains.
The ward is covered by the diocese of Lichfield and the areas most historic church, All Saints is located on the A4031 (All Saints Way). There has been a church on this spot dating back to the Norman period. The current church was mostly rebuilt, except the tower, in 1788, and subsequent years when it was enlarged. Buried in the church yard is James Eaton (1785-1857) who served in the Téméraire at the battle of Trafalgar and, as signal midshipman, repeated Nelson's message to the fleet.
Also within the ward is Bishop Asbury Cottage.
