7 Severn

Lightwoods Park. Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Smethwick, B67 5DP

I recall visiting Lightwoods every few weeks or so in my younger years and would have been learning about nature and wildlife. Part of that learning, were regular visits to the Aviary that stood within the entrance to the park.
This being fed by the Bearwood Bus Terminal. Both the park and Aviary were quite popular at the time, within the local and wider community (mid 1970’s).
Unfortunately. The Aviary no longer exists and serves as a reminder of our ever changing times.

A quick note on that here:
Where I say unfortunately. It should be observed that I visit my boyhood, as I describe my own recollections here. As such, and while I will reminisce. There is always a realisation that circumstances, situations and so on will of course change.
Were things to remain a constant, there would be no life at all. It must be in flow/change. Otherwise we have stagnation. We must therefore embrace change for the greater good of all.

If anyone should find themselves uncomfortable with this discussion in any way. Then please seek further assistance and guidance.

Back to the park:
There was also a paddling pool further in, on the left hand side area – which is now an enclosed cycle/skateboard track.

Back in the 1970’s. It became a mini adventure to visit here and at the time was not only the boundary of Smethwick. It was also an end point to my own local knowledge. I wasn’t yet aware of what lay beyond, to what I now know to be: Edgbaston. Harborne and Quinton.

Other features recalled and I believe still remain, are:
*Bowling Green.
*Bandstand.
*Water Fountain.
*Football Pitch.

As I am writing this particular post from memory. Any corrections will be made in the next post, after my visit.

It would be a major disservice to both Lightwoods and Smethwick, if I failed to mention. The most grandest features of Smethwick Parks, are found right here.
They are both Lightwoods House and Shakespeare Garden. More on those two in the next post.

A final note:
There are no photographs or attachments to this post. Two attachments will be included in our next post: Part Two of Lightwoods Park.

Thank you for reading.