A former playing field next door to Smestow Valley Reserve’s Barley Field. To become the water feature for the residential development on Compton Park, and currently a muddy expanse.
The field is in the lower course of the Graiseley brook. This is one of the hidden streams of Wolverhampton, enclosed for almost all its length since Victorian times. It joins the Smestow just beyond the Railway Walk and the Staffs & Worcs canal, which are behind the trees in the background of the picture.
The brook used to run underground here, though evidently close to the surface – parts of the field became marshy after rain. Now it has been exposed.
The recent heavy rain has filled up the brook, as well as converting the rest of the field to soggy mud. The picture was taken yesterday. The mud might have dried a little with today’s welcome repite in the weather.