Willenhall

Willenhall is a small town in the West Midlands of England, with a population of approximately 40,000. It is situated between Wolverhampton and Walsall, formerly in the county of Staffordshire. Most of the town is now a part of the Walsall Metropolitan Borough, although a small part is now contained within the City of Wolverhampton.

Related Topics:
West Midlands - England - Wolverhampton - Walsall - Staffordshire - Walsall Metropolitan Borough

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Willenhall is famous for the manufacture of locks, and the UK's National Lock Museum is situated within the town.

Related Topics:
Locks - National Lock Museum

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Lock making began as a 'cottage industry' with many families producing locks and parts for locks in sheds or outhouses at the rear of their homes. The men developed 'hump backs' through constant bending over work benches, filing etc.

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The town became known locally as 'Humpshire' and is still regarded with affection by many locals.

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As late as 1956 there were still local men who had humps. Some public houses even had holes in the wall behind the wooden bench seats to allow their patrons to sit comfortably with their hump in the hole. The last example of such a 'pub' was demolished in the early 1950's. Willenhall is still 'Humpshire' to many people.

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The northern border of Willenhall has always been adjoining greenbelt land, although Willenhall has expanded so much in the last 100 years that its northern border has been moved by about two miles. This is mostly due to housing developments in the Short Heath and New Invention areas.

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