Tipton - John Brimble

In 1906 the Black Country historian Frederick Hackwood wrote: 'In Tipton, Vulcan is everywhere supreme; and from the thousands of hearths that constitute his altars, never cease to arise columns of incense. To the Tiptonian, therefore, a smoke-laden sky is always regarded as the outward visible sign of the town's prosperity. "They dread it not, that stretch of smoke, from Dudley Port to Wednesbury Oak". From the distance afar, busy Tipton can never fail to be marked on the horizon by "a pillar of smoke by day, or a pillar of fire by night". For industrially, Tipton has been found a land overflowing not "with Milk and Honey", but with Coal and Iron; and it cannot be denied that in this busy land of Promise, the best has been made of both. Long may Tipton flourish!' These words were written almost a century ago and although the coal and iron industries have vanished they have produced a great legacy of achievements for the town.

Today Tipton is cherished by its inhabitants, not as a postcard village but as a hardworking town with pride in its past. This third selection of Tipton In Old Photographswill bring back happy memories for all those who know and love the town.