Sot's Hole and Bluebell Wood are fragments of ancient woodland which by some miracle have survived whilst West Bromwich has developed all around them. They are a reminder of the area's rural past, a source of endless pleasure for people today, and part of our natural heritage to be handed on to future generations.
Sometime in the past - the date is not
known - some of the wood was cleared to build two pools with dams
and sluices to boost the water supply to mills along the River
Tame. The sites of the pools are the marshy hollows in Sot's Hole.
A map of 1760 shows that they were there then. The same map gives
the woods the name "Chamber's Wood". The name "Sot's
Hole" is said to be given because of the hard drinkers who
used the "Bear and Ragged Staff" - a public house which
stood in Church Vale from 1719 - 1769.
The woods are home to many plants and
animals, some of which could not live in any other sort of
habitat. Because of this, and because there have been woods on
this land for thousands of years, they are very special. Local
people are now working to ensure the woods survive and continue
to provide homes for wildlife and pleasure for people.
In 1996 Sot's Hole and Bluebell Woods was designated a Local Nature Reserve by Sandwell Borough Council in recognition of its value for wildlife and the local community.
The woods are managed by Sandwell Valley
Naturalists' Club. The ancient practice of coppicing (cutting
trees down to ground level and allowing them to grow a number of
stems again) has been reintroduced, paths have been made to
prevent trampling of wild flowers, stiles have been erected,
arrangements have been made to enable local school children to
use the woods for education, and attempts are being made to
control Japanese knotweed which smothers many other plants. SVNC
are managing the woods with the permission of Sandwell Council.
Sandwell Valley Naturalists' Club: Secretary - Mike Bloxham Tel: 0121 553 3070
Sandwell MBC, Department of Leisure; Park Farm - 0121 553 0220
© Sandwell Valley Naturalists' Club & The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country 2003