Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

     Near Kidderminster Worcestershire UK

button.gif (1517 bytes)Home

button.gif (1517 bytes)Clock

button.gif (1517 bytes)Canal

button.gif (1517 bytes)Caves

button.gif (1517 bytes)School

button.gif (1517 bytes)Industry

button.gif (1517 bytes)People

button.gif (1517 bytes)Pubs/Inns

button.gif (1517 bytes)ElanPipe

button.gif (1517 bytes)Church

button.gif (1517 bytes)Shops

button.gif (1517 bytes)Buildings

button.gif (1517 bytes)Photos

button.gif (1517 bytes)Maps

button.gif (1517 bytes)Links

button.gif (1517 bytes)Feedback

Web Design

Cookley Ironworks - Now known as Titan Steel Wheels. This factory has supported the people of Cookley since 1650 and has undergone many changes over this time. Originally built on the banks of the River Stour which used to provide the water power which drove the machinery inside. The leat that used to carry the water into the factory can still be seen by the existence of a dried up bed and willow trees. The works used the canal as a the main means of transporting its raw materials and finished products. The iron bridge, over what was an 'arm' of the canal into the works, still shows the date of 1871. The works has had a chequered history and when the railway failed to come to Cookley the works moved to Brockmoor in Brierley Hill, Dudley. In 1884, when the Sebright Estate was sold, the people of Cookley suffered great hardship and many had to leave the village to seek work elsewhere. Thankfully with the onset of road transport at  the turn of the century, Cookley works once again became viable and has continued to thrive well into the present day. Now all collections and deliveries arrive by road. Years ago, in the time of the 'brew houses' of Cookley, workers received part of their wages in ale tokens.

Cannon for use in war were made and bored at two of the mills inside the ironworks- these mills were named 'Wellington' and 'Nelson'- maybe these cannon were used at the battles  of Trafalgar and Waterloo?

Titan Steel Wheels has been a thriving business in recent years and has won awards for its achievements, especially in exporting its goods! Approximately 85% of the company's goods are exported. During the course of a working day 120 tons of steel go into the factory and 120 tons of steel wheels go out!  

Woodscrew Factory - In the large caves under the Bull's Head public house there was a woodscrew factory between the years 1838 - 1862. Later the site was developed into a Wire and Nail Factory - This was owed and run by Joseph Harrison and ceased trading in 1892.

Cookley printers - owned and run by the Pittaway family has been involved in the printing of many of the Cookley publications produced by Betty Caswell. Its premises  were once the 'Old' Parish Room where dances and whist drives were held.