For years Netherton has lived in the shadow of Dudley, of which it is a part. However, this book shows that Netherton was a remarkably complete community in its own right – even though this was never recognised by the organisation of local government. Every ingredient of Black Country history was to be found in Netherton – coal mining, metal-bashing, canals, pubs, chapels, housing of all kinds, and an amazing variety of urban landscapes and vistas. Ned Williams, one of the Black County’s foremost local historians, wrote the first book about this neglected corner of the Black Country for Sutton in 2006, and the wide-ranging collection of photographs he presents here in this second volume will stir further memories for locals.
