New Invention, Walsall

New Invention is a large suburban village three miles north of the town of Willenhall and four miles east of the city of Wolverhampton in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands, although formerly South Staffordshire, England. It is situated half way between Bloxwich and Wednesfield on the busy A4124 and A462 main roads.

History

It has rich coal deposits and a significant mining past, with many extensive mines being located in the area during the 19th and early 20th centuries, including primarily 'The Sneyd Colliery'. One present-day landmark running through the village, having extensive ties with the coal mining history of the area, is the Wyrley and Essington Canal. The 'Curly Wyrley' once used to transport coal via narrowboat to fuel industry in the neighbouring industrial havens of Walsall, Wednesbury and Dudley, seeing that New Invention and Black Country coal was playing a key part in the success of the British empire. The coal and industry have now almost entirely disappeared and the canal serves as a scenic walk through woods and green belt land to the factory lined towpaths of Walsall.

The village also has legacies of the area's lock and key making history, with two major producers factories being located there, 'Yale' locks and 'Squires' locks, except for the latter which has recently been demolished due to the age of the building and relocated in Essington; the land will now be used for more housing developments.

New Invention was developed mostly during the 1950s; prior to this it was a largely rural settlement, dominated mainly by farmland and rural collieries. However, following a population increase in Willenhall and a need for new housing, New Invention was developed. The most recent major housing development to be completed was the Coppice Farm housing estate, developed mostly throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Methodist preacher John Wesley once stopped in the village after being stoned and forced out of Willenhall, New Invention being, in those days, considerably more isolated from Willenhall than it is today. According to Wesley "I proceeded thence to New Invention, where I met with civility and kindness." Perhaps in recognition of John Wesley part of the present day A462 road travelling south from New Invention towards Willenhall is in fact named Wesley Road.

Transport

It is served well by transport links, being only 4 miles from the M6 motorway - linking it with the North, South and East of the country and its close proximity to the M54 motorway - linking the area to the West and Wales.

Despite its relatively small size a large number of bus services serve New Invention due to its location on the main Lichfield Road. These are mostly operated by National Express West Midlands, but also by Choice, Green Bus Service, Diamond Bus, A2Z Travel and Arriva Midlands. These services link New Invention to Wednesfield, Bentley, Walsall and the Coppice Farm, Beechdale and Lodge Farm estates.

The nearest railway station is Bloxwich railway station and the nearest Midland Metro tram stop is in Wolverhampton.

Facilities

The main shopping area is a small square surrounded by shops on three sides. There is also a Somerfield supermarket on the Coppice Farm estate and a popular Esso/Tesco service station on the A4124 (Lichfield Road). New Invention Methodist Church serves the area as well as two other churches. Several pubs in the locality include The Broadway and The Milestone. A former early 18th century inn - 'The Gate' has recently been redeveloped after the building began to fail in its former purpose as a public house, and is now a thriving Chinese take-away and Indian restaurant/takeaway.

The area is served by New Invention Library [ [http://www.walsall.gov.uk/new_invention_library New Invention Library] ] in The Square, which opened in 2007, replacing the old Forest Gate Library.

Education

The area is also served well by schools, including New Invention Infant School, New Invention Junior School and Beacon Primary School. The nearest Secondary school is Sneyd Maths and Computing College, located on the border of New Invention and Bloxwich.

Geography

The areas close proximity to surrounding countryside and greenbelt land towards Essington and Shareshill on one side of the area and the urban services of Wolverhampton and Walsall on the other makes it a popular commuter village.

References

External links

* [http://www.invention-i.walsall.sch.uk/ New Invention Infant School]
* [http://home12.teknical.com/LearningSystem/PortalHome/Portal.asp?Institution=newinvention&parameter1=&parameter2=&Campus=&TimeNow=3%2F5%2F2007+8%3A12%3A58+PM New Invention Junior School]