Family's long history with Kinver rock houses

Stuart Reeves had always known two generations of his family once lived in some of Kinver's historic rock houses but he has now discovered the family link is even stronger.

His father William and grandfather Sydney lived in one of the cave dwellings, which date back to the 18th century, in the 1930s.

Thanks to new research by the National Trust, Stuart, 57, has found out his great-grandparents were also living in another of the houses at the same time.

The occupiers of that house are listed as Mr and Mrs WH Reeves and Stuart believes his great-grandfather's name was also William, like his late father, who died 10 years ago. The family lived in the two caves from 1932 until 1937.

The house, where his father and grandparents lived, has been restored by the National Trust and is known as Martindale Caves. The house has been renovated to represent life in the 1930s.

Stuart, from Kinver, visited the rock houses when he discovered more about his family's connection with the dwellings.

The van driver, of Dark Lane, said: "I was looking at the paperwork and noticed there was another Reeves living there too. The initials are WH and I think the W would be for William as that was father's name. I was surprised as I never knew my great-grandparents lived there too. My father was only young when he lived there so he never spoke about the rock houses."

Up to 11 families lived in the cave homes. Three levels of homes were constructed in the rock. Each had a bedroom and living area. After the last two families moved out in the 1950s the buildings fell into disrepair.

Stuart said he felt honoured that his family were being remembered.