Walsall
258943
223731609
2008-07-05T14:23:19Z
86.164.231.89
{{for|the larger local government district|Metropolitan Borough of Walsall}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name= Walsall
| country= England
| static_image= [[Image:Walsall in 2007.jpg|250px]]
| map_type= West Midlands
| region= West Midlands
| population= 174,994
| os_grid_reference= SP0198
| london_distance= 124.1m
| latitude= 52.58
| longitude= -1.98
| post_town= WALSALL
| postcode_area= WS
| postcode_district= WS1
| dial_code=
| constituency_westminster=
| civil_parish=
| metropolitan_borough= [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall|Walsall]]
| metropolitan_county= [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
| constituency_westminster= [[Walsall North (UK Parliament constituency)|Walsall North]]
| constituency_westminster1= [[Walsall South (UK Parliament constituency)|Walsall South]]
}}
'''Walsall''' ({{Audio|en-uk-Walsall.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a large industrial town in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] of [[England]]. It is located northwest of [[Birmingham]] and east of [[Wolverhampton]]. [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of [[Staffordshire]], Walsall is a component area of the [[West Midlands conurbation]], and is sometimes described as part of the [[Black Country]].
Walsall is the administrative headquarters of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall]]. In the 2001 census, the town had a population of [[List of English cities by population|170,994]] with the surrounding [[borough]] having a population of [[List of English districts by population|253,500]]. Neighbouring towns in the borough include [[Willenhall]], [[Bloxwich]] and [[Aldridge]].
The Walsall dialect is often referred to as "[[Black_Country#Black_Country_dialect|Yam-Yam]]." The accent is also equally, and incorrectly referred to, as a [[Brummie]] accent by those who live outside of the West Midlands.
==History==
The name Walsall is thought to have derived from the words "Walh halh", meaning "valley of the Celtic speakers" (referring to the [[Celts]]). Walsall is first referenced as 'Walesho' in a document dated 1002, however it is not referenced in the [[Domesday Book]]. Although, it is believed that a manor was held here by [[William FitzAnsculf]], who held numerous manors in the [[Midlands]].<ref name=Glew3>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=3}}</ref> By the first part of the 13th century, Walsall was a small market town, with the weekly market being introduced in 1220 and held on Tuesdays.<ref name=freeling125>{{cite book|title=Freeling's Grand Junction Railway Companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham |author=Arthur Freeling |year=1838 |pages=125}}</ref> The Mayor of Walsall was created as a political position in the 14th century. Walsall is known as "the town of a hundred trades". (This appellation is a nod to the fact that nearby Birmingham is known as "the city of a thousand trades". Though at the time considerably smaller, Birmingham's growth to size larger than Walsall due to the adoption of a main railway line.)
The town was visited by [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]], when it was known as 'Walshale'.<ref name=freeling125 /> It was also visited by [[Henrietta Maria of France|Henrietta Maria]] in 1643. She stayed in the town for one night at a building named the 'White Hart' in the area of [[Caldmore]].<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=9}}</ref> [[Queen Mary's Grammar School]] was founded by [[Mary I of England]] in 1554, and the school carries the Queen's personal badge as its emblem: the [[Tudor Rose]] and the sheaf of [[arrow]]s of [[Catherine of Aragon]] tied with a Staffordshire knot.
The [[Industrial Revolution]] changed Walsall from a [[village]] of 2,000 people in the 16th century to a [[town]] of over 86,000 in approximately 200 years. The town manufactured a wide range of products including saddles, chains, buckles and plated ware. Nearby, [[limestone]] quarrying provided the town with much prosperity.<ref name=freeling126>{{cite book|title=Freeling's Grand Junction Railway Companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham |author=Arthur Freeling |year=1838 |pages=126}}</ref>
In 1821, St. Matthews Church was demolished with exception of the tower and chancel and replaced at a cost of £20,000<ref name=freeling126 /> to a design by [[Francis Godwin (architect)|Francis Godwin]].<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=20}}</ref> In 1824, the Walsall Corporation received an [[Act of Parliament]] to improve the town by providing lighting and a gas works. The gas works were built in 1826 at a cost of £4,000. In 1825, the Corporation built eleven tiled, brick [[almshouse]]s for poor women. They were known to the area as 'Molesley's Almshouses'.<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=28}}</ref>
The 'Walsall Improvement and Market Act' was passed in 1848 and amended in 1850. The Act provided facilities for the poor, improving and extending the sewerage system and giving the commissioners the powers to construct a new gas works.<ref name=Glew15>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=15}}</ref> On [[October 10]], [[1847]], a gas explosion killed one person and destroyed the west window of St Matthews Church.<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=21}}</ref>
It is a local story, although perhaps not accurate, that Walsall declined a [[railway]] line, which was later given to Birmingham, now the United Kingdom's second largest city. Walsall finally received a railway line in 1847, 48 years after [[canal]]s reached the town. In 1855, Walsall's first newspaper, the ''[[Walsall Courier and South Staffordshire Gazette]]'', was published.
Walsall underwent modernisation in the 1970s with a new town centre being built at the expense of some very old but good quality medieval properties. In 1974, Walsall was transferred from the county of [[Staffordshire]] to form the [[metropolitan county]] of the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]. Walsall is currently undergoing a new era of [[urban regeneration]] with many [[brownfield]] being replaced with modern houses, apartments and offices.
Construction is underway of St Matthew's Quarters. A new [[Asda]] store has already opened and when completed St Matthew's Quarters will also include brand shops and modern apartments. [[Walsall College]] will be moving to a new site within the town centre whilst on the old site [[Tesco]] will be building a new 100,00 sq ft shopping complex.
[[Image:Photo-0003.jpg|thumb|The traditional market of Walsall]]
The other plans are to redevelop Old Square Shopping Centre to make it much bigger and connect it to St Matthew's Quarters. The 800 year-old Historic Market also has a new vision for the 21st century. It will be moved lower down towards the town centre, making it more accessible along with up to date new-style stalls. The Historic Market will work alongside the new developments ensuring Walsall's future.
==Geography==
A local landmark is [[Barr Beacon]], which is reportedly the highest point following its latitude eastwards until the [[Ural Mountains]] of [[Russia]]. There was a plaque on the summit attesting to this, although it has been repeatedly stolen. The soil of Walsall consists of mainly of clay and there areas of limestone, which were quarried during the Industrial Revolution.<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=5}}</ref>
===Suburbs and areas===
* [[Alumwell]]
* [[Beechdale]]
* [[Birchills]]
* [[Bloxwich]]
* [[Caldmore]]
* [[Chuckery]]
* [[Coalpool]]
* [[The Delves]]
* [[Goscote, West Midlands|Goscote]]
* [[Harden, West Midlands | Harden]]
* [[Highgate, West Midlands|Highgate]]
* [[Leamore]]
* [[Palfrey, West Midlands|Palfrey]]
* [[Park Hall]]
* [[Pleck]]
* [[Reedswood]]
* [[Rushall, West Midlands|Rushall]]
* [[Ryecroft]]
* [[Tamebridge]]
== Economy ==
Walsall has had many industries, from [[coal]] mining to metal working including Willenhalls locks, but in the late 19th century the coal mines ran dry, and Walsall became internationally famous for the [[leather]] trade. Walsall still manufactures the [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen's]] handbags, and Walsall leather products have been found as far afield as [[Italy]]. Walsall is the traditional home of the English [[saddle]] manufacture industry, hence the nickname of [[Walsall Football Club]], [[The Saddlers]]. Apart from leather goods, other industries in Walsall include [[iron]] and [[brass]] founding, [[limestone]] quarrying, small hardware, [[plastic]]s, [[electronics]], chemicals, and [[aircraft]] parts.
Walsall has always been overshadowed by its much larger neighbouring city of [[Birmingham]] and nearby slightly smaller than Walsall city of [[Wolverhampton]]. However its proximity in [[Central England]] and the fact that the [[M6 motorway|M6]] runs through the [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall]] has increased its investment appeal. A [[RAC]] centre is located by J9 and there are now plans to redevelop derelict land in [[Darlaston]] and turn them into a state-of-the-art regional hub. Between [[Bloxwich]] and Walsall there is a business corridor where [[TK Maxx]] has recently opened a regional depot. Currently established businesses include [[Homeserve plc]] and [[South Staffordshire Water]].
== Education ==
Walsall is home to the [[University of Wolverhampton]]'s Sports and Art Campus. [[Walsall College]] provides [[further education]], and is based around three sites across Walsall. There are ten secular junior schools and two religious junior schools in Walsall. 45% of pupils in the Borough of Walsall achieved five GCSEs with grades of A*-C, below the national average of 56%.<ref>{{cite web| title = National Statistics | url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadPage.do?pageId=1006&tc=1189797530390&topicSearchText=education&a=7&b=276805&c=walsall&d=13&e=5&f=19355&g=377637&i=1001x1003x1006x1005&k=education&l=1470&o=152&m=0&enc=1 }}</ref>
===Primary schools===
* [[Alumwell infant school]]
* [[Alumwell Junior school]]
* [[Blue Coat CofE Infant School (Walsall)|Blue Coat CofE Infant School]]
* [[Butts JMI]]
* [[Chuckery Infant School]]
* [[Delves Infant School]]
* [[Hillary Infant School]]
* [[Park Hall Infant School]]
* [[St Mary's R.C. The Mount Infant School]]
* [[Whitehall Infant School]]
* [[Short Heath Junior School]]
* [[Lodge Farm Junior/Mixed Infant School]]
* [[King Charles Junior/Mixed Infant School]]
* [[Bentley West Primary School]]
* [[Palfrey Infants School]]
* [[Rosedale CofE Infant School]]
* [[County Bridge Primary School]]
* [[New Invention Infant School]]
* [[New Invention Junior School]]
===Independent schools===
* [[Mayfield Prepearatory School (Independent school in Walsall)|Mayfield]]
* [[Hydesville (Independent school in Walsall)|Hydesville (7-11)]]
===Comprehensive secondary schools===
* [[Alumwell Business and Enterprise College]]
* [[Barr Beacon Language College]]
* Blue Coat CofE Comprehensive School
* [[Joseph Leckie Community Technology College]]
* Pool Hayes Community School
* [[St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College]]
* St Thomas More School
* [[Walsall Academy]]
* Sneyd Community School
* Aldridge School Science College
* [[Willenhall School Sports College]]
* Darlaston Community Science College
===Grammar schools===
* [[Queen Mary's Grammar School]] (Boys)
* [[Queen Mary's High School]] (Girls)
===Private schools===
* [[Hydesville School (Private school in Walsall)|Hydesville School (11-16)]]
* [[Palfrey Girls School]] (11-16)
== Transport ==
[[Walsall Bus Station]], is made up of two smaller bus stations, Bradford Place and St Pauls. Services from St Paul's leave Walsall in many directions; there are services south-east to [[Birmingham]]; west to [[Wolverhampton]], [[Willenhall]] and [[Bloxwich]]; north to [[Cannock]] and [[Brownhills]]; and east to [[Sutton Coldfield]] and [[Aldridge]], with many to the latter. In addition, more infrequent services to [[Lichfield]] are run. St Paul's is also home to the Walsall Information Centre. Bradford Place operates buses mainly to the south and south-west, to [[West Bromwich]], [[Oldbury, West Midlands|Oldbury]], [[Dudley]] and [[Stourbridge]]. There are also numerous shorter bus routes which give the town centre a link to housing estates including Alumwell, Beechdale, Chuckery, Park Hall and the Mossley Estate.
[[Walsall railway station|Walsall Railway Station]] is a busy railway station; services operate to [[Birmingham]], [[Shrewsbury]] via [[Wolverhampton]], and [[Stafford]]. Between 1850 and 1964, Walsall also had direct passenger train links with [[Wednesbury]], [[Tipton]], [[Dudley]], [[Brierley Hill]] and [[Stourbridge]] to the south and [[Lichfield]] to the north, but these services were withdrawn due to the 1960s' [[Beeching Axe]] which saw passenger services completely removed from the [[South Staffordshire line]] between [[Lichfield]] and [[Stourbridge]] (via Walsall). The Walsall end of the southern part of the line (towards [[Stourbridge]]) is situated at Bescot Junction, and remained open until [[19 March]], [[1993]], when the line between Walsall and Brierley Hill closed to through traffic. It is set to re-open in the early 2010s as a single track goods line, allowing for the second phase of the [[Midland Metro]] which will run between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill.
Walsall is served by the [[A454 road|A454]] and the [[M6 motorway|M6]] for road travel. There are three junction on the motorway from which Walsall can be accessed from: M6 J7, M6 J9 and M6 J10. The stretch between these junctions is one of the busiest in Europe.
==Facilities and culture==
===Arboretum and illuminations===
[[Walsall Arboretum]] was officially opened on [[May 4]], [[1874]] by the wealthy Hatherton family. It was hoped that the park would provide "a healthy change from [[dogfights]], [[bull-baiting]] and [[cockfights]]", however the 2d ([[old pence]]) admission was not popular with the public and within seven years the council took over ownership to provide free admission.<ref name="arb_arb">{{cite web | title = Walsall Virtual Arboretum| url = http://www.walsallarboretum.co.uk/| publisher = Walsall MBC}}</ref>
Over the years the [[arboretum]] has seen many events and changes, including the beginnings of the Walsall Arboretum [[Illuminations (festival)|Illuminations]] as an annual event in 1951.<ref name="arb_lights">{{cite web | title = Walsall Illuminations 2006| url = http://www.walsall-lights.com/01_AtTheLights/History.htm| publisher = Walsall MBC}}</ref>
Originally white bulbs in trees for courting couples in the autumn, in the 1960s and 1970s, the lights were purchased second hand from [[Blackpool Illuminations]], but over the years they were increasingly made "in house" and are now all made "in house".
The Illuminations have up to sixty thousand bulbs and they need year-round planning.<ref name="arb_bbc">{{cite web | title = Walsall Illuminations 2005 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/articles/2005/10/05/walsall_illuminations_2005_feature.shtml | publisher = [[BBC]]}}</ref> Although the event had attracted an estimated 250,000 people in 1995, lack of growth beyond this figure has raised the prospect of major redevelopment.<ref name="arb_es">{{cite web | title = Final chance for Illuminations | url = http://www.expressandstar.com/articles/news/es/article_92338.php| publisher = Express and Star}}</ref>
===Art galleries===
[[Image:Walsall art gallery.jpg|thumb|right|New Art Gallery Walsall]]
The [[Walsall Art Gallery|New Art Gallery Walsall]] opened in 2000. It contains a large number of works by [[Jacob Epstein]] as well as works by [[Van Gogh]], [[Monet]], [[J. M. W. Turner|Turner]], [[Pierre-Auguste Renoir|Renoir]] and [[John Constable|Constable]]. The large gallery space is host to many contemporary exhibitions from locally, nationally and internationally recognised artists all throughout the year. The art gallery runs a range of different exhibitions. Major British contemporary artists such as [[Gavin Turk]] have exhibited there and international artist [[Joana Vasconcalis]] from [[Portugal]] is about to have her first British exhibition. Historic art displays such as [[Goya]]'s Dispartes are shown alongside of the Garman Ryan Collection with contemporary interventions from the galleries permanent collections making an appearance among the older works.
The Discovery Gallery is designed for families and children of all ages. It is an interactive space containing major art works and a large variety of interactive pieces designed to engage people of all ages with the art on display. The interactive theme is continued in the Garman Ryan Galleries and often in the exhibition spaces too.
===Public art===
The refurbished [[Sister Dora]] statue stands outside the Lloyds TSB building at the crossing between Park Street and Bridge Street. Opposite this, stood an infamous concrete hippo.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rivals: The Off-Beat Guide to the 92 League Clubs |author=Geoff Harvey |coauthors=Vanessa Strowger |pages=178 |year=2004 |publisher=Aesculus Press Ltd |isbn=190432813X}}</ref> It has since been moved to a corner in the square and has been replaced by a water fountain.
===Sports===
Walsall's football club, [[Walsall F.C.]], ''The Saddlers'', was founded in 1888 when [[Walsall Town F.C.]] and [[Walsall Swifts F.C.]] merged. They won their first game against [[Aston Villa F.C.]]. The club currently play in [[Football League One]].
Walsall also has a cricket club, [[Walsall Cricket Club]] who won [[Birmingham League Premier Division]] in 2006.
[[Walsall RUFC]] is Walsall's rugby union team who are currently competing in Midlands Division One. Despite the club finishing in the bottom half, the team has ambitions to return to the professional Division 3N.
[[Walsall Hockey Club]] currently play in Midlands League 1 and are managed by Sir Mark Grundy.
Walsall was home to a [[horse racing course]]. The Grand Stand was constructed in 1809 at a cost of £1,300 on a piece of land donated by the [[Earl of Bradford]] on a lease of 99 years. Soon after completion, one of the lower compartments was converted into a billiards room which contained a table donated by Lord Chichester Spencer of Fisherwick Park. Throughout the 19th century, races were held annually at the course on [[Michaelmas]].<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=30-31}}</ref>
===Shopping===
In 1809, a market house was constructed at the end of the high street, on the site of the market cross, for the sale of poultry, eggs, butter, and dairy products. The building was demolished in 1852 along with other buildings that had fallen into disrepair.<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=16}}</ref> A pig market was constructed in the town in 1815 on the high street. At its peak, the market would handle the sale of 2,000 pigs per day.<ref>{{cite book| title=History of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall |author=Edward Lees Glew |year=1856 |publisher=J.R. Robinson |pages=17}}</ref>
In 1847, the Corporation tried to construct a new market hall on the 'Bowling Green', to the rear of the Dragon Inn. The scheme proposed to use a large amount of public money to construct the hall. Shopkeepers feared that their businesses would be affected and demonstrations were held across the town against the proposals. The demonstrations forced the plans to be shelved.<ref name=Glew15 />
Park Street remains Walsall's main shopping high street with Bridge Street cutting through the middle to host two average-sized indoor shopping centres at opposite ends; 'The Old Square' and 'Bradford Mall' formerly known as the '[[Saddlers Centre]]'. The recent development known as '[[Crown Wharf Retail Park]]' is host to larger scale shops including the first non-food Asda store. Other redevelopments include that of the former 'Quasar Centre' now known as '[[Park Place Shopping Centre]]'. The [[Broadwalk Retail Park]] is also located within Walsall.
The area around the New Art Gallery Walsall is soon to be redeveloped into a huge shopping area coined 'The Waterfront' designed by architect [[Will Alsop]] (architect of the internationally recognised [[Peckham Library]]) with space available for restaurants, cafés and a new hotel.
=== Opinion ===
Walsall was rated the 'Unhappiest Town' in the country, in a poll by Yorkshire based First Direct.<ref name="999_clp">
{{cite web | title = First Direct Survey| url = http://www.999today.com/peopleandsociety/news/story/8222.html| publisher = 999 Today}}</ref> According to the survey, only 49% of the population claimed to be happy.
The town has also been accused of being 'The ugliest place in the world', and like '[[Ceaucescu]]'s [[Romania]] with fast food outlets' in an attack by [[Theodore Dalrymple]] of [[The New Criterion]] in January [[2001]].<ref name="bbc_clp">{{cite web | title = Walsall rejects 'ugliest town in world' tag| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1101377.stm| publisher = [[The BBC]]}}</ref>
==Famous residents==
* [[Francis Asbury]] - one of two founders of the Methodist movement in the United States was born in [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]], [[Birmingham]] and lived for a large part of his life close to the [[Sandwell]]/Walsall border.
* [[Fred Bakewell]] – The exciting 1930s Northamptonshire [[batsman]].
* [[Boy George]] – Another famous musical resident of 'The [[Beechdale]]', who spent much of his youth in the town as well as renting a flat for a time on High Street in the town centre.
* [[John Byrne]] – [[Comic book]] creator, born in Walsall but grew up in [[Canada]].<ref name="johnbyrne">[http://lambiek.net/artists/b/byrne_john.htm "Comic creator: John Byrne"]. URL retrieved 25 July 2006.</ref>
* [[Colin Charvis]] – British and Irish Lion and Welsh International studied at [[Queen Mary's Grammar School]] and played for Walsall RUFC.
* [[Peter Corey]] – Author of the ''Coping with...'' and television actor.
* [[Martin Degville]] – From the Beechdale, lived with Boy George and later went on to form [[Sigue Sigue Sputnik]]
* [[Don Gilet]] – Actor born in Walsall.
* [[Nick Gillingham]] – Olympic swimmer.
* [[Goldie]] – Drum 'n' Bass musician. Lived in the Stroud Avenue orphanage in [[Willenhall]], and attended [[St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College|St. Francis of Assisi RC Secondary School]] in [[Aldridge]].
* [[Rob Halford]] – Singer of heavy metal band [[Judas Priest]], was born in Walsall on August 25, 1951.
* John Holden - breeder of a [[Staffordshire Bull Terrier]] called ''Pilot''. The animal was exported to America by Charlie Lloyd, gained fame and sired 99 percent of all the American pitbull terrier's that you see today.<ref name="pawvill_clp">{{cite web | title = Charlie Lloyd’s Pilot| url = http://pawvillage.com/pedigree/dynprofile.asp?ID=SLD5YNXI61| publisher = Paw Village Database}}</ref>
* [[Noddy Holder]] – Lead singer of 70's rock band, [[Slade]], born and raised in the [[Beechdale]] Area of [[Walsall]].
* [[Jerome K. Jerome]] – Author of ''[[Three Men in a Boat]]''.
* [[Alex Lester]] – Presenter for [[BBC Radio 2]].
* [[Mark Lewis-Francis]] – 100 meter sprinter and a member of the gold medal winning 4x100 meter relay team at the 2004 Olympics, was born in Darlaston and attended Darlaston Comprehensive School. He is nick-named the darlaston dart.
* [[Peter McEnery]] - English actor of stage and screen, born 21 February 1940 in Walsall. He was reported to have given actress Hayley Mills her first ever kiss, while filming The Moon-Spinners (1964.) He has also acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
* [[Tony Mills (musician)|Tony Mills]] – Lead singer of Norwegian rock band [[TNT (band)|TNT]] (and previously Brummie rockers [[Shy (band)|SHY]]) lives in the town.
* [[Sir Henry Newbolt]] – Poet
* [[Garry Newman]] – Creator of the popular Half-Life 2 modification 'Garry's Mod'.
* [[Sue Nicholls]] – Actress in ''[[Coronation Street]]''.
* Mark Oakley – Screenwriter.
* [[Mark Rhodes]] – Runner-Up of pop idol, also born in darlaston.
* [[Sister Dora]] – Born in [[Yorkshire]] but lived locally 1865-77. She is honoured, for her compassion and her medical work by a statue in the centre of town, thought to be the first to a non-Royal woman in England. It stands next to the legendary concrete hippopotamus (known locally as George).
* [[Meera Syal]] – Comedienne, attended [[Queen Mary's High School]].
* [[James Underwood|Professor Sir James Underwood]] - Leading international pathologist
* [[Rachel Unitt]] – England Women's football star. Born in Bentley.
==Twin towns==
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Mulhouse]] since 1953
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/ BBC Black Country]
*[http://www.walsall.gov.uk Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council]
*[http://www.stmatthewswalsall.co.uk St Matthew's Church]
*[http://www.artatwalsall.org/ New Art Gallery Walsall] (Flash)
*[http://walsall.gov.uk/leathermuseum/ Walsall Leather Museum]
*[http://www.qmgs.walsall.sch.uk/ Queen Mary's Grammar School]
*[http://www.queenmaryshigh.walsall.sch.uk/ Queen Mary's High School]
*[http://www.walsallwonderland.co.uk/home.htm Walsall Wonderland - Alternative guide to Walsall]
*[http://www.borninwalsall.co.uk/ Born in Walsall - photos of large mural]
*[http://www.fellowspark.co.uk/ Pictures of Fellows Park football ground - old home of Walsall FC]
*[http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s44.htm/ Walsallfans.co.uk - Walsall FC supporters site]
*[http://www.walsallontheweb.com/ Walsall on the web - The online guide to Walsall]
{{West Midlands County}}
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