1966 onwards
In 1966 when the house was returned totally to the West Bromwich Corporation, a meeting of the council were suggesting that the House was unsuitable for community use. Room sizes were not suitable. It was suggested to be used an education type facility. A report was recommended for which no record is shown in Public papers.
Mr Podmore had concluded his history of Red House with
the words:-
"as long as it stands, the Red house will be a
monument to the iron age of plutocracy at the end of
the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries,
when hundreds of families in the Black Country,
hitherto poor, found 'gold' in coal and iron and
built palatial residences like the Red House and kept
large staffs of servants etc, while the working
classes employed by them toiled long hours in
distressing surroundings living in dwelling places
not worthy of the name of home."
Let us be thankful we have progressed somewhat since then!
The 'Red House' is currently leased to the BTCV conservation group who took on the renovation of this fine old building.
While significant work and projects are being undertaken in the park the house itself remains under used. The Friends of Red House Park continue to support the use of the house for community purposes and campaign for this outcome.
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- This site supports the work of the Friends of Red House Park and is a micro-site within www.B43.co.uk - Great Barr Past and Present
