The Meandering Tame

With the Zigzag Bridge in the distance

The River Tame at various times in the 1890s, with the river moving through the landscape as it had done for hundreds of years. The remnants of old mills can be seen from time to time as the water gently passes farms and farmhouses. There are a few riffles (for Rob), but generally, the water seems to be quietly wandering by. From the Digital Handsworth site.

















The remains of Perry Barr water mill on the Tame 

The Zigzag Bridge

Perry Bridge, or the Zigzag bridge as it is affectionately known, has been a constant across the River Tame since 1711, and even before then a bridge crossed at this point. The bridge was built to improve the previous crossing by the Gough family, who resided in the nearby Perry Hall, a very fine home which is now demolished. This point is said to be where King Charles I crossed the Tame on his way to Aston Hall when that building was attacked during the Civil War.

The drawing of the zigzag bridge, above, was produced in 1798 and the bridge is thought to be the oldest non-building structure in Birmingham; the shape is so that pedestrians could get out of the way of the carts and carriages. It was usurped in 1931/2 when the larger Perry Bridge was built next to it (see below), but the 300 year old structure can still be used by pedestrians (and to play Pooh Sticks).



The area used to be very rural, as can be seen from the drawing below from 1801, showing a small cottage with the River Tame running by. Standing here today are some industrial buildings, and a green spot where herons like to sit and rest.







Images from a selection held at BMAG, the full collection can be viewed here.

Tufnol's

I've been finding out about Tufnol's for the last couple of days, who have been in Perry Barr since 1916, originally as George Ellison's (see photo above). In 1926 Ellison's produced and patented Tufnol (tough phenol), used today in making a number of objects including circuit boards, pool balls, bakelite and adhesives. One use is in the making of epoxy resin, which Tufnol's (which still exist on Wellhead Lane in Perry Barr) produce; I have used this resin in making jewellery and art work as it encases objects in a clear, solid block. It made me think that it would be great if the artists working in the Witton and Perry Barr areas over the next year might think about using locally produced materials for their work, and number one on the list can be Tufnol's epoxy resin. If anyone can think of any other locally produced items that could be used in such a way, please leave your comments or get in touch.



Scrabble letters cast in resin.
You can find some more great images about resin casting here.
The history of Tufnol's can be found here.
Tufnol's current day website is here.
Thanks to Viv to telling me about this company.