STREETS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=215 BGCOLOR="#CC3366" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04106732dkcfyw.png"> <div> S</div> <div> T</div> <div> R</div> <div> E</div> <div> E</div> <div> T</div> <div> S</div> <div> <B>LATEST     UPDATES</B></div> <div> <B>ROSBERRY STREET </B>07/08/08</div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #CC6699;" BGCOLOR="#CC99CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> Birmingham, England. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> </B></FONT><B> </B><B> </B><B>|   </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Birmingham, England. "><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BROOKFIELDS">BROOKFIELDS</A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="COMMENTS">COMMENTS</A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHURCHS">CHURCHS</A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SCHOOLS">SCHOOLS</A>   |   <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORY">HISTORY</A>   |   <A HREF="save_workhouse.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ARCHWAY OF TEARS">ARCHWAY OF TEARS</A>   |   <B> STREETS</B>   |   <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" PHOTOGRAPHS">  PHOTOGRAPHS</A>   |   <A HREF="pubs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PUBS">PUBS</A>   |   <A HREF="id13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STORIES">STORIES</A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING HILL">SPRING HILL</A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOKS">BOOKS</A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OLD FRIENDS">OLD FRIENDS</A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" NOW "> NOW </A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS">LINKS</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CC99CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>BROOKFIELDS</I></FONT><I> STREETS</I><I> and ROADS </I></div> <div> <U>THAT ARE or WERE INCLUDED IN  BROOKFIELDS </U></div> <div> <U>Your Street Stories</U></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U><IMG SRC="444e05f0.png" border=0 width="480" height="351" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></div> <div> <U>MAP OF BROKFIELDS</U></div> <div> Thanks to Bob Johnson 24/04/04</div> <bR> <div> <B>ALL SAINTS ROAD </B>(and about) </div> <div> As a kid I was a tatter, a  firewood supplier and  errand runner, I would do anything to get a few bob. I lived in <B>All Saints Rd</B> from 1950 till 1968. I think there was a printing factory in our road. When you turned 1st left down the hill there was a place calle Twist's which was a provision store ie cheese etc, the cheeese came in big barrells and we would make ski's from them. On the left hand side of <B>The Flat </B>was a Butchers (1 of 4)  I think they used to kill their own meat, we hated to see the cattle truck unloading the frightened animals going to their death.</div> <div> H V Smith was the cake shop along on the right and is still there.There were two cart selling veg, I think Mr Groombridge was one of the blokes who ran the one on the corner of <B>Heaton St </B>and the flat by the chemist on the corner, was there a Co Op Butchers on other corner?</div> <div> The two Reeves sisters were spinsters I think, they ran the <B>Pentecostal Church</B>, compassion was their middle name.<I> </I>We would go to Sunday School there while Mom and Dad had a kip? I realise that what I thought was the <B>Co-Op</B> was probably <B>Marsh and Baxters.</B> At the end of <B>The Flat</B> directly in front of you on <B>Icknield Street </B>was the <B>Bulls Head pub.</B> To the right of the pub was a garage where we would get our accumulator for the radio charged. There was also a pet food shop on the right hand side just past <B>Griffins Greengrocers</B> where we would get orange boxes for our mokes and <B>Woolworths,</B> later on there was a state of the art <B>bagwash </B>down that end. I remember taking our pet chicken to Clements to be killed for Christmas dinner. She kept popping her head out of the imitation leather bag. We had Speckles off the rag man. Mom served up a lovely Christmas dinner but nobody eat it we all just burst out cryin<I>g.</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >from</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Bryan W Drew    </FONT>Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>home@brywell.co.uk</U></FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >                                                                             </FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> MORE from Bryan</div> <div> One of the Aston's mention Kevin Flynn. Kevin was my best mate, I still see him today. </div> <div> Unfortunately Mrs Flynn ( Glady's ) has passed away but Alf Kevs dad is still alive. Kevin went to Switzerland with the Give a Girl Health fund he came back a new man, he has hardly lost a days work and is now a proud Grandad. Any way back to All Saints. Ted I actually lived in All Saints Rd opposite the Goods Yard. At the top of the Rd on the right was Matty and Margetts shop turn right to the corner was the <B>Hydraulic pub</B> ( Atkinson's I think ) across the Rd on the corner up toward <B>Lodge Rd</B> was Collins' paper shop, to the left was an electrical repair shop, the owners daughter had a hole in the heart operation so mom told me. Standing outside the newsagents turning left up Lodge Rd I think was a cobblers next to there was George's the Barbers, hope I'm in order, then there was a chip shop and then Lindleys Grocery shop. Over the road was the <B>Crown and Anchor </B>pub nicknamed the <B>Fireman, why?</B>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(anyone know)</FONT> Carrying on back down LODGE RD towards the Flat' past Scribbans where they had a lighting conductor on the dome you came to Dares House pub. in later years it was run by John Pratt who's car I used to clean, another bob. Then there was a hardware shop called Hinks I thinks, then a wool shop run by Terence Thorp's mom, a bit further down was the Post Office and then another pub. We are now at Park Rd facing the Flat. I feel I must mention Reggies Fish and Chip shop just in Park Rd. Reg and his wife Blanche had a little booth for about four where you could sit and have chips and mushy peas with a glass of red pop if you were lucky. Reg was bad on his legs but his service was first class. </div> <div> I was in the Choir at All Saints Church and remember Louis Jinks, He was a brilliant footballer along with Jimmy Spencer ( spanner ) from <B>Heaton St </B>I think.  Where do we go next? Maybe the Goods yard? <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Bryan Drew. 29/09/02</FONT></div> <div> This is a story that might interest you.</div> <bR> <div> About 35 years ago on a Sunday night ???? My Dad came home from the pub [ probably the Hydraulic ]  He had had too much to drink. Being a conscientious person not wanting to let his Boss down he asked my Mom who had not got a licence to drive his lorry fully loaded to Liverpool, Being a good sport she agreed. Off they went down <B>All Saints Rd</B> turning left along <B>Park Rd</B> and then left all the way up <B>Lodge Rd</B> then left into <B>Winson Green Rd</B>, they then arrived at the Junction with <B>Heath St</B>. Dad told her to turn right into <B>Heath St</B>. Mom let her foot off the clutch accelerating to pull away. By now her arms were tired, [ no power steering in those days ]  struggling with the steering she shot across the road and knocked the Church wall down. For years after you could see where the wall was rebuilt.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Bryan W Drew 08/10/02</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> *********************************************************************************************************</div> <div> <B>ALL SAINTS CHURCH</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > IN THE 50’s. </FONT></div> <div> On the same site as the school, was All Saints Church. Two of my three sisters were married here. Audrey (Whitworth) was married in 1955, followed in 1961 by Pauline (Baynes) .Details of the church are listed elsewhere on this website, but I do recall that on special occasions, the church was used by the school for services. In fact I was roped in as a choirboy during my time at the school. The vicar was a Mr Johnson. The pay was pretty good as I recall, but the solo voice and of course the money that went with it, were the preserve of the senior boys. Mr Woods was the choirmaster. He was a very dedicated man to his music, and as is so often the case, completely unsuited to teaching. The older boys walked all over him. Letting off bangers in the vestry, bullying we younger kids – Oh Happy Day! I will never forget my mother’s face when I arrived home with news that I was in the choir. Her joy soon turned to dismay however, when I bought the surplice home for her to repair. Mr Johnson says it needs a bit of stitching I nonchalantly informed her. She took it out of the bag and replied, A bit of stitching, It needs throwing out, that’s what it needs – it was threadbare! Nonetheless she set to, and on the Sunday following, there I was proudly wearing it, and singing my heart out! Fred, the senior choirboy, gave me a hefty dig in the ribs, as I went at it with gusto. What he knew, and I didn’t, was that a prospective wedding couple were in the congregation, and were going to choose the soloist for their wedding. Fred was determined that no one, but he would be that soloist. Any opposition to this notion was dealt with by swift and vicious retribution. Of course, had I have known then what I know now, I would have just waited for his voice to break! And they talk about angelic choirboys! Another boy in the choir at the same time as me was, Louis Jinks. He had a twin sister, and they lived in Hingestion Street. In about 1958, the front area of the church was declared out of bounds to we pupils, as two of the church steeples were in a dangerous state. They were eventually partly demolished and capped. This was some years before the final demise of All Saints. I recall that even in those days, the congregation was pathetically small. Clearly, even as far back as the late ‘50’s the writing was on the wall for All Saints Church.</div> <div> For my fifth birthday, I was given a MOBO trike. Tommy Morris, who lived on the opposite side to us at Highfield Terrace Brookfield Road, was about three years older than me. We would go off on a Saturday afternoon, unbeknown to his mother or mine, and would pedal down Crabtree Road, along All Saints Street, left into Lodge Road, all the way along Lodge Road, along Winson Green Road – does anyone remember the name of the bike shop in Winson Green Road – Dikes? Turning left into Peel Street then Aberdeen Street, we would come out on Dudley Road near St Patrick’s Church and Dudley Road Hospital. Turning left into Western Road, would bring us back where we started. I have no idea how long it took to make this journey on a kids trike, but I do remember that it was a regular feature of Saturday afternoon’s for Tommy and me. We thought of it as an adventure.</div> <div> As we got a little older, we discovered the delights and freedoms of the 96 bus service, and realized you could get on the bus without an adult. We would go ‘up town’ visiting the Science Museum or Art Gallery. I recall being impressed by the size and architecture of the buildings, as much as the exhibits. I would have been 5 or 6 years old at the time, and for those of you who wonder how I was allowed to make these trips without Mom or Dad’s permission, the answer is simple, I didn’t tell them! Tommy and I worked out a ruse where he would tell his Mom he was coming to play at my house, and I would do the same, substituting his house for mine! It also has to be said that whether or not the risk was real, the perception of the risk of being abducted was less then than it is now. Certainly that is my perception. It is a shame that kids seem to have far less freedom than I remember having. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >By Ken Aston</FONT></div> <div> <B>*******************************************************************************************************************************</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Astons</B></div> <div> <B> <IMG SRC="1aa96e20.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="226" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="1a896e30.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="227" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="142c8e20.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="226" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="144e1b30.jpg" border=0 width="225" height="179" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Alan Aston</B> </div> <div> A picture of my cousin Alan Aston, in a cowboy outfit, bought back from the USA in about 1953 or 1954, after his mother, my Aunt Gert made a visit to her brother who had emigrated there. The outfit is typical of the sort play garment popular with young boys at the time. No Star Wars here! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Jane Aston</B> </div> <div> A portrait of my Gran, Jane Aston born Hipkiss/Hipkins? One of her grandchildren is Alan Aston.  I was always told by my parents, that this picture was taken when my Gran was 17, which dates it to 1899. The fox fur stole around her neck was a popular fashion accessory for many years afterwards. I can only assume my Gran had dressed for the portarait, as the clothes she is wearing, are not typical of everday dress of the period. There is an inscription at the bottom of the original photo that reads: C. Norris 139 Dudley Road BIRMINGHAM, and 24 High St BRIDGxxxx (Bridgnorth?) </div> <bR> <div> <B>Frances at Highfield</B> </div> <div> A picture of my mom, Frances Elizabeth Aston (Giles) in the back yard of 2 Highfield Terrace, Brookfield Road. The 'pinnie' - pinafore, she is wearing, is a typical garment of the time, worn over a dress or similar, to protect the dress whilst doing household chores. This photo was taken in about 1952. My mother, like most women of the period, was a housewife at the time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Keith and Tommy</B> </div> <div> Tommy Morris and myself, who lived in Highfield Terrace Brookfield Road. Although about three years older than me, Tommy and I were best mates up until the time my family left the area in 1963. The 'Beatnik' duffle coat I am wearing dates this photo to about 1956 or 1957. We are in the garden of 13 - now 15 - Brookfield Road. The garden now forms part of a communal car park. For details of one of the many escapades that Tommy and I got up to, please have a look at the article,  Brookfield Road, life in the 1950's </div> <div> <B>****************************************************************************************************************************</B></div> <div> <B>BROOKFIELD ROAD  </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >21/04/05</FONT></div> <div> If any body rembers me from Brookfields Road please contact me <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Graham Sutton </U></FONT>formely of 10 back of 15 Brookfields Terrace</div> <bR> <div> [Found at last What a super site.You have helped me find a long lost friend thanks. ]</div> <div> Graham Sutton<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>graham457@btinternet.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>****************************************************************************************************************************</B></div> <div> <B>BROOKFIELD ROAD           </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B>14/06/02</FONT> <B> </B></div> <div> <U>LIFE in the 1950s</U><I><U> </U></I><B><U> </U></B></div> <div> What a pleasant surprise to find, whilst browsing the web, a site specifically for Brookfields, and a similar one for Winson Green. Both districts of Birmingham that figured largely in my formative years. My immediate family and I lived in Brookfeld Road. We had a large extended family who lived around us, and on my mother's side, in and around Peel Street, and latterly Barford Road, both of which are in Winson Green.</div> <div> I was christened Keith Aston, although since secondary schooldays, everyone has called me Ken. I was born at 2 Highfield Terrace Brookfield Road, in 1950, where I lived with Mom and Dad plus three older sisters - Jean Audrey and Pauline. We moved into number 13 from the terrace, a 'front' house in about 1954. The house is still standing, along with most of the other houses in Brookfield Road, but it has been re numbered 15. The end house of each of the original front terraces, was demolished during a 1980’s refurbishment, to make way for a car park for each enclave of properties. The result is that the terraces are much more open nowadays than they were in the 50’s. Another big difference is the quietness of the area. The factories, with the exception of most of the ones in Great Western Road, are gone and of course, the kids don't play on the street as once they did. There are also fewer kids than there were in the 50’s. so the atmosphere of Brookfield and adjacent roads, is much quieter than I recall. So much for the hectic pace of modern life! We stayed at number 13 until 1963, a time when a lot of the so called 'old' Birmingham communities were being rehoused. I remember the surname of the family who exchanged houses with us was Mariner. They came from Monument Road Ladywood. We were rehoused by the city council to a High rise flat in Highgate. Not a good move, in my opinion, as all the attractions of the old community were gone, to be replaced by the concrete jungle.</div> <div> Brookfield Road is a cul de sac. Our nearest shops were just at the open end of Brookfield Road in Crabtree Road. The shops that I recall were, in a right to left direction starting from the junction with New Spring Street were:</div> <div> Ansells outdoor on the corner of New Spring Street and Crabtree/Western Road. Run by Mrs Flynn, from about 1958. I don't recall who ran it before that time. Mrs Flynn’s son Kevin was a mate of mine. He had to spend some time in Switzerland, as he had terrible asthma, which gets me thinking. The air around Brookfields was not good in the 50's. Like most of the other kids of the time, I suffered terrible catarrh, but how come that more people are diagnosed with asthma today, despite the undoubted improved quality of air. Strange!</div> <div> Mr Podmore the butcher. Ran the shop with his wife for the whole period I lived in Brookfield Road. I was his butcher boy for a few months from my 13th birthday - 1963, until we left the area. Wages for two afternoons and a Saturday were £1.50. This compared handsomely with the paper kids wages of 37.5 pence per week. I was lucky to land that job, and sorry to have to give it up. Derek Wilson took over from me when I left. Mr Podmore had worked for Marsh & Baxter (of Brierley Hill) before he went out on his own.</div> <div> Garbutts the greengrocer. Again, they were there all my time in the area. They had as I recall 2 sons, both older than me. The younger boy was named Roger. I can't for the life of me remember the older boy's name.</div> <div> Mr Crutchley. He ran a cobblers shop until a few months before we left in 1963, when he retired. I remember my dad saying at the time that Mr Crutchley had run the same shop since the twenties, so he must have been in his seventies when he packed it in. Strangely, I don't recall Mr Crutchley ageing one bit over the years. He always wore a flat cap, leather apron, and could usually be found humming or whistling a tune to himself.</div> <div> Greenfields chippie. Janet Greenfield was best mates with my youngest sister Pauline. The Greenfields left the area about 1958, after which the chippie was taken over and run by Greeks.</div> <div> Wilkes paper shop. I remember that Mr Wilkes' first name was John. He was bald on top, and had a moustache. For Mrs. Wilkes character, think a younger Annie Walker from Coronation Street!</div> <div> Coopers grocers. I only remember a Mrs Cooper, who ran the shop. There was a son John. In the late 50's, early sixties, the Coopers sold out to a Mr LLoyd, a small man with a moustache. He was running the shop at the time we left.</div> <div> Brookfield Pressed Steel and Metal Works. A converted Victorian chapel next to Lloyds. Like a lot of industry in Birmingham at the time, it was right amongst the living area of Brookfield Road.</div> <div> Mrs. Evans Grocers. Across the road from Coopers, and coming back toward Brookfield Road itself, was Mrs Evans. She ran the shop while Mr Evans, kept the books and ran the house. It worked well for them, as they were still running the same shop when we left the area. My mom used to mind the shop for Mrs Evans when herself, Mr Evans and their only child Mary Mira, went on holiday for a couple of weeks each year. They always went to Portsmouth!</div> <div> Straying slightly along Crabtree Road, we come to Mrs Atkins, who ran a Drapery shop in the area at the time. She was a Tall lady who used a walking Street. If Mrs Atkins didn't ‘have it in’ she could certainly get it for you ‘from the Warehouse’</div> <div> Moving swiftly along, back in the direction of Brookfield Road, and opposite New Spring Street, stood Gucks. Mr Guck sold hardware, and in 1959 supplied me via my Dad, with a Runwell two wheeler bike, made as I recall in Tyseley. Mr and Mrs Guck had a son Roger. They like some of the other shopkeepers, did not live above the shop, which was left empty.</div> <div> Moving further along into Western Road, were two other shops each, like Gucks on the right hand side. They were not used the whole time we lived in Brookfields, but I remember that a large family, the Tierneys, lived opposite. For a while, one of the sons ran the shop, as a decorators merchants. I also vaguely recall that the other shop was something like a drapers or needlework shop for a while. To close this section, and speaking of the Tierney’s, does any one recall Pete Tierney and the Nighthawks. Pete, I think was the eldest son.</div> <div> Finally on entering Brookfield Road itself, on the right hand side about two thirds of the way along, was Stanton's. This was a shop converted from someone’s front room, and closed during the late ‘50’s, when Mrs Stanton retired. I can just remember going in there for bits and bobs. My eldest sister Jean spent a lot of time with my Gran during the ‘30’s. Gran Aston lived at 7 Claremont Place until she died aged 92, in 1964. Sister Jean tells me that she remembers as a kid in the 30’s, seeing the Oxo wagon delivering to Stantons. Apparently it was literally a covered wagon, pulled by a large Bullock! My mom and dad lived across the wall from my Gran at number 7 Landsdowne Place. Next door to them was mom’s sister – Aunt Nell and Uncle Herbert (Mogford), whilst on the front at number 36 Brookfield Road, lived Aunty Maud and Uncle Edgar (Powell). With various cousins , uncles aunts etc coming and going, this is what I mean when I refer to a large extended family living in the area at the time!</div> <div> Opposite number 36 was a warehouse for HJ Heinz & Co. of 57 varieties fame. The warehouse was just that, a storage facility. It was busy five and a half days a week, with deliveries etc. The old building was demolished in the late ‘50’s, and replaced by a modern structure. I recall Heinz moved out after 1963, and I think there was an engineering firm who occupied the site before it was demolished. It lay derelict for some years, before being developed for housing. With an arm of the Soho loop Canal adjacent, I can quite imagine how these houses are considered nowadays as ‘waterside residences,’ whereas we would have thought of them as being next to the Cut!</div> <div> I hope to contribute further to the site, and would love to see some of the old photo’s in and around Brookfields.</div> <div> by Ken Aston</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>********************************************</I></div> <div> <B>BROOKFIELD ROAD </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >09/02/04</FONT></div> <div> It was so nice to read about Brookfields Road, but I noticed an error, my grandmother was Mrs Atkins who owned the drapery shop. Nan did live in Crabtree Road and the drapery shop was also a book exchange, Granddad used to go round on his bike exchanging books and taking orders, Nan only had one leg as the other was lost when she was 2 when she was run over by a horse and cart. </div> <div> Nans husbands name was Charles, they had 2 children John and Muriel known as Jane who was my mother, she married John Wiggins one of 7 children by Jack and Lois Wiggins from 12/13 Brookfields Rd. John Atkins now lives in Wigan but John and Jane Wiggins both passed away in South Africa a couple of years ago, there are still a lot of the Wiggins clan around with plenty of stories about Brookfields to tell I bet. </div> <div> Ann Whittall <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>ann@shoptalk.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>******************************************</I></div> <div> <B>BROOKFIELD ROAD </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >12/02/04</FONT></div> <div> Does anyone remember the Wiggins family, we lived at <B>No 11 Highfield Terrace</B> from 1930 until the late 60s There were 6 children, First Harold, then John who married Jane Atkins from the Drapers shop, next was Lewis who now lives in Shard End, he told me about your web site, next was myself Margaret still very much around, then came Alan who has been living in South Africa for 26 years, and is also going to contact you with his memories, last was Marjorie, who lives in Bickenhill,, we all attended All Saints school, and remember Miss Cole very well, I have not seen anyone mention a teacher called Mr J. Roberts, everyone was terrified of him and my brother John taught me a song does anyone recall it. JONNY ROBERTS WAS A VERY GOOD MAN, HE WENT TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS HE PRAYED TO GOD TO GIVE HIM STRENGTH TO TAN THE KIDS ON MONDAY'S </div> <div> I would love to hear from anyone who remembers us Wiggins, there are stll four of us around.</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Margaret Yeates </FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>myeates@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>*******************************************</I></div> <div> 31/01/04</div> <div> My Grandmother Minnie Loyns was born at 3 Highfield Terrace Brookfield Road on 28/11/1888 Mother was Louisa Elizabeth Loyns Father Thomas Loyns a Police Constable </div> <div> Rod Lees<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >          Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>rodlees@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>**********************************************</I></div> <div> <B>BROOKFIELD ROAD  </B></div> <div> <B><U>My Memories</U></B><U> by </U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Alan</U><U> Wiggins  13/02/04</U></FONT></div> <div> At the time I was born - in Dudley Road Hospital, on 20th July 1935, my parents John and Louisa Wiggins were living at 11, <B>Highfield Terrace, Brookfield Road</B>.  We always said our address as 11, Highfield Terrace, because it sounded so much posher than "11 backa 13".  Mom, Dad, Harold, John, Lewis, Margaret and me, (Marjorie came later) were all crammed into a 2 up 2 down (+ kitchen), but we did have front and back gardens and our own loo.  Our entry consisted of 13 houses and at that time from No. 1 to 13 the occupents were :-  No.1 the Nicholls, 2 the Andrews/Astons, 3 the Hawkes/Butlins, 4 the Vaughans. 5 the Barnes/Davis, 6 the Pike/West/Smiths, 7 the Griffiths, 8 the Shiners, 9 the Badgers, 10 the Poutneys, 11 the Wiggins, 12 the Suttons, 13 the Lanes/Taylors.</div> <bR> <div> Just over the wall at our back gate, was a small Chapel, where Spiritualist meetings were held every Sunday morning. You could go and have your fortune told for a small fee.  The singing however, was awful!!!</div> <bR> <div> Life in the late 30's was pretty hard, but we never went hungry.  Dad worked at Bellis & Morcamb in their foundry and Mom was a charlady for our Doctor - Doctor McKernan. However I often ran errands for 1d for the gas meter.</div> <bR> <div> When the war started in 1939 I was four and started School at All Saints.  The Headmistress was Miss Cole and my first teacher was Miss Orme.  The highlight of my time there was taking the Lead part in the School Play about a court jester named Merryheart.  Having to sing solo in front of all the parents was a terrifying business.   I was in the Church choir for a time, but I fell foul of the Vicar, the Reverend Jackson. He caught me ringing the Church bells and reported me to my Mom, who promptly told him to "bugger off".  Then hit me round the ear with a wet floor cloth!!</div> <bR> <div> The war was to me pretty exciting.  When the bombs started falling, we all retired to our cellar which Dad had reinforced and fitted out with bunk beds.  The closest bombs dropped to our house, were in Prescott Street.  One outside the Prince George and the other close to Watty Green the Bookmaker's house.  I do remember watching the glow in the sky when Bulpits was hit and going out looking for pieces of shrapnel.</div> <bR> <div> After All Saints, I went to Handsworth Grammar School, from 1946 to 1951 and was a member of Edge House.  The Headmaster was the Rev.J.J. Walton, who loved to use his cane at every opportunity.  I was caned four of the best on my backside twice, once for running in the corridor, (mind you, I did run into him!) and once for not doing my homework.</div> <bR> <div> During this time I didn't get much time for mates, but my particular friends were Gordon Parsons from No. 5 Brookfields Road and his sister Margaret, George Palin who lived at about No. 8 Brookfield Terrace, Albert Day and Graham Sutton, who taught me how to smoke!</div> <bR> <div> As I remember, the surrounding shops, the ones in Crabtree Road opposite Brookfield Road were from right to left :-  The Off License,  C.V Bull the Butcher, managed by a Mr George Bell, then Wilkes the Greengrocer. Then the Chip Shop, then Crutchley the Cobbler. Then there was a Drapers with a Hairdressers in the back room, then Boyles the News Agent, then Coopers the Grocer, who used to have Wimbush's cream cakes!</div> <bR> <div> From Brookfield Road down Crabtree Road were  - Evans the Grocer, Atkins the Draper (My brother John married Muriel (Jane) their daughter) Blackhams the Confectioner, Weavers who sold sweets and cigarettes, Parker the Tobaconist.      Coming up Crabtree Road, there was a Cafe' then Miss Gazey who sold candles and paraffin, Keedwells Furniture, a Drapery Shop, then the Prince George on the corner.</div> <div> With all those shops on our doorstep, I could never understand why my Mom always shopped on "The Flat"? The trudge back home with bags of spuds and cabbage etc. was an absolute killer!</div> <bR> <div> Going to School was an adventure in itself, as often the magnificent Clydesdales which pulled the railway carts, were returning to their stables, which were situated on the corner of Crabtree Road and All Saints Street.  The roadway was cobbled and the horses' shoes struck sparks as they scrabbled for grip on the slippery surface. Often they slipped and it was an enormous effort for the handlers to get them to their feet.</div> <div> The horses which pulled the Scribbans Bakery cart however, were entirely different, they were like Hunters and very sedate.  Our biggest "dare" was to run under a Scribbans horse!</div> <div> I remember watching those horses being shoed at the Blacksmith in Clissold Passage at the side of the canal and wondering how they managed to do it without hurting the horse.  </div> <bR> <div> The canal system was our major playground.  We rode our bikes along the sloping banks and towpaths for hours on end.  We made slides when they froze over and even swam in them in the summer, yuk!!  We often "borrowed" coal boats from the boat dock at the end of Brookfield Road and went for joy rides!</div> <bR> <div> We were one of the few families who had a car in those days - a Wolsely 9  No. XG 2484. My Dad and my brothers spent more time fixing it, than driving it, but it made a splendid place to act out our imaginary journeys to the seaside and beyond.</div> <div> It was garaged in a lock up, sandwiched between the School and the railway lines.  This was the ideal place to trainspot the GWR Engines, even though it was a good distance from the lines.  Many a happy hour was spent here trainspotting, as I was the chief bottle of tea fetcher for my Dad and brothers, as they dismantelled the old Wolsely and put it back together every weekend.</div> <bR> <div> In my late teens, I played for Brookfields cricket team in the Birmingham Parks League.  Our Captain and Manager was Doug Constable, who, with his younger brother Don, were the leading lights in the team.  I was the fast bowler, but at 5' 2" I was a bit disadvantaged.  I got a lot of wickets though!</div> <bR> <div> I stayed in Highfield Terrace until March 1960, when I left home to marry Val (nee' Morris) my wife of nearly 44 years. We left the U.K. with our children Ian, Andrew and Jenny in 1976 and now live in Edenvale in sunny South Africa.  Our Daughter Jenny lives with her husband and three children in San Ramon in California.  A long way from Brookfields, but the experiences and values learned living there, will never be forgotten.</div> <bR> <div> Coincidentally, Val's Grandmother - Constance Maria Bird, a direct Decendant of the famous Bird Family of Barton House, Warwickshire and India, was born at No. 20  Brookfield Road in 1891.........</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Alan Wiggins </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >        </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >Email</FONT>  -  <U> valandal@worldonline.co.za</U></div> <bR> <div> <I>*****************************************************************************************************</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>BROOKFIELD ROAD </B></FONT><B> </B>13/07/05</div> <div> What a find. Names come rolling back.I was born at 2 Brookfields Road in 1940.Went to Ellen Street Primary and then Barford Road Secondary. </div> <div> Left in 1959 for Australia. I live in country Victoria. Hope to write more later. <B><U>Does anybody remember</U></B> the <U>great street party we had for Queen's Coronation? </U>Money was collected for weeks and although I was only twelve I remember it as a great day. </div> <div> John Flint<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>flinties@wideband.net.au</U></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>***********************************************************************************************</I></div> <div> CAMDEN DRIVE<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >29/11/06</FONT></div> <div> Just come across your site and found it very interesting. My Moms childhood was in Camden drive Off Camden Street along with 5 sisters and 2 brothers, only one sister is still alive. The family name was <B>Orton</B>, most of the sisters married local men in and around<B> Camden Street / Drive / Grove.</B> I have many names to put forward to see if any memories can be forthcoming. <IMG SRC="78a2cd50.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="213" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I have a few photo's, one of a group of men outside the George and Dragon, Albion Street circa 1930's, nearly all are named. Also a classroom photo in St Paul's School for girls circa 1937. most with names. If any of this is helpful I would be pleased to post it on your site <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >(Photos now on the Schools and Pub pages)</FONT>. </div> <div> My Aunt who is the only survivor from the family and is now 83 has many memories of the area and remembers the night very vividly as she calls it 'when we were bombed out' in 1942. </div> <div> So if any of this information is of use please write back and I can obtain all the details for adding to your site.</div> <div> Kind Regards    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Jack Slade</FONT>  E-mail <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333CC" FACE="Arial" >jackslade@blueyonder.co.uk</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Orton Family group photo taken about 1937 in Camden Drive.</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> L-R Back row Lillian, Charles, Mary Jane, Gertrude, William. </div> <div> Middle row, William Ambrose, Kate,</div> <div>  Front row. Rose and Kate(Kitty).</div> <div> From Jack Slade<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(05/11/07)</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <U>May I just thank you and your great site. </U></div> <div> Last year I posted some pictures and comments on the Brookfield site, regarding the <B>family of Orton's </B>of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Camden D</B></FONT><IMG SRC="925ad2c0.jpg" border=0 width="173" height="300" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>rive</B></FONT>. In July of this year I was contacted by <B>Cynthia Hobson</B>. She enquired if I knew anything of her family named<B> Chapman</B>. Well I can tell you that came as a shock. The photo I have attached is of my Mom <B>Lillian Orton</B> and her best friend <B>Clare Chapman</B>. It is one of the very few photographs I have of my Mom. Fooling around in Camden Drive, dressed as men circa 1928. </div> <div> I sent it to Cynthia and I quote her reply </div> <div> <I><B>Well.....you just have to imagine how excited I was when I got your email - and the photo just blew me away!!!!!!!</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> <I><B>I was hopping up and down and jumping around like a demented being.</B></I><B> </B></div> <div> Like myself, Cynthia has very few photographs of her Mom, and none of her as a young lady. So to cut a long story short, we met up and went down to Camden drive and reproduced the photo 80 years later. Somewhat different to those two young ladies who had there lives yet to live. I just hope they had a little glance down at us two in the 21st century, still remembering our Moms. They died in 1976 (Clare) and 1981(Lillian) not knowing what either of them achieved, I hope they do now. </div> <div> This was only possible through your web site, again from myself and Cynthia thank you very much.   Kind regards  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" > Jack Slade</FONT></div> <div> On the right Clare Chapman. </div> <div> With  Lillian Orton on the left.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>*************************************************************</I></div> <div> <I>CAMDEN STREET</I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>  " THE GROTTO" </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Times New Roman" >1927       </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >JOSIE</FONT> please contact Karen Butler <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>kbb01@yahoo.co.uk</U> </FONT>family research.              </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I><IMG SRC="1b190020.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="258" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman" >Back row</FONT> L-R ?,?,?,?,<B>Joseph Homer (Licensee)</B>?,?,?,</div> <div> Middle row<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Times New Roman" > Ada Green nee Martin, Joseph Green,  ?,  ?,  ?,</FONT></div> <div> Magdaline Homer, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >Marjorie </FONT>Homer.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Front row<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Times New Roman" > Stanley Homer, ?,?.</FONT></div> <div> Photographs from Josie George nee Homer</div> <div> "The Grotto" was demolished around  1969</div> <div> ADA GREEN (NEE) MARTIN HAD A SHOP IN INGLEBY STREET LADYWOOD WHERE THEY SOLD ACCUMALATORS FOR RADIO'S.</div> <div> ERIKA PHILLIPS <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>ERIKA_MURPHY07@YAHOO.CO.UK</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>CAMDEN STREET </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" ><I>21/01/08</I></FONT></div> <div> Awsome. My great grand parents lived at 150 Camden Street Birmingham England between 1916 and 1919 while my great grandfather Served with the 117th Overseas battalion. Their names were Samuel Ash and Nellie Ellen Wheeler Ash.</div> <div> Heather Harrington  EMAIL: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>rubyred5714@yahoo.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>CAMDEN STREET </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>18/12/07</I></FONT></div> <div>  I Lived In Camden St At Number 150 Can Some One Remember Barbers Shop On The Corner Of Camden St And Icknield St I Think It Was Called Prudunce Thanks</div> <div> Derek Lee <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > EMAIL : </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Derekandrene@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <div> PRUDENCE <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >was the name of the barber they were on the same side as Bullpits. Their son is still in buisness today in Shirley. (Ted)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>CAMDEN STREET  </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >27/12/05        </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#003366" FACE="Arial" ><B>POSTERS SUPPLIED BY MAC JOSEPH</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><IMG SRC="665fa1c0.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="668904d0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="77" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <I><IMG SRC="669fad50.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="213" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>CAMDEN STREET</I></div> <div> I moved  from 258 Camden St in 1953 to "The Baths Cafe" - opposite the Monument Road Baths. I married Maurice King (who was the proprietor in 1953). His father was 'Wal' King famous for his boiled ham & 1 penny pieces of jam for the kids after they had been swimming, we stayed there until it was demolished.</div> <div> You could add to the list of Spring Hill Shops 'Peggy Shaw's Hair Salon' were I worked for a number of years before I was married. We will look for any things we have on the old area and let you have them.</div> <div> Keep up the good work - we will be contacting other people we know from the area and try to get them involved. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >by June King (nee Millichamp) </FONT></div> <div> Peggy Shaw's Salon now added to Spring Hill shops.Thanks</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="3dee62c0.jpg" border=0 width="230" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="3e0872c0.jpg" border=0 width="391" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> CAMDEN STREET  1967                          CAMDEN STREET  1969    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >photos from mac Joseph</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> *****************************</div> <div> <B>CAMDEN STREET</B>   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >17/06/05 and 20/06/05</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> I used to live at <B>7/356 Camden Street </B>in the sixties I have fond memories of Brookfields and remember names like Pauline Harris,, Stephen and Peter Kavanagh we all used to go to the youth club at the church in George St West great times..Also there was Trevor Jones he lived in Roseberry Street (i think that is how you spell it) Johnny Groombridge (Newspring Street) Pat Hamil  (Newspring Street) Russel Adams (Prescott Street) Yvone Gregory (Ellen st). I also remember Ian Colston and his brother Maurice they used to go to the youth club at St Peters church in George Street  West. </div> <div> I am still in regular contact with Trevor he is my oldest friend</div> <div> <B>I would love to know what everyone done with their lives,</B></div> <div>        Great site.</div> <div> Anne Gallagher        Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>annegallagher@hotmail.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  In my message on Camden Street I mentioned Trevor Jones my oldest friend sadly Trev died earlier this year</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#DDDDDD" FACE="Arial" ><B>Anne Gallagher</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Email: </FONT><U>annegallagher@hotmail.co.uk</U>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >29/05/06</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> *****************************</div> <div> <IMG SRC="40d90fd0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="253" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> ***************************************************************************************************************************</div> <bR> <div> CARVER STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(not Brookfields by very near) </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >05/11/06</FONT></div> <div> My mother was born in the Brookfields area in 1910.</div> <div> Most of her family prior to that can be found in Pope St and Carver Street.</div> <div> I am about to collect her memories of that area until she left in 1935.</div> <div> Any questions about that area during that period you would like me ask her please free too do so.</div> <div> Chris Busby Worcester Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>chrisbusbyoutbase@lineone.net</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CARVER STREET</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(not Brookfields by very near) </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >29/11/06</FONT></div> <div> I stumbled over your website last night and found it quite fascinating. In particular the photograph and history of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>The Vine </U></B></FONT>at the corner of Carver Street and Tenby Street. </div> <div> My grandfather, Frank Arch, was licensee of the Vine from roughly 1920 to 1930. He has been a jewel polisher by training, but when the First World War broke out the business more or less collapsed. </div> <div> He had three young daughters to support (plus wife and elderly mother), so he switched career into the licensed trade - a family member was already in the business, which no doubt helped. </div> <div> After he left the Vine he ran a couple of other pubs in the area and eventually retired about 1940 or so. He died aged 80 in 1958 - we lived in Liverpool then and I ca<IMG SRC="7872ce10.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="225" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">n just remember him from family visits when I was quite small. <IMG SRC="784c72c0.jpg" border=0 width="199" height="300" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I've lifted a copy of the photograph from your website, but if you are able to put me in touch with the picture's owner so that I can get a scan at higher resolution I'd be grateful. I'd like to send a copy to my aunt, Frank's last surviving daughter who is blessed with excellent health and a good recall at the age of 95. I'm sure she doesn't have a picture of her childhood home. </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I've attach ed a couple of pictures which may be of interest. </FONT><B><U>One is of "</U></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#3333FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>The Vine site today</U></B></FONT><B><U> "- last year to be accurate</U></B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >- and the <U>other is of </U></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Frank and his family</U></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#339900" FACE="Arial" ><B><U> </U></B></FONT><B><U>in about 1910. My mother is the younger child on the picture - the older girl is in fact a cousin.</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Regards, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > William Leece, Liverpool.</FONT>       E-mail  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333CC" FACE="Arial" >wjleece@blueyonder.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >CARVER STREET </FONT>(not Brookfields by very near) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >01/09/05</FONT></div> <div> I am looking for a photograph members of the public may have of <B>The Vine Inn, Carver Street.</B></div> <div> During the War the Pub took a direct hit on 12th December 1940 .</div> <div> My relative Alfred WAKELING the Landlord was killed during the raid. He was aged 56.</div> <div> It appeared that his 2nd Wife Mabel WAKELING ( Maiden name unknown ) Died along side him.</div> <div> However she was found in the cellar , possible after her own funeral had taken place.</div> <div> This does appear to be true as It seems there are two Grave number entries for her, at Key Hill Cemetery .</div> <div> Both Alfred & Mabel were Remembered with honour from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.</div> <div> To assist My family History I am looking for any memories from anyone who may recall that fatal night. </div> <div> The Large Wakeling Family , all lived and worked in the Brookfields & Hockley area. </div> <div> Regards   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Jacqui Fielding </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="63cc21c0.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="284" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <B>"THE VINE"</B> PUB</div> <bR> <div> CARVER STREET corner of</div> <bR> <div> TENBY STREET NORTH</div> <bR> <div> Taken  1935 aprox.</div> <bR> <div> Photo thanks to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Helen & George Tubb</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>In responce to</U></B></FONT><B><U> </U></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Jacqui Fielding's</U></FONT><U> </U><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>request  above </U></B></FONT><B><U> </U></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >31/10/05</FONT></div> <bR> <div> When i was a child my father & my nan told me a story about the bombing of <B>"The Vine Inn, (corner of Carver Street & Tenby St North)"</B>. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>This is how the story went.</U></B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> When my nan (Elsie May Price), was (about) 18 years old, (she was born in 1904), she came to Birmingham to work "in service" at the <B>Vine Inn</B>. She came from Great Wyrley, Canock.</div> <div> While my nan was working at the Vine Inn she met my grand father (Thomas Evans), eventually, they got married & lived with my grand fathers family at an address only a few doors away from the Vine Inn. (I don't remember the address but it was a back house, up an entry in Tenby St North).</div> <bR> <div> My father, Kenneth Thomas Evans & his brother Jeffery, were born in 1927 & 1932.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>My father told me that during the air raids </U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >they used to go to the catacoombs in Warstone Lane cemetery. He said the catacoombs were used as an air raid shelter.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> On the night that the Vine Inn was bombed, my fathers house was also hit, leaving them homeless. Sometime later, but i don't know when, my grandparents were offered a house at 105 George St West.</div> <bR> <div> I was told that when the Landlords wife was found, at the bottom of the cellar steps, she was sitting in a chair still holding her knitting.</div> <bR> <div> Only last year (2004) my cousin (Keith Jeffery Evans, born 1956), asked me if i remembered being told the very same story. Apparently,<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U> his father had told him about it many years ago.</U></B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> When my father was 15 years old, he lied about his age so he could join the merchant navy. His date of birth was 11/9/1927 but he changed it to 11/5/1926 so he was old enough to enlist.</div> <bR> <div> A strange footnote to this is that from 1969 to the early 1980's, my mother worked at a factory named E.Camelinat & Co Ltd. This factory was situated on the land between Albion St, Carver St, Tenby St North, & Tenby St.</div> <div> E.Camelinat's was sold off to a firm in Coventry named CovRad in the early 1980's. My mother used to travel to work there until she retired in 1989, at the age of 60.</div> <bR> <div> Sadly, both my parents passed away some years ago so, I can't ask them for any furher information about the past. I don't have any photographs of Tenby St North, though i do have a few taken inthe 1950's at George St West, where i was born.</div> <bR> <div> Kevin Evans<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >. E-mail  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>ke012e3985@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> *************************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> CLISSOLD STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >21/12/07</FONT></div> <div> I LIVED AT 84 CLISSOLD STREET MY WIFE  LIVED AT 78 CLISSOLD STREET WITH HER FAMILY AS A YOUNG CHILD.</div> <div> We lived in Brookfields, as a family till we had to get out, for redevelpment,of the area.</div> <div> we now live in yardley wood, but we search the web for other people we might know.</div> <div> JOHN & ROSE POYNER NEE WAKEFIELD email <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>jrpoyner@aol.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >08/03/07</FONT></div> <div> Ted do you know where I could get <B>any photos of old Clissold Street?</B> I would love to have some.</div> <div> Also while writing, in 2002, I attended a "Brookfields" do, that you put on at the council house. Are there any plans for another one in the near future? Francis Whelan Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>frank_whelan@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>It was not me who organized the reunion at the Council House but I was there.</B></div> <div> <B> Sorry no other reunion planned at the moment.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >CLISSOLD STREET</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >29/11/05    </FONT><B>PHOTOS REQUIRED   </B><B><U>can you help??</U></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Hello Ted,I  lived at No.<B>1 Clissold Street</B>, from 1948 to 1967, and like so many other people, never thought to take </FONT><B>any photographs of</B> <B>"Our street"</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >before leaving.</FONT></div> <div> If you could put out an appeal for anybody who has photos of <B><U>Clissold Street and adjacent streets</U></B>, I wouild be very grateful.</div> <div> Incedentally, from 1951 to 1959, I attended St Patricks RC school, on Dudley Road, which although just outside the Brookfield boundary, was non the less, the Catholic school which served our area.</div> <div> Regards, Frank(Francis),Whelan  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0033CC" FACE="Arial" >E:</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > Mail </FONT>  frank_whelan@hotmail.com</div> <bR> <div> CLISSOLD STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >05/09/05</FONT></div> <div> Hi Ted May I start by congratulating you on a great site. For the past year or so I have been researching a ww1 soldier who was in the 3rd Birmingham Battalion, (pals) Royal Warwicks, I have letters that he sent from the front to his sweetheart, a <B>Miss Ethel Hill of 9 Clissold Street Hockley</B>, unfortunatly he was killed on the Somme in 1916. <B>Ethel married a Cycil Cox at All Saints church</B> in Jan 1920, I believe she then went to live in Coventry. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> I know this is a long shot but I was wondering if </div> <div> <B><U>anyone who lived in that area remembers the Hill family or their decendants</U></B>. </div> <div> I looked for All Saints Church some time ago and was so disapointed to find it gone, but thanks to your site I have been able to see a photo of it and have copied it just for my own collection, hope you dont mind. Sorry to go on for so long but if anyone can help I would be glad of an e-mail. Keep up the good work. </div> <div> Regards: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Charlie Smith </FONT> Email  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >villaman57@yahoo.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CLISSOLD STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >17/05/03</FONT></div> <div> I lived at 82 Clissold Street until I married in 1964 when we moved to my grandmothers house at number 100 where we lived until 1970. </div> <div> No one has yet mentioned "The Lamb Tavern" which was on the corner of Clissold Street and New Spring Street. I remember as as young girl going on many fishing trips with my father who was a member of the Lamb Fishing Club.</div> <div> Reading one of the e mails that someone sent they made reference to "Wally Green" bookmakers on spring hill, just as a matter of interest my father- Ernie Johnson was a bookmakers clerk who worked at Wally Greens for over 25 years in fact until the premises were demolished.My Father was born in Steward Street, Spring Hill.</div> <div> from  Wendy Pettitt nee Johnson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Bedders38@aol.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CLISSOLD STREET <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >31/03/03</FONT></div> <div> I was born at 1/33 Clissold Street.</div> <div> I would love to <B>see some good pictures or the old street</B>,if anybody knows where I can find them, please do get in touch by e-mail.  Thanks  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Mark Docker</FONT>   Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>markatbushbury-road@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ***************************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> COLLEGE STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >04/03/07</FONT></div> <div> Browsing through the area I spent my childhood brought back memories. One in particular was a Barford Road school picture. the class photo was after I had left but the I was taught by the two teachers shown. I lived in College St. until 1964. I will go through my archives and see whats left, I lost a lot when my father was moved for re-development.</div> <div> Bill Hewitt<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>hewitt235@btinternet.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> COLLEGE STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >01/11/06</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="75d78fa0.jpg" border=0 width="376" height="250" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="75f72fa0.jpg" border=0 width="370" height="250" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Photo left is my grandad, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Fred Wakeling,</B></FONT> outside his green-grocers shop</div> <div>  in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>College Street circa 1917</B></FONT>.</div> <div> The other same shop, only accompanied by his son, also Fred Wakeling.</div> <div> They moved from this shop in College Street to another green-grocers shop at 185 Spring Hill in 1930, where my nan (Violet Wakeling), my mom (Joan Billings nee Wakeling), my dad (George Billings and myself remained until 1971. The Spring Hill shop, along with all the others were demolished for the so called 're-development'.</div> <div> Jennie Billings  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333CC" FACE="Arial" >jennie-georgina@hotmail.com</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ******************************************************************************</div> <bR> <div> CORALIE STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >01/04/08</FONT></div> <div> I thought I had so many memories of my childhood in Brookfields, then I read this wonderful site. So much detail, its fantastic, but I have to confess I cant remember most of the places on the pictures in spite of thinking I knew the area so well.</div> <div> I moved To <B>5 Highfield Terrace, Coralie Street</B> in January 1957, and we moved out during the slum clearance in 1970, to Acorn Grove Ladywood. I went to Camden Street Primary school which was at the end of our street. On this site there is a gentleman looking for his friend whose mothers name was Armatrading.  She is the mother of Joan Armatrading the famous singer, I used to play with her twin brother and sister Jackie and Anthony. I vaguely remember her mother having a nervous breakdown and running amok with a large carving knife, before being taken into the house and the doctor being sent for. I have very happy memories of living there. I hope more people find this site and can give more pictures and information I will be reading it avidly from now on.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Frances Vince (Monk)</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>froggiegirl55@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> My Life in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >CORALIE STREET</FONT>, Brookfields(1930-1952) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >23/08/05</FONT></div> <div> My name was, Jessica Green I lived in <B>Capstone Terrace,Coralie Street Brookfields,</B></div> <div> With my mother and father, John and Sarah Green plus sister Phyliss.</div> <div> It was a difficult life for everyone in those days, but looking back it brings memories that will always be with me.</div> <div> Friends I had were:-, Margret Taylor, Margret Morris, Lillie Cooper, Sheila Phipps and Hazel Plume also Beryl and Barbera Davis. </div> <div> Times spent playing in the street seem like only yesterday, but money was scarce and there were non of the home comforts we now take for granted. Our parents sent us out to school clean and as well dressed as possible, although being children we did not stop that way. Playing hide and seek up the entries was one of our favourite games, as well as hopscotch and of course skipping with the rope stretched across the road.</div> <div> We were not angels of course , one trick we played was tying cotton to some ones door knocker, hiding in the entry and running away when the door opened,</div> <div> Of course the trips out entailed a bottle of tea and a walk with our parents up to Somerfield Park, and if we were very lucky, a tram ride to the Lickey Hills. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CORALIE STREET</div> <div>  I now live in Perth,Western Australia. My mom & Dad (Doris&Dave) my two sisters Maureen & Carol and I used to live at 12 bk 4 Coralie Street, Brookfields, Birmingham18. I lived there in the 50s until 1968 when I got married.</div> <div> I was born in 1946, went to Brookfields School and from 1957 -1961 Icknield Street boys School. I was also a member of The Stonehouse Gang which met at Camden Street School.My best frend was Glen Read he used to live at 79 Hingeston Street, his mom & dad helped out at the school with the Stonehouse Gang.</div> <div> <B>If any one wants to Email me please do.</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>David Roberts</B></FONT>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>robbo822001@yahoo.com.au</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> CORALIE STREET<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >29/08/03</FONT></div> <div>  I was astonished to find, not only the Suburb, but also the Street,I have been looking for. Everyone I have approached said they hadn't even heard of Brookfield!!</div> <div> I have looking for an old friend who lived at <B>22 Coralie Street,</B> Brookfield,Bham,in the 1960s, his name is <B>EVERETT BENSON HARRIS. Born Aug 1948.(55 now)</B> I heard from Royal Mail that the house was demolished in 1985? His Mother's Surname was ARMATRADING originally from ST. KITTS. </div> <div> EVERETT was in the Army and Stationed in WARMINSTER WILTSHIRE.1966/67 and this is when we were friends. <B>Can anyone enlighten me as to his whereabouts??</B> I would love to find out how life has been for him. I live in Australia now so it is not easy to search from here! I am new to the Internet, but this site is the closest I've gotten. </div> <div> Thanks SO MUCH  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >ROSAMUNDE </FONT>(EVERS) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>dumbledorg@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <div> <B>can you help????</B></div> <div> ***********************************************************************************************************************</div> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD (Brookfield Memories) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >06/05/08</FONT></div> <div> Reading all these great comments has really set me thinking. I remember my first day at All Saints school as being very overwhelming. Thrown in at the deep end really. At lunchtime I decided not to go back again! My first friend was Sandra Shellis who lived in a terrace on Lodge road. I wonder if anyone remembers her or her family? They lived opposite Dr Mackinnons ? Friends are so important. Others I recall were;June Wilkes from the newsagents opposite our shop, I remember Ken Aston (I knew him as Keith), all the children from Western terrace, Highfield terrace and Brookfield Road. Some of the names do escape me and I agree with Ken we had far more freedom as children then. Does anyone remember the Lyric cinema? We used to go on a Saturday morning. What an invasion that was! We use to save some of our money for a bread roll on the way home. The other place we played was by the cut at the top of Brookfield road. I was always told never to go there. And of course we played in the street. A huge skipping rope across Brookfield road, bouncing balls up the wall etc etc and going miles on our scooters! My parents ran the shop at <B>75 Crabtree Road</B> for about 20 years and I have vivid memories of that time. More now, thanks to this fab site.<B>Best wishes to all who may remember me</B>. </div> <div> Mary<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Free nee </FONT>Evans<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >stevenfree@btinternet.com</FONT></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="763" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 459 WIDTH="401"><div> <IMG SRC="9d390f60.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="246" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> All Saint's School Christmas play; late 1950's</div> <div> <B>Back L to R</B> ? ? ?,Linda Dodson,June Wilkes, Len?, Robert Jones, David Gibson,? ? ?, Jean Cassidy, Maureen Kemp,? ,Susan Evans, Janice Flowers, Mary Evans</div> <div> <B>Middle</B> <U>two boys</U>; Stuart Relton, Gary?</div> <div> <B>Sitting</B> ;5th from left Derek Wilson, 3rd from right David Norton?</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="343"><div> Me (Mary Evans) and the Stilges family who lived at the top of Western Terrace 1953 - from left to right; myself, Michael, Terry, Maureen, Mary. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="9d590fc0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="252" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 315 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9d7e42c0.jpg" border=0 width="228" height="300" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> My mother </div> <bR> <div> Mrs Ida Evans,</div> <bR> <div>  outside our shop </div> <bR> <div> 75 Crabtreee Road, </div> <bR> <div> 1961. </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9d9ec2c0.jpg" border=0 width="236" height="300" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Me </div> <div> Mary  Evans</div> <bR> <div> outside </div> <bR> <div> our </div> <bR> <div> shop </div> <bR> <div> 1956.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> The site is really good and I (Suzanne Rose nee Stilges) re visit regulary. My brothers and sisters have been mentioned<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >[See photo 2 above]</FONT> Mary,Maureen,Terry,Michael Stilges and <B>can be contacted</B> via my e mail  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>suzanne.rose1954@hotmail.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >24/04/08</FONT></div> <div> What a fantastic site! I can't believe I've just read about my parents and my life at 75,Crabtree Road,the grocers and drapers shop. It has brought back so many memories. It's just fabulous.I shall visit again. </div> <div> Mary Free nee Evans<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>stevenfree@btinternet.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >24/04/08</FONT></div> <div> What a fascinating site!</div> <div> I loved the mention of Mary Myra Evans from Crabtree Road, as she is my oldest friend!</div> <div> Does anyone have any information about Key Hill Tavern and the licensee who was my grandfather, John Inshaw. He would have been there in the 1920s, I think. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Janice Andrews nee Inshaw  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>janice.1@live.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >17/09/07</FONT></div> <div> My father Ivor Moore was born in Crabtree Road in 1923 (I think the number of the house was 23).   His mother lived in the house for most of her life, so there must have been Moore's in the street from around 1900 until well into the late 1960s  I remember visiting my Grandmother in Crabtree Road in 1964 shortly before my parents and I left for New Zealand.  I recall too that we had many Auntes living in the area.  My father is still alive and I have seen photographs of the area from when he was a child and yound man.  I'll folow up with Dad and see if I can get a bit of a history and some of thse photographs for your web site. </div> <div>  Regards, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Nigel Moore</FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333FF" FACE="Arial" >nigelivormoore@hotmail.com</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >23/09/07</FONT></div> <div> Very  emotional  to  look  at  your  site  but  my  life  in  Crabtree Road  was  from 1934  to  the  age  of 13   my   father   was  the butcher  in  Crabtree Road as you can imagine  i  lived all  through   the  the  war  years  their.    </div> <div> Brian G Bell<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333FF" FACE="Arial" >dingdongbelly05@yahoo.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >14/09/07</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> I was amazed and delighted to read about my grandfather <B>Leonard Crutchley,</B> who made and repaired shoes and boots for so many years at <B>92 Crabtree Road</B>. <IMG SRC="8bc6ad20.jpg" border=0 width="362" height="466" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ken Aston was spot on with his description of him. He owned the shop since the 20's and only retired at 73 because he was persuaded to. He was always happy and when children were sent to collect and pay for repaired shoes, he normally gave them back a penny for sweets. Many however did not realise what a colourful life Leonard had led. He was born in Brerton, Rugeley in 1899 and had many occupations including a pit pony boy, half of a comedy/ contortionist duo act 'the knockabouts' , a perriot artist, and I understand his wife's uncle taught h<IMG SRC="8be8bd10.jpg" border=0 width="139" height="209" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">im the shoe repair trade. My grandmother <B>Cissie Crutchley</B> was somewhat of a recluse. Rarely leaving the house. My father Raymond Crutchley was also born above the shop. I myself remember spending many happy hours banging nails into old shoes and watching my grandfather sharpen his knife to carve the leather to sole shoes. I can still smell that leather now! I still have one piece my grandfather gave me which still had the cow hide on it. I myself was born in Dudley Road Hospital, lived in Wood Green Road and attended City Road Primary School. When I mentioned Ken Aston's article to my mum Lilian Crutchley, she said 'Oh I remember the Astons. I think one was sweet on your dad'. Oh happy days. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >Anne Davies</FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300CC" FACE="Arial" >makemineadouble@msn.com</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="8c2762c0.jpg" border=0 width="118" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                     <IMG SRC="8c0892c0.jpg" border=0 width="137" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                              <IMG SRC="8c4b8240.jpg" border=0 width="184" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                                 </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >25/07/07</FONT></div> <div> I think your site is fantastic it brings back such nice memories for me and I am only 47. I lived at </div> <div> <B>8 Crabtree Road </B>and went to <B>All Saints School</B>. Keep up the good work. </div> <div> Jeanette Doyle<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>netty_doyle@homail.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >08/02/04</FONT></div> <div> Albert Victor Mason Dairyman</div> <div> Born 1888 Lived at 85 Crabtree Road in 1913 married to Minnie Loyns.</div> <div> Rod Lees<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>rodlees@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >09/10/03</FONT></div> <div> The <B>MITCHELL</B> family were living at <B>28 Crabtree Road</B> from at least 1881 until the 1890's. Is anyone related to any one of the MITCHELLS? please contact me if you are. Someone must be related. PLEASE get in touch <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Pauline Roberts  </FONT>Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>secserve@wilnecote.fsbusiness.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >01/07/03</FONT></div> <div>  I have been trying for some time to trace Jeanette Daniels who used to live in one of the terraces off Crabtree Road. I think her father was called Walter. She was an only child and left HNR school in 1958. The family left Brookfields in the early sixties and went to live in a high rise flat in Ladywood. I would welcome any information about the family.</div> <div> Pam Willis <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >- July 2003              Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>pamela.willis@whsmithnet.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> CRABTREE ROAD</div> <div> I was born at number 8 <B>Crabtree Road,</B> when I was three my family moved to number 48.  Next door was Mr Giles the boot mender, at the back of our yard lived Mr styles our landlord and next door lived Mr & Mrs Cornwell.  I also can recall Mrs Higgins greengrocers, Mrs Young's grocery shop, Granny Weaver and her daughter Lizzie; there shop was right opposite our house.</div> <div> I went to All Saints School (1947 - 1958) and the headmistress was Miss Cole, she really was a tyrant.  One of my teachers was Mr Collins; one day he bought his little son to the school and to keep him quiet he sat him in the waste paper basket.  When I was eleven I went to Camden Street School and left at fifteen. I have three brothers Alan, Robert and Stephen.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>If anyone remembers our family it would be nice to hear from you.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >From Pauline Joyce nee Busby</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                </FONT>Email<U> Buzza42@Hotmail.com</U></div> <div> See Pauline's All Saints School Photos on the School page.</div> <bR> <div> <I>CRABTREE ROAD Etc.</I></div> <div> I was born at 38 Crabtree Rd moved to 5/29 Park Rd got bombed then moved to Winson Green.</div> <div> First to James Turner St. then moved to no.1 Bryant st. on to 6/18 Tudor st.on again 45 to74,Eva Rd.the last five houses in five years.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >by Tony Warrington.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Crabtree Road in the 50’s                     <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >20/06/02</FONT></div> <div> Frequent visitors to this site, will no doubt have read the feature on Brookfield Road shops, which <IMG SRC="4638dfa0.jpg" border=0 width="141" height="250" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">were in fact on Crabtree Road, where it met Western Road. There were however, other shops in Crabtree Road in the direction of All Saints Street. I mentioned Mrs Atkins the draper in a previous article. Her shop was on the left hand side of Crabtree Road, in the direction of All Saints Street. She had a husband John, a dapper little man with a pencil moustache, but it was Mrs Atkins who ran the shop.</div> <div> On the left of Atkins shop stood a terrace of two bedroomed houses. The houses faced each other across a central path. Each house had a small front garden. At the end of the terrace was a tiny Victorian chapel. It had, what I now know to be cast iron mullioned windows, and it had painted double doors – very typical of that style of chapel building at the time. I have often thought that it was a peculiar place to site a chapel, tucked away as it was, at the end of a terrace. Even in the 1950’s it was disused, and by the 60’s had fallen into a state of disrepair. I particularly recall a large lilac tree that stood at the front of it. As the tree became more overgrown, you can imagine that we kids were not slow to colonise the boughs of the tree as a den. Out of the way of adults, but well within the earshot of parents, should the call go up! As a sad footnote to the demise of this part of Crabtree Road, I visited the area in the late ‘70s, just as the terrace was about to be demolished, to find the lilac tree, still standing amongst a scene of urban destruction.</div> <div> Scaling the wall to the left of the chapel, would bring you to the upper part of Highfield Terrace, where I was born, but we’ll meet the folks who lived there another time. Some of the occupants I recall from the terrace next to Atkins Drapers were The Stilges family, in particular three of the kids Terry, Michael and Maureen. On the opposite side of the terrace were Billy and Irene Thomas. Irene’s sister named Jean, was a good friend of my sister Jean. If you recall other people who lived in this terrace, please click on the ‘contact’ button of this website. </div> <div> Granny Brooks lived near the entrance to the terrace, and was friends with my grandmother. I am sure like my Gran, she was in her nineties when she died. A couple of doors away, lived Granny Newton. I should point out to clear up any confusion, that neither of Granny Brooks or Newton were related to me in any way whatsoever, but all of the kids in the area referred to them as ‘Granny’</div> <div> Moving further along Crabtree Road, was another terrace. In the first house on the left, a double fronted house, lived the Dolmans. They moved there in the late ’50,s . To the right of the terrace stood another grocers shop. I think there name was Wheeler. Certainly, they had a son called Lawrence.</div> <div> John Shelley, was another friend from that time wholived in the terrace. If you can recall the names of these terraces please contact the site.</div> <div> Blackwells bakery, was closed during the time I lived in Brookfields. It was a corner shop, with two steps up from street level. It was quite a large building as I recall, and had a yard on the right hand side. A little further along was Miss Weaver’s. Like Mr Crutchley, the cobbler please see my article on Brookfield Road - Miss Weaver never aged in my eyes. She would always be humming, whenever you entered the shop</div> <div> At the bottom of Crabtree Road where it joins All Saints Street was Keedwell and Cottrell. They were a firm of jobbing builders and had a yard there. Among other properties, they maintained the houses we lived in. I recall that the properties weren’t well maintained by today’s standards, but in fairness, it must be said that the rents paid were not great – I think our rent was 7/6 (37.5p) per week in the ‘50’s. Also a lot of modern techniques such as damp proofing etc’ simply did not exist at that time. As a result I remember two recurring problems regarding our house in Brookfield Road, which I know affected all other houses in the area. The first was rising damp. Although they have been filled in now, each house in the area at that time had a coal cellar. Access for the coal was through a rectangular hole at street level, covered by a pierced cast iron grille. The cellar was at basement level and - I assume because of the lack of efficient damp proofing – was constantly damp. Another writer on this site, has mentioned the origin of Brookfields as being just that ie brooks and fields. To my certain knowledge, the cellar of number 14 Brookfield Road, occupied by the Mc Hails, used to regularly flood. To the best of my recollection, our house , opposite number 14 only flooded once, to a depth of a couple of feet.</div> <div> Back to Crabtree Road. On the adjacent corner to Keedwells builders yard, at the junction of Crabtree Road and Clissold Street, stood a café. Like Blackwells the bakers, access was gained by a couple of steps up from street level. Starting on the way back up Crabtree Road towards Prescott St – now gone and grassed over. Backing on to the yard of the corner café, was a shop that was unused for a long time, but I vaguely remember that it replaced the corner café for a short period. </div> <div> Further along on the same side stood Miss Taylor’s shop. A little bay windowed place, like some of the other shops in the area, it had previously been someone’s ‘front room’ I’m pretty sure Miss Taylor was a florist, and even as a youngster, I would occasionally run errands for her. She was a smashing lady, very well spoken. She later looked after a boy called Frank Stacey, a friend of mine from All Saints School. I recall her business card – very swanky! – to this day. It read Leah G Taylor.</div> <div> Keedwells electrical goods was the next shop along. Another bay windowed emporium, I recall my first record was purchased here. In 1959 at a cost of 6/8 I bought Bobby Darin’s Multiplication. I considered myself at the grand old age of 9 years, to be the epitomy of cool.</div> <div> Finally, at the junction of Crabtree Road and Prescott Street, stood The George. Like the ’outdoor’ at the junction Of New Spring Street referred to in my article on Brookfields Road, The George was an Ansells house, and served mainly regulars. I remember one frequent visitor, was Granny Brooks, mentioned earlier in this article. In conclusion, I am sure there will be gaps in this story, as I myself lived in Brookfields Road. If you are an ex resident of Crabtree Road, or have any knowledge of it before it was demolished and rebuilt, please get in touch with this website. Equally if you have or know the whereabouts of any photo’s please let us know.</div> <div> by Ken Aston</div> <div> 03/06/04</div> <div> Insert photograph came from the grand daughter of Mr and Mrs Atkins - 72 Crabtree Road - drapers shop as was - lovely to see them mentioned on your site - I recall trips to the warehouses with them to get stock in for their customers - the shop was a dream playground for us as children. Attached is a copy of their wedding photograph - about 1920's I think - hope this reminds people of what they looked like.</div> <div>  Cheers Joy Atkins<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > E-mail  joy@atkins-pc.fsnet.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <div> *************************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> <B>DUDLEY ROAD </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >17/07/04</FONT></div> <div> I am looking for anyone who can remember Harry & Cis Nichols (great uncle & aunt of mine) who used to run the Windmill Pub (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" >OLD WINDMILL</FONT>?). Any information would be gratefully received. I believe they had 2 children, Peter and Freda.</div> <div> Thank you <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Sandra Britton</FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>sandieb@ntlworld.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> ELLEN STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >28/03/03</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="23efa1f0.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="287" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> My wife had a Ladies clothes shop on the corner of <B>Ellen Street / Camden Street </B>called "<B>Pats Fashions"</B> for a few years before moving to Waterloo Road, Cape hill smethwick. </div> <div> Our first house was also in Ellen street on the opposite side of the road where the church stands. </div> <div> My father was BOY EDGE, ARTHUR EDGE Birmingham box of tricks midlands area champion 1930's.</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Arthur and Pat Edge   </FONT>Email:</div> <bR> <div> Would <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Pat or Arthur Edge</FONT> who once owned <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >PATS FASHIONS in ELLEN STREET</FONT> please contact <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Jacqui Fielding</FONT> email<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > jacquishalom@hotmail.com</FONT> </div> <div> about the family tree. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Ted </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >19/06/08</FONT></div> <bR> <div> **************************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> ELLEN STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >21/02/03</FONT></div> <div> I was born at I/25 <B>Ellen Street</B>. My Dad Syd Houston played darts at the <B>Weston Pub</B>. I now live in Sydney Australia.</div> <div> Lawence Houston <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>lozza005b@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> *****************************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> ELLEN STREET</div> <div> My local infant school was in Ellen St. Untill in 1940/1 a land mine dropped and blew it up. We lived in little Park Road where an old lady teacher took over our education using her front room as a classroom because all the other schools were full up.</div> <div> Anyone remember the night the goodsyard in Park Rd.was hit by incendiary bombs whilst a train load of farm produce was being unloaded the <U>crackling was beautiful</U>. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(Tony Warrington)</FONT></div> <div> ********************************************************************************************************************</div> <div> GEORGE STREET WEST <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >10/04/06</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <U>Can you help the terrible Smith sisters from George St West?</U></div> <bR> <div> Hi there, </div> <div> We are Barbara and Kathleen (Smith) and were born in George Street West in the early 1950's and have just caught the genealogy bug! </div> <div> We are collecting information about our family, have started a family tree and <B><U>having found this great website are hoping someone can fill in some gaps in our knowledge.  </U></B></div> <div> If you lived in the Brookfields area in the 1940's 1950's and can remember any members of our family or neighbours we would love to hear from you.. </div> <div> We are the youngest daughters of 6 children living at No. <B>2 back of 123 George Street West, </B>Brookfields, Birmingham.</div> <div> The back-to-back houses where we lived, faced onto a small square where the children played. We moved to Balsall Heath in 1960 but we remember some of the families who lived on the square: The <B>Allsops </B>who had an older daughter Pamela and a son about 8 when we left. The <B>Bodfish's</B> lived next door and had an older daughter called Iris who was friendly with our older sister Jean. I would love to hear from anyone who lived there at this time.</div> <div> Our parents were <B>Doris (nee Bradbury) and Charles (Charlie) Smith. </B></div> <div> Our older siblings were: (in age order) Edward, David, Lawrence (Larry) + Jean (twins), and us Kathleen and Barbara.</div> <div> Our dad, Charlie, was in the Army (Dorset Regiment) and spent time in Burma + India during the 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >nd</FONT> WW. His normal trade, like many men in our part of Birmingham, was a `non-ferrous metal caster'.  </div> <div>      Doris, our mother, had worked as a riveter in a local factory and as a cleaner, but became ill with Breast Cancer and died in 1962.</div> <div> Our eldest brother, Edward (Teddy), died in a tragic accident at the age of 12, at a local builders yard whilst playing with his friends.  </div> <div> Both David & Larry enlisted in the Army as teenagers. </div> <div> During our research for our maternal grandmother's name we have come up with <B>Jane</B> <B>Allsop </B>as a possibility<B>. </B>As there<B> </B>were<B> </B>Allsops as neighbours we were hoping there might be some connection.</div> <div> We would love to hear from anyone who remembers any of our family or neighbours</div> <div> and from anyone who lived in the area. </div> <div>           Kind regards </div> <div> Barbara <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:babs.smith2@btinternet.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:babs.smith2@btinternet.com"><U>babs.smith2@btinternet.com</U></A></FONT></div> <div> & Kathleen <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="mailto:kathiburrell@yahoo.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:kathiburrell@yahoo.co.uk"><U>kathiburrell@yahoo.co.uk</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> **************************************</div> <div> GEORGE STREET WEST <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >16/10/07</FONT></div> <div> I moved to 1/135 George Street West with my parents and younger sister and brother when I was three years old in 1961 and left in 1968 when the area was being demolished. Reading other peoples stories has brought back so many memories. I vividly remember the great snow of 63 or 64 where great paths of snow where cleared into what seemed to me to be tunnels as high as houses so that we could still go to the shops and make our way back to our houses. On the corner of the street was a bookies and over Hingestion street the paper and comic shop and next door to this a grocery shop. In was in this shop that I took back a HP sauce bottle hoping to get a penny as the label said a penny off it was only when the lady told me it was a penny of the price not the bottle that I realized that the idea of going round all the houses asking for their empty sauce bottles was a mistake. Over the road was a chemists shop near Ellen road where, when it was shut down, all the kids played and rolled down the cloth awning at the front and I cut my eye brow and had seven stitches at Dudley road Hospital. The Laurels pub always, still to this day, sticks in my mind as it was where a murder was committed and great hoards of people, adults and children gathered round reporters from the Sunday Mercury trying to tell them how they knew the assailant and the victim. Even as a young boy I thought of the kids who would not now have a dad. I remember the coal yard in Hingestion street where I earned a penny taking prams up for the slack. the streets of Brookfields was my and other kids playground. We played in the rec further up George St. West near the Church in the rail yard, canals, bomb pecks the 'Flat' where I would take the neighbors bag wash full of nappies and the graveyard next to the mint. I attended St. Pauls school in the jewelry quarter and the cold mornings walking up to the school are still very fond memories. The graveyard was exciting as it was a shortcut home and six or seven of us would scramble down the sand bank and climb trees before being chased out. We lived in one room with three more additions to the family two sisters and one brother all born at Dudley road Hospital. The house had one room downstairs with a small kitchen one large bedroom and two small attic rooms but it was so cold in the winter we all slept in the one big middle bedroom. The toilets were shared, with four at the top of the 'yard' but always kept clean and always locked by my mother. I remember ferocious cats being brought up the yard and dropped down the cellar opening to kill the rats. I found out later that these cats were hired out to deal with this problem. I remember the scout bands marching of a Sunday down Hingestion Street what a sight, fantastic. I hated attending Sunday school in Ellen road as I always had to pay attention as my dad always asked what I had learned. Monument road baths was a treat given to me by my dad if he thought I had earned it I loved it. I could go on and on talking about this great area Spring Hill Library the cafes the shops the pubs the streets and of course the people but my wife is taking me for lunch as it is my birthday. <B>I truly had a fantastic childhood thank you Brookfields</B></div> <div> Larry  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > Email </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333FF" FACE="Arial" >laurencefoley@blueyonder.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <div> GEORGE STREET WEST <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >13/03/06</FONT></div> <div> I was searching under Bulpitts and strayed on to your site! </div> <div> In 1973-4 I was resident at the Vicarage in George Street West, with Revd Mark Dalby, as one of the ordinands/potential ordinands on the 'Spring Hill Scheme'. This gave young men some experience of the world before university and the priesthood; in my case time at Bulpitts as a labourer and storesman, then at Adie and Nephew putting the chromium plate on bicycle bells. The name Rudge comes back to me, with a couple who were active at St Peter's, with their daughter June Anne. </div> <div> I went back there last weekend, and had a wander around St Peter's (as was), the Library, Bulpitts (now gone and replaced by a call centre or some awful modern building) and the George and Dragon (derelict) where, once a week, the vicarage's residents went for 'Parish Night'. Brought back loads of very happy memories. </div> <div> Best wishes,  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >David Gurney</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> GEORGE STREET WEST  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >24/02/04</FONT></div> <div> Has anyone got any photos of George St West in the 60s I remember a guy who had albums full of photos he was either the landlord or barman at the 'Lamb' public house on Stewart Street off Spring Hill but that was around 1990 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > Fay</FONT>.  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>fbjingx@yahoo.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> 26/11/03</div> <div> <B>I am looking for an image of George Street West</B>, I have found three images so far.</div> <div> The only one I cannot find is the one I would dearly like to locate.</div> <bR> <div> Looking down George Street West towards the Pitsford Street with the Eagle Strores on the left, and Wilkes the chemist on the right hand side, Brookfields school would also be onthe right hand side.</div> <bR> <div> Kind Regards.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > Ray Begley</FONT>.  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>rayb@rayb.net</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP Ray   </B>(if you do, can we have a copy for the site please)</div> <bR> <div> GEORGE STREET WEST</div> <div> My father originated in Brookfields? Rosebery Passage/Avenue? Off George St West. </div> <div> His name was <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Alfred Tarplee</B></FONT><B>,</B> and it seems there were many <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Tarplees</B></FONT> who were raised in that area. The family seem to originate in Cropthorne in the county of Worcestershire. </div> <div> Do you have any information on migration of families into Brookfields and surrounding areas.</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(Brenda Birch </FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>brenda.birch@ntlworld.com</U></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><U> )</U></FONT></div> <div> <B>Can any body help Brenda with the query</B></div> <bR> <div> 13/12/04</div> <div> I remember living in George St West,the Pitsford St end in the 60s, going to Brookfields school, then on to Camden St, Does anyone remember Mrs Mountford, she was my favourite teacher at Camden St</div> <div> Maureen   Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>pushkins@eircom.net</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="6dfc20c0.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="268" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    </I><I><IMG SRC="6d9c2c80.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <bR> <div> George Street West from Hingestion Street 1956               </div> <div> Outdoor, Hingestion Street </div> <div> George Street West  1961</div> <div>      </div> <div> <I><IMG SRC="6dbc2e80.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="232" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I><I>   </I><I><IMG SRC="6ddc3390.jpg" border=0 width="451" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> Hingestion Street and George Street West 1958            </div> <div>  Wilkes Chemist Prescott Street/George Street West </div> <div> (Swains corner) Hingestion Street1956    </div> <div> Photos<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#003300" FACE="Arial" >courtesy of Ray Begley, E-mail : </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >rayb@rayb.net</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >10/08/08</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="a41f4270.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="295" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> I'm fascinated by your site. I was born and lived in  Hingestion Street Brookfields I and my two younger brothers one of which was born in the house.. lived there with my mum and dad David and Betty Smith . I think we moved in 1969 when I was just 4yrs old, we were given a maisonette in Great Barr, I think because Hingestion Street was being demolished?</div> <div> I was wondering if you know of any pictures of the street as I only came across one on the site?.. some of my earliest memories are of living on that road, and as I was only 4yrs when I left you can imagine just how early they were?I would love some more info and pictures about the street and indeed if anyone remembers our family? although I realise we weren't there for long.Lovely site thank you  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Sue Sutherland nee Smith</FONT>   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >susanjsutherland@hotmail.com</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" >remember us </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >02/07/08</FONT></div> <div> Does anyone remember the Nichols family of 61 Hingeston Road between about 1910 and 1930. Doris, Horace, Marian, Stanley, Joan, Joyce and Betty all went to Brookfields School. I would love to hear anout the school and see pictures of it.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Colin Nichols</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>cbn7k5bw@googlemail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >07/03/0</FONT></div> <div> Love this site. Pop in and out of it at regularly. I was born in <B>Hingeston Street </B>1949, one of 4 girls, went to All Saints School and Camden Street. Left the area in 1966. Enjoy all the comments and often recognise the names on the comments board. Keep up the good work. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Denise </FONT>Martin (nee <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Winn</FONT>)  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>denisejmartin@sky.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >29/12/07</FONT></div> <div> I was born 16th August 1940. Schooled at All Saints C of E church school from 1945 - 1951 before going to George Dixon grammar school. We lived in Hingeston Street until 1951 and then moved to Rubery.</div> <div> Lovely memories returned when seeing the old photographs I will look through my mother's album to see if there are any appropriate for your site</div> <div> Regards <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >Alfred Gorge Rogers </FONT> Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>alfred.g.rogers@btinternet.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >11/09/07</FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I was born at 137 Hingeston Street in 1950 which was directly opposite the "Rose and Crown" pub further up on the same side as the pub was Mrs Keedwells grocery shop does any body remember these?  I also went to  All Saints infants  schol. </FONT> brian lawrence<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >brianlawrence01@btinternet.com</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >07/11/06</FONT></div> <div> I have been reading the letters and stories on your site about Hockley, Brookfields and Ladywood. I lived in Stewart Street and I went to infant and junior school there.The only people I can remember from Stewart St are John Mellows and Stewart Dyson, I can also remember my dad taking me for ice cream up Spring Hill, and my dad having a drink in the pub next to the ice cream parlor, the man who ran the pub was called Spring Hill Bill, does anyone remember him? My mother worked for Louie Greene at the Cross Keys pub in Stewart Street until we left. We then moved to <B>44 Hingeston Street</B> because of my dads work, my mother then got a job at Smiths on the corner of Hingeston St and Ellen st. I left Stewart St school and went to Barford Rd school for boys until 1961, I can remember David Kempton, David Harper, Danny Lynch, Johnny Giles, Ronnie Chadwick and Dougie Westwood and having school dinners in Summerfield Park because the school didn't have a kitchen, playing on the Old Boner.  The people I can remember from around Hingeston St are Pat Fleming, Pat Slaney, Norman Harrison,Terry Deaney and my good friend Kenny Deeprose his mother worked at Cashes cooked meats. I can also remember the film crew for Cathy come home, wanting to use our back yard because my dad kept pigeons, he had to say no because he was racing them, I had to take them to my dads mate John Bevan were they filmed the pigeon loft scene, I was stood on the corner putting birds in to the air until they filmed one landing.I also remember girlfriend and good friend Geroldine Moon. My dads mother lived in Frankfort St of Summer lane, I have memories of playing with my cousin Brian Fox and his friends in Kirbys Rag Yard we were allowed to because our granddad Blackie Raven was a rag and bone man. Does anyone remember Blackie selling his perry winkles off his horse and cart on a Sunday afternoon. </div> <div> Robert Cowley E:mail <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3333CC" FACE="Georgia" ><U>v.ferguson80@ntlworld.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >24/03/06</FONT></div> <div> I have recently started a search into my family tree and through looking at old census records discovered my family lived in the Ladywood, Hockley & Brookfields areas since the early 1800's. Doing the search inspired me to look up the areas and came accross this site. Fantastic to see the old images. </div> <div> I grew up in <B>Hingestion Street and went to Brookfields School</B>, leaving the district in the late 60's when the houses were being demolished <B>Does anyone remembe</B>r a school production of Peter Pan in the late 60's. I was one of the 'lost boys'and my brother Robert was Captain Hook. Sadly I don't remember many names of the people from school except Mr Hutchings, Miss Lemon, Miss Steel. </div> <div> I was one of 8 children and we lived at <B>1/27 Hingestion Street</B> and remember other family names of Roberts, Bills, Evans. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Does anyone remember the Bartlett Family?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > Regards</FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Bonnie Janiak</FONT></div> <div> Please contact <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>bonniejaniak@blueyonder.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 10/11/04</div> <div> I lived at <B>3/37 HINGESTION STREET,</B> and we had a small garden terrace flanked by palings with a tin bath on</div> <div> the wall. When I was five I ran errands to Icknield Street as far as The Gate. I used to hang outside the Royal Mint pub for my gran and would get a glass of fizzy lemonade. Then we would go home climb the dark creaky stairs with a bit of candle across the bare floorboards and then into bed dusting our feet before putting them down under the threadbare sheets. Mostly old coats on top and a zinc bucket</div> <div> in the room and a night light.</div> <div> Life was very staid in those days, just the world service on the wireless. Before school a flannel wash at the flat sink and then down to Prescott Street rolling a couple of marbles on route...</div> <div> Michael Green<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>xhemmingsx@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >01/12/05</FONT></div> <div> I was born in Hingeston Street in the very early 50s I remember "Cathy come Home" being filmed in our yard and both my sisters are in the crowd as well as our house I attended both Brookfields and Camden Street schools and in my teens hung about at the canal it was our playground you could go out freely then and enjoy being a child no real pressures   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Gillian Robinson (nee) Hutton</FONT>   Email: gillian <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>robinson@banf.org.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >24/01/06</FONT></div> <div> We used to live down <B>Hingestion St </B>opposite Lily's shop, think it was 73. The families I remember were the Williams, Moore's, Cannings the Foxhalls. </div> <div> When we heard about "Cathy" being filmed we were up there like a shot and in one scene as the camera pans round I am in it with my long neck and big ears, also my eldest brother, who has sadly passed away, is there also.</div> <div> So <B>if anyone knows of us or remember the mob that used to hang on the corner please get in touch.</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Dave Brown<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>throstles54@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >05/11/05</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="63d24c20.jpg" border=0 width="292" height="450" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> A photo of my grandfathers shop in Hingestion street.</div> <bR> <div> His name was Albert Taylor. </div> <bR> <div> I think that it was taken around 1934. </div> <bR> <div> Regards  Wendy McLean</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >22/01/05</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="56490580.png" border=0 width="400" height="600" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="643" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="598"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="598" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="27"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="27" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="635"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="635" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The attached picture is of my great-grandfather, Tom Swain, outside his newsagents and tobacconist shop on the <B>corner of Hingestion Street and George Street West.</B></div> <div>  I believe the picture was taken in about 1914. The young man is his youngest son Horace. When he died in 1916 the shop was run by his daughter, Lily, and then by my grandfather, Arthur and his daughter Brenda, from the mid 1940s until the shop was demolished in the 1960s. I remember sitting on the counter 'helping' to serve during the 1940s and 50s. The shop appears to have changed little over the years. I know very little of my great-grandfather's family except that he had 10 children and that only 2 of his 6 sons survived WW1 - my grandfather and Horace. If any one has any information please get in touch. </div> <div> Gill Jones</div> <div> Email <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>ramsfan@kgjones.karoo.co.uk </U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="12" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >16/01/05</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="55ac2380.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="312" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> This is a photo of my father's van outside of 15 Hingeston Street  taken about 1950.</div> <div> Brian Gough<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >           Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>bri.gough@ntlworld.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >07/07/04</FONT></div> <div> I was born at 3/37 Hingeston Sreet in the Green family, Henry, Alan, Reggie plus mom Gertie nee Hemming. father, Gough family 6/219 Icknield Street.</div> <div> My mom died in the Dudley Road Infirmary 1951,I went to Brookfields School 1953 Coronation, I lost touch with folk after that.</div> <div> <B> Does anyone know what happened to those families?</B></div> <div> Michael Green<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>tigerlily44@onetel.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> 11/11/04</div> <div> On my birth certificate it says born 3/37 Hingestion st in the sub district of All Saints, father Reg Henry Green</div> <div> mother Gertrude Dorothy Hemmings..</div> <div> I went to Brookfields school and was pictured in the 1953 Coronation photo. All the streets in red white and blue flags, shields and bunting, we had a street party, fishpaste sandwiches and cup cakes and newspaper hats on.</div> <div>  I lived at 3/37 Hingestion st, and we had a small garden terrace flanked by palings with a tin bath on the wall. When I was five I ran errands to Icknield Street as far as The Gate. I used to hang outside the Royal Mint pub for my gran and would get a glass of fizzy lemonade. Then we would go home climb the dark creaky stairs with a bit of candle across the bare floorboards and then into bed dusting our feet before putting them down under the threadbare sheets. Mostly old coats on top and a zinc bucket in the room and a night light.</div> <div> Life was very staid in those days, just the world service on the wireless before school a flannel wash at the flat sink and then down to Prescott street rolling a couple of marbles on route.</div> <div> The winters seemed very long as a child in Brookfields during the early 50s. School was basic and I was glad to be free to wander when the bell finally rang. There always seemed to be a buzz in the damp air. Small industries at night sang in harmony with the Birmingham Mint along Icknield St, goods trains roaring over the bridge at Pittford St; I used to go down to the Flat on an errand and it was always dark and wet under there, echoes of cars and thundering carriages with the cemetry a constant reminder I didn't have a mother and that she might be in there somewhere watching me.  The inner circle bus on its way to Hockley would race through the large puddle and I would be drenched from head to foot. </div> <div> When we had no coal I would take a buckled pushchair up Prescott Street to get some coal from the yard and for that errand I would get an extra slice of bread and dripping. I would sometimes play in the rec' in New Spring Street or go up Warstone Lane, looking for junk of some kind </div> <div> michael green   Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>xhemmingsx@hotmail.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGES<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="37ccc2c0.jpg" border=0 width="204" height="300" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT>TION STREET</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> This site brings back a lot of memories as I was actually born in <B>HINGESTION STRE</B><B>ET</B><B> </B>(No 8 back of 125), I have attached a picture of me (right) and my best pal Allan Williams (left) sitting on the door step of No 8/125. </div> <div> I also used to be a member of the 253rd Birmingham, <B>1st Brookfield's</B> scout group which held meetings in the church hall back of the Methodist church in <B>New Spring Street</B>, I was also a member of the band (bugle / trumpet) that was county band champions for 5-6 years running and also used to march around the streets of <B>Brookfield's </B>(ANY ONE REMEMBER ??), I'll try and sort out some pictures of the band marching round the streets of Brookfield's. </div> <div> Ken Grinnell</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >21/11/03</FONT></div> <div> I lived at 2 back of 43 Hingeston Street does any one remember Mrs Corrigan who kept the tobbaconists and Wrensons on the corner of Ellen Street and Hingeston Street?  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Tony Tombes</FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>tombes2@hotmail.com </U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET </div> <div> I lived at 1/161 HINGESTION STREET over the road was Maylins coalyard. Behind our back yard was the railway as kids we had great fun there. At the top of our road was where they kept horses, I think they had</div> <div> coal as well.</div> <div> I went to All Saints School. Then to Handworth New Road School. I remember the flat and the Hockley Church.</div> <div> <B>from Jackie Howell</B></div> <bR> <div> HINGESTION STREET  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >09/10/03</FONT></div> <div> The JEFCOATE family of Hingestion Street, from 1898 until early 1900's.Is anyone related to any one of the JEFCOATE'S ? please contact me if you are.   Someone must be related. PLEASE get in touch</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Pauline Roberts</FONT>  Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>secserve@wilnecote.fsbusiness.co.uk</U></FONT> </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="32a5ece0.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="206" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><I>HINGESTION STREET </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >27/02/03</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Formely of 2 (back of)124 <B>Hingeston Street </B>which was on the back of Worral's shop. Friend of Terry Daly, Jahnny Daly, Reggie Maylin, Johny Pratt, Sonny Crisp and Bille Semore. Dad was Bill (William) Mothers maiden name was Doreen Vyse, her brothers were Frank, Tommy, and Bill, sister was Muriel. </div> <div> <B>Any body remember them?</B></div> <div> from Barry Ridgway<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >     Email: </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>roosterspeckle@ntlworld.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>*************************************************************************</I></div> <div> <I>ICKNIELD STREET  (Bulpits) </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>29/02/08</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Looking through some of my old photos I found some of Bulpits & Sons (were l worked) works outing  at Blackpool 1960. We arrived by train and would be bused to the plesure beach restaurant were we had a meal. After the meal young Billy Bulpit would get up and give a speech, then we would have the rest of the day to do what we wanted to do, we had some good times, hope there are some persons out there who might remember some of the faces. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Taken at Bulpits & Sons outing (BLACKPOOL) 1960</div> <div> <I><IMG SRC="9985ed70.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="215" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><I><IMG SRC="9965eda0.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="218" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></FONT></div> <div> 1st photo Me Graham Taylor on the top of the picture my head by the curtain</div> <div>    2nd photo my wife then Margaret Berry 2nd is on the left and on her right is Barbara Fellows     </div> <div>  Regards <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Graham Taylor</FONT> (Ex Bulpits & sons employe)  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >MARGRAYPOODLES@aol.com </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>ICKNIELD STREET </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>12/11/07</I></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="930f42c0.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="931032f0.jpg" border=0 width="515" height="303" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4fa9e1e0.jpg" border=0 width="414" height="286" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> First two are Post Cards sent to us from from Mac Joseph the top one is dated1915 and the other 1900? both show the Royal Mint with horse trough in Icknield Street near Warstone Lane (before the public toilets were built)</div> <div> And below a photo of the horse trough taken in 1960 o/s the Public Lavatory (toilet) </div> <div> in the background  is Rees and Felix store New Spring Street </div> <bR> <div> <I>ICKNIELD STREET </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>30/07/07</I></FONT></div> <div> <I>What a brilliant site, my mom and dad lived in Icknield St in the 1930's their name was Bill and Elizabeth Glynn if any one remembers them i would love to here from them.</I></div> <div> <I>Terry Glynn    </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Email: </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>daddywarbuck@hotmail.co.uk</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>ICKNIELD STREET</I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>  </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFBF0" FACE="Arial" >22/08/06</FONT></div> <div> I Have just found your fantastic site which brought back many memories. My father was born at the greengrocers in Bacchus Road in 1916 and when her parents died he was adopted by his aunt and uncle Lily and Harry Blocksidge who had the <B>newsagents and fishing tackle shop in Icknield Street.</B> After they died in the early 1950s we lived there for a while with Uncle Percy Dawes. He wasn't a real uncle but came to live there during the war and stayed thereafter! I remember playing with the girl next door Christine Hands who I believe now lives in Great Barr. The shop was demolished in the 1960s and Dad moved his business to the Soho Road until 1977 when he retired due to ill health. Judy nee Blocksidge Email: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>bab90@hotmail.co.uk</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>ICK