Historic England - The Black Country

[Albionic68]

I have loads of books of the Black Country, it's railway's and canals, even a recipe book of Black Country food.
I also have a lot of old ordnance survey books of the are.
I never thought Smethwick a part of the Black Country, more Birmingham.
No coal mines in Smethwick.
Like Wolverhampton, Smethwick is a manufacturing town that sits on the fringe of the Black Country proper.

I'm from Smethwick Des', and I can confirm that although my dad's half of the family are from Gornal I've never considered myself to be from the Black Country. I'm not a fkn Brummie either though, as well you know.

I often refer to The Independent People's Republic of Smethwick as a b@st@rd state unwanted by both Birmingham and the Black Country. And that's just fine by me.