Sandwell 
The largely urban and industrial appearance of the modern Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell masks the area’s ancient history and heritage dating back to nomadic Mesolithic or "Middle Stone Age" people who lived in the woods of Sandwell Valley an incredible 8,000 years ago.
The modern Borough came about in 1974, bringing together the industrial districts of West Bromwich, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and Oldbury – each one of these towns having it’s own history dating back before medieval times. It’s strategic position between Wolverhampton and Birmingham on Brindley’s new canal system of the 1770s, along with it’s local supply of raw mineral materials like coal and iron, put 
Sandwell at the heart of the Industrial Revolution with cast iron manufacture centred around West Brom, whilst Boulton and Watt were busy building steam engines at Soho in Smethwick.
Sandwell had a population of 290,100 in the 1991 Census, it has a rising elderly population and a higher than average number of people with a "long-term illness". According to a 1998 district level index, it is the 7th most deprived district in England. Currently undergoing radical reorganisation, a priority of Sandwell Council is tackling the problems of isolation and social exclusion in Sandwell within it’s diverse, multi-racial communities.
Sandwell Trivia
Elwell's Forge - Wednesbury
Julie Walters
