Local History page 19

LydiateAsh Road, close to junction 4 of the M5 and the A38 (Halesowen Road) Bromsgrove

The old cottages photo was taken in early 1988 shortly before demolition. The new, updated image was taken in February 2023 

Linehouse Lane

Wilkes farm was on Linehouse Lane, they were later related by marriage to the Brookes family of Staple Flat - see below. Nelson Wilkes originally ran the farm on land which was once part of Lord Austen's Estate. Nelson had two sons, Ron who married Winnie, and had two sons Philip & Michael & Cyril Wilkes, (who married Jean Brookes) they had three children, Martin, Timothy & Susan.  Martin worked with Cyril & Ron on the farm, and in the school holidays Philip helped out. In later years Philip ran his own workshop from the rear of 83 -85 Linehouse Lane. The family members all lived on Linehouse Lane at numbers 77,79,81 and 83.  The farm ceased to trade after the passing of Cyril and then Ron in the 1990’s. The Wilkes family have been traced back to the 1901 census, and most probably they were in the area earlier than that. Some members of the Wilkes family still live in Linehouse Lane. 

Cottage Lane- Cottage Farm