 Click above to Go Back to Front Page Join the Bilston Online Email Group/Mailing List and become part of the discussion. Click Here to Join |
So my American experience has come to an end, bringing me back to Bilston. As I wrote before In "Bilston ... No Place Like Home" I expressed my love for this town and that I have missed It dearly. It's back to the markets both outdoor and Indoor, the famous chip shop and many other quirks that make Bilston so special. From Newark, New Jersey to Bilston, West Midlands I can safely say It's great to be back! As I expressed before there Is no place like home! Can you guess where I went first when I got back to Bilston?
| Landing back on to British soil was one
thing, getting back to the West Midlands was a complete other story. As the
signs changed and the landscape grew more Industrial I knew that Bilston
wasn't that far away. Had Bilston changed? Would this town be the same as I
had left It back In 2012? Even though I had just spent close to a year In
New Jersey and New York It was time to get back to the good stuff, I really
needed the comforts of home. So It was off to 'The Major Fish & Chip Shop'
for a familiar treat, you can't beat a good Major's meal! My first week back home has been great, hearing the familiar tones of the Bilston accent, I don't care what anyone says we have a different way of speaking compared to those Wolverhampton folk! The weather hasn't changed and the way of the local Bilstonian's going about their business as they pass through the high street. As I have witnessed through the medium of the Internet that the Great British high street has been dying, well Bilston's high street Is still alive and kicking! Whatever the need there's always something that the Bilston folk will visit the town centre to have a look. |
 |
 |
Bilston Is home to two markets, one outdoor and the
other Indoor. The entrance to the Indoor market Is featured In the photo on
the left. Mainstream brands such as Superdrug and Boots The Chemist have
stores within the Indoor market. Firkins Bakery has a small store also, there was once a Bowens travel agency but now this has been transformed Into a First Choice Holiday Shop. The Façade of Indoor market has been transformed In past years to appear with a more modern exterior. I believe that Bilston will survive through tough times as this town Is made of strong stuff! From this town's Industrial past the future looks bright for this modern day powerhouse. Bilston keeps things personal, most businesses such as the green grocers and butchers are small Independent firms that suit this town perfectly. This town just Isn't suited to big corporations like large retailers that for the Integrity of this publication will remain nameless. Let's keep Bilston the way It Is! | |
| As of recent the weather hasn't been to kind to the
Bilston and West Midlands area, but we Bilstonian's are resilient and are not
fazed by a bit of snow and cold weather. I went to Bilston with my auntie to
collect some things from the Indoor market. Most of the shops remained the same since the last time I had been to Bilston's High Street, many staples such as Pete's Pantry Bakery and David Clark's Men's Outfitters are still trading, these shops have been a part of the Bilston way for a considerable amount of time. It is great to see that these businesses are withstanding the test of time! Newer additions such as Argos and Specsavers have made their mark on the high street, offering a range of local and mainstream brands for the towns people to benefit from. |
 | |
 |
St.Leonard's Church stands at the beginning of the
shopping parade, a timeless fixture of Bilston that has not seemed to change
over the years. There was a church on the corner of Wilson Ave In Newark's
Ironbound that was close to my apartment, something about that church just
wasn't the same compared to Bilston's own St.Leonard's Church. I think that
the St.Leonard's Church looks exceptionally picturesque In amongst the
wintry snow that has recently fallen upon the region. Below the church on the tram tracks Is the Midland Metro that continues to operate on a daily basis from Bilston to Birmingham Snow Hill Station, this vital transport link for Bilston Is currently being extended Into the heart of Birmingham's City Centre and finally to the brand new Birmingham New Street Station. At present these developments are still under construction, but when finished they will help connect commuters from the heart of Bilston Town Centre to Birmingham's bustling Business District. |
Thanks once again to Joseph for this contribution. More from Joseph Here and Here
