Category Archives: Uncategorized

Domestic service was a Victorian and Edwardian era social disease. One in three women are believed to have worked in this industry as servants by this time in history, and their “masters” included rogues like Arthur Albright and Samuel Barnett, … Continue reading →

This misadventure, another suicide comes from the Wakefield and West Riding Herald of 15th November 1902.  Fanny Beck obviously didn’t like life that much in Leicester as as school mistress and took a multitude of poisonous substances including phosphorus and match … Continue reading →

There has been recent activity at Rattlechain lagoon which may well be the supposed twice yearly “monitoring” by Rhodia/Solvay’s “environmental consultants”. Back in 2013, these were ERM, or Environmental Resources Management, who stated at an open day event concerning the … Continue reading →

“REMEMBER PHOSPHORUS ALLOWS NO SECOND CHANCES” These are the words issued in an Albright and Wilson propaganda video made some time in the early 1990’s, designed for its employees regarding safe handling techniques for this insidious chemical, white phosphorus,  forever linked to … Continue reading →

Once again we are into a phoney “consultation” period concerning the  future of planning in this concrete metropolitan borough. Sandwell’s planning department has always been bent, from elected members doing favours for their offspring to buy cheap land, to multiple … Continue reading →

  If there was any way in which this dire company could blame its staff for personal injury they would try it, and unfortunately, with the right judge, they could probably buy the outcome of any litigation. This piece from … Continue reading →

  The landscape of John’s Lane leading to Temple Way has changed over the last couple of years. Firstly the boundary with John’s Lane appears to have  visually changed. Take a look at these bing streetview images from 2013. I’m … Continue reading →

  So you thought that you were having a bad day? Spare a thought for this poor bastard from history! This misadventure involves a case of phossy jaw and early attempts to investigate the unsafe practices being undertaken at scumbag … Continue reading →

  Ten years ago this blog set out to tell the real story of Rattlechain lagoon and its murky history, a history protected by authority and Britain’s dirty wartime past. It set out to show how industrial pollution affects the … Continue reading →

Are you lucky enough to live in the 1km HSE consultation zone? HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, except if you worked for Albright and Wilson or Rhodia, in which case UP YER BUM!! Yes it’s that time of year when Solvay … Continue reading →