THE varied history of Corngreaves Hall is the subject of a free illustrated talk during Black Country Week.

Historian Margaret Bradley will describe how the mansion accommodated iron masters the Attwoods and housed the offices for the Corngreaves Ironworks from 1771 until the time operations ceased in 1912.

The hall was also a retreat for inebriate women, a rehearsal space for the rock group Traffic and a golf club, before being recently restored to apartments. Margaret said: "There will be lots of pictures and maps and people can find out where there is still some good archaeology to be seen from the adjoining Corngreaves Forge and Hawne and Timbertree Collieries, which were worked by owners of the hall."

The talk is being held at Overend Methodist Mission, Banner's Lane, on Thursday, July 9 at 7.30 pm.