Walsall in the West Midlands is an industrial town about equidistant between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, in the heart of England's Black Country. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s transformed Walsall from a relatively small rural community into a centre for industry and commerce. All sorts of goods were produced here, from chains and saddles to painted ceramics and buckles. Limestone quarrying in the nearby hills also created plenty of wealth in the town. With the arrival of the canals and railway in the early 1800s, Walsall was put firmly on the map of industrial Britain. The 20th century brought further developments following a decline in industry, with new shopping centres such as the Saddlers Centre opening and new housing estates being established in outlying areas. The town also has a good museum with impressive collections of regional artefacts, and the local leather industry is still going strong. The Walsall Leather Museum was opened by the Princess Royal in 1988. Walsa