'Dudley & Dowell Ltd /Cradley Heath /Staffs' - so proudly reads this metal drain cover, which I saw near Norbury Junction.
It's the sort of thing one never notices - but the distinctive smell of sitting & stagnant water emanating from it, erm... alerted me to its presence.
Of course the town of Cradley Heath was 'moved' from Staffordshire into West Midlands County in a local government reorganisation nearly forty years ago, so it shows you how old this drain is - and how long these metal creations last!
In days gone by, the Black Country, of which Cradley Heath was part, really did have a reputation for iron work, so the address would have carried something of that reputation to the casual passer-by.
Believe it or not, old manhole covers by Dudley & Dowell are collectors' items.
Don't know about drain covers though. Hmm.
This post was featured on the City Daily Photo Monthly Theme Day.
A good take on the theme!
ReplyDeleteI would not go so far as to collect the actual item, but I do have a bulging folder on my hard-drive of this sort of grating from all over Sydney. Love 'em.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme day post.
ReplyDeleteGood one for the theme - I would have never thought of this!
ReplyDeleteYes, these areas have some rather pungent odors. Ours, too, are very strong and raccoons love crawling down into them. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThe smell vanishes in thin air. Good entry!
ReplyDeleteI like the photograph.
ReplyDeleteIt has to smell horrible. Good choice.
ReplyDelete