Pelsall North Common Local Nature Reserve
Pelsall North Common Local Nature Reserve is a fascinating area of countryside approximately 4 miles north of Walsall town centre. It is an open area of grass and heathland, with some tree and gorse areas.
The common is 137 acres (55 hectares) in size. 92 acres (37 hectares) north of the canal are designated a Local Nature Reserve.
History
Pelsall village celebrated its Millennium in 1994. The first recording of the village was in Wulfruns Charter of 994AD where it was described as a 'waste'. At this time it was owned by the Canons of Wolverhampton. The whole area would have been wooded and part of Cannock Chase. It was a simple farming parish transformed by the Industrial Revolution.
Between 1215 and 1224 there were records of a mill at 'Peleshale' - this is thought to be the earliest settlement. The name Pelsall comes from the Saxon 'Peol' (probably the name of a man prior to the Norman Conquest) and 'Halh' meaning land between two streams (probably between Clockmill and the Fordbrook).
The common would have been used for rough grazing until 1794 when the Wyrley and Essington canal was built. The canal provided a vital link between local coal fields and the Black Country.
Between 1832 and 1888 a large area of the common was taken up by a huge iron works which was of great importance to the people of Pelsall village, providing over 100 jobs.
The Cannock Extension canal was built in 1863, and the iron works thrived. However, a sudden slump in iron prices forced the Pelsall Coal and Iron Company into liquidation. Towards the end of the 1920's the buildings and chimneys were demolished.
A huge machine called 'the cracker' was used to break up tons of foundry waste known as cinder and tap. This gave the common the local name of 'the cracker'. The machine was demolished after the Second World War.
Today, apart from its historical importance, Pelsall North Common Local Nature Reserve is extremely valuable as a nature reserve. Its rare plants and varied wildlife make the common a wonderful place to visit.