The Lost West Smethwick Brook | Part 3 | Oldbury Road to Chance Glassworks

The search for the Lost West Smethwick Brook continues. In Part 3 of this five-part historical investigation, I pick up the trail at Oldbury Road and continue trying to trace the route of one of West Smethwick's forgotten watercourses through the modern landscape. The Lost West Smethwick Brook once formed part of the historic boundary between Staffordshire and Worcestershire, but industrial development, roads, railways and the culverting of sections of the watercourse have made its original route increasingly difficult to follow. Using historic maps, evidence on the ground and exploration on location, I continue searching for clues to where the brook once flowed and what may still survive today. This part of the investigation also takes an unexpected detour as my route brings me close to the remains of the historic Chance Glassworks — one of the most important surviving reminders of Smethwick's industrial past. Rather than simply passing it by, I take some time to explore the area and look at what remains before returning to the search for the Lost West Smethwick Brook in Part 4. This is Part 3 of a five-part investigation following the watercourse through West Smethwick and the surrounding area. 00:00 The Lost West Smethwick Brook – Part 3 00:27 Continuing the Search from Oldbury Road 04:32 Searching the Crystal Drive Industrial Estate 07:29 Following the Suspected Route of the Brook 12:24 Searching for the Watercourse Near the Canal 13:56 The Canal – Where Does the Brook Go? 16:17 An Unexpected Chance Brothers Discovery 17:44 Chance Brothers War Memorial 18:52 The History of Chance Brothers 19:57 Searching Around Spon Lane & the Canal 23:04 An Unexpected Detour to Chance Glassworks 24:41 Exploring the Old Chance Glassworks 26:20 A Surprising Discovery at the Glassworks 28:51 Exploring the Surviving Industrial Buildings 32:28 The Investigation Continues in Part 4 💧 Watch Part 2:    • The Lost West Smethwick Brook | Part 2 | W...   ▶️ Watch the complete Lost West Smethwick Brook investigation:    • The Lost West Smethwick Brook | Part 1 | A...   The investigation continues in Part 4, where I'll return to the route of the brook and continue following the evidence. If you remember this watercourse, worked around the Chance Glassworks, have old photographs or maps of this area, or know anything that could help identify the brook's former route, please leave a comment below. Local memories and knowledge can provide evidence that simply doesn't appear on maps. The Sandwell Walker explores the lost buildings, forgotten streets, waterways, industries and local history of Smethwick, Oldbury, West Bromwich, Tipton, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis. #Smethwick #ChanceBrothers #SandwellHistory