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Safe Works
The Black Country is well known for safe making, including Sedgley and Gornal.
Charles Daniel Patent Safe Works, Bull Street, Gornal Wood.

1878: The Examiner and Times, 14 September.

GORNAL.
  SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A BOY. —A lad named Stephen Raybold (14), while engaged at work in Mr. Charles Daniel's Patent Safe Manufactury, Bull street, Gornal Wood, fell upon some sheet iron, and lacerated his legs to such an alarming extent as to necessitate his removal home. The unfortunate boy was attended to by Dr. Ballenden, and, although seriously injured is now out of danger.
In the 1871 census Charles Daniel is listed as an iron safe manufacturer, living at nr. 10 Chapel Walk, Gornal Wood.
A trade directory of 1880 lists Charles Daniel from Stafford, safe maker.
An old map c1890 shows a Safe Works established off Bull Street, located near Chapel Walk, this was undoubtably the works of Charles Daniel.
The works was sold in 1888 after Mr. Daniel's death. the sale described in the period sale notice, this was probably the time when Bradley & Flavell took over the safe making business in Bull Street.

1888: The Advertiser, 23 June.

To SAFE MANUFACTURERS, BROKERS, and Others. BULL STREET, LOWER GORNAL, Near DUDLEY
Messrs ROLLINSON and BECKLEY are intructed by the Executors of the late Mr. Charles Daniels to SELL by AUCTION on Monday, 2nd July, 1888, the whole of the
SAFE MAKING PLANT and MACHINERY,
as above, consisting of capital vertical STEAM ENGINE and BOILER complete, Three large SCREW PUNCHING MACHINES, large DRILLING MACHINE, Eight VICES, Two ANVILS, Pair of 30in BELLOWS and Frame, Quantity of Sheet and Bar Iron, Two large Setters, Quantity of Blacksmith's TOOLS, Cast Iron Bosh, Work Benches, Safe Making Tools, Old Iron, and together with the Superior
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
and Effects, CHAFF ENGINE, Capital COB PONY, Three Spring TRAPS, and numerous other effects.
Sale to commence at Eleven o'clock
Auctioneers' Offices, High Street Brierley Hill
Bradley & Flavell.
In 1896 Bradley & Flavell, were listed as safe makers in Lower Gornal. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
Bradley & Flavell were still listed in 1904 as safe makers.
In 1901 Census, Richard A. Bradley's occupation is 'safe maker', living at 37 Himley Road.
Arthur Moss.
Arthur Moss of Upper Gornal, was also a well known safe maker, an example of one of their safes is on display in the Black Country Museum.
Moss was licensee of the aptly named Painters Arms in Upper Gornal, it seems likely that the works was adjacent to the pub.
Arthur Henry Moss, age 33, was living at 5 Church Street, Lower Gornal in 1901, occupation 'Safe Maker', together with his wife Caroline and family including Son Arthur Henry age 5. [Census]. In 1897 Arthur Moss was living at No.3 Church Street and an address in Kent Street, Upper Gornal, in 1899 Arthur Henry Moss was still living at No.3.
Stephen Cox.
Stephen Cox Safe Works was established on the Dudley Road, Sedgley in 1890, Stephen Cox & Son were listed in a 1896 trade directory, the firm was trading until recent times, and produced a range of safes of both free standing and bank strong rooms.
They moved to Pensnett Trading Estate in the early 1970s but went into receivership in 1982.
The works on Dudley Road was demolished in the 1970s and six new detached houses built on the site.
Safe making in Gornal continues, Dudley Safes Ltd., in Deepdale Lane are one of the top manufacturers.
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