SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near Walsall
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 170,994
Tracing its history back to around 1160 Walsall was created as a Royal Manor. There are claims however that Walsall can actually trace its history back to 1004 – but these claims have yet to be proven. In essence a medieval town, the highest point being Church Hill, where a church has stood since around 1200 and today there is still evidence in the present church of a crypt dating back to the 13th century.
Walsall gained its status as a market town and together with the local agricultural economy it became an important market town and today the market, dating back to 1220, is still a popular attraction. The borough though had good supplies of raw materials, coal, limestone and ironstone, and it was only a matter of time before the local residents exploited these raw materials making stirrups, buckles and spurs. The coming of the Industrial Revolution saw these small industries grow to be quite huge commercial operations, rail and canal networks meant that locally produced goods could now be traded throughout the country and this level of activity saw local wealth increase.
This legacy can still be seen today, the Arboretum Park was opened in the late 19th century and the lakes within it were created by flooding the old mining works, the park today contains parkland, woodland, gardens and lakes with many activities being available. For the casual visitor to Walsall the evidence of its industrious past is there to be seen, a trip to the Leather Museum or the Walsall Museum providing an insight into this fascinating place.
Nursing Homes near Walsall West Midlands
AUGUST 16TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near Coventry
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 303,475
Similar to most major British cities, Coventry has a fairly large ethnic minority population, non-indigenous making up 25.2% of the population as of 2006 estimates. The breakdown of the ethnic minority population is not typical, the Sikhs are the largest non-Christian religion, there are significant numbers of other South Asians but the black population is just above average at 3.1%.
The ethnic minority population is mainly concentrated in the Foleshill ward and the St. Michael’s ward. The indigenous population makes up 74.8% of the population, White Irish people make up 2.8%, and Other White people make up 2.9%. 8.2% of the city’s population is Indian, 2.2% Pakistani, 0.8% Other South Asian, 0.7% Bangladeshi. 1.7% of people are Black African, 1.2% Black Caribbean, 0.2% Other Black. People belonging to two or more races make up 2.1% of the population, the Chinese make up 1.5% and Others (mainly Orientals) make up the remaining 0.9%.
Traditionally a part of Warwickshire (although it was a county in its own right for 400 years), Coventry became an independent county borough in 1889. It later became a metropolitan district of the West Midlands county under the Local Government Act (1974), even though it was entirely separate to the Birmingham conurbation area (this is why Coventry appears to unnaturally “jut out” into Warwickshire on political maps of the UK). In 1986, the West Midlands County Council was abolished and Coventry became administered as an effective unitary authority in its own right.
Nursing Homes near Coventry West Midlands
AUGUST 13TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near Solihull
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 94,753
Solihull in the Midlands is literally at the very heart of England, it has been historically demonstrated that Solihull is at the centre of the UK. The Romans, Anglo Saxons and Normans all had settlements in the area. As far back as 1242 the importance of the town was realised when Henry III granted a charter for the town to hold a market, from that moment on Solihull’s future was secured as a commercial centre.
Located on the outskirts of Birmingham the town grew in stature and during the Industrial Revolution the canals and railways came to the area further enhancing its reputation. By the 20th century the population of Birmingham was rapidly growing and Solihull attracted more and more residents to the area, it was early in the 20th century that a car manufacturing company was to establish itself in the area and make the name Solihull world famous.
It was during the 1930’s that the Rover Car Company established itself in the area and it was in 1948 that the first of its most famous vehicles rolled off the production line – the Land Rover. Today Solihull offers the resident and visitor alike a wide range of diverse activities, from shopping at one of its retail centres through to the parks and gardens on which the Solihull motto is based “Urbs in Rure” – “Town in the Country”, combined with excellent commuter links the future of Solihull is secured.
Nursing Homes near Solihull West Midlands
JULY 16TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near
Approximate Population: 251,462
Wolverhampton, one of the most welcoming and friendly places in Britain is a new city for the new millennium, and always has something to see and do. There is a compact shopping area, much of which is under cover, a lively outdoor and indoor market with cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets and plenty of green space such as West Park with its Victorian Conservatory. St Peter’s Church stands in pleasant gardens steeped in history while St John’s Church, possesses an original Renatus Harris organ, built circa 1633.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery offers a wide variety of exhibitions. the Central Library is a fine Grade 11 Listed building and the University of Wolverhampton is the country’s fifth largest university. Historic houses include Bantock House and Park, the National Trust’s Wightwick Manor and Moseley Old Hall, and English Heritage’s Boscobel House.
A range of entertainment is available at the Grand and Arena theatres, the Civic Halls, renowned for their rock and pop concerts, the Light House Media Centre, a 14-screen multiplex cinema and the Newhampton Arts Centre . Wolverhampton is home to the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at the famous Molineux Football Stadium, Dunstall Park Racecourse, Monmore Green Greyhound and Speeedway Stadiums and Bank’s Brewery (now Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries).
West Midlands
JULY 15TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near Dudley
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 194,919
Dudley is to be found in the Black Country in the Midlands lying just to the North West of Birmingham in an area that was back in Anglo Saxon Times better known as a woodland clearing and it is from this that Dudley gained its name – “Duddah’s Leah” which is believed to translate to woodland clearing owned by Dud / Duddah the Saxon lord who instigated the building of a castle on the site of todays ruinous remains.
But it was the 18th and 19th centuries that were to set Dudley on its industrial path to its fortune, it was here that the iron trade was rapidly becoming established, at the start it was the small scale production of nails but this was to burgeon into full scale iron production through those centuries.
In the 19th century Dudley was the Capital of the Black Country – its industry was producing more goods than ever before to satisfy demand. It wasn’t just iron that was produced as Dudley earned a reputation for the production of high quality glassware with companies like Royal Brierly Crystal and Royal Doulton taking advantage of the location, workforce and raw materials. Today Dudley boats the Merry Hill Shopping Centre and the Waterfront Business Park, it is true that Dudley is adapting to change and whilst this may have taken some time the change today is a change for the better.
Nursing Homes near Dudley
West Midlands
JUNE 22ND, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 136,940
In 1851 West Bromwich was described as being heavily populated and lying between Wednesbury and Handsworth – little has changed in that respect. West Bromwich’s heritage goes back much further though with the remains of a Benedictine Monastery dating from 1130 still evident today.
Originally a farming community the local community soon took advantage of the local natural resources and by the 17th century they were manufacturing nails and gun locks as a mainly cottage industry. The success of West Bromwich though lay in its unique location and was soon an important route between Birmingham and the West Midlands. As industry developed the natural resources of coal and iron were mined and with the coming of the canals furnaces and foundries were soon established earning the town the nickname of “Chicago of the Midlands”.
Today West Bromwich is the largest town in the borough of Sandwell and whilst much of the industry that once thrived in the area has now gone there is still much to see and do. There is an extensive pedestrian shopping area and for those who prefer a little history then there are the remains of the Benedictine Priory to see or a trip to Oak House – a typical black and white Tudor house dating back to around 1600.
West Midlands
JUNE 15TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
Nursing Homes near
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 105,452
The Ancient and Royal town of Sutton Coldfield was once part of the Kingdom of Mercia and the first mention of Sutton Coldfield is in the Domesday Book. It earned its title of Royal manor in1489 and has remained so ever since.
Throughout history there have been attempts to turn this rural town into something more industrial however these have generally failed, the closest that Sutton Coldfield came to being industrialised was in the 17th and 18th centuries when water power was the main source of energy.
With the coming of the Industrial Revolution though more efficient power sources were being developed and because other towns nearby were able to take advantage of this Sutton Coldfield’s industry became uneconomic and the mills that briefly graced the area soon closed. Today Sutton Coldfield boasts the largest Local Authority Park in Sutton Park, protected as a park since a charter in 1528 and is in reality a remnant of the forest that once covered the Midlands, it is some 2,400 acres of parkland and lakes with the ancient Roman Ryknild Street running through it.
West Midlands
JUNE 7TH, 2010
By ADMINISTRATOR
West Midlands
Approximate Population: 970,892
England’s second city in the heart of the Midlands. Traditionally, this thriving city with it’s one million population, has been the industrial heartland of the country; it is still important industrially but this has also made way for an increasingly high position in the service sector. Birmingham can now rank itself amongst the great international cities of the world with it’s growing tourism and recognition as a centre for the theatre, Arts and Business.
Recently, Birmingham has seen many building developments such as The Mailbox and Brindley Place situated around its vast canal network. The old Bull Ring, once a noted landmark is currently being redeveloped and will become the home for many prestigious and national stores. Birmingham also has Star City – the largest Cinema and entertainment complex in Europe.
Birmingham boasts several fine and diverse theatres including the recently refurbished Hippodrome which is home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet whilst Symphony Hall is the city’s largest music venue and regularly hosts visiting orchestras and performers including the city’s own Symphony Orchestra.
A wide variety of restaurants can be found, both in the city centre and it’s numerous suburbs – these range from haute cuisine to the many popular Balti restaurants to be found in the now famous “Balti Triangle” with representatives from all countries and cultures in between.
The Chinese Quarter is a popular place to visit for an evening out as well as the area surrounding Broad Street with its many clubs, bars and pavement cafes.
West Midlands
