Tipton
was once part of the Royal Forest of Cannock. This may suprise
some people as present day Tipton has very little in common with
Cannock and nothing to show from its association. However, this is very
much the history of the West Midlands with large tracts of land falling
under various counties that were regionally strong before Birmingham
and the Black Country expanded to their present day magnitude and
status.
Tipton
is known to have been in existence since Norman times. Early records
show St. John's church and a moated manor house where Tipton is now
located. A battle was fought at Tipton Green when Edward Dudley,
backing Cromwell's army against the Royalists was defeated. The area
around Tipton consisted of small hamlets and growth came with the
opening of the canals and the discovery of coal and limestone. The
Birmingham and Wolverhampton canal runs through Tipton. Tipton also has
its own railway station.
Tipton
grew rapidly in the 19th century as did most of the Black Country.
Factories and workshops producing bricks, cement, tiles, machinery and
metal products were the mainstay of the economy. In present day Tipton
today the remnants of these industries can still be seen and the
successful offshoots of industry with their new industrial units stand
side by side with the old.
Notable
Tipton men were Joseph Davies who won the V.C. for his part in the
capture of Delville Wood in the 1914-18 war. Also Ben Boucher, a local
miner who wrote well known topical lyrics in the 19th century. William
Perry, the Tipton Slasher was born in 1819 and fought a great many
boxing matches. In 1850 he fought a 22 round fight for the championship
of England, defeating Tom Paddock of Woking Common.
Whilst
Tipton may not be on any regional tourist map for significant landmarks
or places to visit it is an integral part of the make up of the Black
Country region and history. If you find yourself passing through it
then be sure to pay a visit to the world famous pie factory at Sedgley
Road West. We can actually vouch for this one having called in and
taken a bite to eat as we photographed the local area.
