WINSON GREEN STREETS and ROADS

THAT ARE or WERE INCLUDED IN Winson Green

Your Street Stories

ABERDEEN STREET 17/01/09

My name is George Layton I lived at 7/31 Aberdeen Street (next to the bomb site) from 1941 till 1960 in the yard lived the Turners they lived at number 2/31, Brian Turner was my best man, I would love to hear from him and anyone who lived there around that time. I have many fond memories of my time there and look forward to hearing from anyone who came from our yard or anyone who knew me.

Love the web site thanks for it. Kind Regards George Layton gjbrayford@hotmail.com

7/31ABERDEEN St. 05/07/1972 just before demolition

Winson Green*********** My Years*************By George Layton*********gjbrayford@hotmail.com 18/01/09

I was born in Dudley Road on the 31 May 1941 to George & Betty Layton , we together with my brother Ronny and sister Diane lived at 7 back of 31 Aberdeen Street.

Mom & Dad met at Earl & Bourne on Dudley Road were they both worked in the war as did my Granddad and Uncle Harry

Growing up in the Green is something you will never forget the days up Summerfield Park playing football with my mates Brian Tuner, Teddy Green, Alan Larvin, Malcolm Wilson and Barry Turner.

My first School was Foundry Road I remember my mom taking me kicking and screaming and meeting the head mistress Miss Miles I was petrified but soon settled down and had six happy years there before moving on to Handsworth New Road were I met my life long mate Bobby Wall who is still my mate, he lived in Foundry road with his nan, for our sins we were train spotters and spent many hour down Foundry Lane and New Street Station plus all round the country (you couldn’t do that today)

When I left school I went to work at Union Works in Villa Road but soon ended up working with my dad at Barker Allen’s in Cope Street in the rolling mill it was hard but a very happy place to work, my spare time was spent in Bills Café opposite Dudley Road Hospital and also Bradley’s café on the green just opposite Aberdeen Street cannot think of the name of the road it was on the corner of.

In 1960 I got married and moved out the area but never forgot the Green, nor never will, happy days.

ABERDEEN STREET 01/06/08

Photos of my fathers family in Aberdeen Street, Winson Green. The photographs were taken upto WW2.

Regards Keith Acton (son of Alfred Acton: Aberdeen Street) actonfamily@talktalk.net

ABERDEEN STREET 09/09/07

Photograph taken of my grandfather Herman W. Read and my mother, Marion (Twycross) Read outside his house 129 Aberdeen Street during the celebrations of King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935.

In the background is a Mitchell' s and Butler's pub called the "Bird in Hand", the painted sign is not very clear on this photograph, but I can assure any reader that may be interested in "Back Street Pubs" that it is readable on the original when enlarged.

I would be more than interested if any reader knows the history of this establishment. Malcolm Read Email: mk.read@btinternet.com

Malcolm lived at 1/102 Aberdeen Street and went to Barford Road School

Photograph's supplied by Malcolm Read.

Photograph of Aberdeen Street looking towards Peel Street on the left, with the Childrens Welfare surgery on the corner.

Malcolm Read Email: mk.read@btinternet.com

29/09/07

At the "Tower Ballroom" Edgbaston reservoir 1955-60

From left to right: John ( Froggy) Freer, John Howes, John Morton, Malcolm Read (myself), David Longstaff and John Robinson.

Back row kneeling: first one see below, Tony Parkes (face part hidden) the lad standing is not identified see below.

What is known, the first lad kneeling was a painter and decorator, who lived on the opposite side of the road to the "Malt Shovel" pub in Tudor Street, I think his christian name was Allan. The lad standing worked with David Longstaff in the Jewelery Quarter.

Photograph supplied by Malcolm Read. Email: mk.read@btinternet.com

ABERDEEN STREET 06/04/07

Photos of my mom and dad, Fred and Doris Hitchen my nan and my aunt and us kids.

Mom and Dad Fred and Doris Hitchen	Jonnie ************************* My aunt Jean Brookes and Steve Gracie	Freddie Jackie and Pat
Maureen age ?	Maureen in the middle age 14, dressed up to go to the Lacano with Pat my brother Johns girlfriend and Paddy picture was taken in Aberdeen Street 1967	Our Nan Alice Temby who also lived in Aberdeen Street at no.127 the guy in the front is Mr Dyer he lived at 136 Aberdeen Street.

Picture of my mom and dad Fred and Doris Hitchen who used to live at 132 Aberdeen Street as I was growing up in the sixties. Before they moved here they lived in Summerhill Street.

My nan Alice Temby also lived in Aberdeen Street at no.127 the guy in the front of the photo is Mr Dyer he lived at136 Aberdeen Street.

My aunt Jean Brookes she lived at no 1 Lansdown Street on her wedding day to Steve Gracie in the sixties.

Botttom left Maureen, named are my bothers Jonnie, Freddie and my sister Pat and me Jackie. We all have very fond memories of our life in Aberdeen Street.

I hope who sees this will remember us, that would be great.

If anyone does and wants to get in touch please do Email wonderwob@btinternet.com

ABERDEEN STREET 19/01/05

We moved to Aberdeen St when I was about fourteen and lived at No26 a couple of doors away from Johnny Dunkley, I had a mate called Billy Wylman from round the corner in Peel St, we all used to knock about in the Route 66 Cafe across the road from the Smiths Arms, great days sadly missed.

Chris price Email: ampegboy@live.co.uk.

Chris Price [ON THE RIGHT] recently reunited with his old mate Johhny Dunkley having a pint together in The Punch Bowl Quinton.31/12/05

I was Maureen Hitchen before I got married, does anyone remember me from Aberdeen St, we used to live two doors away from Jones shop. I went to Barford Rd School, City Rd, Summerfield, Handsworth New Rd, I left the street in 1969.

I remember Trevor Davis he lived in the Acorn Pub, Steven Benson.bottom of Aberdeen St, Susan Grincell, Pat Poole, lots more. it was the best years of my life living in Aberdeen Street

Thank You .Maureen Perks Email: Peksi2004@Aol.com

I lived at 132,Aberdeen St for 11 years my Nan lived a couple of doors away at 127 Aberdeen St. my mother's name was Doris Hitchen and father's name was Fred Hitchen. Dad had a bad lip. always in the pubs, my aunt lived at No 1 Landsdown St. I had then 2 brothers John and Freddie. myself Maureen Hitchen and Jackie. I knew all the streets as I used to hang around them in the sixties I used to go to the same school as Gary Smith. At this moment I can not find any photo's, I can remember Jones shop one door away from us. by the big opening. we used to have lots of bon-fire's.Them were the days.

Maureen Perks Email: Perksi2004@aol.com

ABERDEEN STREET 07/06/04

My Sister has Put Her Story In About Aberdeen Street,132.

Well As She Said Our Aunt Lived At 1 Lansdowne Street, And Our Nan Alice Tenby Lived At 127 Aberdeen Street,our father was a coal man, he liked to drink his name was fred hitchen, (freddie to his friends) Our Mom Doris Worked At Bulpits. Our Dad Suffered From Polio He Had A Limp. Our Father Kept Getting Into Trouble Off Our Mom Cause Of The State He Came Home In There Were Arguement.We All Ducked.

Dad Had A New Lad Work With Him One Day He Would Turn Up In Pure White T Shirts, (To Deliver Coal) He Became Very Famous His Name Was Pat Roach.

Because Of My Moms Temper He Nicked Named Her The Blonde Bombshell. We Didn't Have A Lot of Anything But I Always remember thing with fondest memories And always Will

Email ..wonderwob@btinternet.com

ABERDEEN STREET 17/03/04

Aberdeen Street. I have already made a comment in Bryant Street with regards to my mom, dad and sister. But my grandmother lived in 24 Aberdeen Street with two of her daughters. Her name was Florence Green Her daughters were Ena and Barbara. She also had 3 sons and 2 other daughters Florrie and Lily (my mom). Her sons names wee Geoff, Eric and Frank. Where they lived the gardens were in the front of the houses,and included a bomb shelter where Ena kept her gardening tools. I was nearly born in this shelter after and air raid. The toilets were down the back. and were shared with another family and you had to take the key with you it was a long trek in the winter. I now live in Australia and believe that these houses no longer exist. I remember a bomb site to the right of the houses as you faced them and this was our playground. My uncle Geoff, aunt Ruth, cousins Brian and Collin also lived in the same block.

Frances Sheen Nee Mason Email: Tfsheen@aol.com

ABERDEEN STREET

My family lived in Aberdeen Street for over fifty years.

My Grandparents used to keep the old Queens Head Pub which was opposite Stringers fruit and vegetable shop. The old pub was demolished in 1936 and the new Queens Head was built in 1937.

What wonderful times we had as children we could play out in the street and the only danger was the horse and cart and neighbors who shouted at us to play down our own end.

We would go on charanbanc trips and have song sheets to sing all the way to the seaside and sleep on the way back. I remember Mr.Jenns who kept the grocery shop and Mrs.Hill who lived next to my mother and father, and Mr&Mrs.Shorthouse who also kept a Grocery & sweetshop and their daughters Betty and June.

Very happy days. from Beryl Raine (Wilcox)

26/06/03

So glad we found this site. Both my parents are from Winson green dad (Raymond williams)was born in Aberdeen St, and mom ( june wood) was born in Bellefield Rd. If anyone remembers them please get in touch. Mom would love to hear from anyone with new's of Dorothy Palmer who's married name is Kane..

MANDY SMITH Email: smthmarky@aol.com

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ABBEY STREET 13/10/09

i was born at dudley rd hospital in 1953 and lived in abbey st untill

1970. my dad had the blacksmiths forge and with his father used shoe the

horses for scribans bakery. also any barge horses that used to be walked down from the basin in

lodge rd by the boc. i went to school at all saints and hnr. have only just found your web site its fantastic.

Ken Strawbridge ken.strawbridge@yahoo.co.uk

ABBEY STREET 02/07/08

What a fantastic site, I am Ann Nottle formerly Monaf. It is my class in the picture of the All Saints Christmas play. We lived in Abbey Street from around 1953 and were probably the first mixed race family in the area. Maureen Kemp and I who is also in the picture went on to George Dixon grammar school and then to live in Cornwall together and are still in touch. I am contacting my brother to see if he has any old pictures of the area.

Kind regards, Ann Nottle nee Monaf mail@nottle3167.fsnet.co.uk

ABBEY STREET 30/09/03

If anyone lived in Abbey St, Hockley l would love to hear from you.This is in respect of my family history project. From the mid 1850s till circa 1880 my g/grandparents raised a family of ten children in No 36 Abbey St, by coincidence in the mid 60s l worked for G/G/Lloyd in Park Rd as a driver, they owned a house in Abbey St about a third up on the left from Park Rd which l often went into.This was long before l began genealogy so l had no idea of its prominence, l can't recall the internal layout and l just wish l had been into photography then. Basically l would like to imagine the conditions a family of twelve would have living in a smallish terraced house Even better if anyone has photographs of these houses or Street pre-redevelopement l would love to see them. Many thanks, Pete Ellis .Email: p4ellis@blueyonder.co.uk

ABBEY STREET 05/02/03 and 10/02/04

I was born at 4/35 Western Grove, Abbey Street in 1947,

My brothers and sisters all attended

All Saints School, Handsworth New Road (Girls), and Icknield Street Schools.

We were one of the lucky families we had our own loo (outside), but it was ours!

DOES ANYONE remember the Outdoor run by Marge Lackey ???

WHAT ABOUT the Pawn Shop and the Cobblers?

REMEMBER knock door run?, skipping?, British bulldog?

and playing cricket in the `Horse Road`?

We used to play for hours in the street, safely. OH what times we had!

Jacqueline Perry (CARNELL) Email: dotmay2003@yahoo.co.uk

This photo was taken in the early 60`s, its my Mom Dot Carnell, sitting in the front garden of 4/35 Abbey Street.

We lived up a grove in ABBEY STREET, there were 5 houses, we all had 3rooms down and 3 rooms up, and our own seperate toilets! But a lot of the houses were back to back,with just one room and a scullery and 2 rooms up stairs and had to share toilets with other families.I had a friend whose family lived at the back of the cobblers shop and they had four children! Jackie(carnell)Perry Email: dotmay2003@yahoo.co.uk

ABBEY STREET 19/07/02

Just a few names to stir memories Steven Earl, Paul Sale, Paul Tierney, Keith Higgins (his Dad had the greengrocers in Crabtree Rd)

An old lady I loved who had a dog called Jack,I used to call her Granny Brookes, I was told she would have a drink at the pub ( or offlicence I'm not sure) every day like clockwork until she died when she was well over 100 years old.

My grandfather Bill Thomas had the pet shop on Lodge Road, Near the prison.

I was born in Dudley Road Hospital in 1948.

I also lived in Abbey Street just off Lodge Road, Not far from Scribbans Bakery.

Now I live in South Australia a seaside town called Christies Beach.

I was elated when I stumbled on your web site.

P.S. I used to go to a youth club called the Stonehouse Gang that met in Camden St school.

from Ian Thorpe Email: jeanian@senet.com.au

(does anybody else remember this club meeting there?)

David Roberts used to be a member of the gang see Coralie Street on the stories page.

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ALLENS ROAD (Avon Place) 06/05/08

Avon Place was a cul-de-sac, situated off Allens Road, only had four houses, occupied during the war by the Jakemans, Sheppard, and Haywoods. On the corner was Vickers Grocery shop (later Parkers). At the far end, near the railway was the local A.R.P 'Command Post', which was taboo to us kids!! inside was a bench, shelf or table, a telephone, buckets of sand and stirrup pumps, to be used with the buckets of water which hung on brackets between the bay windows in Allens Rd. A row of houses, LIME GROVE, which I think belonged to Great Western Railway, ran alongside the embankment and the families that lived there were mainly employed by the railway....Davies, Potter, Williams, Bache, Bates etc. These houses had a reasonable front garden, where most grew vegetables, and also a backyard that overlooked the main Birmingham to Wolverhampton line.(now the metro). An excellent place to view the trains and as kids each year we would get our new 'reference book' from the Scout shop in Dale End with all GWR train names and numbers in...King , Manor, Duke Classes Tankers and even 'Dudley Dashers', we would carefully underline each train 'spotted'. These were our treasured possessions. Opposite Lime Grove was a narrow passage that led into the 'Big Yard' and from there up the steps onto Benson Rd. Yes, Avon Place was an ideal place to play cricket, football, learn to cycle and at the end of the war to hold our parties and Street Bonfires.

Derek Weston derek@dweston1.wanadoo.co.uk

Photos taken in 1948 in Avon Place , Brian Jeffries and Derek Weston, in the background, Nos.22 & 24 Allens Rd. where Pat and Maureen Hodgson and their grandfather Alfred Bird lived.

ALLENS ROAD 25/12/07

My Grandfather Albert Ernest Bird lived in Allens Road most of his life and my Auntie lived next door for most of her life. I remember as a child travelling on the train from Snow Hill to Soho & Winson Green train station, 3 stops, with my Mom and Dad to visit them. In more resent years I had a partner whose parents lived in the same area so we used to visit various 'Clubs' at Christmas etc.

I would love to know more about him and where he lived.

Therese Hobson EMAIL: hobboterry@hotmail.com

ALLENS ROAD 17/05/07

I was born in Allens Rd. in 1937, I remember the war years, in particular Big Nellie Riley, who manned the Soho & Winson Green Railway Stn. on her own. She was the one everyone called upon to do the 'mans jobs', like moving furniture or replacing blown out windows etc. My aunt (Haywoods) lived in Avon Place, next to the railway line. They had a 'Morrison' shelter in the front r

oom, and my mother and I would run down the back entry (Lime Grove) when the 'siren' went. I remember 'Garfitts' the little corner newsagents, Yeomans the butchers, Clarks or Jeffries the greengrocers, where we queued for our first banana. In 1945, we had a party at the methodist hall, Benson Road. See Photo. In the photo, are most of the 'kids' from the Benson Rd area....The Corbets, Lees, Tompkins, Winkles,Cooper, Cox, Gaffney, Jeffries, Adams, Spillers, Whittle, Ball, Steeles, Perfect, Law, and many I can't recall the names of. My Gran (Williams) also lived in Benson Rd. opposite Harding St. I remember Greasleys the sweet shop and a shop we referred to as 'up the steps'. When I got married my Best Man was Joe Clark, lived at the old cafe, next to railway bridge. During the war, my mother worked at Setten & Durwards, making cartridge cases, later at Cheneys in Factory Rd.

I am now retired, after serving in the Fire Service for 30 yrs. covering the Handsworth, Aston, and other Birmingham areas.

Best Wishes to all old Winson Greeners.

Derek Weston, E-mail : derek@dweston1.wanadoo.co.uk

Allens Road...The 'old' end, 06/06/07

Now completely disappeared, had 'Fords' the bakers on the corner with Bacchus Rd.(before they moved to Benson Rd. near Park Rd.). As I lived opposite the bakery, as a child I would wake up to the smell of newly baked bread, and when purchasing a loaf, we always selected the 'burnt' one and would have picked off most of the crust before getting it home!.

Halfway down the road (opposite Avon Place) was Thorntons the 'outdoor' and from 6 oclock onwards, people would be seen entering and emerging with large jugs covered with a 'teatowel', and a bottle of stout for the 'missus'! to settle in for the night before the siren went..........Avon Place (a small cul-de-sac) had the A.R.P. wardens hut at the far end, but was where you could play cricket and football and still keep a look-out for the local bobby! It was a safe place because one could 'escape' either up Lime Grove or through the gully into the 'Big Yard' and out into Benson Road. The waste paper box or the 'pig bin' were convenient goal posts or wickets.

Allens Rd.(the 'new' end) was a cul-de-sac with the houses at the end known as 'The Triangle' and if you were careful you could sneak down the 'entry' to the back of the houses. It was an ideal place to 'catch train numbers' as GWR and LMS both converged at this point.

At the end of the war, a large bonfire was 'lit' in 'Old Allens' in the middle of the road to celebrate, it was so fierce that all the paintwork was burned or blistered on the doors and windows of adjacent houses, but no-one seemed to care. Many names spring to mind from that era...Desmond Woolridge, Norman Bickley,Brian & Barry Jeffries, Joan Pitt, Sheila Corcoran, Pat Hodson, Silvia Beddall and many more - a time when both sexes seemed to intergrate at play more than they do now. Many memories from the area during the 40s and 50s. Sadly the old roads gone now, they call it progress.

Derek Weston, E-mail : derek@dweston1.wanadoo.co.uk

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AVERY ROAD ( this road is just inside Smetwick but Alan deserves a mention on our site) 10/02/07

I used to live in Avery Road I used to play with my brother in Black Patch Park.

My mother used to work at Avery's as a cleaner.

I went to Foundry Lane Infant and Junior schools and later Handworth Girls School.

Email: ca.atkins@virgin.net

AVERY ROAD10/03/03

I left HNR school 1949 we lived in Avery Rd. I delivered papers all round the Green 7 days a week night & morning for 7/6d from little shop opposite prison.

A lot of good times & some not so good. Alan Aston Email: alan@aston2002.fsnet.co.uk

AVERY ROAD and the Merry Hill area. 22/09/03

My mom (Lydia Coley from Rowley Regis born in 1921) lived in Murdock Road with my Aunt, sister and where I grew up as a child in the 1960's up to 1978 when Murdock Road was eventually knocked down.

Mom remembers this photo, the pub was the Soho Tavern and Hawkers were the original owners of the Cafe next door when mom was a little girl in the 20's. Next to the cafe was a house and next to that was St. Johns Mission, followed by six more houses. Avery's the scale making company was opposite the Soho Tavern. On the opposite side of Avery Road was the row of shops between Avery Road and Murdock Road. There was a Grocery shop, Tobacconist next door, then a dress shop, next to that was the greengrocers,followed by a shop that sold books and cards, then a cooked meat shop, next to that was a butchers on the corner of Murdock Road and Foundry Lane.

At the top of Murdock Road there was a farm (it was like a farm, he had pigs, chickens and all sorts) that farm ran along from Murdock Road to Avery Road. Mr Brooks was the tenant of the farm and he was the only one in Murdock Road who had a car 1930's. All the houses in Murdock and Avery Road were tenanted some by the gypsies (Smiths, Claytons - Murdock Road Avery Road - Loveridges, Shepherds, Pettifers who were the gypsy families) The land lord was Mr Taylor who owned the whole of Murdock Road, except the farm. The rent at the time for mom's house was about 4/6d. One side of Avery Road was owned by Avery's themselves, mainly they were for their workers and the later they were just let out.

Mom could go on and on, but would it be of interest to you? The sort of things she remembers are what school was like, War time work, Murdock Road being bombed the end of Murdock Road etc etc.

Regards Andrew Leigh ab.leigh@virgin.net

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ABBERLEY STREET 17/03/07

I spotted a letter on your site from Ian Thorpe in Ausraliia regarding a Bill Thomas who owned a pet shop on Lodge Road. I used to work for Bill Thomas and his son who was also known as Bill even though his name was Robert. I used to be a truck driver for them for about 15 years at the firm which was called Thomas and Guest and was in Abberley Street, Winson Green.At the time I also lived in Abberley Street but am originally from Talbot Street.The reason I'm writing is because the letter from Ian Thorpe dates from 2002 and I cannot get a reply from him on his e-mail number. I suppose over the years he may have changed it so I was hoping you could put this on your site in the hope that he might see it. I also wrote to you a couple of weeks ago regarding Wal Bannister who used to live at my old address in Talbot Street and you put a note on your site for me but as yet have still had no reply. Still, I can but hope.

Thanking you again, Bob Shale Email: rwshale@hotmail.co.uk

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BACCHUS ROAD 07/07/09

Both photographs were taken at the VJ party located near the railway bridge in Bacchus Road (Niniva Road end) in1945

Many thank to Margaret Moylan for supplying the photos.

BACCHUS ROAD 14/10/08

Does anyone remember the Children’s Nursery on Bacchus Road I went there in the late 50’s and if I remember correctly the head was Ms/Mrs Brown who had a little black sausage dog (dachund). We used to have to queue up in the morning for a spoonful of castor oil……..at least I think it was castor oil before we had our bottle of milk. We were made of sturdy stuff in those days!!!

Ann Gallagher Ann.Gallagher@macarts.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 01/04/08

I was very interested in Colins recollections of Bacchus Road, especially the 'penny pick' shop on the corner of Leanard Street, 'The Grapes' public house, known locally as 'The Jolly Bacchus'. But there were more shops further down towards Nineveh Rd., a newsagents, a woman that sold everything connected with sewing and knitting, a greengrocers and ironmongers etc. Opposite,on the corner of Park Rd. was a building that was privately occupied but looked like it could have been an old public house, can anyone remember it?? Also , why was the road called 'Bacchus', I can't find any reference to a vineyard or winemaking!!! but maybe with its close vicinity to Hockley Brook, this may have happened in the past.! Finally, who were, Benson, Allen, Talbot, Harding, Willis, Preston, Musgrave etc....where they prominent men from the 19th. century, or perhaps reputable employees of Matthew Bolton.?? Somebody may know. Derek Weston derekjohnweston@hotmail.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 26/03/08

Bacchus Road should be recognized in History, for the contribution it played in the formation of Winson Green Community offering all shopping facilites & Services to residents north of the" Flat "

Starting with Ronnie Swain & Wife running the only Motor garage petrol station Pre 1940 with pump handles, recalling from self experince,ocasionally doing odd jobs to earn pocket money,sweeping up and help using the pump handle. Next door the Co-oP the future of Stores to come, families from a wide area of the district became members, children would earn their pocket money, fetching the family weekly grocery.

Having to take the Rations Card have it stamped brings back the futilely of the era.

Next door was Old Mother Jones Cafe, were you could spend your pocket money,purchasing a Bottle pop and a slice of home Bread Pudding. If you had any money left, the temptation was to enter Daddy Eagles Newsagents & Tobacco shop, and purchase a packet of cigs and say "for my dad". Ada Windbush bread & cakes shop followed then Richardson Butchers, were my brother worked partime Johnny the Pawnbrokers.to Rosie Browns Fish & Chip Shop,1d of chips & some batters, always gave two scupps and when wrapping them up knocked some off. Drapers Ladies & childrens clothes next the childrens favourite a shop full of pop & sweets. Mr Priest Electrical shop where local residents had the Radio repairs and replacement parts and accumulator recharged. Post Office & Telephone box. Across the opposite side of road Shufflebottoms Fruit & veg shop, next Billy Brannian Barbers shop follow by the Public Washing Baths many a story attached to that building.

The Following premises was two fold the local known boxer Carl Barton owned the local Coal Merchants which deliverd to houses via a wheel barrow delivery,this service was carried out with the help of team of local lads that earned their pocket money for a 1d per delivery. Another Pop & Sweet shop, plus a row of shops of Grocery, Butchers, Bread & Cake shop, Chemist and Fish & Chips shop.

Then a large section of Buildings owned by the Birmingham City council,used as City Laundry for items from schools and offices. Mrs.Lees Ladies Hairdresser. Birch Family Greengrocers. Shoe repairs shop. Newsagents. Chemist shop. Fords home Breads and quaility Confectionary. Penny Pick Sweet shop, you choose your Favourite for 1d. The Local so called Tin Chapel, later converted to the British Legion Club

"The Grapes Public house was last building and the only pub in the road.

Regards Colin Mills cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk

Additional memories 31/05/08 I have about the shops Colin Mills recalls are the butchers was called Richards. A few years ago I used to see Grayson Richards in the wholesale meat market in Birmingham. The drapers was called Pardoes and the sweet shop next door was Beaumonts. The greengrocers opposite was run by the Binnells for part of the 1950's. The sweet shop just past the public baths and opposite the end of Preston Road was run by sisters named Hartill. Going towards Benson Road was Luke Smith the chemist and Albert Yeomans the butcher, his brother Frank had a butchers shop in Benson Road. There was also a lady who ran library from a shop. JAMES HOLLOWAY james@gwr4111.freeserve.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 22/02/08

Reading a heart rendering story of a youth in Markby Road losing his life. This made a sad recall of my mate 11year old Reg Essex, he and I were out roller skating in Bacchus Road and as young lads do, showing off how clever we could perform on them, when Reg race down the road and hit the pavement, and hit his head on the adjoining wall and collapsing. I returned to his house and fetched his mother, the local shop keeper phoned for a ambulance, and he was taken to Dudley Road Hospital were he never recovered and passed away, and at that age did not understand the end of life. His mother always acknowledge our friendship and at later date adoptive two brother aged 12years old and asked myself to befriend them. This I did for Mrs Essex in my memory of my mate Reg. I introduced them both in the 14th Boys Brigade at The Institute Lodge Road where they both stayed from their youthful years into manhood, both becoming officers of the Brigade. Out of adversity,sometimes brings happiness. Colin Mills cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 04/08/07

Your site brought tears to my eyes. I live in Surrey and have all my life, but my mother sometimes was not able to look after us (in hospital) so we lived with my grandmother at 49 Bacchus Road. We also went to the local school for a while in the early sixties. Did they make fun of us! we had Surrey accents so we were easy targets. However, they are my fondest memories. As I had only just started school, I can't place the geography. Bacchus Road was a terrace and I remember the last house in the row was right next to the railway line and we used to peer through the fence.

My sister and I were sent to a shop with a big mug and some money and came back with Faggots and peas, but I can't remember the shop, it may have been near Allen Road. I remember going to the public baths, because my grandmother only had a pantry, it was a cupboard with a big square sink. I remember a sweet shop across the road on a corner. My grandmother was MrsFenton, and my auntie and uncle lived a few doors up the Shrimptons.

There was a pub I think called the Railway and my nan would take us she would drink a pale ale and we would be with a soft drink and a packet of crisps watching the trains.

I don't know how accurate my memories are but I love the site.

Best regards, Valerie val@valmushroom.plus.com

BACCHUS ROAD 26/04/07

The year 1939.a group of six boys were walking along Bacchus Road eating chips,nearby the local Post Office,had a telephone Kiosk and post box infront of it. when one of these lads looked into the phone box

and said to us other lads,their is a parcel on the shelf.So being inquisitive someone decided to find out the contents inside,when picking the parcel up he said,that it was ticking away,so the thoughts were a bomb.so the

decision was to take to the Police station at Dudley Rd/summerfield park. so we all walked up to Winson Green Rd to the Police Station,all six lads went inside thinking we may recive a reward. The desk sargent took the parcel and unwrapped the so called bomb,and to our amazment,it was

a alarm clock ticking away.the police officer was about to give us all a thick ear,for wasting his time,when we all turned around an ran. On the way home we found out who the joker was we all gave him a kick up the rear end,and ran home laughing.

I hope that the lads involved read this on the website.

Regards Colin Mills cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 06/03/07

BACCHUS ROAD 22/08/06

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 newsagents and fishing tackle shop in Icknield Street. 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 bab90@hotmail.co.uk

BACCHUS ROAD 05/11/03

I lived at 132 Bacchus Rd. for 19 years. 1948 to 1967 then emigrated to Canada, and still here.

Daughter Linda went to Benson Road School from 1955 to 61, then King Edwards Grammar School for Girls ,son Stephen went to Benson Rd.also but came to Canada with us when he was 10.

Names I remember, Mr and Mrs Fred Lewis in corner store Bacchus Rd and Leonard St. Mrs. Moore, corner of Bacchus and Allens Rd. Gord Latham on Bacchus, Charlie Millington on Bacchus.

I am now 77 years old so my memory is a little dimmer, would anyone who knows me or my family please drop me a line. Len Holland holland_leonard@hotmail.co

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BARFORD ROAD is just over the borders in Rotton Park. 26/03/03

I grew up in Barford Rd at 8/55 ( Bertha Buildings) from 1955 for 29 yrs loved it, I used to go to all the picture houses. My aunt (prices) used to have tobbaco shop on the Parade by the Lyric picture house

I was trying to find some information when I came across this site. Sandra Cooke nee (George)

Email: sandra_cooke@bun.com

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BEETON ROAD 28/12/06

I would also like to say that I enjoy looking at this site and find some of the comments very interesting and enlightening on how people used to live. I grew up in the Winson Green (Beeton Rd) area during the 60's and 70's and can remember how the area used to be. It is sad to see that back then society was a lot safer than it is today, which I thing is a shame as we have not really progressed. I have lived in Grand Rapids, MI (USA) for the last 4.5 years and can say that although the British media portrays the US as a violent society nothing could be farther from the truth. With the exception of a few bad rough areas of the bigger cities street crime and car crime is virtually non existent, which reminds me of my own childhood in Winson Green. Hopefully something will happen to improve the changes that have happened in England. Martin Thomas

Email: martinwthomas@sbcglobal.net

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BENSON ROAD

BENSON ROAD 30/10/07

What a brilliantly nostalgic site.

I used to live at 18 Benson Rd (up the steps next door to Maisies shop ) from 1952 to 1963. Mom and dad were Fred and Clarice Lowe, sister Susan. Grandad Albert Pike used to hire the hand carts from the "big yard " on the corner of Nineveh Rd. Pals I remember were Roger Denelly, Fred Deeley, Bert Peden, John Nurrish, Michael Clayton, Jeffrey Ince ( who was tragically killed in Aden ) and a lot of lads I played soccer and cricket with most nights down the rec. Remember one occasion when we were caught by the parkie playing soccer on the bowling green, everyone ran off but I left my jacket behind and of course he recognised it and took it to my house where it was waiting for me when I got home....ouch, that hurt!! Does anyone remember the Coopers who lived by the Wonder Vaults. Barbara and I have remained good friends all these years, she lives in Bournemouth now. I myself hve been married 37yrs and live in Coleshill. I have some great pics of the old days. John Lowe Email: jon.lowe29@tiscali.co.uk

JOHN LOWE'S PHOTOS 03/11/07

Fred and Clarice Lowe, moved from Beaton Rd to Nineveh Rd and finally to 18 Benson Rd ( 1952-1974 ).	My aunt Joyce ( Pike ) and Fred Wakeman on their wedding day. They lived on the corner of Nineveh Rd
Probably members of the British Legion fishing club. My dad Fred Lowe is on the left at the back and I think the man on the right at the back is George Westwood of Talbot St. Anybody recognise the others?	Possibly the Legion bowls team taken at the rear of the Grapes in Bacchus Rd Fred Lowe is second from the left and my grandad Albert Pike is second from the right. Extreme left is Joe Hale and the man in the middle with the trilby is Arthur Hale ( no relation ) who used to take the Boys Brigade. the man on the far right is George ?
The Cooper family ...41 ? Benson Rd. Harry,Gran,Emily and Barbara, they also had a son Trevor	My sister Sue Lowe and a friend, is it Joy Whittle?
Sue Lowe and Jane Rodgers at the top of the garden 18 Benson Rd.	A weekend in Backpool 1955? some names I can recall Barbara Cooper Emily Cooper Harry Bartlam Athur Lowe Anyone know the others?

WILLIAMS' family of (19?)Benson Road. circa 1922. [25/08/07]

Back Row

..Len..

.Harry...Albert...

.Howard

Middle Row....Jack..

Cissie...Mabel

Front Row.....Grace...Emily

...Doll(Doris)...Arthur...Edna

BENSON ROAD 05/10/06

My mom Janet (still with us) grew up during the 1940s and 50s in Benson Rd. Her mother was Violet and her dad Eric Whittle- both long gone now I'm afraid but my mom has an older sister called Maureen and younger one called Joy who readers may remember. They all lived at the house right next to the Wondervaults pub (the end nearer the railway line) - in fact when I used to stay over I remember the sound of the voices and piano music coming through the walls at night. Unfortunately I can't remember the house number (44, 45 or 46?) as I was very young (4yrs old) when they moved out (to a posh council house in Harborne in 1965). On the recently-posted photographs of the railway station at Benson Rd on your site, if you look at the one at the top right taken at rail level I think you can see the upper stories of the houses and then the white front of the Wondervaults pub in the distant background, behind the railway lines and buildings.

That block of houses in the triangle formed by Benson Rd, between the railway line and the pub were demolished and made way for a scrap yard and the Wondervaults (I think) temporarily became a DIY store. On a recent trip back (2005) I notice that the land (including the Wondervaults itself) is now occupied by a care home.

This photograph of 45 Benson Rd next to The Wonder Vaults pub

was taken by my dad John Rowe in 1966/7 just before its demolition.

We always had to approach the house through its back door by going up the entry (Grandad Whittle wouldn't allow us to use the front door!). The houses had deep cellars and a huge coal-fired range in the back kitchen. The front room was kept "for best". Some of my nan Violet's relatives (I think they were called Spillers) lived further up Benson Rd in much older houses the other side of the pub that seemed more like cottages and you had to approach them by going up through an alley. I think my great grandma lived further up on the opposite side of Benson Rd (or the next street down) for a while - they definitely were called Spiller.

In the early 1960's I frequently visited my nan and grandad Whittle - from our flat in Lozells Rd we walked up past the Villa Cross and over the Soho Rd to descend down St Michael's Hill. I'll always remember the feeling of excitement of going to see Nan and Grandad - of course the highlight was the railway - a grand-stand view was to be had from the wall of the triangular communal back yard. I was held up by some friendly soul to peer forever at the shunters chugging about but also the expresses hurtling through. As mentioned I was only 4 when they moved out but I have such vivid and particularly fond memories of that time and the area. My nan (Violet Whittle) worked at a factory called Toogoods which wasn't far (in toddler walking terms) from Benson Rd and she took me there now and again - as far as I remember it was actually built on wooden "stilts" on the railway embankment right next to the line into Birmingham. You had to get to it by climbing a set of stairs from street level. However, I'm sure a reader will correct me if my then toddler brain has confused matters. I also frequented the "Black Patch" with my nan.

Finally I would be genuinely interested to hear if anyone remembers the Whittles or even me - a frequent visitor.

Keep up the excellent work. Mike Rowe mikerowe44@ntlworld.com

PS I now live in the North East (Hartlepool) but I was born in Dudley Rd (City) Hospital and immediately became a resident of Lozells Rd until we moved onwards and upwards to Great Barr in the late 1960s.

03/03/06

Hi again I am looking for any one who knows the Bull family from 22 Lees St also my mate Macca who lived in Benson Road and a girl we called "TEAPOT" also from Benson Rd. Best wishes Dave Bull Isle of Wight.

Email: watchet@hotmail.co.uk

BENSON ROAD (Soho and Winson Green station)

CLICK HERE for other stations.

http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/soho_gwr.php

Photo thanks to McJoseph 26/09/06 The caption reads:

"A photograph of the Great Western Railway station at Soho & Winson Green. A train approaches on the line from Birmingham to Handsworth & Smethwick".


Ex GWR 2-6-0 No 7321 on a passenger at Soho and Winson Green in 1957 Photo Copyright "D K.JONES collection" with thanks.. http://www.cresselleyphotos.co.uk	05/03/05 Ex GWR 4-6-0 No 7900 "St Peters Hall" passing Soho and Winson Green signal box in 1956 Photo Copyright "D K.JONES collection" with thanks. http://www.cresselleyphotos.co.uk

The photos are of Soho & Winson Green Station of the G.W.R. The station buildings and signals are of pure G.W.R. type. The bridge in the distance carries Benson Road over the railway with the station entrance also there. Does anyone remember Nellie & Gladys who worked in the booking office there in the 1950's? I lived in Lodge Road from 1945 until 1961.

James Holloway

Email: james@gwr4111.freeserve.co.uk

BENSON ROAD 15/01/03

My mom lived at 42 Benson Road with my great gran, my grans name was Mrs Gilbert. Then mom had me in 1955 and moved over the road to 1/37 Benson Road. My mothers name is Annie Gregory nee (Gilbert) my dads name was Harry Gregory. I was born in Dudley Road Hospital and I went to Benson Road School in 1960.

I can remember playing all kinds of games in the street it was safe in those days, you used to be able to stay out of a night and play without being afraid as all the moms used to sit on their doorsteps watching you as you played. I remember having a very long piece of thick elastic where their would be a girl at each end and you would have to twist around and jump trying not to fall over.

My dad used to drive the Lodge Road 96 bus, I can remember mom taking me to go and meet him, we used to get on the bus and mom would get her money out, the conducter would say "put that back" then we would make our way home getting fish and chips on the way. We used to live next door to the "Wonder Vault" pub and used the pub quite often living next door to it. I remember standing outside the pub on bonfire night shouting (penny for the guy) with my friends Mandy and the twins Maxine andJulia I think their last name was Sadler.

My dads aunt and uncle through adoption used to own Jacksons the greengrocers and mom used to work at the Black Eagle pub on Factory Road I would so dearly like to get in contact with any of the above people as now my father is no longer with us it would be nice to see if anyone would remembers us.

From Anita Cunniffe nee Gregory Email: mc012b3353@blueyonder.co.uk

BENSON ROAD

This PHOTOGRAPH was taken in Benson Road

sometime in the 1960s

Does anyone recognise the little girl?

EMAIL ted.rudge@btinternet.com

BENSON ROAD

I was 5 when I arrived at Benson Road to live and was 13 when I left, I attended Benson Road and Handsworth New Road Schools between 1952 and 1961 before moving to the other side of town (Posh new council house for me Mom)

We lived in one of the back-to-back houses. Our address was 1 back of 38 Benson Road, on a letter the address would have been interpreted as: 1/38 Benson Road. To the best of my knowledge there were 7 b-to-b houses in our part of Benson Road. Two either side of, and adjoining the Wonder Vaults with a central entry to reach the back and three forming part of a terrace block across the road opposite the Vaults. One having a central entry and ours the entry to the side on the adjoining wall to a small shop owned by a lady named Doris. The Wonder Vaults is remembered only as a large White pub on the flat bit of Benson Road between Bacchus Road and the railway bridge. The facade and interior is loosely remember but the Outdoor, frequented very regular for a little packet of cheese and biscuits, is remembered well. I also played with the children of the pub.

I remember the Soap Hole well this is where you spotted your LMS locos(Vittoria Street Smethwick) however I was a GWR man so it was a little yard opposite Soho and Winson Green railway station (in Benson Road) that I frequented called "Allens Yard". Does anybody remember that ruddy great dog that used to put the fear of god in us when we went passed the back gate. O Happy days.

Soho and Winson Green Railway Station was tended by a lady called Bessy. By Ged Rutter 25/04/02

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To the left of the school past Allens Road was an odd triangular shaped court yard with a passageway leading to Allen's Road. This courtyard had open railings on one side the other side of the railings was the Great Western Railway (GWR).

It was a great treat and a spectacle to see the great King Class locos come thundering past billowing stream everywhere.By Stuart Waldron 25/04/02

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BENSON ROAD SCHOOL

Head mistress in the early 1950's was Miss Dumealow.

(Miss Dumealow was the senior teacher when I was there1945-50 and Miss Legge was the Head.(Ted Rudge)

Toilets were outside the main building, a lean to affair against the boundary wall to the left of the school.

There were no playing fields so any sports activity entailed a long walk to a park somewhere near Rookery Road (approx 1.5miles each way).by Stuart Waldron 25/04/02

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Benson Road School. Miss Dumealow as far as I know, was never head mistress during the early 1950s , she used to take topclass in the juniors, I know that for a fact as I was in her class during my last year. Miss Legge was head mistress when I started and still head mistress when I left in 1955. by Keith Bird 11/05/02

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Benson Road School had an annex in Musgrave Road (church hall next to the church) by Ged Rutter 25/04/02

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BELLFIELD ROAD 26/06/03

So glad we found this site. Both my parents are from Winson green dad (Raymond Williams) was born in Aberdeen St, and mom ( june wood) was born in Bellefield Rd. If anyone remembers them please get in touch. Mom would love to hear from anyone with new's of Dorothy Palmer who's married name is Kane..

MANDY GOT LOST (03/07/03)

Even though I was born and bred in Solihull, I spent most of my childhood in Winson green. My parents where both born and raised their, Dad Raymond Williams lived in Aberdeen st, and Mom June Wood lived in Bellefield road. We would often visit my grandparents and great grandparents they lived in Bellefield Ave. 1964 we were moving house, my parents dropped me off at my nanny williams so they could shop for furniture, I told my nan I wanted the toilet, and as it was outside I decided instead of the back yard, I would try to find my mom and dad, I walked on to Dudley Road, into Winson green road, where two boys found me, They took me a little way but got fed up with me so passed me onto a lady in Black Patch Park. Instead of taking me to the police station, she took me home to feed me and then took me to Thornhill Road police station. My parents had by this time returned to my nan's and raised the alarm that I was missing. 6 hrs later I was reunited with them. The way they left me to how I returned was a little diffrent. I had wet myself, my hair was matted and I HAD DONE NOTHING BUT CRY. When I was asked for my address I kept saying Solihull. I think the Police thought I had walked a very long way or I was mad. I often think about how lucky I was, can you imagin in this day and age a 3 year old child going missing and being found just hungry and tired....

MANDY SMITH Email: smthmarky@aol.com

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BLACKFORD STREET 09/09/09

My name is Dennis Evans and I was born at 8 Norman Street, Winson Green, in 1929 and lived in that house until 1952 when I married.

I would really love to know if anyone could give me any information about Betty Evans (no relation) from Wellington Street, she had a sister, Minnie, and a brother, Arthur.

Also does anyone know the present whereabouts of my cousin - Joyce Valerie Parry (nee Smith) who was born and lived in Blackford Street, Winson Green from 1934 until about 1952.

I have been able to find the rest of our cousins, but not Joyce, so it would be lovely to find her.

Dennis Evans - denbarevans@cwgsy.net

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BRYANT STREET 12/08/08

I have been looking at the website and it brought back memories. My family lived in Bryant Street from 1932 until approx. 1969. I left there in 1951. My family were the Higgins family at 11 Bryant Street. I had five sisters and two brothers.

I would very much like to leave a message on the website to see if anyone remembers us.

F.J. Higgins (Frank) f2higgins@btinternet.com

BRYANT STREET 02/02/08

I noticed an entry about someone living in 44 Bryant Street , I was born in that house on the 18/02/1962 and I lived there until I was about 9 years old, I used to go to Foundry Road school. I have very happy memories of this house my mom and dad where the best they made me and my two sister's Susan and Jackie very happy. I remember that house like I left if yesterday. I remember the cafe at the top of the road he was a black man and he used to have a boxer dog that used to sit on the step. Does anyone remember the toy shop on the opposite corner, and the chemist further along by the entry it was a old chemist like something from the Victorian age with its high counter there are lots of shop I can remember like the butchers over the road nearer to the pub the man in there had ginger hair and a lump on his forehead and the sawdust on the floor. Also the haberdashery further along with the bell under the floor that used to go off when you walked in. My mom used to buy our ribbo

Sandra Coates Email: sandramariacoates@yahoo.co.uk

BRYANT STREET 18/03/04

I used to live in 44 Bryant St I believe that some of the houses in Bryant Street were originally built for the prison warders who for some reason didn't want them and they were handed over to the council. John Stamp lived with his parents in No2 and the Peter Higgins lived just down the road on the opposite side to us. The gardens at the back of our houses came about because of a storm, apparently the fences were blown down and permission given for anyone that wanted to cultivate a garden, that is why there was a path between the back yards and the gard

ens except ours 44 because we were the end of the block. The railway run at the bottom of the garden with a high wall and a long drop down. A neighbour a few doors away (I can't remember her name) had a husband who was killed on the railway line, he was a signal box operator and was walking home when hit by a train

One set of grandparents lived in Little Peel Street and my Grandmoher and 2 aunts lived in Aberdeen Street. They were the Masons and the Greens. All my family were known down the Green as we called it. Frances Sheen ( Nee Mason) Email: Tfshen@aol.com

BRYANT STREET 28/07/03

My name is Alan Sorrell and I was born at number 64 in October 1935 I remember my days there with affection it seemed to me there was always something happening (or was that my imagination). I lived there until I married Janet Blackwell in 1956 when we moved to Marroway Street and then to Tamworth.

Bryant St ran from Winson Green Rd to Clinton St that joined Magdala St and that went to Winson Green Road forming a large square, this was bisected by Blackford St . We kids worked out (rightly or wrongly) that the distance round this small square was 250yards and if we ran round this 8 times we did a mile. Does anyone remember a very bad accident that happened on Winson Green Road at the junction with Aberdeen St when old Mrs Cook was hit by a Jeep driven by an American soldier (who was later charged with manslaughter) and killed this would have been sometime during 1942 or 1943 during the blackout. I can still remember the funeral when we all had to pay our last respects. At the corner of Bryant St. and Winson Green Rd. was Bradley's Coffee House at the bottom of the street was Bryant Bedsteads and that ran the full length of ClintonStreet. There where 2 policemen (Mr. Allen & Mr. Bullock) who lived in the street and a couple of prison warders. I remember on occasions going outside the prison when an execution was to take place to see the death notice pinned on the gates, I remember a large car (a Rolls I think) arriving and as the Bell began tolling 9.am a lady dressed in a fur coat would get out, drop to her knees and pray I think her name was Mrs Van ?????? something, my dad said she went to every execution in the country to pray.

Alan Sorrell E:mail alan@sorrell.fslife.co.uk

BRYANT STREET 26/10/04

I have been looking for information about a Charles Bryant who owned Bryant Bedsteads about a possible family history link and was delighted to find it mentioned on your very informative website.

Any information about the family would be appreciated.

Monica Couchman Email: monicacouchman@btopenworld.com

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CAPE HILL is Smethwick but is included as a lot of Winson Green people worked there. 11/12/08

Sending you this photo of my mom JanetteJames nee Jones and work mates from Scribbans cake factory in Smethwick taken in 1961/ 62. Mom is the first lady kneeling on the left as you look at the photo she started work in 1960 and left in 1968. The other photo shows two lady's they are twins Jean and Christeen who are also in the first photo. My mom thinks the site is great and would like you to put them to the collection.

Regards Mark James MARKUK06@aol.com

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Street, Winson Green from the 1920's to the late 1950's and I was wondering if anybody might remember them. Many thanks.Ian Edinborough ianedinborough@btinternet.com

CAPE STREET 06/03/08 1950s OUTING

Photo of a local outing on a coach about 40 men women and children of all ages and it looks like the mid 1950's. I don't know more than it was a local outing and my dad Jeff Mossop (who used to live Cape Street)

is in the first row bottom left in a dark suit and I think his best frined (George? hall) is directly behind him. Jacqueline Jensen formerly Pillar jacpillar@hotmail.com

This photo may have been taken at Trentham Gardens see Eva Road for a similar photo. Ted

CAPE STREET 07/09/07 Photos thanks to Betty Dale nee Brotherton Email betty.dale@tiscali.co.uk

My Parents getting engaged accompanied by the aspidistra at 32 Cape Street They were Married @ ST Johns Church Ladywood in 1922	My Granddad & family, My Mom 2nd left. Taken in Carlisle Street Winson Green about 1907. Their Mother died in1906.Granddad brought them all up on his own. They moved to 32 Cape Street & my parents took over the tenancy when they married in 1922
Taken at 32 Cape Street, Rex the dog with the gang	Betty and June the shelter was built on the bomb crater. The bomb fell immediately behind our house 32 Cape Street. If it had hit a few yards on I would not be writing this. Thomas Buildings, my first little house is among the the ones you can see behind us. What a place to have our photo taken EH?
Victory parade in Cape Street	1950 BETTY-----with Betty's niece JOY and Betty's brother Raymond

CAPE STREET 15/08/05

Stumbled on your site by chance,I lived in Cape St - 1947/1965.Could you make any use of old photographs of the place, mostly family shots? Keep up the work,it was a pleasure to scroll through the pages.

Stevan Ryall - once of 1 Arley Villas ,Cape Street,Birmingham 18 - a very long time ago.

Email: stevan.ryall@ntlworld.com

CORONATION DAY 1953 IN CAPE STREET 09/10/07

Photographs of the Coronation Day fancy dress parade Cape Street and the party in the Co-op hut Dudley Rd, I can recognise a few faces but have no names, I was just 6 at the time. I've got more if you want them but they all very simular.

Strange to look back at the birth of the Elizabethan Age which held such hope after the years of war, rebuilding and rationing.6 Photos with thanks to stevan.ryall@ntlworld.com

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CARLISLE STREET 20/08/09


	Thanks to Bunny Evans for the Carlise Street Photos michellemorris69@yahoo.com

CARLISLE STREET 27/04/08

I went into the 'Streets' section looking for Carlisle Street (where I was born and lived for 24 years) and was disappointed to see no entries at all, so here is the first one.

Carlisle Street ran from Norman Street finishing at the wall of Dudley Road Hospital. Just before this it was crossed by Lansdowne Street, forming little Carlisle Street at the top end.

My Mom, Dad and 4 kids lived at No. 6 (the poor end), 6 of us living in a 2 bedroom, one living room, back-to-back house with the loo up the backyard which you had to walk through the street, and up the entry to access. These toilets were located in a block of 8, which all the families in the 8 back to back houses and the houses up the yard (sheer luxury-they had small gardens) all had to share. We had no kitchen, just a Belfast sink (cold water only) at the top of the cellar steps where we had to wash. Friday night was bath night, in a tin bath in front of the fire. Later on, we went to the public washing baths in Bacchus Road, and then Heath Street.

My Mom and Dad were called Lily and Fred Bishop, and my two sisters' names are Lily and Brenda, my brother's name was Fred or Freddie and my name is Dorothy or Dot.

My grandparents lived at No. 9 and they were called Lily and Bill Pickering. My grandfather was a good piano player and kids in the late 1940's, early 1950's would often stand outside his house just to listen to him play. We had great Christmas parties when we would roll back the rugs, push the furniture out of the way and sing songs round the piano and, later on, play records and jive to the early rock and roll music.

In the 1930's my grandmother was well known in the road for being called on to 'lay out the dead'.

During the 2nd World War, the house that we lived in had the cellar reinforced so it could be used as an air raid shelter. I have very early memories of sitting on my mother's knee on a chair down the cellar during air raids, with other families from the street. During one raid, some houses at the bottom end of Norman Street, (close to the hospital wall and behind houses in Carlisle Street) were hit, breaking windows in many of the houses close by. My mother said, after that raid, my brother, who was only young at the time, suffered from nervous asthma for a number of years.

There was a pub on the corner

"The Cottage of Content " with a shop next to it run by a lady called something like Clara or Clarice Rose. Over the road was another small shop (which was actually in Norman Street) called Beamans run by a wonderful old lady, Mrs. Beaman, whose only child, apparently, was killed at 11 a.m. on Armistice Day right at the end of the 1st World War. There were two other shops in the street, one run by the Houghtons family and the other by (last owner that I know of ) Mrs Fieldhouse. At the side of this shop was a passageway which led to a garage.

"THE COTTAGE OF CONTENT"looking down Norman Street towards Winson Green Road

We had great fun, playing in the street (very little traffic in those days), on the bomb site at the bottom of Norman Street, playing tracking in the alley ways that ran behind the shops on Winson Green Road or, at weekends and school holidays, in Summerfield Park. Like many other contributors to your site, I remember the boy being struck by lightning whilst sheltering with his bike in the park.

We had unbelievable freedom to roam!

In Carlisle Street, about half way up, on the left hand side as you face the hospital wall, were some, for then, modern semi-detached houses, which we called the new houses. My father, who was a bricklayer, helped to build those houses and, the last time I went round the 'old area' , although it has changed out of all recognition, they were still there.

I went to City Road Infants School, then Dudley Road Junior School, back to City Road Secondary Modern School and finally, Aston Commercial School.

My first job was in the jewellery quarter and I remember walking down Winson Green Road, past the warders' houses and the prison to catch the bus in Lodge Road.

For a time, in the early 60's, I worked at Bryants, furniture makers, in Bryant Street, off Winson Green Road. By that time the company had been taken over by Slumberland Bedding but one of the Bryant family's sons (Graham) was still involved in the company.

I remember lots of people who lived in the road, to name but a few, the Kirkoffs, two Morris families (one of whose mother's maiden name was Edna Rook and she was very good to my grandfather when he was widowed), the Rudges, the Harpers, the Parkers, the Allens, the Lissimores, the Barlows, the Peaces.

Very few of us had any money but we were mostly happy, people were honest and neighbourly and, although I wouldn't want to live in the conditions we did then, I have lots of wonderful memories.

Dot Lane nee Bishop dotlane@hotmail.com

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CHISWELL ROAD 21/01/08

I am looking for the relatives of my late mother Florence Lillian Gill who married my father William Green in 1941, she died in 1949 when I was two. I believe she had one brother called Alf who lived in Chiswell Street and a sister called Betty who lived on Unett Street, there is one further sister who's name we don't have.

I believe my mother worked at GKN Nettlefolds.

I would be really grateful if anyone knows the whereabouts of the descendents of any of the above.

Many thanks for your help,

Les Green EMAIL:landpgreenies@btinternet.com

CHISWELL ROAD 17/08/04

I was born in Winson Green - Chiswell Road (parents - Stanley & Hilda Greaves) but lived 20 years in Coplow Street - Ladywood. When I got married I lived at 46 Tudor Street Winson Green and I married Valerie Benson ( parents - George & Emma Benson) who lived in Tudor Street next to the Malt Shovel Pub and take it from me it was 'The Best' Pub in Winson Green. My wife and I still say the early 60's was a great time.

The Malt Shovel had the best football team run by Lenny Ward. We did the tote Sunday night at the Peel Pub and Horace Timbrull and Eric Hatfield both played for the Malt Shovel Pub

We use to go to The Tower Ball Room with Pat Roach.

All the best to Old Mates.

Dennis George Greaves E:mail deborahg@calm.wa.gov.au

Left Winson Green May 1974 for WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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CHISWELL ROAD 23/12/04

I was born in Chiswell Road in 1932, but moved to Selly Oak about 1935. I was there a few months ago but find I do not remember a thing. John Adderley Email: johnadderley@btinternet.com

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CUTHBERT ROAD

My family lived on the corner of Cuthbert Road and Winson Green Road, my parents moving there from Heath Street in 1922 and bringing up 8 children, the first born in 1923 and the last in 1940. My Father was the last to move out when the houses were demolished.All children attended Dudley Road School as Infants and then on to George Dixon's Grammar (3) Barford Road (3)City Road Girls (2). The family is now scattered to New Zealand, Wirral, Devon, Essex, Leicestershire, and three still in Birmingham. When we meet we remember Winson Green, a Site such as yours is a boon.

Does anyone have a photograph of St Cuthbert's Church

From: John Brown Email: johnsbrown@onetel.net.uk

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CUTHBERT ROAD 10/08/08

I was born in No. 24 Cuthbert Rd. in 1943, to Norris Samuel Francis OWEN & Irene May Jeffery. My grandparents being James Henry Owen & Frances Elizabeth (nee Alcock).

Does anyone know where "7 Rosina Place", Cuthbert Rd was, as my father (01/06/1913 - 24/12/1975); late uncle, Reginald Harold Oughton (08/02/1911 - 01/12/1926) & late aunt, Elsie Louisa Oughton Owen (04/03/1901 - 1986 in Canada), were all born there.

Aunt Elsie married an Ernest Haycox, (Parish Church Bishop Latimer, B'ham in 1922) & had a daughter Joan, (17/01/1923 - present day, in Canada, with her extended family of 30+).

There were also family (Alcock's) living in Bellfield Rd.

A number of my family also have links with ABERDEEN ST., namely :-

No. 101: - my GG'dad James Alcock died there (25/8/1898);

No. 103: - 1881 census, my G'father James Henry Owen lived there;

No. 112: - in 1900 when James married, he had moved to this address &

No. 139: - Bernard George Owen lived there then he married Minnie Howell on 22/3/1913 @ St. Cuthbert's Church. Minnie Howell (who married Bernard George Owen), was from 91 Winson Green Rd. Sometime pre 1947, mom, dad & myself had moved to 74 Lozells St. Lozells, (mom's home, pre marriage). I now live in Burntwood, Staffordshire.

One story I can recall that dad told us, was when he moved the "Greenhouse" from Cuthbert Rd. to Lozells St. "BY HAND, on a cart" without any of the glass being broken.The greenhouse still stood in 1975 when dad died.

I would welcome any info any reader may have on the OWEN, ALCOCK or HOWELL families.

Regards & many thanks, Brian Owen brian@bkowen.co.uk

CUTHBERT ROAD

I have many fond memories of Winson Green. My wife Carol was born in Barford Road and attended Barford Road school. As for myself I lived in Cuthbert Road an can remember going shopping on the flat and going to the "Grove Cinema" one week and the "ABC Edgbaston" the next or if we felt like a change we would go to "The Lyric" (Ladywood).Going back to the shops do you remember the bacon shop that used to be just passed the park on the opposite side of Dudley Road.by Patrick Garland

I do not recall the shop Patrick, does anyboy else remember it??

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CLAREMONT ROAD 25/11/04 (just over the border but near enough)

I WAS BORN AT 30 CLAREMONT ROAD (A ROOMING HOUSE) OWNED FUNNILY ENOUGH BY A MRS CLAIRMONT WHOSE SON WENT ON TO BE MY STEP FATHER.

WE LEASED THE HOUSE FROM MR BROUGH FROM BROUGHS ON THE CORNER OF SOUTH ROAD AND I REMEBER THAT IT HAD 39 ROOMS. HE HAD A VERY LARGE FAMILY APPARENTLY. I REMEMBER THAT MY DAD USED DRINK IN THE WATT PUB AND WORKED AT RABONES

TIM MCALLISTER Email: TIM-MCAL.T21@BTINTERNET.COM

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DEVONSHIRE AVENUE 02/09/09

Many thanks for the stories on the area. I lived in Devonshire Ave for many years from the early war years. Where we lived the old houses are still in the Avenue today but in the hay day they was listed as the posh houses as they all had bathrooms and a downstairs loo. The houses were built by Walsh & Walsh the glass works in Lodge Rd for the glass workers they employed they was supposed to be tied houses but as no contract was signed when the factory closed the tennants could not be evicted, my family lived at number 15, and moved into the property in 1933 we had many happy years there, when the war broke out and we was supplied with the steel anderson bomb shelters all the neighbours pitched in and helped one another to dig the holes, BUT on the site years before stood some old cottages with cellers that had not been fully filled in and one of the diggers fell into the hole as he was digging, but as luck was with him he was not hurt, I think his name was Bill Dudfield. Also if any reader remembers the large house that stood next to the railway bridge in Musgrave Rd it was called Gib Heath House When Toogoods Tube moved onto the site they used it as works offices.

Can anyone remember the huge static water tank built in the Rec it was concrete and was the shape of a inverted pyramid, the reason for this was to service the four factories in Musgrave Rd also the railway trucks that was parked every weekend along the railway embankment along the gulley. The factory names, Rylands Timber Yard corner Park Rd, Robinsons File Works, later Toogoods Tube Manipulators corner Devonshire Ave, and Samuel Groves opposite, then Lingards Clothes Factory, The nearests large water supplies was the Canal in Nineva Rd, and the canal next to the BOC in Lodge Rd. Someone asked what was the name of the park keeper at the Rec, his surname was Jarvis, a very nice man. And the small building near the gulley was The Sons Of Rest, All the elderly men would go there and play Darts, Cards, and Dominos, Also one reader asked the name of the Lady who used to demonstrate against hanging outside the prison gates, her full name was Violet van der Elste.

Thank you Ted hope this information is of some use to your site and brings back some happy memories.

A Potter MARGARPOTT@aol.com

DEVONSHIRE AVENUE 09/08/07

My name is Glenn Burford and used to live at 19 Devonshire Avenue from 1960 to 1967, and on reading about the train crash which took the life of my cousin Wayne Dandy decided to contact you to see if you have any contacts who went to Benson Road School from 1965 . I am now 47 and live in north wales. My father is Alan Burford and my mother is Pauline Burford nee Farnell of Lees Street. Email:glenn.burford1@btinternet.com

DEVONSHIRE AVENUE, contained the best houses in the area (in my childhood thoughts) with gardens at the front on the railway side, a short distance in length that lead down a short steep hill to Musgrave Road.

by Ted Rudge

DEVONSHIRE AVENUE

I used to live in Devonshire Avenue and my Nan (Lottie Farnell) lived round the corner 8/113 or something like that - my mom will be thrilled when she sees some of the photos. I attended Benson Road school until we moved to North Wales in 1966 when I was 8. I remember going up the gulley to school and playing in the rec. Thanks once again for a great site.Adrian Burford Email: adrian@aaburford.fsnet.co.uk

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DEVONSHIRE STREET 24/05/09

My family lived at 2/91 Devonshire Street, I was born at this address in 1955 I had a sister Belinda my dads name was Leonard Cummings he worked at the Leyland Longbridge, my moms name was Violet Jessica Irene Cummings maiden name Street, some of the people I know there was a family called memory's another family called Trainer who lived behind us in the in the next entry, also Andy Mold and David Hammond who I had contact with for many years but have now lost touch, it would be nice to be in touch again.

Leonard Wilfred Cummings cummingsleonard@ymail.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 14/07/07

I was born on 13 Sep 1959 Martin K Sankey at 189 Devonshire Street.

My Mother is Florence M Venables (Mary Venables she didn't use her first name much).

My father is George W K Sankey.

MY Dads FAMILY.

Born 11th June 1931 George W K Sankey, parents Wilfred George Sankey married to Florence May Sankey (Bradnock). They lived at 1 back of 7 Norton Street, with brothers Ray and Les (Les married Margaret Venables my moms sister).

MY Mothers FAMILY.

Her father (my Grandfather) was Fred Venables, married to Florrie Emily Venables (Robinson). they had 6 children, Francise / Fred / Rone / Florence (Mary) / Margaret (Married Les Sankey) and Vera (worked at the R.E.A.L.). They lived at 189 Devonshire Street.

When my mother Florence (Mary) Venables parents past away, my mother looked after her brothers and sisters, then married my father on 31 March 1956 at ST Chrysostoms Church,

They lived at 189 Devonshire Street, for 6 more years Then came me Martin Kenneth Sankey 1959, then my sister Tina Sankey 1960, Soon after they moved to Lichfield Staffordshire,1962

I have seen some old photos so I will try and get them to send to this site,

Martin K Sankey Email: mart@ks1309.fsnet.co.uk

DEVONSHIRE STREET 01/06/07

I have just come across your remarkable web site.

I was born 27 September 1938 to George and Emily Hoare at 4 back 21 Devonshire Street; my father was a Jewellers Porter. I would very much welcome any information on this area of the street and its residents .Your site extracts from Kellys Directories indicate that 40 years or so earlier there were shops at 13, 22,23, and 24 so the chances are they were still shops up to the 1940’s?

Brian Hoare Email brianandmavis@btinternet.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 21/03/07

I'm Doing my family tree and believe that a Robinson family lived at 173 Devonshire street and possibly 169 Devonshire Street from mid 1800's to early 1900s.The family is John Robinson and his wife was Amelia Robinson with several kids.

Does anyone have any information about them at all?

I would be very grateful if they have.

Regards Gary Robinson. Email: therobinsons7@btinternet.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET corner of DEVONSHIRE AVENUE 27/01/05

A TOMMY HARPER COACH PARTY From?

GOING TO?

LET US KNOW IF YOU RECOGNISE ANYONE

Tommy Harpers Betting Shop 1960s Devonshire Street

Same Address 1901 ????

We believe the photo shows Richard and

Isabella Barratt, with their son Richard.

Richard's parents, Charles and Maria, kept a grocer's shop at 140 Devonshire St

(Later this would have been Jacksons on the corner of Devonshire Street and Kent Street North)

The shop in the picture we think is at 131 Devonshire Street.

Richard's occupation in the 1901 Census is given as (Sergeant) Greengrocer,and we believe the photo to date from 1901. We don't really know what the

(sergeant) means, but we do know that Isabella and Richard junior were born in Gibraltar, which may suggest that Richard senior was in the Army.

Richard and his family emigrated back to Gibraltar in the early 1900s: some of his children, however, came back to Britain.

Obviously if anyone has any further information on this please let us know!

Chris Ramsbottom E-mail pandora.is@argonet.co.uk

Ann Lawson Email happyannie7@aol.com

Thank you very much

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Kellys 1897 Kellys1903 Kellys 1903

Extracts from the 1897 and 1903 Kellys Directory

for Devonshire Street

It shows 131 was a shop with Wm J S Dyer as the occupier in 1897. and The Barratt's were at 131 and 140 in the 1903 version

Sent to us by John Houghton

ASTON BROOK THROUGH ASTON MANOR

DEVONSHIRE STREET 10/02/07

Does anyone remember All Saints primary school, i think was just off Lodge Road? We lived at 199 Devonshire Street until 1972. The houses were being demolished for new ones at the time

Christine Atkinson Email: biddybong@hotmail.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 28/05/06

Thanks Ted, can any one remember the Cotons at Devonshire St, my G/parents lived at 138 and 142 in the 1920s up to 1947 names would be William George and Fanny Jane Coton, Frank Henry, Lionel Victor Coton Edna May and John Thomas..

MAC..Email: phatmaximus@hotmail.com

"MURDER" 06/03/06

In Devonshire Street,a muffin man was murdered and my grandmother Mrs Clara Hill of no.9, was a witness at the forthcoming trial.

Unfortunately, I cannot give a date (I would guess 1920s 0r 1930s). It would have appeared in the local paper(s) at the time.

I don't whether my grandmother ever did attend court. Does anyone out there have any information.

Ray Norton Email: ray.norton@btinternet.co

DEVONSHIRE STREET 24/02/05

I used to live in Devonshire Street untill we had a fire & was moved to Hingeston Street & then back to Devonshire Street. I was the one who used to play a lot of loud music. So does anybody remember the Brooks, Hopcroft, Memory, Ikins and the Hurdmans. If so please post messages and we can share our memories. Dave Brown Email: throstles54@hotmail.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 14/01/05

Looking at old photos of Devonshire street was fantastic. I lived there as a small child for a couple of years not sure of the number around 1960 to 1962. My moms name is Ruby Benton her mom lived next door with son Bill and daughter Naomi and my dad was called Thommy.I have a sister called Sharon and Delia, we then exchanged the house with my dads brother and wife called Billy and Barbra Nicholl to live in Sparkhill does any one remember the family. Ruth Devaney nee Nicholl Email: rdevaney1@mmm.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 30/12/04

I use to play on the RECreation ground in Musgrave Road when I was a young girl, we used to come from school (Benson Road) down the gully and onto the swings in the Rec, we had great fun.

The gully and the Rec minus the railings. (photograph taken in 2002)

I then moved away, and some years later got married and guess what I couldn't believe it the council gave us our first home in Radnor Street next one down from Devonshire Street (where I was born). I then had my sons and move to Handsworth New Road and both my sons played football on the Black Patch park.

We have vivid memories of the happy times at the park and Rec, we would hate anyone or anything to alter it.

Kath Dowell (nee Greensall) Email: hwinthepark@aol.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 06/08/04

Hello ! I was born Cynthia Pritchard daughter of George Pritchard (postman) and Rose Pritchard (nee Godwin) at 171 Devonshire Street on 13th July 1933. Would love to share any memories.

Please call 01543 268424

Thank You cynthia gebhard (nee Pritchard) Email: cynthiagebhard@amserve.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 29/09/03

I used to live at 33 Devonshire St until 1957 then moved on . People I remember Maurice Wright the Fieldhouses , Alfred Darby who I think lived in Lees St or Musgrave Rd the Masons I went to St Patricks on Dudley Rd I remember most of the shops on Lodge Rd but there was also the wool shop I used to play with the girl who lived their can't recall her name . Would like to hear from any body who knew me.

Michael Windsor Email: sybilwindsor@aol.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET 27/02/05

Avertisment for the BARNET WORKS

(thanks to John Houghton)

when we knew the factory it was called

ROWLANDS ELECTRICAL ASSESORIES Ltd (THE R.E.A.L.)

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26/06/05

I worked in the toolroom at R.E.A.L after it moved there from Hockley Hill.

Director: Charlie Sothers, Works Manager: John Sothers,

Toolroom Foreman: Frank Wilkes.

Great times.

Raymond Derbyshire Email: ray.derbyshire@tesco.net

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Group of workers from Rowlands Electrical Assesories Ltd ( THE R.E.A.L.) Devonshire Sreeet 1958.	THE R.E.A.L. on left with Anscombes grocery shop on the corner of Lees Street and Tommy Harpers Bookies shop with two ladies talking on the other corner.
Ladies from the R.E.A.L Back Row: L-R Laura Leighton (nee Walker). ?, ?, Vera Casey. Middle Row: L-R Annie Barnes, Ida Hands, Pem Dunkey Bottom Row: L-R Vera Venables, Nell Garland, Laura Blakemore, Beattie Wallis.	More R.E.A.L LADIES going to work. L to R ?, ?, ?,Laura Leighton (nee Walker), a local beauty queen (no overall), ? Crossing Devonshire Street at the junction of Devonshire Avenue Tommy Harpers bookies shop behind them with Mr Hall standing outside waiting to take the bets sometime during the 1950's.
04/01/08 Some More R.E.A.L LADIES going to work. Ida Hands ? left and Laura Leighton on the right, crossing Devonshire Street near the house where she lived (next door to a Mrs Tooth) If anyone has any memories of the Walkers or Leightons who lived in Devonshire St, I would be?grateful?to hear from you. aj.jenkins@virgin.net Amanda Jenkins	View looking down Devonshire Avenue towards Musgrave Road with Tommy Harpers shop on left
Samuel Groves Ltd corner of Devonshire Avenue and.Musgrave Road	.

DEVONSHIRE STREET 23/05/03

My Mum who's eighty three was thrilled to see the photographs of the REAL (Rowlands Electrical Accessories Limited) factory in Devonshire Street. She worked there in the packing/assembly shop until it closed down. I also worked in the office at the REAL. It was my first job when I left HNR in 1958 and I stayed until I had my daughter in 1968.

Such happy days! Hope a lot more people contribute to this site.Pam Willis (nee Byfield)

Email: pamela.willis@whsmithnet.co.uk

DEVONSHIRE STREET 17/05/03

My father was Albert Alfred Norton born at 113 Devonshire Street and married my mother Priscilla Hill of No 9 in 1915 at St Chrysostoms Church when they were 21 and 22 respectively.

My Eldest sister Gwen was born at the end of 1919, my brother Albert in April 1922, another sister Sylvia born January 1928(d.1994) and sister Joyce born May 1930.

I was born in Binstead Road, Kingstanding on 14 Sept. 1933. In later years my sister Joy (Now Mrs Cox) lived in Musgrave Road in the late1950s with husband Denis & son Kevin born 1955. I now live in Shenstone,Staffs.

Regards from Ray Norton Email: ray.norton@btinernet.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET from Norton Street was Davies a drapers shop run by two ladies, lots of brown paper parcels and ladies things. Next-door lived Mr and Mrs Greensall, later on in life they turned out to be my wife Maureen's grandparents, their garden over looked the railway line. A small shop that sold everything including a 1d bottle of Vantos pop, they even had a one armed bandit. Another house a few doors down lived a man and his wife called piggy (I do not know why), he sold fresh mint and rhubarb from his garden. Another two small shops and a coal yard were passed. Then the (R.E.A.L.) Rowlands Electrical Accessories Ltd. a large building employing lots of local people. Facing the R.E.A.L. was a builders yard Bancroft's, then at the corner of Lees Street, Anscombes grocery shop. Two more small shops could be found in LEES STREET and a Pet shop (Morris's) on the corner of Lodge Road facing the Congregational Church. Locally this church was known as the Institute, they held services, Sunday school, various youth organizations and once a year the Anniversary parade around the streets. Back at the other end of Lees Street was an outdoor corner of Devonshire Street. Houses ran the rest of the way up Devonshire Street, some had terraces running between them, until arriving at the Lodge Road end where there was a Vegetable shop and the start of a small row of other shops, including a Butcher, Newsagent and a Fish and Chip Shop. Crossing over Devonshire Street at this point we find the Devonshire Arms pub with Musgrave Road to its left. continuing down Devonshire Street various other small shops could be found. Living in one of the terraces on this side of Devonshire Street was the local “Tally Man” Enoch Wassell he was able to provide anything. Mr Wassell was a very well respected man who did a lot of good, always had a kind word to say to us youngsters when he was collecting his money. Another person we saw a lot of was the local illegal “Bookie” Tommy Harper his shop with blanked out windows, was on the corner of Devonshire Street and Devonshire Avenue. Many a time when taking a bet for a relative or neighbour I got locked in when the police were expected. Tommy also had a 52 seater Charabanc (coach) providing trips from local pubs to the seaside.by Ted Rudge.

"DEVONSHIRE ARMS" (the Devon) 24/03/03

Lodge Road between Musgrave Road and Devonshire Street

Thing's I remember about the Devon. When I was a kid I used to go to the outdoor for crips and nuts, I used to save bottle tops I got them from here, behind the bar was old Elsie, and my dad Tom, as well as the boss. Photograph from Mac JosephWhen I could get away with it I went in to drink 1966, old Elsie was still there she know I was not the right age.The pub at this time had not been altered to how it is now it was run by the Bach's Sandar and Richard, my friends and I used to go in to the small bar on a saturday night, Roy Darby,

John Williams, Barry Williams, Wally Williams, Shirly Darby, Anne Williams, all used to to sing old song's to the piano played by old Katie or the accordion all of us in our teen's sang war time song's. In the week we used go into the big bar to play dart's, card's and dominoes, when we played dart's the board was in a corner with the fire on the right were you had to stand to mark the board so you tried not to lose to offten.

From Rod Scott Email: Roderick@scott5036.fsnet.co.uk

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I have been researching my family history on my mother's side. He was a 'Hands' and going back a few generations to the 1870 census)there was a Thomas Hands who was a Flint Glass Blower and also a retail brewer who lived at 'The Devonshire Arms' 173 Lodge Rd. I am amazed to see the pub still there - it surely can't be the same building can it? Does anyone know the street address? Does anyone know anything about glass blowing going on in this area in the 1870?

Colin Fox Email: colin@foxhome.plus.com

1st Reply 22 /12/ 04 From ANDREW MAXAM E-mail Address andy@maxamcards.freeserve.co.uk

Colin, Regarding your enquiry re the Devonshire Arms on the Winson Green website. I have some information on this pub, having bought the archives of Mitchells and Butlers for the Time Please! book I wrote on Birmingham's Pubs. I didn't feature this pub as I didn't have a photo of it, but you are right, it's not the same building from the 1870s. When the old beerhouse closed, there was a temporary premises whilst the current building was being built - this was in 1932. According to my records, it was at 178 Lodge Road

Hope this is of some help to you.

Regards,

Andrew Maxam TIME PLEASE! A LOOK BACK AT BIRMINGHAM'S PUBS

29/05/05

A photo taken in the Devonshire Arms at Christmas 1973. I'm second from the right, and Father Christmas is my granddad Harry Deeley.

Wonder if anyone recognises the other children.

Maybe someone recognises him/herself...

Regards,

Craig Deeley

DEVONSHIRE STREET 21/02/05

Born 1941 Devonshire Street, left for better life. Peter Pritchard Email: gillianpritchard@ti9scali.co.uk

I was born 171 Devonshire Street, 1943. My dad was Bill Harwood, my step mom was Ettie also Albert, Billy and Maggie.We lived opposite the Alec Pub and Jackson theGreengrocers. There was a coal yard a door away. I remember sates fish shop in Devonshire street (she had a daughter) I use to cut up her chips and after I got free chips and fish which she use to put in newspaper. In the winter my hands use to be cold throught cutting up the chips.

by Maureen Harwood Email: mrh223@hotmail.com

The Fish and Chip shop used to be run by Mrs Sara Jeavons 1950/60 when did "sates" take it over?

Photograph Maureen and Albert taken in 1948

MAUREEN'S BROTHER ALBERT WRITES

does anybody remember the fire diplay In Godwins Window I lived next door to them some one lit the fire work in the Window and the coal yard and mrs Berry who owned the shop next to the real and also Windfields the toolmakers the back of Mrs Berry shopand Les marshall Rayt Harrison worked for him .dose anybody remember george and Peter prichard email me if any body remember me.

by Albert.Harwood. Email: albert26588@hotmail.com

NEW from LITTLE DEVONshire Street 06/01/03

We lived at 195 Devonshire St, from 1934c to 1955?.

I left in 1950 to marry a Miss Doreen Broadbent of 128 South Rd.

I was taught by Miss Dumelow who lived in Lodge Rd opposite the BOC Offices. My freind Stanley Boss lived next door, only he passed the 11plus, nuff said.

I remember Slinker Priest at H N R School and Mr Simms for Music and Maths

PS. I am now 77 yrs old but have many memories both happy and sad of Little Devon the Posh End.

James Reed Email: james@yewtree2.freeserve.co.uk

I Remember Davies,s shop on the corner of Norton / Devonshire Street and Bill Maggs and his family at 197,their son Chris was the well known Pro Boxing Ref,

We lived at 195 from circa1934 till my mother was moved to a flat in Rubery just outside the Mental Hospital gates, as she was quick to point out. My dad was killed in an air raid the 12th/13th Dec 1940, I was 15.

Mum went to work at Rowlands Electrical Accessories Limited (REAL Works) she was a forewoman there for years, till well after the war, she loved the job and the comradeship that she found there.

I left home in1950 I married a Miss Doreen Broadbent of 128 South Rd and had thirty very happy years together.She died in 1980.

Sam Tyler and Win along with their three boys Clifford, Kenneth (my mate) and Colin the youngest.The shop at 191 was owned by Mr and Mrs Matthewman they had a daughter Eileen. The Venables were at 189 (Vera) is the only one I can recall. Mr Timmins of the big cheeks lived next down,he was of course, a skilled glass blower.The glass works were by the canal in Lodge Rd few doors further along lived Miss Dumelow, who has been mentioned often on your site. All who had the pleasure of being taught by her were very fortunate, she introduced us to light classical music, I knew the Mikado like an old friend when I left. Do any of your older readers remember the "letters" in the daily paper, from a small puppy? Wonderful days. Next door to Miss Dumelow,l ived my friend Stanley Boss he was the only one to pass the 11plus that year, "Nuff Said".

The fish shop in "Little Devon" was first kept by the Isaacs, they had three boys who all went to University,and I think all became Doctors. Then Jesse and Sarah Jeavons {Jevons}? came next, Sarah was very deaf and had to stand patiently while Jess bellowed insults into her ear, then she would give him her share, I well recall the day she emptied the batter can over his head, we kids were rolling about the floor, literally. I have fetched many a jug of beer from the outdoor opposite, much to the horror of my mum, I think she thought I would become addicted

(I never did though).

I had other mates near Handscombs shop Arthur Wilson, Ronnie Smith who had a horrible young sister later she turned into a most beautiful young lady who wouldn't give me time of day (oh well).

It's wonderfull sharing ones memories about people and places we knew like "The Pheonix Scouts troop" at Foundry Lane school. Handsworth New Rd School, The woodwork block in the playground was so called because the ground floor was used to teach woodwork the upper floor was the science room Slinker Priests abode HNRS was one of the first Secondary Modern Schools in the country and was well in advance of most schools around at that time. We obtained and fitted a complete internal telephone system in 1937-8 every classroom was connected through an exchange in the science lab.

Mr Goode was Headmaster he was Mayor of Smethwick at one time, Clifford Tyler wrote copperplate and was made clerk writing all letters from the Heads office. Cliff was a motor mechanic at Mists Garage what a waste of a wonderful gift.

I left school in 1939 aged 14 and worked as an electricians mate till I was called up at eighteen, I served in the Royal Navy {FAA} as an aircraft electrician, after discharge I took a job in an industrial X-ray dept, in the course of time and numerous exams later I became Chief Radiologist, not bad for for an eleven plus failure. Well I am hoping I have stirred a few memories,looking forward to more of the same from old friends and neighbours.

Best Wishes..James Reed Email: james@yewtree2.freeserve.co.uk

I went to live in Devonshire St when I was 8, at the time my parents chose there because the school was at the top of the road (Norton Street School). However we soon found out that it was derelict and later demolished, so I went to Benson Road school instead.

Our house was right opposite Kent St North with the Alex public house on the corner, we used to see a man come from the glass works in Lodge Rd. with a jug to take ale back to the glass blowers who always had a thirst. Mr Timmins who lived a few houses up the road use to amuse us kids by blowing out his cheeks.

Most Saturday nights ended with an argument or a fight at turning out time, the men fighting and the wives trying to pull them away. I don't think anyone ever got hurt, it was just a finale to the evening to them, they were all good friends next day.

Opposite our house on the other corner of Kent St.North was a greengrocer owned by Mr & Mrs Jackson, she looked after the shop while Mr Jackson did the round with a horse and cart. Further up Devonshire Street was a fish and chip shop, everyone piled in the shop shouting their orders while the owner and his wife kept up a constant argument. It was as good as a pantomine so we did not mind waiting.

When war broke out Bradfords bakery in Norton St had just had a load of sand delivered so we all went with buckets to fill up sandbags to put over the cellar grating. Monday morning they had not got a grain of sand left. When the bombing started a railway carriage carrying a gun used to go up and down the line which ran at the back of our garden. One night a bomb was dropped it missed the gun but twisted all the rails

and although we had a very tall greenhouse at the bottom of the garden it did not even crack a pane of glass.

School holidays we used to take a bottle of water with lemonade powder and jam sanwiches, most of the children joined in, we even had to take the little ones. We would go to Watson Pool which was down past Handsworth cemetery, it was a good few miles to walk from our house. Someone always fell in so we used to light a fire and hang the wet clothes over the branch of a tree. Bonfire night was a big event some of the houses were build round a big yard so the Timmins family made a bigfire with sparklers and fireworks we had a wonderful time.

I remember the last Lodge Road (Number 32) tram being driven along the route all illuminated, we stood on the corner of Norton St to watch, the heat from it was terrific.

Shopping was done at the Flat in Lodge Road, or sometimes we used to go to the Coop in Bacchus Rd. Whichever one we went to we had to carry it home.

I remember the rec in Musgrave Road, sometimes in school holidays different people used to come and organise games to keep us out of mischief.

We left Winson Green when I was about 16, but I still remember how we were all good friends, and the grown ups always helped each other.

Sad to think that those days are gone, although we have more today I don't think we shall ever look back again with nostalgia.(how true)

by Doris Alexander

We lived on Devonshire Street until 1973. (I was born 1969 in George St West above a chip shop). I've just seen my uncle Pat Deeley on one of the photos taken in the Alex Pub, a long with Trevor Field, an old family friend. Can't wait to tell my parents about this site. I will also try and find some old pictures, I know we have some at home. Keep up the good work. by Craig Deeley Email: craiguito@hotmail.com

I seem to remember a shop in Devonshire Street, or maybe the next street up owned by a woman called Floss. She had a few fingers missing on one of her hands, which my mom used to pretend to me were cut off in the bacon slicer! Floss used to sometimes let me behind the counter to help out. Also vaguely remember a butchers called Martins, and a shop called Gabriel's or Kelly's a couple of streets up. I remember having to go up steps to get there. I was only 3 at the time

by Craig Deeley 02/02/03 Email: craiguito2@aol.com

Me in our back yard 6 bk 76 Devonshire Street, around 1972

and My dad Fred Deeley (bottom left) in the Birmingham Boys Football Team, mid 60s.

Craig Deeley 03/02/03 Email: craiguito2@aol.com

DEVONSHIRE STREET remembered

Here are some of things I remember of Devonshire Street, were I was born in 1950, the photograph or you show of the Devonshire Arms and the Greengrocer's , on the other side is how I remember it. the aura the greengrocer's I knew the owner I as Bert the shirt,also just along Lodge Road was a fish-and-chip shop known as Coopers, also the Draper shop run by Mrs Connell's, and Mrs Sterley,s the sweetshop.

In the yard were I lived there was five houses, 12 is where the Mr and Mr's Tantin lived, 14 is where the Elliot's lived, 16 is where I lived, 18 is where the Baliey's lived, 20 is where the Hollier's lived.

The Tantin had a lot of children but I only remember two they were Michael and Linda,

The Elliot's also had two children they were David and Dawn, the baliey's had two children Val and Pauleen, the Hollier's had two children Sandra and Peter he was one of my best friend's.

On the other side of the road lived Mr and Mrs Filedhouse and there children , Ivy,Billy, Sander, Irene, Christina, Beryl,June and Roy. I used to play with all the younger children in the street, sometimes we used to go to a place called Whatson Pool which was really the old Handsworth colliery, the colliery had big slag heaps which were still hot we used to run up-down them it was great fun also on the land around the pool there were some old air-raid shelters where we used to play at all sorts of games, in the pool itself a there were as various types of fish and a big cat fish known as the Daddy of them all.

I also remembering and a grocer shop being on the left hand side and further down a sweetshop on the right handside, just below on the left handside there was a hairdressers and another grocer shop further down on the left-hand side another grocer's shop and on the corner of Lees Street the outdoor. At the bottom of the road was the Real, across the road on the other coner of Lee Street was a another grocer's shop, just above the Real was the coal yard across from here was The Alex's across Kent Street North on the coner a greengrocer's and a the fish-and-chip shop.

At the bottom of Devonsire Street if you turned left you went into Devonshire Avenue where the posh houses were, also Samuel Grove and Toogoods the tube makers. from Rod Scott

Email: Roderick@scott5036.fsnet.co.uk

DEVONSHIRE STREET

I lived at no 70 Devonshire Street from 1961 to 1969. I went to

Benson Road and William Murdock schools. I thought you might like this photograph, it was taken in the backyard of 70 Devonshire Street about 1966, the man sitting by the window is Lewis ( Fred ) Bassett, he worked at the salvage department in Rotten Park Street at the time, the lady with her back to us was called Mrs Dent. The tin bath (on the wall) ..... you took your life in your hands when you filled it up from the old Ascot water heater, not to get overcome by the gas fumes, four large saucepans of water got put on top of the stove to help out. We left in 1969 for Chelmsley Wood.

Roy Bassett 28/11/02.

This photograph was taken about 1967 in the yard at the side of 70 Devonshire Street. The guy is Dennis Bassett, and the bike is a 1965 Arial Sports Arrow. The fenced off area was an electricity sub station, this was put there in the early 60's after an air raid shelter that stood there had been demolished.

Roy Bassett 02/01/03Email royston.b@blueyonder.co.uk

This photograph of no 70 Devonshire Street was taken about 1966, we lived here from 1961 - 1969, I think that some repair work was being done to the electricity sub station. At no 72 lived Ginnie and Joe Clapham and their sons Peter and Michael, and later the Browns. At no 74 lived Mr Mason, followed by a lady called Mrs Henry and her young family. At no 76 lived Mr and Mrs McCann and their sons Peter and Joseph, I think that they also had a daughter, I remember being good friends with Joseph. At no 78, the first house in the next block down lived Mrs Lowe.

Roy Bassett Email royston.b@blueyonder.co.uk 23/02/03

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DEVONSHIRE STREET

This is a photo of my mother Mr's B Costin

taken by me Rod Scott in 1965, in the yard where we lived

Mom lived at 16 Devonshire Street 1932 -1976, then 71b Norton Street till 1986. by Rod Scott 23/02/03

ROD SCOTT in Devonshire Street 1965

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DON STREET18/05/07

Remembering the days of the Bookies,I recall the first one,he was the local milkman,name Mr Clackett from Peel St,he drove a pony & trap cart,delivering milk from a churn on one side a pint or quart,and placed your Bets in the other.In later years became licenced and opened betting shop in foundry rd/

james turner st corner.

The bookies in those days had lookouts,watching for the police,and I remember the day that they raid the bookies in our Don St,I heard the lookout Wally Bright shout to the old lady the cops are coming. The police arrived in a open top car,and one of them was carrying a bucket,they called Mrs Peck open the doors,but she would not let them in, they smashed the door open to enter,with the old lady screaming leave me alone.

Later I found out the reason for the bucket,it was cement to seal up a letter box in the entry were people used to drop their bets in. The Bookmaker was named Ernie Hunter from Devonshire St.

Looking back it reminded me of the {The KeystoneCops} at the Saturday Morning Flicks

Once again happy times Best wishes to all on your Website

Colin Mills E-mail cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk

DON STREETI was born in Don Street we lived right opposite a scrap yard, and on the corner was a pub called "The Don".The local sweet shop was just on Lodge Road called Goodacres any one remember it? I also remember All Saints Hospital and recall the patients would at times jump over the wall to escape.

The Recreation Ground (Rec) in Musgrave Road and the gully that lead to Talbot Street were places we played for many an hour.

I would love to here from anyone who knew me Janet Diane Hunt (nee Cantell) please Email me on: david@diehunt.fsnet

15/09/03

Does any one remember any McNallys that lived at 39 Don Street in the 50s they are relations and that was the last known adress we had, they are uncles of my mother who needs to make contact any info would be great Siobhan Email: siobhan61v@hotmail.com

The DON public house corner Don Street and Lodge Road and group of the Don's customers

man on extreme right of the group is Mr Alf Cratmail, he used to live with my mother, me and my sister Sheila at 16 Devonshire Street, he was known in the area as a tail biter, people used to bring their dog's to have the tail's nipped. (The Don photo from Mc Joseph)

Story and group photo from Roderick Scott Email roderick@scott3650.fsnet.co.uk 04/03/03

My name is Hazel Nunn (nee Clarke) I went to All Saints School and then onto Handworth New Road we lived at 22 Don Street. My mother (Ethel Cantell) opened a cafe in Bacchus Road 1957 - 1958. I have a brother Kenneth Cantell & sister Diane Cantell. I was friends with Ronald Smith "smudge" & Raymond Smith whose parents owned the pub on the corner of Don Street [THE DON]. Also, June Savory, Vera Tapp, Jean Whitehouse and Patricia Bailey. Would love to hear from any of them please Email: julie.nunn@ntlworld.com

The pub opposite the asylum was called the "Don" it was on the corner of Don Street and Lodge Road near

Chris Featherstones the butcher --by Danny Clawley

DON STREET 19/01/04

I'd be very interested in anyone with any recollections of Harriet Heath who lived in Don Street.

I'm researching her husband John Joseph Heath who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, while serving with the Birmingham Pals.

She went on to remarry, becoming Harriet WHITEHOUSE. Her son, my grandad Charlie Heath wrote this letter to my Mom before he died which triggered my interest. He had just read Kathleen Dayus' famous book 'All My Days':

Grandads letter

"I was born in 1911, and my father was killed in that war, in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. My mother was left with 5 children: Auntie Kay, Uncle George, Uncle Bill, Uncle Tommy, and of course myself (age 5). (She re-married later as you know) So you can imagine the hard times being with us the same as Kathleen Dayus the author depicts - they certainly were! We as a family never went Hop-picking - thank God! But we knew of it and many families in our area were quite familiar with the proceedings related to it. I do remember, bread and lard, and bread and dripping and fish and chips for 3d. We used to get a penny on a Monday and 2d on a Saturday from our Mother's pension, and run anyone's errands for a few coppers. With the 2d on a Saturday we used to go to the afternoon matinee at Winson Green Picture Palace and we used to think it wonderful and terrifically exciting as kids, but if we spent any of the 2d we'd had it, couldn't go in. I remember crying on one occasion, because I'd bought a pennyworth of shrimps, and one of my DAD'S army mates gave me 2d to go in."

Simon Fielding Email: simonharveyfielding@yahoo.co.uk 19/01/04

see story Page for John Joseph Heath WW1 record

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DOVER STREET

I used to live in Hockley on Dover Street but I believe from what my Aunt says that it is all gone now, I know that St. Chrysastums Church ( I don't know if that is spelt correctly)( St. Chrysostom) has gone and I remember Bates and Goodes right on the corner could it still be there? and the little sweetshop run by Miss Webb a funny little old dear and then there was Miles fish and chip shop (Park Road). I must tell you that since having found this web site I have remembered so much.

My Husband and I and our daughter have been back to England 3 times my Husband thinks its absolutely great and wants to know so much about everything. While looking at your pictures of the Winson Green area I

was showing him the main entrance to the prison he couldn't imagine living that close to a prison I was very familiar with it because my Dad used to work for the Great Wester Railway very close to All Saint's

Church and he used to make deliveries to the prison and sometimes I would travel with him on these journeys. Well I mustn't ramble on, I don't know if you knew Dorothy Marshall and remember Miss Hogarth a

teacher from Handsworth New Road School.

by Rita and Ken Moor

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DUDLEY ROAD Methodist Church more memories 09/09/09

I have been looking through the Winson Green site once more, and saw an entry for Dudley Road which talks about the Methodist Church between Chiswell Road and Heath Green Road . I remember another use for the hall at the rear of the Church.

I attended City Road Secondary Modern School in 1952 and because the school was over-crowded, they used the Methodist Church hall as an annex to accommodate at least one of the first year classes.

It was a 2 storey building and the top floor was used as a classroom (Miss Navavarion was the teacher - sorry if I have mis-spelled the name) and, because there was no play area, the bottom room was used at break time. We were warned to be careful because the floor downstairs was not as sound as it could have been (no health and safety in those days). However, 11 year olds being 11 year olds, we took no notice. One day, I was happily skipping away while two of my friends were turning the rope, when all of a sudden I disappeared through the floor up to my waist (luckily there was no cellar and I landed on a dirt floor). Of course I got told off for disobeying but luckily I wasn't hurt. I can't remember if the floor was repaired but we continued to use the hall as a classroom for the rest of the school year but I have no idea if the school continued to use it as an annex after that.

Dorothy Lane dotlane@hotmail.com

DUDLEY ROAD (Summerfield Community Centre) 01/03/09

At the beginning of the 1980'sI worked, for about a year, as a community worker in Summerfield Community Centre located in the old school at the top of Winson Green Road, on the corner of Dudley Road (opposite the park). It was my responsibility to do the room bookings, among other things. One evening, I'd booked the local Labour and the local Conservative parties into the same meeting room! I was told about it the next day, apparently everyone had been introducing themselves to each other and welcoming the 'new' members! I wish I'd been a fly on the wall.....

Does anybody have any memories of working at /using the centre? A lot went on there at the time, lots of groups, a small library, a toy library, a parent and baby group. A group of men met to play cards, a young people's drop in was held at the back of the building and it was a well used building all the time. I had great fun in the time I worked there, but it was a temporary contract and I had to move on. I lived in Summerfield Crescent at the time and enjoyed the leisurely stroll through the park, there and back.

Anne Woodford anniewoodford@hotmail.com

photo thanks to Mac Joseph

Cutting from a Comic called "The Gem" published in 1932 Thanks to Mac Joseph

DUDLEY ROAD 14/03/08

I was looking at the advert. for J.Harrison, the magic supplier on Dudley Road, which had been posted by a site contributor. The late Mike Corbett, of Perrott Street, used to buy tricks there in the late 50's. Conjuring was his teenage hobby. Later in life, from 1985 until 2007 when he died, he put that hobby to great use as the full time, brilliant magician Corvelle the Conjurer.

Has anyone else any memories of the magic supply shop? Anne Woodford anniewoodford@hotmail.com

DUDLEY ROAD 21/03/08 Methodist Church

One place I have not seen mentioned on your site is the Methodist Church on Dudley Road, it was about half way between Chiswell Road and Heath Green Road and was a very nice building to look at, I remember it had steps leading from the road to the doors and all the little kids could not resist running up those steps. At the side of the church was a passageway leading to the hall at the rear of the church. That was the meeting place for the Wolf Cubs and Boy Scouts also the Brownies and Girl Guilds. I was a member of the Wolf Cubs and I had earned myself a stripe on my sleeve. I was quite proud of my stripe because it meant I had a bit of authority. Then at one meeting I decided I wanted some sweets and just disappeared to the sweet shop, when I got back the Cub leader was livid and cut off my stripe. For a few weeks I did not bother going to the cubs then one day I met the Cub leader and she asked why I had stopped going. You took my stripe away I replied. If I give it back you will you come back she said. I thought for a moment or two then said if you give me two stripes I will. Thats how I got instant promotion in rank. I remember their was a lady minister there and if any of cubs misbehaved the cub leader would send us to see the minister. We did not get told off as such but we had to say our prayers for forgivness. About once a month we were expected to attend the church service. Yes I had some happy times in the cubs we used to go to the Scouts camp at Yorks Wood. Every year the the Scouts and Cubs had a big rally in Handsworth Park. Sadly the church was demolished in the late fifties or early sixties and a car showroom replaced it.

Regards John Gillon jgillon61@hotmail.co.uk

DUDLEY ROAD 09/03/08 The Co-op Hall

The Co-op hall was on Dudley Road just past City Road heading towards Smethwick. On the corner of City Road was Lloyds Bank then there was a group of Co-op shops including a grocery, a butchers,, a greengrocers and I believe a bakery shop. I also remember they had a dry cleaners and I think many years ago a shoe shop. In those days the co-op was much bigger than they are today, I can remember there was three or four Co-op grocery shops on Spring Hill and Dudley Road. After I left school I did work for the Co-op for a short while. Well the Co-op hall was at the side of the shops and to get to it you went up a alley at the side. I have a few memories of it.

The first memory of the hall was when I was about seven or eight years of age. One day a school friend called for me on the way to school, when we got to the Dudley Road we could see clouds of smoke coming from the rear of the hall and I wondered what it was. My friend said he set fire to the grass in the field. Even though I was only young I realised he had done wrong and I told him I wanted nothing to do with it. But within a few days I had to find out what was in the field that was hidden by those great advertising hoarding next to the Co-op hall, so I sneaked up the alley to find out, there was an overgrown piece of land but the most interesting thing for a eight year old to discover was a concrete air raid shelter. After that it was our den and we spent many happy hour in it. But I think every tramp for miles around must have been there it stunk.

A few years later we use to go around the back of the hall for a crafty smoke I suppose I would be about twelve years old. One Saturday evening I was there with a friend and there was a West Indian wedding reception going on in the hall. The next thing we know we was invited in and given food and soft drinks which we enjoyed.

Then at about sixteen I joined a youth club that was held in the hall once a week. Some of the lads would go missing with their girls friends for a while and I think it could have been to the air raid shelter but I am not sure if it was still there.

JOHN GILLON jgillon61@hotmail.co.uk

DUDLEY ROAD 27/11/07

CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS ONE?

"Photograph courtesy of Mrs. P. Kent"

The Birmingham Arms

38 Dudley Road corner of Heath Street South

1868 publican Jas Haynes no listing for Dudley Road prior to this date in Directories.

1878 to 1903 publican Newsome Thwaite

1904 to 1915 publican Arthur Floyd

1921 publican Walter Clulee

Thank to John Houghton houghton,

jh004d9116@blueyonder.co.uk

for this information.

DUDLEY ROAD 10/11/07

A tram 189 on route 29 junction Dudley Road

and

Winson Street date1950's ????

Many Thanks to Alan Elliott for the Photo

17/11/07

The photograph of the tram on Dudley Road sent to you by Alan Elliott I found most interesting. You or Alan asked when in the fifties was the photo taken, well the Birmingham City Transport withdrew the trams on the Dudley Road services in September 1939 so it must have been before then. The 29 service ran from Edmund St. to Bearwood via Dudley Rd. When the trams were withdrawn in 1939 the bus service that replaced them became the B82.

I'm sure someone can put a more exact date on the photo if we try hard enough.

Keep up the good work,

JOHN GILLON

DUDLEY ROAD 26/06/07

DUDLEY ROAD HOSPITAL BUILDING?

LET US KNOW

PLEASE

YOU agree or was it something else?

Post Card from

Mac Joseph

DUDLEY ROAD 08/03/07

Just discovered your site and already been in touch with old school friends & neighbors I was born in 1940 opposite the Grove Picture House on Dudley Road. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers the Hardmans keep the good work up ted. Ray Hardman Email: olray@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks to Mac Joseph 05/08/06

DUDLEY ROAD 13/04/03

I lived in Winson Green for the first fourteen years of my life, we lived in a back yard on Dudley Road

Between the Windmill public house and Hooper street. I attended Stewart Street & Barford Road Schools till 1960. Thanks Arthur Killeen Email: akilleen@blueyonder.co.uk

DUDLEY ROAD / SPRING HILL 20/09/04

I am interested to find out any information about the old Barker and Allen Foundry on Dudley Road Spring Hill Richard Simonds Email: richwati@hotmail.com

24/07/07

Just spotted your note Richard on the Winson Green website. This factory was nearly opposite Dudley Road Hospital, was it not? I seem to remember that, when I was in the A.T.C. during W.W.2,circa 1943, we used the canteen at this factory for band practise. I think that the bandmaster probably worked there during the day. I was born near there in 1930 and went to Dudley Road school and Barford Road.

It's an interesting site isn't it?

Mike Green

DUDLEY ROAD 06/06/05

We lived in the old M/B cottage's, Dudley Rd, the address was 5/512 it was next to Helens Cafe, then started M/B, in fact we were the last house in Brum, right on the border with Smethwick, the brook ran under our house and each time it overflowed our coal cellar would flood not far from the top step,we could'nt get to the gas meter to put the pennies in or get to the coal .and we had plenty of mice but I loved it there. my happiest days.

Helens cafe was owned by Mrs Helen Lancaster who was the sister of Alex Douglas, he owned a coffee bar just above the Engine Pub and also ran the hot dog, burger and fleur de lyes stand. I worked for both of them while living down "our end" of Dudley Rd including Moilliett St, with relatives in Winson St, Heath St, Dugdale St and Abberley St the now forgotten end of the almost forgotten Winson Green.

regards Pearl Cutler [nee lawrence] Email:habberley@ntlworld.com

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DUGDALE STREET 30/09/09

I wonder you or any of the visitors to your 'Winson Green web-site have any information about 'Feathers Electical Shop' which was once at no.453 Dudley Road (between the junction with Dugdale Street and the junction with

Halburton Street).

Until about 1954, I lived with my parents and my grandmother Violet 'Queenie' Bartlett at number 11 Dugdale Street. Our garden ran along the back of the shops on Dudley Road, the last one being Feather's shop. I used to play with the little girl who lived there (Hazel). We lost touch after we moved and I now wonder what became of the Family and the business. I believe the shop is still there, but no.11 Dugdale Street is not. I think it was the only terraced house still inhabited on that side at the time, tho' I do remember the 'court' style houses on the other side of the street.

I have attached a photograph of our garden showing the ends of the Dudley Road shop gardens on the left, and the side-wall of the Grove Cinema and the houses in Halburton Street at the end. It was taken in the very late 1940's or very early 1950's. Many Thanks, ROGER SUTTON rogersut@btinternet.com

DUGDALE STREET 18/04/08

I was brought up in 1/16 Dugdale St. left in 1968 aged 16 great to see this site brings back mostly happy memories took my kids to the back to backs in Brum they could not believe where I came from.

Anthony Delaney duddelaney@hotmail.co.uk

DUGDALE STREET 02/04/08

My grandparents TOM and ROSE HABBERLEY lived in DUGDALE STREET in 1930, as did my greatgrandparents TOM AND LILY HABBERLEY. Tom and Lily lived in Dugdale Street until their deaths in 1952 and 1962 respectively. Any information, stories or, hopefully, photographs, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks Barbara Nicholls Barbandni@yahoo.co.uk

DUGDALE STREET 19/01/05

My name is Chris Price and from the age of about 10 to 19 I lived in Winson green, I first lived at No 14 Dugdale St with my mom Edie and my dad Ken and my four sisters Marilyn, Denise, Yvonne (Bonny ) and Karen.

I was born at the maternity hospital on Lordswood Rd in Harbourne on the 16th of Feb 1949 at the time my Mom and Dad lived with my Moms folks in Guest St Hockley, then we moved to 99 Victoria Rd Aston with my Dads folks.

My Mom and Dads first house of thier own was 3 back of 9 Frank St Balsall Heath, we moved from there to Dugdale St in 1959 , I was Fifteen at the time.and went to Summerfield Junior School

( does anyone remember Mr Dowling or Mr Moss from the annex ?)

names I can remember from Dugdale St are Marion and Brenda Mason from next door who's mom was a German lady, Trevor Billingham, John and Derek Causer, Lilly Gardener,Janet Taylor and Willy Carson who sadly got killed on his bike while out with another mate of ours Anthony. ..

We moved to Aberdeen St in 1964 when I was about fourteen and lived at No26 a couple of doors away from Johnny Dunkley, I had a mate called Billy Wylman from round the corner in Peel St, we all used to knock about in the Route 66 Cafe across the road from the Smiths Arms, great days sadly missed.

Chris price Email: ampegboy@live.co.uk.

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EVA ROAD 09/10/09

I visit your website frequently hoping to find a friend from my long distant past. I am now 81 years old having lived a very full life which started for me in Eva Road, Winson Green. At least, my memories start from there. I was actually born at Walsall Wood in Staffordshire. Recently I had a surprise letter from a schoolmate who is now living in Guernsey and we now exchange letters. I felt that many of my contempories from the pre-war years in the district are now spread far and wide over the world. It woud be a wonderful thing if by some stroke of magic we could all meet up again.

Keep up the good work Ted, you started something wonderful.

John Bird jandm15@btinternet.com

EVA ROAD 19/06/09

In my advancing years I find myself reminiscing about my childhood and later years as a resident of Eva Road. As an octogenarian my memories are mainly pre-war as I enlisted in the RAF when I became old enough in 1945 and only returned to Winson Green briefly before eventually settling down in Cambridgeshire.

I particularly remember the family who lived next door to mine at No. 60 Eva Road. Their name was Jones and I have vivid memories of Betty and Johnny,who were nearest my age. Are they still with us ?

If you are out there get in touch,

JOHN BIRD jandm15@btinternet.com

EVA ROAD 10/08/08

Just checked out your web site. It was a lovely walk down memory lane for me. I was born at 83 Eva Road in 1948 in my aunt Peg's front room. Are there are photo's of Eva Road? My aunt's family were called Sherry. Sadly there are few remaining now scattered far and wide but my memories of my life there will stay with me forever. Thank you for a great site!! Best wishes. Margaret Close mnbg22961@blueyonder.co.uk

EVA ROAD 13/04/08

What a excellent site I came across by accident. I'm now 46 and lived at 16 Eva Road from 1973 till about 1978, I loved the area, there was always something to do. Play football down Blackpatch Park, go to 39th Boys Brigade opposite the Prison. I attended Handsworth New Road School. I now live in Mansfield, so if anyone knows me, please e-mail me, I'd love to hear from you all. Rob Hornby hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

EVA ROAD trip to Trentham Gardens

Found this picture last week it's an Eva Road trip to Trentham Gardens I think its "1950ish" does any one recognise it ??

from Dave Chapman 02/09/02

are you on it?

Young man bottom right in a white jumper is

Garry Smith author of three books about

Winson Green (see book page)

EVA ROAD 23/07/07

If Doug Cutler of 23 Eva Road is still with us ,or anyone who knows him, could you please contact me.

John Bird Email: jandm15@btinternet.com

EVA ROAD 09/05/07

A photo copy sent to me a couple of years ago.

A sight which will bring back memories of Sunday mornings down the Green.

The 39th B.B band parading along what I think is Eva Road, at the back of Foundry Road school.

Maybe someone can confirm or correct my guess.

Archieev Margaret Evans, E-mail margaret.evans40@tesco.net

EVA ROAD 17/12/06

This

photograph was taken in 1931 and people in the picture are myself and my mother.

The picture was taken from in what I call "little Eva Road"

the short stretch of road between

Perrott Street and James Turner Street.

All the best

Roy Freeman

E-mail Address: Royfreeman1931@aol.com

EVA ROAD 18/11/06

My name is Doug Cutler and I lived at 23 Eva Road I am now 81 years old. Jackie Greasley was a school pal of mine and after reading Jack's sister's message on the web I have often wondered what became of him. I know he joined the navy and married a New Zealand girl and that was the last I heard of him. The site is great - it is lovely to see the old places.

Doug Cutler Email: summerills@waitrose.com

EVA ROAD 11/05/05

I lived in Eva Road with my 3 brothers Roger, Derek and Kevin we attended the local shcools.

Does anyone remember us???? Smashing memories

Eddie Ingram Email: eddie1946@blueyonder.co.uk

EVA ROAD 25/11/04

I am trying to find information on my late father in law Fred MASON, who when he married in Norfolk in 1944, gave his home address as Eva Road, Winson Green.He was serving in the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry at the time His father was stated to be Frederick Mason, wheelwright deceased. I'm almost sure his mother was called Mary as my husband can vaguely remember meeting her once as a child.

My daughter, a "Mason" would love to know more about her grandfathers roots.

Pat Mason patsy@coslany99.freeserve.co.uk

update 18/10/08 CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS ENQUIRY???

Many moons ago I contacted you about my late Father in Law Fred MASON whose address on his marriage certificate in 1944 in Norfolk was given as Eva Road. You kindly put my plea for information on your website but despite several folks contacting me about the Mason family they were all false trails alas!

I have been plodding away to find this elusive man and his roots! I have now discovered his real name was probably Fred DAVIS/DAVIES and was born illegitimately to an Esther in Birmingham, Ladywood in 1921. He had an older sister called Mary who married Stanley J CHALMERS in Birmingham in 1938. They had children Judith ( no not the one from the TV!) Patricia and possible an Alan .

Does any one remember this family?

Very best wishes Patricia Mason ( or should that be Davis?! ) patsy@coslany99.freeserve.co.uk

EVA ROAD 18/03/04

I was born in 1933 & lived at 28 Eva Road until 1948 then moved to Handsworth New Road until I got married in 1956.

My father Stan Cleveland was born in Winson Green in 1906 and lived all his life of 95 years in Winson Green. He owned the wireless electrical shop called WMS from 1934 until 1948 and it was open all through the war to charge the wet batteries for the wireless sets. Our neighbours at 24 Eva Road were the Wakelams, Frank Wakelam Senior was born 1900 and lived all his life except for spells in the army in Eva Road.

He finished up as a prison officer, at Winson Green. I was living in Eva Road all through the war and remember the firebombs falling and watched the Tizer pop factory go up in a fireball. I also at the age of 8 helped to put out incendary bombs that fell in our back yard. My father Stan was also the local builder and had a yard at the bottom of Foundry Road opposite the Railway Inn. He also had a builders hardware shop on the corner of Peel Street for many year. Derek Cleveland Email: derecleve@aol.com

EVA ROAD

We lived at 73 Eva Road Winson Green it was my gran's houes before we had it her next door neihbours where Mr & Mrs Gurley I saw a message somewhere on your site that someone wanted any info' on this

couple they lived at 75 Eva Road I knew them well as a child as gran & Mrs Gurley used to talk over the fence a lot but they left 75 Eva Road in the fifties & I don't know where they moved to.

My gran & grandad where named Thomas Wood & Emmeline Wood nee Monks & they had lived in this house since before the 1914/18 first world war because I have a photo of the family in the garden & grandad is in first world war uniform & gran is in a long dress .I also have a photo of the vicar Rev Johnson at a christening at All Saints Church somewhere as well. regards Sheila Savery

This is the photograph of my gran & grandad Thomas Wood & Emmeline Wood (nee Monk)

and children

grandad is in his uniform from the 1914/18 war

on his right is his son Alfred then my gran holding Nellie

the tall girl in white is Lily the small one in the dark clothes is my wonderful mom May & the one on the end is Violet

this photo was taken in the garden of

73 Eva Road

regards

sheilasavery@hotmail.com

73 EVA ROAD 12/11/04

I was born at 73 Eva Road in 1923. In the picture you have of the Wood Family my father was the young man in that picture. He joined the RFC at the age of seventeen. Later I lived with my parents and two brothers in rooms at 116 Eva Road. The five of us shared one bedroom.

In 1928 I entered Foundry Road Infant School. I believe that Miss Tuff (I am not sure of the spelling of the name) was the Head Teacher. I do know I was taught by a Miss 0'Connor. I think ladies named Davies, Whitehouse and Rodgers were also on the staff but I am not absolutely sure. I am, however, very sure of one thing. Many children including myself had free school dinners because our dads were unemployed. (Good Old Days -that's a joke). I left Foundry Road School in September 1929 because the family got a council house in Erdington. My mother thought she had gone to live in a little palace after 116 Eva Road.

There were two shops in 'Little Eva Road' Blacktops and Flemings. There was a shop owned by Mrs Clenton. in James Turner Street and an outdoor public house.

The following are the names of the families who lived in Eva Road in 1929 from 73 Eva Road to the junction with James Turner Street - Wood, Gurley, Tubbs, Castle, Brown, Phillips, Fish and Chip Shop and a house/shoe repairers.

Two years ago I visited the Black Patch Park. Why has that very delightful and pleasant park been allowed to become such a horrible dump?

I now live in Clare in Suffolk. It is a town with about 2,000 inhabitants.

Alfred T Wood

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FACTORY ROAD 13/07/08

C.W.Cheney & Son . . . Factory Road . . . Hockley

My name is Eric Taylor. I am 73 years old and for over twenty years I worked (I use the word loosley) at C.W.Cheney & Son or just plain "Cheney's" at it w as affectionally known.

The impressive building itself stood in Factory Road (A strange coincidence. I don't know which came first, the building or the roads name but it seems fitting that it should have been named after the large factory or ( in "Street of Brum part 1" page 57 Carl Chinn mentions Factory Road and refers to Matthew Boulton and the factory he had built in 1764/5.)

According to the front entrance the building was erected in 18?? I can't quite remember. But what I do remember is that "Cheney's" was Factory Road. The owner Mr. Cheney must have been a very forward thinking person as his factory was miles ahead (apart from the wages) of any other factories in the area. It was a lock manufacturer which produced several types of very high quality locks for suitcases and travel luggage. It was said that he held the World market for them and I for one certainly believed that he did.

The Factory was self sufficient. Apart from the various metals that were bought in, everything else was done in house on the premises to make the locks. A large cutting shop which produced the many assorted blanks needed to make the locks. There were five large production departments which shaped on power presses the various components for the locks. A plating shop which covered all types of coverings from nickel to brass coating to chrome etc. An extremely large warehouse where the inspection and packaging was done very carefully by what seemed to be a hundred of young ladies (very popular place at Christmas) and a despatch department where the finished goods were finally crated and sent off to their various home and world wide locations.

Of course a firm this size needed a Toolroom, a Maintenance dept, Electricians dept, a Laquering shop and a canteen which served hot meals at dinner time. There was also a First Aid room which was run by the formidable Sister Williams. A proper Welsh Dragon that stood no nonsense whatsoever. At times she would stand outside the ladies toilets and moniter the girls as they went in (probably for a smoke and a chat) When she thought their time was up in she would charge and rout them all out and back to work. There was a social club run by a works committee which arranged various functions. For example at Christmas all employees with young children could take their kids to the firms Christmas Party. There would be food, fun and games and finish off with a visit from Santa plus a real good present to take home afterwards. The slightly older children were treated to a day out in town by coach to see a Pantomime at either The Birmingham Hippodrome or The Alex Theatres.

Even the pensioners who had retired were not forgotten. They were given a Christmas hamper complete with a card to go with it. If I remember correctly it was the firms van driver "Ronnie Hawker" who made the deliveries. As for the workers, we received a full weeks wages with no tax or anything taken from it. (A Christmas present indeed) Plus there was always a great Christmas Party held on the day we broke up. Every department trimmed up their shop for the occasion, but I think it was the warehouse who always came off best.

The power presses that Mr.Cheney purchased were all of the same kind and the tools that went into them were designed to fit any press. Each department (and remember there were five) had a different line of locks to produce. Most departments had roughly 70 presses with a labour force of 48 women to work them. Also the same department would have an assembly shop, where about 30 women would assemble the locks ready for inspection and packing.

The whole factory was a great place to work. There were generations of families. Husbands & Wives, Sons & Daughters, Brothers & Sisters. It always seemed to me that once you started working there, you never left. There were lots of employees with over thirty or forty years service in. Some of the men had worked there before the start of the Second World War enlisted, done their service and returned back to "Cheney's" to resume their various jobs. A large oak memorial board was made with all the "Cheney" mens names and ranks on it painted in gold. It was placed on the wall in the Reception Area so that all visitors to the factory could see it.

I'm sure that if an old "Cheneyite" reads this they will have a special memory from them days and could perhaps share it with us.

I've put down a few names of some of the people who worked there which might jog a few memories

Mr Eric Constable . . . . . . . . . . . . Works Manager

(He managed the factory after the death of Old Mr.Cheney on behalf Mr. Cheney's son Howard)

The following names were all foremen at sometime or other throughout the years and up to the time I left in 2000. Billy Partridge, Arthur Hatton, Vic Hipkiss, Ted Terry, Billy France, Harry Beard, Tommy Hughes, Billy Trueman, Jack Potter, Albert Kench, Reg Kite, Tommy Woods, Tommy Mortiboys, Ron Ffyfer, Bob Troman, Ray Howell, Doug Bradley, Joe Archer, Frank Archer, Jack Horton, Dennis Head, Tom Carty, Brian Smith, John Timms "Rudy" Eric Taylor.

Harry Hunt The Personal Officer, Sister Williams The Factory nurse, Edie Sister Williams sidekick, Norah Canteen manageress, Tommy Hawker Night Watchman

Luigi Night Watchman, Tommy Gloster Works Convener, Doreen Such Works Convener,

Albert Rawlings Works Convener, Miss Joan Woods Wages Office, Arthur Wall The Firms unofficial photographer, Elaine Dovey The Firms girl friday, John Constable A true gentleman; and very good at crosswords, Vic Buckley Affectionally known as the Factory cat. There are tons more worthy of a mention my apologies to anyone I have not included but my sole aim is to get this great old factory "Cheneyland" on record.

ERIC TAYLOR erica.taylor@btinternet.com

C.W.CHENEY. . . FACTORY ROAD 29/07/08

"THE DARTS ERA"

Ask any man who worked at Cheney's in the 1965-1980 years and I'll bet you a days pay he was in a Cheney Dart Team. If a new man applied for a job interview there I'm sure that the Foreman who did the interviews first words would be "Do you play darts?" If the poor mans answer was "No" . . . Tough If it was "Yes" . . . "When can you start?"

Originally it was all started by a chap who was a labourer in E.Department where I worked. His name was George "Chips" Raffety. He got a few chaps interested and started up a little league. He did the fixtures crudely in pencil and pinned them each week onto the Works Notice Board. That's where I came in. I offered to type them out each week together with the match results and the league positions and a few extra copies for those taking part. The interest around the factory grew and Inter-Departmental Darts was born. Shortly after that "Chips" got a better job at a nearby foundry "Avery's" and left. (Goodbye Mr. Chips) I then took over from what he had started and ran the Darts Competitons for nigh on the next fifteen years. I must hastily add that my wife Sheila, who did not work at Cheney's did a hell of a lot behind the scenes work for me. At first the different departments took on their own personal and department name. There was The Maintenance, The Toolroom, The Staff, Toolsetters United, The Polishing Shop and The Elect etc etc. They all bought their own dartboard and fitted it up in an odd corner of their department. Later these corners would become more revered than a Temple. As the Darts League became more and more popular more teams wished to enter the league. Mates from different parts of the factory would band together and form a team giving themselves a team name. for example "The Super Six" "The Golden Arrows" The Minstrels" "The Breakaways" were just a few of the many. Over the years the league became bigger and better. I introduced Trophies and Plaques for the various Winners and Runners up. We had a Works Individual Champion, Doubles Knock-Out plus other contests too numerous to mention. Then the women decided that they wished to enter an all girls team into the league and so the famous "Mini-Six" was born. Six ladies from all over the factory Staff & Works combined. They were never going to win any major trophies but they could upset teams averages which could lose them points.. Should a male team lose to them they were never allowed to forget believe me.

I kept the Darts Treasury going with various raffles and Name the number cards and with the help from darts members (Bob Busby & Pat Keogh) who would take the tickets etc around the different Dept's I was able to buy the trophies needed at the end of the season. Then it was decided that instead of just handing the winners engraved trophies at the factory a proper presentation should be made. So I decided to hold a Darts Presentation Dance. This is where my dear wife Sheila came in. She could charm the ducks out of the water. She would ring round various places to get the cheapest venue plus the cheapest disc jockey (Brother John) plus the cheapest engraver and so on and on. From then on The Darts presentation Dance was to be an annual event. The Works Manager Mr. Eric Constable would attend and together with his wife would present each receiver with his or hers plaque. Arthur Wall (The firms unofficial phoptographer would take photo's of the presentation which you could purchase from him at a very reasonable price)

Mr. Eric Constable donated a large silver cup, which we named "The Constable Cup" which was presented each year to the League Winners. It was a beauty of a cup that would have put Wembley to shame.

Later I began to use the local British Legion Clubs (Bacchus Road & Worlds End Lane) as our venues as they didn't really charge much for the room and they were glad of the extra business (All Cheneyites loved their ale)

Yes looking back on those years I have some great memories. The Darts League was a great ice breaker on the factory floor. No matter which department you worked in you would have at some time played against someone from other departments which would always be a talking point if you met up during the course of the day. You could make friends or rivals, it depended on who had won or lost!

It was with great sadness that in 1979 the factory was took over by a German Company. Redundancies were rife and practically half the factory workers, including myself, said their sad goodbyes. The C.W.Cheney Darts League was no more but I'm certain that a lot of the old employees will still remember with fondness those happy times.

I feel it only fair to mention some of the teams and their playes. My apologises to anyone who I may have missed out. Some names might appear twice as over the years players would swap teams.

The Warehouse . . . Billy Trueman, Ernie Farr, Brian Lancaster, Ray Howell, Kenny Burchell.

The Engineers . . . John Timms, Martin Finch, John "Oggy" Hancox, Albert Rawlings.

The Shadows . . . Ronnie Carpenter, Peter Badger (The tallest guy in the League) Dick Richards, Howard Jenkins, John "Nobby" Cannon.

The Cheney Rangers . . . Eric Taylor, Dick Richards, Bob Busby, Dave Field, G.J.Smith, Frank "Golden Hand" McArdle.

The Super Six . . . Tom Carty, Joe Carty, Doug Turvey.

The Minstrels . . . Lloyd Burgher, Charlie Soloman.

The Staff . . . Arthur Allen, Mac Clifford, Billy Partridge, Ted Terry.

The Toolroom Rovers . . . Alan Chambers, John "Oggy" Hancox, Derek Hannah, Tony Hipkiss.

The Golden Arrows . . . Clive Hughes, Barry Martin. Bob Busbie.

Toolsetters United . . . Eric Taylor, Bob Hubble, Peter Hathaway, Martin Finch, Roy Stubbs and Tommy "Mr. Spectacular" Slater (Always pulled something out of the hat for us)

The Elect . . . Brian Smith, Albert Kench, Roy Jones, Dave Everett, Kevin Tighe and Alan Cole (Who practically won everthing that was going)

The Hose Clip Dept . . . Billy Warren, Vic Dangerfield.

The Mini-Six . . . Phyliss Bickley, Elaine Dovey, Pat Keogh.

C.W.CHENEY . . . THE FINAL GOODBYE 20/08/08

In 1979 I and several others sadly took voluntary redundancies from C.W.Cheney & Son. In 1993 (After 14 years in the wilderness) I returned for the third time to my first love. The old firm was now a shadow of its former self. What had been a small empire was now condensed and confined to the downstairs floor space. The top floors had all been sold off to other small companies and were now off limits to Cheney employees. The old Warehouse had been transformed into the Cutting & Shearing Shop. The now small Toolroom had been placed at one end of the department whilst the Electics & Maintenance had been shuffled to one side of the same department. The rest of the floor space had been sectioned of into two halves; one for the power press production and the other half for Assembly, Packing and Despatch. the Plating Shop was where it had always been (It was far too dilapidated to move)

What amazed me most of all was that absolutely nothing had really changed. It was like going back in time or to put it plainer an extension of "The Black Country Museum!" The same power presses, the same assembly jigs, the same working condition, unfortunately the same wages and in several cases the same staff that had been there since the beginning of time.

Mr Graham Smith was now the Managing Director. Arthur Hatton was the Foreman/Supremo. He was in charge of everything (Apart from the Toolroom & Electric's) how he managed to run it all for all those years is beyond belief. Tom Carty was his second in command; he was another man who worked tirelessly for the Company. John Timms (Foreman) ( Now nicknamed "The Growler") ran the Toolroom together with Arthur Wall, Gerry, Jason (The First Aid Officer) and another chap (A Birmingham City supporter) whose name I can't remember. Albert Kench (Foreman) and Brian Smith ran the Electric & Maintenance Dept.

Dennis Snape & Stuart Waldron were the production toolsetters. Rudy Cohen was the Cutting shops leading hand Len Robinson his right hand man. His operators came and went with the exception of Peter Badger (The tallest guy Cheney's ever hired) I was able on my return to persuade a former toolsetter from way, way back to rejoin the Company. His name was Martin Finch (A pretty good Darts player as I remember)

Ronnie Carpenter well deserves a mention. He served as the firms Shearer for well over thirty years and still came in after his retirement to help train a new shearer whenever the occasion arose. Luigi and Vic Buckley were now the factory cats ( Never off the premises) acting as handymen and night watchman. And this guy called Ron looked after the Plating Shop again with various helpers. How he got that place to work at all was a modern day miracle. It was, I'm certain of, held together with paper clips, string and a wire coat hanger plus the never-ending attention it got from messer's Kench & Smith.

Upstairs in the Offices were Elaine Dovey (Cheney's Girl-Friday) John Constable (Another Cheney stalwart) John Hinton (Sales) Mr Larner and Joan & Teresa (Wages)

About three years after I had returned Mr Arthur Hatton retired (The end of a Legend) The Managing Director, I'm sure, acting on Arthur's advice split the factory floor into four quarters, Production/Assembly/Warehouse, Cutting & Plating shops. I together with Tom Carty, Rudy Cohen and this guy called Ron became the new department foremen. The next five or six years saw many comings and goings. Albert Kench retired (Brian Smith was made up to foreman) Graham Smith M.D. was replaced by the owner Mr Franchen's (Not sure of the spelling) daughter Pia (A tall willowy six foot blue eyed blonde with no real experience in management but pleasant enough to work with) At least she could get her father to pay the never-ending bills for the different metals we always needed. To be honest, by now, I think most of the factory floor could see the writing on the wall. Pia had returned to Germany. John Timms & Tom Carty were put in sole charge of running the factory production (And by Golly it really worked) until the money ran out. I remember quite well one morning sitting in my office with Tom Carty when Peter Badger burst in with the news that three "Blokes" (As Peter put it) had bought the factory lock, stock & barrel. There had been no previous news or rumblings of this and it came as a complete shock to everyone.

These three "Blokes" then proceeded to sell everything in the factory that was not tied down. Power presses, Assembly jigs, scrap iron and old obsolete perfectly good locks all went up for auction or off to the local scrap yard. The place was a circus. Timms & Carty did somehow manage to continue with current orders under very difficult circumstances and conditions.

The new owners rented parts of the factory floor out to another lock manufacturing company and again to a chap named Trevor who manufactured copper rings for Bulls noses (I kid thee not) The Plating Shop was sold off but the new owner kept this guy called Ron on as he was the only man on Planet Earth who could keep the place up and running.

It was now coming up to the end of 1999 and time for me at 65 to retire. In the year 2000 C.W.Cheney & Son finally closed its factory doors for the last time. Some of our popular lines in locks etc were bought up by another lock manufacture and transported to a place, I believe in West Bromwich. They took the machines & jigs etc and some of the existing staff and as far as I know they are still churning them out.

The Final story on "Cheneyland" is a sad one. There was a real good pension scheme set up by the original owner and management plus a workers settlement fund. All employees were in it and contributed to it all their working days. Apparently at the time of the factories closure there was near enough "Two and a half million pounds in the kitty" What exactly hapeened to it all I have no idea but what I do know is that it all disappeared and the factory workers were left with "Zilch!" Absolutely nothing for all those years they had faithfully worked for. Remember some of these employees had been with the firm for forty years. There was a fraud case brought up against the offenders. A trial has since been held and some of them went to prison. What the the final outcome was I can't with any proper knowledge say. There was a lot of newspaper coverage at the time and if you go to Google and type in C.W.Cheney's you will get the full story. The old building still stands proudly in Factory Road. I've heard several rumours as to what it is being used as today but if they are true I really can't say. It was a grand old firm to work for with memories galore and I'm happy to be just one of its many many employees.

ERIC TAYLOR erica.taylor@btinternet.com

C.W.CHENEY; Brian Smith

1942-2008 12/09/08

Brian Smith (or Smithy as he was often called) was one of Cheney's electricians who worked for the firm for over forty years. I went to the same school as he did (Handsworth New Road) and can say without reservation that he was a great guy who will be sadly missed by all his friends, colleagues and workmates.

A much laid back character with a dry sense of humor he could discuss any subject on this planet and often did (On Cheney time of course) with the many, many workmates (Both Male & Female) he had made over the years he'd worked there. Sport, Films, Music, Politics and Travel just to name a few, no subject was Taboo. He was also an accomplished photographer and I can remember the how proud he was when he became a grandfather for the first time and brought photographs in of his new baby grand-daughter that he had taken to show off to all his workmates.

Brian was involved in everything. In Cricket he was Cheney's wicket keeper. Darts he was the captain of "The Elect" Darts team. In Snooker he was on the committee that ran the different tournaments. He and his lovely wife Pam would also organise days and nights out to various places i.e. The West Midlands Safari Park or Pub Skittles with a fish & chips supper to follow and together with his life long pal Albert Kench they organised a very popular "Rally Club" which I can tell you from experience was a really wonderful day out.

I ran a factory "Mastermind" kind of Quiz over a couple of weeks in the firms dinner time break and needless to say Brian won it. He beat my brother-in-law Billy Holmes in The Final.

At his place of work Brian's workbench would be littered with (Foreigners as they were called) old steam irons, electric kettles and toasters that the women had brought in for him to look at and hopefully repair. Come Christmas (His busiest time of the year for Foreigners) well, he was bogged down with dodgy Japanese Christmas tree lights that half the entire factory had brought in for him to fix.

But despite all that he did a marvelous job of keeping things running in the factory. New plant machinery, new overhead lighting and of course that "Ruddy Plating Shop" kept him and the other "Sparkies" (Messes Kench, Cole & Jones) busy but Brian always seemed to shine through with a smile and a very dry joke.

Brian had his serious side and will always be remembered as a reliable, sensible chap who could always come up with a possible solution to your queries. He was a very good Shop Steward for the electricians and I can remember on many occasions that when a factory problem at work cropped up regarding Union matters, "What does Smithy think about it" would be asked many times by fellow Shop Stewards.

Sadly "Smithy" passed away this month (September) but through this fond tribute I know he will always remain in the memories of those of us who knew and loved Brian Smith . . . God Bless and rest in Peace.

JOHN CANNON aka "Nobby" 16/11/08

1937-2008

Johnny Cannon (or "Nobby" as he was always called) in my book was Cheney's number one character. He worked (and again I use the word loosely) at the firm as a labourer but was known by all for his skills of buying and selling. Each morning he would arrive with some items in a tatty bag, usually long playing records, toothpaste, biro's etc. and by the end of the day had sold them to somebody on the firm. If you had something to sell then "Nobby" was the man to do it for you. He was by no means a good looker and had his leg pulled mercilessly by the lads in the Toolroom about his love life. One true story that comes to mind is of a Presentation Dance that was being held. "Nobby" had told everyone with pride that his new girlfriend was coming with him to see him being presented with a darts trophy he'd won.

No-one believed he had a girl friend so we were all astounded when "Nobby" arrived with a real stunner on his arm. "Nobby" had scrubbed up well and looked really smart in a new long brown leather coat. A short time into the evening "Nobby" went missing. He even failed to turn up for his trophy. The next day at work we asked what had happened to him and his "Bond Girl" He told us that he'd bought her a couple of cocktails and she went off to powder her nose. When she didn't come back he went looking for her only to find that she had cleared off taking his brand new leather coat with her. That was "Nobby" for you.

A complete character who I'm sure will be up there in the clouds trying to sell God a new puppy. God bless.

EDGAR “DICK” RICHARD 1926-2009ERIC TAYLOR erica.taylor@btinternet.com

01/07/09

Sadly another Cheney “Character” passed away this month, Dick Richards at the age of 83 years. He worked as a Shearer toolsetter/operator then became a power press toolsetter in the busy “Expanding Dept” from 1960 to 1980.

Dick was well known throughout Cheney’s factory for his Domino League that he set up and ran on his own for many years. Again like the Darts League this too was very popular with half the male force of Cheney’s.

Many would say that Dick was an argumentive old cuss which would be fair comment but his heart was always in the right place. He held no grudges against fellow workers and would always be the first man up to the bar getting the first round in for all those present including his adversaries, some times after heated arguments, be they Dominoes, his love of Worcester cricket club or Union matters.

He brought many happy memories and plenty of unintentional laughs to those who worked in E.Dept. Those people could all tell you of his comical exploits that always caused a titter or two. With Dick in our department our days were never dull; he was the original fall guy. He played darts for my team “The Cheney Rangers” and in one crucial match against all the odds he won his game which was a decider and in doing so we won the League title.

A real strong union man, he became a shop steward who could and often would argue the cause till the moon came out. He was a good man to have at any meetings with the management, for while he was hammering away a certain point the rest of us had time to sit back and gather our thoughts, rethink and come back at the management from a different angle.

He was happily married with a family of seven children. Tragedy was no stranger to his life but he still soldiered on taking the knocks as they came. After he retired he did quite a lot of local Charity work and set up and ran a successful local pub Domino League. He was involved with The British Legion and attended many of their Remembrance parades. Dick was buried alongside his wife Joan surrounded by his family and friends at Quinton Cemetery. Characters like “Dick Richards” are few and far between. He was a real gent and will be sorely missed. ERIC TAYLOR erica.taylor@btinternet.com

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UNDRY ROAD 26/09/08

(PHOTO I took in 2004 near the bottom end of Foundry Road and a painting by Ron Smith see book page)

Does anyone have any recollection of the inhabitants of 103 Foundry Road, Mary Carey or Mick Gallagher being my grandmother and my father they lived in Foundry Road from the 1950’s until 1973. My father worked at Avery’s for over 25 years and also worked at the Handsworth Social Club in Ninevah Road. My grandmother was not a likeable person but would probably be remembered as a woman who liked her drink!!! Names I remember from the day are the Hawthorns and the Corry’s who lived on the other side of the Road. I also remember Leggets the corner shop and almost opposite Tommy’s the veg shop were we used to get tick until Friday. My friends in those days were mainly from Irish immigrant families the Donnelly’s lived off the Winson Green Road next to the Acorn pub. The Burn’s lived in Wellington Street opposite Rita Jelly’s shop and the Osbornes lived in Perrott Street we all went to St Patricks School on the Dudley Road. The bottom of Foundry Road was obviously the poorer end as we did not have a garden just a big yard at the back which contained the toilet blocks and the old wash houses. Our house was a 2 storey building 1 room on the ground floor 1 bedroom on the first floor and the attic on the top floor which I shared with my father and brother sectioned off by a curtain across the room (very chic) it was freezing in the winter with ice forming on the insides of the windows. I remember hanging out the attic window and waving to people on the trains that passed over the bridge and also watching the fights that would occasionally happen on a Friday night when the Railway Pub emptied out.

Does anyone have photos of the bottom end of Foundry Road? I would love to see them. PLEASE

Ann Gallagher Ann.Gallagher@macarts.co.uk

FOUNDRY ROAD 12/09/08

I have scoured the site trying to find out if there was a ‘Sweetmeat’ shop in FoundryRad. On the 1891 census my GGG Grandmother is said of had one and she lived at 57 Foundry Road. Her name was Mary Baker. Also on the 1901 census my G Grandparents Sarah and William Nicholls were greengrocers and lived at 1 Franklin st. I wonder if you have any information or you could post my message, I would love to know more about there lives and see any pictures if there are any.

With many thanks, Sandra Day, Sandra.Day@xerox.com

FOUNDRY ROAD 04/01/08

I would like to know if there's anybody on this site that knew the Baker family they lived on 45 and 59 foundry road from 1891 till mid 1940's the family that lived there were Thomas baker and Mary Anne baker their children's were George Henry Baker, Ernest Baker, Doris Baker and William Thomas Baker,George. Henry Baker got married to Mabel Young in the late 30s and moved to Franklin Street and had Maurice Baker, David Baker, and Malcolm Baker in the 40s of 3 back of 26 Franklin Street.

many thanks George Baker Email:ukozzy_69@hotmail.co.uk

FOUNDRY ROAD 25/11/07

The name of the caretaker of Foundry Rd School was Norman Whiting. His son Keith went on to be a headmaster.

My grandparents and parents lived at 79 Foundry Rd from about 1916 until 1956.

I'm looking for information or pictures of the 'Engine' pub.

Christine White EMAIL : chris19251@blueyonder.co.uk

FOUNDRY ROAD 27/05/07

1948 to 1976 Memories of Lillian Thomas and Sheila Blackwell .

My name is Lillian Blackwell (nee Philips) I was born in Bennett Street, Lozells in 1928 where I lived with my Mother and Father, Ethel and Frederick and two sisters, Ethel and Winnie and one brother Dennis. At some time in the 1930's we moved to 160 Wilton Street, Lozells.

My link with Winson Green is through marriage. In 1942 I met and was courted by a Thomas Blackwell, a true Winsonian, born and brought up in Franklin Street. Tom's mother died when he was very young and he and his sister Vera were brought up separate from their father. Tom lived with a Linda Payne who had a house in Wellington Street and his sister Vera was brought up by an Emmie Jones in Franklin Street. Tom's father remarried to a Rose Harris who also lived in Franklin Street and with his new wife they had another child Janet. Unfortunately we lost touch with Tom's stepsister many years ago.

Tom and I married on the 26th December 1946, Boxing Day, and we moved into our first home, number

6 Foundry Road as soon as we returned from honeymoon. We were lucky enough to buy number 6 and from memory I think we paid £275.00 (yes two hundred & seventy five pounds) for it and our mortgage was less then £2.00 per month. At the time I don't think we realised just how lucky we were, the war was barely over and the economy still in a bit of a mess. The house required much modernisation and we worked hard to make it suitable for the modern living of the late 40's, 50's & 60's. For us life was quite good, Tom had a regular job, and in fact he was never unemployed throughout his working life. By trade he was a sheet metal worker and when we met in 1942 we both worked at Eastgates in Newtown Row. I remained in that job until I gave up work in 1948 to have our first, and only child, Sheila, who was born in October of that year. Winson Green was a great little community, it was neighbourly, trouble free and above all the people were friendly. Much of our social life revolved around the Railway Inn at the bottom of Foundry Road in the railway triangle. Tom certainly liked his beer and he was almost a daily visitor right up until we left Winson Green. Tom was always cheerful, friendly and well into the community spirit and as a family we went on many trips organised through the Railway Inn, to places such as Blackpool, Stourport, Evesham and Weston Super Mare. The attached photos, one of the women and another of the men, is just one of the trips from the Railway Inn, unfortunately I can't recall where it was too, but we all look like a very happy bunch.

In the ladies photo are: me the tallest person on the back row left, other ladies in the photo

on the back row are: to my right with glasses Dolly Dyer,

to my left Linda Scriven,

in front of Linda to her left Mrs Lee and in front of me and Linda is Mary Davis.

Children on the front row looking at the photo:

left Ann Scriven, my daughter Sheila and Sandra Davis.

Tom is the one with a pint of beer in his hand!

The others I can recall: far left is Tom Bostock,

3rd person on 2nd row is Sammy Davis,

to his left Mr Evans with the hat on,

front row left Mr Scriven and lady on far right Mrs Evans.

Photo taken in the back garden of number 6 Foundry Road of Sheila our daughter on the right, and I think Joan Butler 2nd left, not sure about the others

Our house was just a few yards from Winson Green Road where there were plenty of local shops, from our house crossing over and going up Winson Green Road first, was the Off Licence owned by a Mrs Silk, next was a grocers shop then a drapers shop and Willies wireless shop, after that there was the Acorn pub and finally the Globe cinema. Back to the corner of Foundry Road and Winson Green Road and there was a barbers shop; must have been number 2 I think, and just round the corner of course was Dolmans garage, handy for petrol and, in the winter paraffin for the heater that was used to stop our water pipes freezing. Going down Foundry Road was Mr Crouch the Newsagents and Albert Newman's the Grocers and just below number 6 was Clayburns another Grocery shop. Right at the bottom of Foundry Road was Normans the Shoe Repairer.

Number 6 Foundry Road was also very handy for getting around, there was a bus stop almost immediately outside the front door and so on wet and windy days we didn't need to stand in the rain, just waited for the 96 to come into view, then quickly opened the door, a couple of quick steps onto the bus and we'd be off into town. Bus trips were regular events in the 50's and 60's we would go into town to browse the shop windows and to buy that extra special treat such as cockles, mussels and other goodies only available from the old Bull Ring Market. The number 11 outer circle bus stop was also close by, we could easily get into Handsworth, going clockwise, or up to the Dudley Road in an anti-clockwise direction there to catch another bus to Cape Hill for those things that couldn't be had from our local shops. Sheila, our daughter, went to Foundry Road primary school and then on to City Road Secondary Modern, she left school in 1964 and her first job was at British Oxygen in Lodge Road, although she didn't stay there too long. I think she had a string of jobs in a short space of time until she married in 1968 and moved away from home to live in Kidderminster.

We spent many happy years in Foundry Road until finally in about 1976 Birmingham City Council acquired our house for a proposed road-widening scheme, which never took place. We were offered a council house in the Woodgate Valley, which we took and in 1977, we left Winson Green forever. Tom retired in 1991 and we then decided to move to Burnham on Sea to be near Sheila, but she soon moved back North and now lives between Bristol and Gloucester, but me, I stayed on and am still here in sunny Burnham. Sadly, Tom passed away in 2002 and is very much missed; he would have liked this web site very much indeed, he was a proud Winsonian.

What I have written here is just some background information on my family and me. I have recalled some of the people I knew and now hope to write about some more about Old Winson Green and email to you what I can recall, which as I get older seems to be less and less. Some of the people I can recall right now are: Mrs Cheetam, Beaty Collins, Ivy and Fred Bailey, Lil Sergeant, Tom Jenkins (who was our coal man) and his wife Nancy.

If there is anyone out there who remembers me; Lillian, Tom my husband or our daughter Sheila then please get in touch via Sheila's email address. sheila.shell2@btinternet.com

FOUNDRY ROAD 13/03/06

I have just read about Foundry Road in your 'Streets' section of the web site, and there was a reference to "the cake lady", a Mrs Wilks. I believe this woman married a Harold Kendrick Mole and her first name was (I believe) Emily, or Emma.

My mom actually remembers getting off the bus / tram and walking down Foundry Road to the house on the left where cake was sold from the front room.

Does anyone know what the house number was? Or where abouts in Foundry Road the house was? Or if there is a photo somewhere please - this would be great!

Dave Hanson Email: dave@hansonclan.co.uk

FOUNDRY ROAD 13/09/05

I have just had a very enjoyable trip down memory lane on your website.

As a former resident of Foundry Road, Eva Road and Icknield Port Road

John Bird Email: jandm@twobirds.f2s.com

FOUNDRY ROAD 06/03/06

I would like a photo of pawnshop on corner of foundry rd and perrot street when it was a pawnshop owned by my grandfather harry barton from approx 1925 and 1952

Sheilah Pagett nee Barton Email: sheilah.rod@talktalk.net

FOUNDRY ROAD 07/06/05

I was born in 1946 from then until around 1963 lived in Foundry Rd.at No. 37 directly opposite the school, . I attended Foundry Rd School from 1951 until 1957, with Miss Moyle as the headmistress (I went on to Lordswood School),

My sister Pat Brown is 18 months younger than me she went to Foundry Road school too. She may have been in the same year as you.

My mother and father were Dot and Bill Brown,.My Gran and Grandad Parlett lived in Ford Street, Hockley.

I now live in West Hollywood in Los Angeles and am writing a biography which will include my early days in Winson Green.

I was a musician and then latterly in videogames, Tomb Raider being my most well known.

Best Regards

Geoff Brown E-mail geoff.w.brown@btinternet.com

FOUNDRY ROAD WINSON GREEN 25/01/05

My name is Pollie Chew (nee Greasley) and I was born at No.84 Foundry Road, Winson Green in 1918. I went to Foundry Road School until I was 11 years old and then on to Handsworth New Road School. I had a nice friend in Eva Road called Alice Clark and another called Leah Pell. I wonder how many of my old school mates are still living. I will be 87 years old in February 2005 and I now live in Shirley.

I was the seventh child of ten and I am the only one still living. My sisters were Amy, Laura (Sally), Violet, Marion and Frances. My brothers were Bill (Sonny), Charlie, Dennis and Jack.

I remember the man who kept the corn shop under the bridge at the bottom of Foundry Road and the Railway Pub with four cottages alongside it. There were the Allenders who had a shop selling faggots and peas on a Friday night. Mrs. Hanslow lived on the other side of the road and sold cow heels, pigs feet, tripe and, again, faggots and peas. Next door lived the lady who sold us 1/2d worth of cake crumbs and her husband was the only person I knew who owned a car (a Ford, of course)

The cake lady was named Mrs Wilkes and her daughter went to George Dixon Grammar School. I passed the exam but my mother couldn’t afford to let me go; Mrs Wilkes paid for her daughter to go.

Then there was Mr Goode who drove the illuminated tram and also had a shop.

Mrs Bird kept a little shop at the top of Foundry Road, she sold us a little celluloid doll for 1d and a packet of little pieces of cloth for 1/2d to make clothes.

Round the corner of Foundry Road was Sloe Lane which led to the Black Patch Park. We went to a Weslyan Church opposite the park every Sunday afternoon.

Eva Road, Perrott Street, Wellinton Street, Winson Green Road, James Turner Street, Kitchener Street I remember them all. Gypsies lived in Kitchener Street and Perrott Street and the coal barges came into Wellington Street.

Then there was the ‘Soap-Hole’ opposite the Railway Inn – so called, I believe, because soap used to be made down there.

Round the corner from the Railway Inn was a row of houses in Vittoria Street. At the back of the houses they kept pigs. There was a large yard where they built fireplaces and placed a big boiler on the fires. In the boilers they cooked up the food for the pigs. Everything went into the boiler – potato peelings, cabbage leaves, leftover food etc. When it was cooked, they poured it into a trough for the pigs to eat – they loved it!

Mom used to send her peelings etc and a man would mark 3d on a card they gave her. Come Christmas, she would have enough saved to buy a piece of pork. As she had such a large family, they used to give her some offal like liver, lights and kelp, which she used to make her own faggots.

I have so many memories of my life as a child in the Twenties and I would welcome any contact with people who remember me.

Pollie Chew (nee Greasley), Shirley, January 2005 E-mail benjarvis@blueyonder.co.uk

see Lodge Road 10/12/07and the Stories page 30/12/08 for the contribution Pollie and her son Tony has added to this web site

FOUNDRY ROAD 27/06/05

My Mother (now 70 yrs) and myself have been trying to find out more about the early life of my

Great Grandfather, ROBERT GEORGE SHUTT..

He was from Winson Green we think and his WW1 widow, Rosa, lived in Winson Green at the time of his death in 1915.

We wonder if anyone knows any more about him! His parents lived in the vicinity of Bishop Latimer Church. We would like to know if anyone knew Rosa Shutt also

The War Graves Commission gives the following information:

Name: SHUTT, ROBERT GEORGE

Initials: R G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment: Devonshire Regiment

Unit Text: 9th Battalion.

Age: 25

Date of Death: 25/09/1915

Service No: 12428

Additional information: Husband of Rose Rowland (formerly Shutt), of 1, Back of 9, Foundry Rd., Winson Green, Birmingham.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Col. Grave.

Cemetery: VERQUIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Andy Martin Email: andymartinvm@hotmail.com

FOUNDRY ROAD 30/09/04

Foundry Road taken from Winson Green Road End with Franklin Street on the left

and a photo taken at the junction of Franklin Street and Foundry Road taken in 1953.

The shop in the second photo 21 Foundry Road.was owend by the Liggitt family up to1918 which is the year Hannah Liggitt died. Apparently, one of the daughters…Florence Grace Liggitt was a “pianist at Picture Palace” or so it was given as her “Rank or Profession” on her marriage certificate dated December 26, 1912.

Thanks for the information and photo from John W. Boake

Ontario, Canada. Email:beechtree@rogers.com

FOUNDRY ROAD14/01/04

My mother Daisy Cherrington went to Foundry Rd. School. I have three medals that she was awarded for perfect attendancein 1908. I believe she lived at 81 Foundry Rd.

I have enjoyed reading the accounts of people living in that area. It filled me in with a lot of info that I would have no way of knowing. I have enjoyed it SOOOO much Thanks again Ted for the best site I have been on.

Lillian Alder Email: rayalder@sympatico.ca

See Lillians mothers medals on the schools page

FOUNDRY ROAD 13/04/03 & 23/04/03

I was born in Winson Green (Sheila Shell formally Blackwell) in 1948 and lived at number 6 Foundry Road. I went to Foundry Road School I think in1953 and would be interested to see if you have any information or photographs from that time.

Another shop which I would like to mention is Clayburns does anyone remember this shop

I would like to hear from anyone who attended Foundry Road School from 1953-1960 also anyone who went onto City Road School? Sheila Email: sheila.shell2@btinternet.com

1953 CORONATION street party Foundry Road

Sheila's other photographs

from Foundry Road school can be found on the Schools page

and

some taken in WELLINGTON STREET can be found on the Wellington Street page

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FOUNDRY LANE 10/05/08

(Smethwick realy but near enough)

I lived in one of the 4 maisonettes on Foundry Road (should this read LANE?).......Blackley House I believe. All my summers alongside my other 3 sisters were spent at black patch I remember the soho tavern backed onto the park and we used to climb into the grounds of the pub for the empty pop bottles which we would then take back to the outdoor adjoining the pub. We used to go for walks in the brook which ran through the park we used to climb over the fences and walk for what seemed miles we then would climb some stairs and it would bring us out at the allotments near by. I remember both the circus and fun fair coming to the park what a great occasion that was for us. I remember there was a play center in the middle of the park then (I know they moved it some time after to the entrance of the park) and at the side of the playcentre was a water fountain. My sister won a prize at the playcentre it was a painting competition and im sure we went along to some center or even the council house to have it judged. Karen maccuish(Hughes) mibs15@googlemail.com

FOUNDRY LANE (Smethwick realy but near enough) 18/12/07

This email is for you Alan Aston from an old friend who has tried to contact you with no success. If anyone reading this knows the contact address for Alan Aston please let us know.

Your late delivering my paper,? but not when passing a football,you was a marvelous player and was previlaged that you were a member of my team,I have prevoiusly mentioned our playing days at the Patch and all the local

lads of Merryhill including your brother and neighbour Jim Stokes and Ted Payne,all good footballers.

I visted the area recently and was disappointed the Park was in a dilapidated condition of neglect. I hope that in 2008 the restoration programe will take place,and bring back a well loved Park.

I hope this E-Mail finds you. Great Momories of our young days. Best Wishes & great Xmas.

Colin Mills. Email: cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk

FOUNDRY LANE 09/08/05 and 11/01/08

This web site is very useful for family history.

My family lived in Foundry Lane.

My father was Roger Harrison, his father Charlie Harrison, grandparents I think William Harrison and Harriet Rodgers was a Gypsy from Black Patch park! Anyone remember them or got any info? Kren Fryer Email: karen.peterf@virgin.net

I would just like to post a message that my dad, ROGER HARRISON, died on Saturday 5th January 2008. Dad used to live in FOUNDRY LANE with his dad CHARLIE, step mother MAUD and brother JOHN. The house has now been demolished and incorporated into the Black Patch Park, but the apple tree still stands! There is a photo of him on your website in the boys bridgade! We showed him this site and he was very interested in it. There may be some people reading this who knew him. They are very welcome to contact me with any stories they may have about him. Thank you for a lovely website. Karen Fryer EMAIL: fryer234@btinternet.com

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FRANKLIN STREET 09/11/09

When I first started work at the I C I Witton in 1952 one of my fellow apprentices was John Humphris, He was a year older than me. He lived in Franklin St, he was a member of The 39th Boys Brigade during that time. He played soccer for them as a goalkeeper even though he had a club foot caused by having polio when he was young. Hie nickname was keeper at work {what else could it be] I was his best man at his wedding but lost touch when I moved with my wife and kids in 1969 to Adelaide, South Australia. Does anyone remember him. Moss in Aus Maurice Sellars mosssellars@gmail.com

FRANKLIN STREET 11/05/08

I was wondering if you could help me I used to live in Foundry Road in the 60's. I lived at number 37. I think it was on Franklin Street, there was a converted shop that was owned by a Mike Jones he used the front as an antique shop and the back was used for light engineering ??. I can only describe him as stocky build with dark hair and a beard. Do you know anyone that might remember him or where he may have moved to, we left Winson Green in 1986 I remember that the number 96 bus stopped outside his shop before it terminated at the bottom of Foundry Road and I think it is Franklin Street that I am trying to describe. can you help, thank you in anticipation.

Regards. Linda McCall linda@kei-macservices.com

FRANKLIN STREET 04/01/08

I would like to know if there's anybody on this site that knew the Baker family they lived on 45 and 59 foundry road from 1891 till mid 1940s the family that lived there were thomas baker and mary anne baker their childrens were george henry baker, ernest baker, doris baker and william thomas baker,george. Henry baker got married to mabel young in the late 30s and moved to franklin street and had maurice baker, david baker, and malcolm baker in the 40s of 3 back of 26 franklin street.

many thanks George Baker Email:ukozzy_69@hotmail.co.uk

FRANKLIN STREET 30/03/03

I used to visit an aunt and uncle.(really mom & dads best friends) in Franklin St the first house. Connie and Ben Heywood, they had 2 daughters Josie and Eileen. I loved visiting them this was in the 60's I remember there was a pet shop opposite their house, and there were always 2 big collie dogs outside. My uncle Ben had 2 Bringle bull terriers who he always took with him to the pub in lLodge Rd

From Val Email: valmu564@msn.com

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GOODE STREET 23/05/03

My great aunt was an All Saints girl she remembers that her grandparents ran the"Leopard" public house, I believe in Goode Street near Scribbans bakery. Goode Street has gone now does any one remember Leonard and Jane Phillips the licenses around 1935 of the Leopard these were my great great grandparents.

Su Smith Email: None supplied

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HALBERTON STREET / DUGDALE STREET 30/09/09

Halberton Street).

I have attached a photograph of our garden showing the ends of the Dudley Road shop gardens on the left, and the side-wall of the Grove Cinema and the houses in Halburton Street at the end. It was taken in the very late 1940's or very early 1950's. Many Thanks, ROGER SUTTON rogersut@btinternet.com

HALBERTON STREET 05/02/08

I remember Winson Green fondly, we lived in Halberton Street, a few doors from the dressmaker Mrs Bishop, and our back garden went onto the back of the Grove Cinema. I went to Summerfield Rd School opp the Park and we left when I was 8, as the house was condemed when we moved in, to go to Bromford Bridge. I hated it, but ended up living happily there, even when I got married, for 37 years. I now live in Castle Brom my Mom (Hilda Astle Nee Faulkner) and Dad are still in Bromford. Happy days.

June Allen Email : ?

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HANDSWORTH NEW ROAD 21/09/07

I have stumbled across this web site through doing my family tree I grew up in Handsworth New Road during the 70's oposit the secondary school I remember the prison and All Saints hospital I to went to Foundary Rd school between 1975 and 1980 at the end of Handsworth New Rd stood a church but i dont remember what is was called (Bishop Latimer) I also used to go to Lodge Rd baths (where were they) with the school, this web site has bought back some good memorys thankyou for putting it together.

Cecilia Morrall Email: celia_morrall@hotmail.com

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HARDING STREET 01/03/09

I came across your site and thought that I would let you know that as a child I remember living at 2a Harding St, Winson Green. I’m now in my early forties and I often tell my children of the times when the area was being regenerated and my brothers and I would play in the derelict back to back houses, it was a haven of fun and danger. Just can’t believe the things we used to get up to.

My parents were one of the last to leave the area. I remember a small cobbled street from Harding Street it went to lodge road and the houses were all very old with huge door knobs and outside toilets etc. On the corner of this road was a coal yard and if I remember correctly somewhere behind it was some sort of laundry place. At the bottom of Harding street towards the park that we called the ‘wreck’ was a dark dingy oaky smelling newsagents it cornered Harding St and Talbot st and on the opposite corner was a more Modern shop run by a wife and husband, although I do not remember the gentleman’s name his wife was called Margret, her husband used to buy furniture from ‘Biddle & Webb and then refurbish it to sell. I also went to Benson Road Infant and Junior School and left the area when I was around ten or eleven years old.

I have been back to the area and only the park and the pub on Lodge Road and I think Talbot Street remains.

Kind Regards Sonia s1collins@blueyonder.co.uk

HARDING STREET 18/09/04

I was born and grew up in Harding Street with my two brothers and three sisters and we had many

happy hours there. Gillian Kavanagh nee Beecham Email: gillkavanagh@msn.com

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HARMER STREET 14/02/07

l was born in March 1944 at Dudley Rd hospital and lived in Harmer St untill 1969 when mom, dad and myself moved to Hall Green. l attended All Saints school 1949-1955 and then Handsworth New Rd 1955-1959.

On the corner of Harmer St/Lodge Rd were two shops, the one in your photo was an electrical shop run by a Mr.& Mrs. Cox. On the other corner was a general store run by Mr. & Mrs. Day and later by Mr. & Mrs. Glew.

The residents who lived on the even side of Harmer St were,

Mrs. Shepherd , Oakley, Mr.& Mrs. Baker ( Mrs. Baker moved to Canada and died in a road accident not long after).

Waldren, Wilson, Evans. (Mr. Evans worked for Scribbans).

Tovey ( Had a son (Barry my mate) and his sister Jaqueline. We went to see the Albion every home match with his dad.)

Mr. & Mrs. Boden. son Paul a mate and sister Dorothy.

Mr. Boden (Joe) think he was a bread delivery man then ran a butchers shop on Winson Green Rd.

Mr. & Mrs. Long. daughter Barbara.

Pinfield ( a bus driver at Hockley bus garage as was Mr. Wilson l beleive.)

Miss. Ada Mander.

Mr. & Mrs. Bayliss and me.

Bill & Mabel Mander son Alan & daughter Kath. (Bill was a strong Labour man and Mr. Denis Howell used to visit a lot. He was a football league referee at the time.)

Mr. & Mrs. Jones at the end and son Cyril, keen on motor bikes.

Over to the odd No's side of street.

Mr. & Mrs. Wareham. children Pauline & Philip l think.

Dolly Britton, can't remember her husbands name but he always moaned at us and calling the police for playing football. Also where we played by my house we used the lampost as a goal post & the local milk delivery mans horse always seemed to relieve itself in our goal area, bless him.

Mr. & Mrs. Shale. son John & a daughter. Dolly Brittons mom. Mr. & Mrs.Boswell, McMillan, Wareham senior. Think he worked on the railway. Mr. & Mrs. Powell. son Michael. Lady who had a Pug dog, can't remember her name. Last family next to open entry/gully was the Greaves family.

On to Lodge Rd from electrical shop up to British Oxygen.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith. 4 children, Larry, Kathy, Barbara & Robert my mate.

Mrs. Collett & son David a mate.

Mr. & Mrs. Witton. daughter Cynthia & son David a mate.

Can't remember names of other families.

Going down Lodge Rd from general stores shop to Paxton Rd.

Mr. & Mrs. Weaver. 2 sons Les who died in his twenties & Danny my best mate.

Mr. & Mrs. Farrington & grandson Wayne who joiner the Navy & served on the Ark Royal l believe.

Mr. & Mrs. Pendleton & son. Dudsons. Samsons. Mellor son Derek.

Well thats about it regards friends and neighbours.

Seems like yesterday all this looking back.

My best mate was Peter Earl who lived off Crabtree Rd.

We played for the junior football team. l last saw Pete in 1970/71 just before l got married. l went for a pint at the White Swan? l think in York St off Harborne High St. and Pete was the landlord. Other mates were Barry Mousedale, Dougie Ryder, Roger Worth think he joined the police force.

From lngeston St were Eddy Jones, Norman Marshall a Villa fan & Johnny Allen & his mom Floss who both worked at Turner & Simpsons in Legge Lane with me.

Writing this has brought back so many memories, lt seemed like I was writing an autobiography.

Kind regards Roger Bayliss E-mail rogerbayliss1@blueyonder.co.uk

HARMER STREET 21/03/07

Harmer street.You have an item from Roger Bayliss that mentions Mr. and Mrs. Shale in Harmer Street, they were my uncle and aunt.Also Mr. and Mrs.Smith on Lodge Road. Their son Robert, who Mr. Bayliss said was his mate, died quite a few years ago.His dad, my Uncle Sid, used to work at the Devonshire Arms.

Regards. Bob Shale Email: rwshale@hotmail.co.uk

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HEATH STREET Guest Keen and Nettlefolds (GKN) 14/12/08

Henry Oliver Jones MY grandad in the GKN Fire Dept

MARKUK06@aol.com

HEATH STREET 18/09/08

My childhood was spent in Winson Green and I have great memories of living there, we moved into 3/248 Heath Street when I was four years old (1961).One of my first memories is holding my dads hand as we walked up the yard to view the house. I think it was the first proper home my parents had. My mom, dad and three sisters and two brothers lived in a two up, two down. We had to share a toilet which was at the top of the yard, if I wasn't allowed out to play I would say I needed the toilet then on the way back nip under the hedge and off to play, I knew I would be in big trouble when I got home but it didn't stop me! We didn't have a bath so it was the tin bath every Sunday night! Me first being the eldest.

I went to Summerfield junior and infant school, I think the head teachers name was Mr Cocking.

Friends I remember who lived in our street were Tina Weaver, Lorraine McGregor, Jane low and Linda Beard other friends were Jayne Bradbury, Ann Jones , Jennifer Clueit ( I think she lived in Aberdeen Street ) and Maria Cole. I remember going to Summerfield Park, usually with several sisters and brothers in tow, mom would pack some jam sandwiches and a bottle of tizer and off I would go- I was doing this from about eight years old! and we never come to any harm. I remember the sand park, I also remember a park which we called the Chinese park ? I don't know why.. it was further on from the sand park , perhaps in the middle of the flats that were built? We went to the Grove cinema on Dudley Road on Saturday mornings, we always had a bag of chips to share after and then we would look round Woolworths.

I remember down the bottom of our yard was a shop which we called Ruby's, next to that was a shop that sold clothes and small items - wool toys ect- also a grocers shop called Bishops? My dad used to get me to get things on tick till Friday, they were always so nice to me in the shops. There was also a bookies on the corner

( my dad spent a lot of time in there bless him) The wash baths were only a few houses down from us and we went there a few times.

I have so many happy memories, although we moved to Yardley wood when I was twelve, most of my childhood was spent in Winson Green and although from a big family my mom and dad did their best for us. Sadly my dad has passed away but I'll never forget the places he took me, the Botanical Gardens on Sunday mornings or the Reservoir, up the Dudley Road, Bearwood, Lodge Road and into town on the bus or sometimes we would walk there.

I love the site and was so pleased to see that other people have fond memories of the people and places.

Patricia Keegan nee Astley Patricia.Keegan@chubb.co.uk

HEATH STREET 03/04/08 BEST BARBER for miles?

How come no one as mentioned one of the best barbers for miles around. The man in question was Edgar Mason who had a shop in Heath Street near the junction with Winson Green Road opposite the Shakespeare public house. I don't know when he first opened his shop but it was one of the last building left on that part of Heath Street, I should think it was there well into the seventies when it closed. It was the only Barber my father would go to he would even come back back to Winson Green just for a haircut after leaving the area. Of course he took me there for my hair cut from a early age and Edgar used to put a board across the arms of the seat for the kids to sit on. In those days men and boys for that matter seemed to have there hair cut more often than these days, and it was not unusual to wait a couple of hours for your turn especially Saturdays or early Friday evenings. Edgar's wife would keep him supplied with cups of tea and plates of sandwich's and I wondered how he kept the hair he was cutting out of his food and drink because there was no stopping just eat on the job. There was always plenty of magazines and comics to read while you waited. Sometimes my mother would take me in the week to avoid the wait but often still had to wait a while. When I was old enough to go on my own I found the best time miss the rush was dinner time. In later years he moved his shop into the back and opened a ladies hairdressing salon upstairs and I believe it was run by his daughter. By this time he had an assistant working for him but my dad would only let Edgar cut his hair. Edgar must have been a good barber because his shop was always crowded and often men would walk in, see the queue and walk out because they knew it was going to be a long wait. Or could it be you could not buy the clippers like you can these days and get the wife to give a haircut.

Regards John Gillon jgillon61@hotmail.co.uk

Mike Green

HEATH STREET 31/01/08

My moms family name is Bullock she is the 3rd of 4 daughters, her parents name was Jack and Ginny, my moms name Constance, and her sisters names was Doreen, Rene, Margaret, they lived in Rose Terrace

Heath Street. Approx where Jawel Paints is now, they all lived in 6 back of 327 and then 2 back 327. She tells me about the scrapyard called Parkers, and the sweetshop, Suches which was the newsagent and Davis"s which was the grocers come sweetshop, this was owned by Tom and Lily they had a young son also called Tommy, my mom once told ne she was scared in the entry by young Tommy who held a torch to his face in the dark, tragically he died in a road accident sometime later, she also remember Shiela and Liilian price who lived in the same terrace.

Moms parents drank in the Heath Street Tavern and were regulars, along with the Albion Pub to, her mom also cleaned at the Bellefield. Jack and Ginny moved to Avery Road after the children left home. unfortunately Jack died of cancer some years ago and Ginny died a few years after that, they did everything together and couldn't bear to be apart. I hope this can jog the memory of the people who surf your site, i'm very glad its there.

If anyone wishes to contact me, you can by email or phone. MARK.

Email: mcrum69@hotmail.com. or Phone on 07813834386

HEATH STREET 12/12/07

Having seen this site for some time now I would like to add a few photo's taken in 1953 for the Coronation. Both were taken inside the Mission Hall, Heath Street opposite Tudor Street and next to the Albion Pub. In the group photo the Evans clan can be seen. In the bottom left hand corner is my Grandmother (dark coat, glasses and hat on), Clara Louisa Evans (nee Mantle), she had returned on a trip with my Grandfather (Albert Leonard Evans) from New Zealand for the Coronation. Above her head is another lady who I do not know but the lady beside her with the hat on and a curl on her forehead is my mother, Elsie May Evans (nee Lowe). My mother was born in Heath Street (a twin, her twin brother being Albert Leonard Lowe) in 1916 at 2/150. We were at the time of this photo being taken living at 1/150 Heath Street. The three boys at the left of the table are me, Albert Leonard Evans and standing on his chair is my younger brother, Frank and next to him is my older brother, Malcolm. The second photo shows us better in a group. My older brother, Malcolm sitting in the front, first from the left. Me third in from the left sitting and Frank fourth in from the left also sitting, we all have the same dicky bows on. The others in the two photo's I do not have any names for but someone else may know people from these photo's.

Albert Evans Email:moreland.evans@xtra.co.nz

HEATH STREET 16/08/07

I would like to know if anybody new my father John Eric Wilkins born 1935 and lived at 259 Heath St his mother was Elsie May Wilkins then married William Aspinall I would appreciate any information if you would like to ring it 01543378033 thanks Julie Dewett nee Wilkins Email: scottmachin1@hotmail.co.uk

HEATH STREET 20/06.07

I was born at 132 Heath Street in 1952 and lived there with my Mother Jean and my

Grandparents Fred and Flora Harman. We were about two hundred yards away from St.

Culthbert's Church and just a couple of doors from "Turley's" Sweet Shop. There was

another sweet shop just alittle further down the street run by Mrs Johnson. My best

friends in those early years growing up were Teresa and Michael Kane (who emigrated

to Oregon USA) and Frank and Marion Evans who moved to New Zealand.

Fish and Chips were bought once a week from Sherwood's Fish Shop in Tudor Street

and newspapers were purchased from "Alf's" newsagents on Winson Green Road

opposite Summerfield School. Regular visits were made to The Grove Cinema and

occasionally The Crown and even went a couple of times to The Lyric off Summer

Row.

Other shops on (upper) Winson Green road I can recall was a second hand furniture

shop called (I think) The Green Swop Shop, a toy shop were I paid in weekly for my

firework collection every November, a fish bar near Alf's newsagent, and near the

top of the road a pet food shop and a jewellery and clock shop. Play times were

spend mostly in Summerfield Park or by the Feeder next door to the canal that ran

down the other side of Heath Street.

James Harman jamesharman09@yahoo.co.uk

HEATH STREET 06/09/06

A very interesting and informative site, which has brought back memories of my childhood, and has given me more information for my family history research, Thankyou.

My mother (Winnie Whitehouse, nee BURFORD)was born at 234 Heath Street. My Grandmother Kate BURFORD lived there from at least 1921 until just before her death (in Dudley Road Hospital) Dec 1967. I remember visiting there on numerous occasions. 234 was next to the bathhouse mentioned on your website, did the family move into my grandmother's house on the front, or the house at the back? My Grandfather - George Burford - died in 1949, he worked at Nettlefolds as a galvaniser. My parents were married at St. Cuthberts Church in June 1948, my mom was also baptised there in 1924. Mom worked at Scibbens - the cake factory - during the war. My aunt (mom's sister) also lived in Heath Street back of 236 or 232, her name is Edna Taylor. She moved to Icknield Port Road during the 60s.

Jenny Allen jenny@allen53.plus.com

HEATH STREET 24/08/06

I found this website whilst doing some research on my family tree I am trying to trace my father's brother, JOHN CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON. In 1974 he may have lived at 90 Heath Street. Would anybody be able to assist me?? any assistance would be greatly appreciated.edel thompson Email: edelthompson@iolfree.ie

HEATH STREET 25/06/06

An enquiry re the MORTON family

who once lived in HEATH STREET if you know of them please contact John Houghton

E-mail Address: jh004d9116@blueyonder.co.uk

MORTON, A. C., Private, 2nd Hampshire Regiment. He joined in January 1917, and in the following May proceeded to the Western Front, where he saw severe fighting in various sectors. After taking part in engagements at Arras, Bapaume and Albert and many other places, he was killed in action at the Battle of Cambrai on December 3rd, 1917. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.

16 Back of 387, Heath Street, Winson Green, Birmingham.

HEATH STREET 31/01/06

Me, my four sisters and mum moved to Health Street in 1970. When we got their it was the last of the war torn slum housing in Winson Green. We lived right next door to the Bath house and would see people at weekends returning after having a bath. The back of our house had a court yard which had been destroyed during the war, on the otherside of our house was a bomb peak. We spent about 5 years living in Heath Street. The conditions were really bag (no inside bathroom or toliet,desperatly in need of repair) we were an immigrant family from Jamica. It was a happy time with a sence of community. Does anyone know of any more immigrant families that were there at this time? or have any pictures of Heath Street before they tore it down in 1975/6? I also remember the sweet shop on Heath street and I think a pub called the Shakespearer - where my father drank on occasion.

Monica Herber moniiherbs@hotmail.com

HEATH STREET 30/05/05

I came across this site looking for info on my great aunt Polly Beaman who ran a shop in Heath Street. She raise my grandmother Laura Snooks/Beaman as her own, and was a well known character in Winson Green.

Andrew Brown andrewjbrown2@blueyonder.co.uk

HEATH STREET 31/12/03

My mom was from Winson Green, she lived in Heath St with her 3 sisters and their parents Jack and Ginny Bullock.

My father worked at the old "Grove cinema" on Dudley Road as a projectionist. the whole area has a deep meaning for us all and was wondering if anyone has any info on the Grove cinema. I would be very grateful.

Mark Crum. mcrum69@hotmail.com

On pages 35/36 of the new book "Birmingham Cinemas" ISBN0752430807 published 2003 images of this picture house and a few historical facts are shown.

HEATH STREET

Brings back memories of the years we lived in Chesterton Ave which if I remember was just of Heath Street.

I attended Handsworth New Road school leaving in 1967.

Would love to here from any old friends. Chris Terry joerich02@aol.com

HEATH STREET 29/04/03

I use to live in Heath St and Heath Green Rd. As a young boy I went to Summerfield School and funny thing is I worked on it last year 2002 repairing brick work. As I got older we moved down the road ,and then I went to Nelson. Richard Cash cashrichard@yahoo.co.uk

HEATH STREET

My family used to live at 8 Heath Street (1st house next to the Lee Bridge pub), Winson Green. The entrance was at the rear of a Tailoring repair shop called "The Clothed Clinic" which was run by an elderly Jewish man. I would love to see a picture if anyone has one or knows where I can get one from. When I lived in Heath Street I attended St Patricks school. Later we moved to 31 Chiswell Road.

Noel Stone stoned999@aol.com

HEATH STREET18/08/04

I have been on your website to try and find any photographs of Heath Street, Winson Green during the 1960's - 70's. My mother and her family used to live on No.111 Heath Street - their surname was McKeown.

My grandfather also used to drink in the Shakespeare Pub on the corner of Heath Street.

If anyone could send me or knows of any photographs available that would be fantastic.

Thank you Laura Mulholland lmulholland@midasgroup.co.uk

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HEATH GREEN ROAD 09/11/09

That's a lovely site you've put together. I have recently been (trying) doing some family research.

Is there any chance that someone will remember my Grandad? George Scott he lived at the bottom of Heath Green Road, off the Dudley Road. He died sometime in the late 60's, and my uncle Bob stayed at the house after he went. Any info. or stories of him or his family would be apreciated.

My Mom was his daughter Marjory, she marrid my Dad during the War.

I am now living in Swansea, and can be reached on 01792 578309, or E-Mail kitwarwick@yahoo.co.uk.

Thank you for the memories your site has brought back.

Kit Warwick

HEATH GREEN ROAD 05/03/09

I am sending you a photograph of the coronation party held for the folks of Heath Green Road in Cromwell Hall. I think the same photograph is on Cromwell Hall's site but I can assure you this copy is mine. I am the little lad with the beard drawn on my face with eyebrow pencil the reason being that I had just won firsr prize in the fancy dress competition dressed as a chef. the prize was a clockwork train set. I had changed from the chefs outfit but left the makeup on. It does not seem fifty-six years time flies when you are getting older don't you agree. If anyone recognises themself could they e-mail me.

John Gillon jgillon61@hotmail.co.uk

HEATH GREEN ROAD 07/02/08

Just found this old photograph of two little girls,

Margaret Probert and Alma Jones,

with my young brother John,

in the terrace in Heath Green Road, Winson Green, circa 1938.

I wonder whether these girls are still with us?

Very best wishes

Mike Green Email: mikedrums@blueyonder.co.uk

HEATH GREEN ROAD 27/12/07

During the war, as an alternative to Anderson shelters, the authorities strengthened people's shelters, under the houses, with corrugated ceilings and steel tubular supports.

This photograph shows me sitting on the blast covering over the cellar exterior entrance (coal chute), at my home in

4/16 Heath Green Road, Winson Green.

This would be circa 1939.

Best wishes.

Mike Green Email: mikedrums@blueyonder.co.uk

HEATH GREEN ROAD 11/10/07

I would love to send photo's of the old days, but sadly all such pics disappeared when my mother re-married and my grandmother's collection went elsewhere in the family. However if you ever get enquiries regarding the inhabitants of Wood Green Road during the 1940's please pass them on. Also any information regarding Cromwell Hall. In fact anything. I read the site every day.

Many thanks Diane Sprague diannie_5@hotmail.com

HEATH GREEN ROAD 05/09/07 and 29/09/07

I was born in 1946 and I was bought up in Heath Green Rd. and lived there until I married in 1970. My father had lived in Heath Green Road since he was about two years old but he had spent many years away in the Royal Navy ( I believe his first voyage he was away for over two years on what they called the China station). He met the woman that became my mother when he was on leave during the war, they married and rented a house opposite my dads parents in the first terrace on the left going down Heath Green Rd. My dad was named Walter but I think most of the folks knew him as POP.

I started City Road Infant school (1951-1953) when I was five years old and can remember that day as if it was yesterday, I started part way through the term because I had been in hospital, my sister Lyn who also attended that school said she would see me at playtime but her class was delayed having to see the nit nurse so no Lyn, My reaction I lost it and no one could calm me down and I fought the teacher Miss Wellington tooth and nail.

Seven years old off to Summerfield Juniors (1953-1957). My first teacher Miss Prince a lovely middle aged lady who spoiled us and gave us a sweet every Friday. Then it was a Mrs Smethhurst in the second year , third year a Mr Downing or Dowling who I liked very much, then the final year a Mrs Aldridge. Other teachers I remember were Mr Moss who taught the top class and every pupil in the school was terrified of him a Mr Jones,Mr Parry and a Mr Wilson and the headmaster Mr Reece.

In 1957 aged eleven I went to the brand new school Portland Road Edgbaston, not in your area Ted but quite a few kids from Winson Green, Ladywood and Handsworth went there and I finally left in 1961.

Sunday school was Cromwell Hall in Heath Green Rd the place were I got my head stuck, yes I was about four year old and was playing in the terrace with my sister and her friends and I wandered off down the road to the chapel (Cromwell Hall). there was a bunch of older lads playing in the area at the front having squeezed through a gap were one of the iron railings was missing I decided to squeeze through as well but tried to get through, were the railing was in tact, my head was stuck. The next thing I knew my mom was standing shouting someone get the fire brigade, what did I do just turned my head and walked out.

Cromwell Hall no choice every Sunday afternoon off we had to go with a penny for the collection, I think it was to give our parents a rest. Then once a year anniversary best clothes and follow the band around the local streets. Christmas party take your own cup dish and spoon and the highlight was a orange and apple on the way out. The Sunday school outing a day trip to the country or seaside always on Gliderways coaches. The biggest event at Cromwell Hall was in 1953 the coronation but it rained all day, I did win first prize in the fancy dress I was a chef. but what I remember most about the coronation was the street decorations not only our street but every street.

Each Sunday evening for many years the Salvation Army Band used to come and play

in the middle of the road.The man that played the bass drum would rest it on a wooden stand, well just before they stopped to pray I would run up our entry into the kitchen grab my moms boiler stick,by the time I got back the Sally Ann would be quiet in prayer so I would sneak up behide the man with the drum and hit it as hard as I could and be off. I was about six years old at the time it,'s funny how those little things stay in your mind.

We only had one shop in Heath Green Rd. and that was the off licence or better known as the outdoor on the corner at the bottom but in Cuthbert Road opposite the bottom of Heath Green Rd. there was a cobblers shop run by a old fellow named Fred and he used to take bets for a bookmaker it was before betting shops was legal.

At the top on the right going down there was Brunners the bakery and they made nice cakes and had a shop on the corner for a while. I remember the manageress used to give us kids a bag of cakes every so often.

The days I am talking about we could play in the road for hours and see very few cars come down, in fact if we saw a car parked we wondered who had there rich relatives visiting them. We did have the milkman and the breadman but they had horse and carts then. Life was hard but fun in those days no bathroom dad had to bring the tin bath up from the cellar once a week Outside toilet very cold in winter you did not hang about. No hot water boil a kettle and strip in the kitchen for a wash Washing days my mom would start before I went to school and be just finishing when I came home at night. Was they the good old days? I ask myself.

I have plenty more stories I could tell you but some tales I don't know if I dare I could get myself and others in a spot of trouble we were little B---ers in them days.

I would like to hear from anyone who knew me please Email me.

Keep up the good work Ted John B Gillon jgillon61@hotmail.co.uk

HEATH GREEN ROAD 20/07/07

I was very interested to discover your web site as I was born in 1930 at 4/16 Heath Green Road, Winson Gree

n. I attended Dudley Road Infants and Junior schools, a period which was interrupted by the outbreak of WW2, when I was sent for a fairly brief period to Cromwell Hall, which served as a temporary school! I followed this with attendance at Barford Road School and finally, Handsworth Technical School.

I left Heath Green Road to move to a nearby address at 336 Dudley Road in 1946 and was called up into the R.A.F. in 1948.

I remember taking part in a Fancy Dress competition at Cromwell Hall in 1937? which was part of the Coronation celebrations.

I also remember my home being narrowly missed by a flying bomb, during an air raid in the early part of the war, the same bomb hitting and exploding on a neighbour's house.

Friends in the neighbourhood included Frank Williams, Arthur Whitehead, Arthur and Teddy Darby, Margaret Probert, Jean Phillips, John Crathorne, John Phillips etc.

I'm attaching an old photo taken during one of my weekend passes, in nearby park at Warley.

Hope that someone remembers me.

Mike Green mikedrums@blueyonder.co.uk

HEATH GREEN ROAD 05/11/06

I was born in Dudley Rd. Hospital in 1944, and lived the first couple of years at my Grandads house in Heath Green Rd. I can remeber getting off a tram in Brum City centre when I was about 4 years old. But what I am trying to do is find out about my Grandad and Grandma, Geaorge Scott who lived in Heath Green Rd. I know he was a Prison Visitor and a life-long Scouter.

Can anyone help? Chris Warwick kit_warwick@btinternet.com

HEATH GREEN ROAD

http://cromwellhall.org.uk<<<<<<<CLICK

CROMWELL HALL 25/06/03

Was opened in 1894 and remained active for about 100 years.

At its peak, up to 400 children attended Sunday School each week.

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JAMES TURNER STREET 07/07/08

My name is Des Rogers born in James Turner St 1946 and went to Foundry Road and HNR. I have just found the site and have spent hours looking at it and are only part way into it.

I am sorting some old photos from school and 39th BB which I will send on

Thanks for the memories, Des mary37@blueyonder.co.uk

JAMES TURNER STREET 10/05/08

I'm desperate to find any pictures of James Turner Street particularly the end opposite the school which is now a play area. There was a group Coronation photo of all the people at that end of the street and I wonder if anyone out there has one? Alex Stanton alexstanton@blueyonder.co.uk

JAMES TURNER STREET 12/02/08

I have just come across your site whilst looking for something else, and couldnt believe my eyes when I saw James Turner Street. My grandfather Edwin Rogers lived there! I think it was at no 12 not too sure... my aunt and uncle lived nextdoor to him, Elsie and George Hunt. I used to visit them when I was about 11 and was Bridesmaid to their eldest daughter Anne. Those were the days when you didnt lock your door in the day unless the siren from the prison went off. Thanks for the memory Judy Email: tayplu@blueyonder.co.uk

JAMES TURNER STREET 15/06/07

I am trying to trace my grandmother and ancestors of my grandfather on both sides of my family my father was born in Winson Green/Handsworth and was Edward Dunkley born 1931 my mother was born 1932 and was Joan Henderson. They grew up around the area mum was born in Buck Street and lived in

James Turner Street.

I am also trying to get some history on Black Patch Park as I think this may have something to do with my grandmother. Sharon Quantrill Email:sharon@munroquantrill.co.uk

JAMES TURNER STREET 11/06/05

Come on the folks from James Turner Street !! not even a mention ? We lived there at 119 in 1946/47, our house was a small grocers shop. We had the Pattersons living opposite, and 2 house next door both had a Mrs Williams living in them. I was only 5/6 at the time but I remember it so well, cigarettes kept under the counter for regulars, sacks of liquarice root, the fish and chip shop around the corner where you could get free "scratchings" and Black Patch Park ! Anyone else ? Wonderful site, by the way and the photo's are fabulous,

I now live in France, and don't get back much to see if things have changed.

Keep up the good work, Nita Clayton, (nee Wootton) Email: nita@danzweb.net

Nita age 6

The Wooton family

12/06/05

Two photo's, one of my family and me, and one of myself aged 6 all dressed up for the church procession, in a dress my mom made from parachute "silk". Didn't I think it was great !!

The boy's brigade band who featured in the parade also used to practice down the street sometimes on a Sunday.

I remember an old man living up the road who used to dry banana skins over his black lead firegrate to use instead of tobacco. Does anyone remember the 'big snow' of 47/48 ?

I have just heard from Jean Adams who used to live opposite, it was wonderful to hear from her, and she remembered me and my two brothers.

I will be back,

Nita Clayton (Wootton) Email: nita@danzweb.net

JAMES TURNER STREET 24/03/06

Photo was take around 1912, in the back yard of 103 James Turner Street,

Winson Green.

The children in the photo are my Uncles and Aunt. They are from left to

right.

Harry Wood, born 1910; Doris Cannon nee Wood, born 1912 and Samuel Wood,

born 1909.

Doris is still alive and well, and living in Halesowen. She will be 94 on

the 26th April 2006.

Thanks to Martin Hanchett for the photo

Email: martin.hanchett@blueyonder.co.uk

Charlie Wood and Ada Bamford's Wedding

Circa 1915

95, James Turner Street, Winson Green, Birmingham

Top row from left to right

William Sidney Bamford; Frank Broadway?; Billy Wood; Yettie (Bamford) Scothern;

Sam Wood; Eliza (Bamford) Wood; Albert Wood; Florie (Bamford) Pell;

Mary Ann (Wood) Broadway?; Auntie Leah; Ernie Radford; Lizzie (Russon) Wood;

Anne (Maddox) Bamford; Billy Bamford.

Middle row from left to right

Robert Bamford; Harold Wilson; Sarah Ann (Wood) Bamford; Chalie Wood (Groom);

Ada Bamford (Bridegroom); Violet (Bamford) Radford; Auntie Nelly Harrison.

Bottom row from left to right

Florie Pell; Ethel Scothern; Doris (Wood) Cannon; Anne Bamford

Thanks to Martin Hanchett for the photo

Email: martin.hanchett@blueyonder.co.uk

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JAMES TURNER STREET 06/04/06

Very enjoyable site i was born in James Turner Street in 1946

Email: sj012e8225@blueyonder.co.uk Stanley Jones

Three photographs sent to us by Stanley Jones

Mrs Worths grandsons Birthday party Abberley Street

3 unknown boys in Summerfield Park

Wedding group Summerfield school

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KITCHENER STREET 09/03/08

My name is Glenyss Morris nee Morgan I lived in Kitchener Street at 32 with my mother Nellie, and at 38 was my Nan and Grandad Elsie and Percy. I know of the gypsies and lived opposite Charlotte Davies a descendant of the Black Patch Gypsies. The park was occupied by 7 WRAF durring WW2. I also remember a fair in the park in the late forties and recall the Prefabs being built. I played on the site as a girl in the field opposite Anne Road which was made into a large pool for fire fighting durring the war years. After my husband Eddie came out of the Navy we moved into number 5 which backed onto the park, our son Karl attended Merryhill School from its opening. Glenyss Morris nee Morgan edandglen@talktalk.net

KITCHENER STREET17/03/07

As a child in the late sixties and early seventies, my sisters and I practically lived in Black PatchPark, with most of the other children around the area. We lived in Kitchener Street - there used to be Mrs Brindle's newspaper and grocery shop on the corner and a great fish shop on Foundry Road (leading to the Brook). We spent hours at the park - and used to play with the Park Keeper's son and daughter (Anne and Roy - can't remember their surname, but my sister Sue probably could!). It would be a pity to see the Park demolished. It did provide a safe haven to play and some of the outer fields were also very tranquil and peaceful. I wish you luck in your quest to save the Park.

Yvonne Kelly Email: y.mcgowan@agafoodservice.com

KITCHENER STREET 03/08/06

My name is Cynthia Bignell nee Formon, and my mom ran a general store in Kitchener Street from about 1949 to 1971.

Our back garden used to back onto Black patch Park, and myself and two brothers (Donald and Robert) spent many happy hours playing there. If we were lucky, we could climb over our garden fence into the park, saving us the walk round. But not if the park keeper was about, he was one to be feared!!

When I left school I went to work at A.E.Griffiths in Booth Street, and used the park as a short cut to work.

I only heard about your fight to save the park when a friend of our folk club Bryn Phillips sang a song he'd written about the park and gypsies who lived there. I hope you have heard it, if not I can give you Bryns details.

Congratulations on your web site, I found it really interesting it brought back a lot of happy memories, good luck with the campaign,

Cynthia Bignall nee Formon Bobcyn@aol.com

KITCHENER STREET 14/07/05

We, the Jukes family lived for almost 100 years at number 33.Kitchener Street

My Nan, Doris Elizabeth Jukes (nee Allen) lived there with her mother, father and siblings and when she married Charles Laurence Jukes (my Grandad), they remained at No. 33 and had seven children, Laurie, Ron (my Dad), Horace (there is a picture of him on the site in the Boys Brigade), Dorothy, Rita, Jennifer and Patrick.

I was born in my nan's front room in 1955, unfortunately for my mother this was during licensing hours and my dad had to be fetched from the Railway Tavern in Wellington Street. I have wonderful childhood memories of Kitchener Street, especially the sweet shop, run by Mrs Forman, with the big fridge full of lovely ice lollies and playing French cricket and hop scotch in the horse-road. I remember Mrs Mee. who would sit out on her step from dawn to dusk watching us children play and the Farrington family Nan's next door neighbours. At Christmas time the Carol singers would knock the door. My Nan would call them inside the house and would not give them anything until they sang a couple of Carols around the piano.

Blackpatch Park also holds lovely memories for me, playing on the swings and the witches hat. We would climb over Nan's fence at the bottom of the garden and roll down the hill. In winter we would go down on sledges in the snow. My uncle Pat would ask me to go the park with him and his friends to play football. Yes, you guessed it, they only wanted me to play goalie for them, but then we would walk back round to Nan's stopping for a bag of chips from Jackson's chippie in Wellington Street, so I suppose it was worthwhile in the end.

My Nan was an auxiliary nurse during world war II. She told me a story of how the senior doctor asked if there was a married lady available to help attend to a solider who had injuries to his private parts. I dread to think what would have happened to that poor solider if there was not a married lady available!! It was at this time around 1941 - 1942 that my Dad and his brother were playing in Blackpatch Park when a fighter plane pilot frantically waved at them, presumably to get out of the way, although my Dad and his brother thought this was a friendly wave and waved back, only to see the pilot crashing into the nearby Averys factory. My dad wonders who this pilot could have been who may have given his life rather than crash into the children in the park. If anyone knows how I could find this information, please let me know.

My dad, Ron is in the process of writing his memoirs/book and he has many more tales to tell of life in Kitchener Street and surrounding area, so no doubt I will be sending more stories through, but in the meantime, please put Kitchener Street on the map!

Many thanks and keep up the good work.

Carol Jukes E:Mail: CJukes@krafteurope.com

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KIRBY ROAD 10/08/08

Just found the picture of Kirby Rd/ Bacchus Rd shop 'A.D. Wimbush' on your excellent website. I've recently visited the area after finding out that my Gt-gt-grandparents lived at 1 Kirby Rd in Winson Green. A little sad to see that the shop in the photography, which is right next to number 1, has now turned bright orange!

My gt-gt-grandparents lived in the area (certainly Kirby Road and Tew Park Road) for at least 40 years from around the 1890s and worked at the Birmingham Asylum - they were called Alfred and Lydia Yarnall. It appears they enjoyed this line of work after the moved from the asylum at Powick. They also had three children - Harry, John and Daisy. I'm fairly sure that Daisy (Daisy Marion Yarnall) also worked at the hospital before passing away in 1949. I'm not sure anyone would remember Alf and Lydia as they would have died around 70-80 years ago, but any information on them or Daisy would be greatly received.

Keep up the excellent work on the website - it's just a pity most of the shops, pubs and streets were the Yarnall's played and worked have been demolished before I had the chance to have a good look around. Thanks again, Pete Nicholls pnicholls@robbyarts.co.uk

KIRBY ROAD 17/01/05

My mothers family lived in Kirby Road until my Grandfather died in 1964. Their name was Howes, the childrens name was Stanley., clifford,Marjory, Joyce (my mother) Iris & Albert. Clifford, Joyce, Iris & Albert are still alive and would love to hear from anyone who remembers them.

John Niven Email: Jsniven@aol.com

KIRBY ROAD

I was born in Kirby Road, Winson Green in 1928. I left in 1953 when I got Married and went to live in West

Bromwich. I have lived in Reddich, & Studley. I moved here, Fareham in Hampshire, in 1996.

But Winson Green is where I enjoyed myself, Watson Pool, The Bluebell Woods and Black Patch Park I could go on & on. by Albert Howes

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PRINCESS ALEXANDRA FOOTBALL TEAM

KENT STREET NORTH ----- DEVONSHIRE STREET

thanks to Hillary Richards nee Leighton

KENT STREET NORTH 08/01/09

I was so impressed with this site and never realised so many people had enjoyed living in Kent Street North. I was born at 50 Kent Street North which was on the corner of the street and off Lodge Road . I remember how lots of us used to get together and play as kids do. Valerie Chaplain, Ann Roberts, Mavis Saunders, and me Sandra Hingley. Valerie married my cousin John Hingley. I went to All Saints primary school and remember many of the friends I had there. I wonder if any of them remember our class doing hand bell ringing, I think (if I am right ) it may have been one Xmas play we did for the school, ( correct me if I am wrong). I remember Brian Rose, Johnny Hatton, Ernest Brown, Elizabeth Derrick, Shirley Bowen, Carol Prichard, David Yates and many more. Our teacher was Mr. Burley, head mistress Mrs Cole. Some of us had to go to the annexe down on the flat ,if I remember I think that was on Icknield Street. I have read lots of the letters printed on this site and found it very nostalgic and remembered lots of things I had unfortunately forgotten. I went to Handsworth New Road Girls School and most of the people I have mentioned moved there to. I have very fond memories of Kent Street North and lived there until I married. Then I moved to Daventry, Northampton where I have lived for the last thirty eight years. I do hope someone will remember some of the things I have mentioned, they were very happy times. Sandra Day ( nee Hingley ) micksan2008@tiscali.co.uk

KENT STREET NORTH 10/08/08

John and Matilda Underhill

My maternal Grandparents all lived in the All Saints area, but what surprises me is the amount of times they seem to have moved house.

John Underhill, my Great Granddad married Matilda Kirkham at St. Mary's in 1883. Their first child Nellie was born at 44 Abbey Street in 1884, their second Ada Emily was born at 5 Clifton Terrace, Kent Street North in 1886, then came John George in 1888 born at 30 Devonshire Street. In 1890 when their fourth child, Alfred William was born they were living at 5 Ada Place, Kent Street North and they are listed on the 1891 Census as living at 2 Kent Street North. My Granddad Harry Joseph was born in 1892 at 220 Lodge Road and their youngest child Margaret Victoria was born in 1897 at 139 Lodge Road, but by 1901 the family had moved again and were living at 21 Norton Street.

Both my Granddad & Great Granddad worked in the Jewellery Quarter for Peyton & Pepper but I have been told that Great Granddad John Underhill worked from home at one time and that 220 Lodge Road was a shop. I wonder if anyone could confirm this for me please?

We know from my Great Gran, Matilda Underhill's (nee Kirham) death certificate that on 22nd. October 1911 the family had moved yet again and were living at 2A John Street, Aston and in 1915 they appear to have moved to 5 Park Grove, Park Road, just a few streets away. By 1916 the family had moved yet again and were living at 70 Anglesey Street, where my Great Granddad was to settle at last, for the rest of his days.

In 1918 my Granddad Harry Joseph Underhill married a local girl, Edith Rose Hill, who lived at 19 Devonshire Street Marg & Steve marg.steve@tiscali.co.uk

To read the rest of this great story please go to the stories page, well worth the effort.

KENT STREET NORTH 25/04/07

I attended school with the Poole family, all great footballers, Freddie,Billy,Kenny Poole* played for my football club,Called "Winson Green Royal" we played at Black Patch Park.

I also knew big Billy Jones (ashphelter) and Billy jnr. and Horace & Doris Davis and at the pub on the corner Devonshire Avenue and K.S.N. the Spillers. I could continue for ever. Colin Mills Don Sreet 1931-1963.

KENT STREET NORTH 23/10/06

Two photographs take in 1953 in Kent Street North at the Coronation celebration, note picture on left shows The Princess Alexandra pub (The Alec) sent in by Maureen Harwood who had them sent to her by BETTY AND JOHN FISHER who came from KENT STREET NORTH.

Maureen Polack nee Harwood E:mail mrh223@hotmail.com

KENT STREET NORTH 1940 to 1960ish

04/02/07

Information requested on your site regarding a dear friend of ours Dougie Price please feel free to get in touch and we can help.

Eric and Pat Clayton Email: eric@eclayton.plus.com

DOUGIE PRICE

KENT STREET NORTH 24/09/06

I was just reading the letter from Carol Dyer.

She says she used to live at 4/16 Kent Street North. I did too! I am so sorry that Carol has passed on as it would have been good to discuss the house which I remember clearly but my brothers do not! We moved there in 1967/8. We were a family of Irish immigrants I was 5 years old and I had an older brother Michael aged 6, two other brothers were born in the next 2 years. Six of us in a 1 down 2 up for the next five years, when the council decided to knock them down.

I remember playing on the road that lead to the REC (Devonshire Street then Devonshire Avenue) It was steep and we used to ride our makeshift bogeys down the hill. I have lots of other memories. Some good some bad. My friends and I used to call the Flat "the flats" we thought it was called the flats because of the block of flats that was built at the bottom of Lodge Road hill just before you got to the flats and the shops where mom used to do her shopping each week.

Also at 4/16 and associated courts we used to call the brewhouses "bluehouses"! Many of them were painted blue and I never saw them used for their purpose. By the late sixties the families were going to the washeteria on I think Bacchus road. The bluehouses became dens for the kids and were in serious disrepair. We used to climb through the holes on the roofs which were made of something that looked very much like corrugated asbestos. I do hope it was not!

I went to St Stephen's RC school Nineveh Road Handsworth (the Irish catholic thing) and notice that their are no entries for this school at all! It has since shut down. I would be quite interested to hear from people who went there. Eileen Buckley and Noeleen Whelan were particular friends Eileen lived in Norton street and Noeleen lived on the road that was at the top of the gully past the REC (Talbot Street?).

I had a limited number of photos which have been lost and they were of the outside of 4/16 which we sometimes called 4/15 Kent Street North. One of the photos was of me in my first holy communion dress next to a friend (Caroline O Connell or O Connor) in a green dress. Three years later there is a photo of me at school in the same dress that my friend was wearing! Nothing went to waste in those days!

Does anyone remember a trip to Weston Super Mare organized by councilor Tony Banks or is this another Tony Banks?

This was my first trip to the seaside and I remember it vividly. it was a free trip for the two streets KSN and Norton Street.

I went on to George Dixon Grammar School in 1973 and Liverpool Uni in 1980 and now teach in a secondary school (Chemistry) in the North West of England. So it was not too bad a start in life.

Rhoda Ware Email: rw@ormskirk.lancs.sch.uk

KENT STREET NORTH 30/05/06

My links to the area now are limited to the quizzes at the Black Eagle in Factory Road. I hope you are interested in what I know about my family. The Cliftons married into the Eades family of Markby Road and the Cadby Family of Aberdeen Street. William Clifton's father William Clifton b.1797 was born in Great Malvern and died in 1878 in Wellington Street. He was a bricklayer too and his father before that.

I read your bit on the history pages telling about the terraces in Kent Street North. I was excited to find that one of the Terraces had been called Malvern Terrace as this seems to confirm that my ancestor had something to do with naming some of them. This ancestor was William Clifton, He was born in 1842. His father had been born at St Ann's Well in Great Malvern and in the 1891 he is recorded as living at 4 Clifton Terrace. They had lived there probably since it was built, as he was a bricklayer journeyman. I have a birth certificate dates 1884 with that address on it. Could you please tell me what the house was like and if possible send me a picture, which might be of interest to me. I shall most likely be adding my story to the list even though I never saw the street as it was.

Thanks again for the information!

Paul Clifton E-mail paul_clifton2003@yahoo.co.uk

Does anyone have a photoof Clifton Terrace???? or Kent Street North?????

KENT STREET NORTH 07/04/06 Kavanagh and Hyde

My family lived and worked from Devonshire St, Lees St and Kent St North. I have just pushed the magical age of 6 Zero and have received Senior

Citizen's Centro Pass.

Mother rented 23 Lees St in 1943 ( from a Mrs ---- ) whilst Dad was in West Africa and then Burma - I came along in 1945. Nan and Grandad Kavanagh lived at 8 Kent St North. Uncle Bill and Alice Cotton lived at 2 Lees St and Bill and Flossy Fell lived next door( daughter Regina is still around in Bromsgrove) Mom was bought up in Devonshire St and went to Norton St school around 1923 ( she has photographs of her in school plays) Dad and Grandad ran a coal transport business from the yard ( mentioned as Kavanagh's coal yard )

after dad came back from the army in 1945.

I have a super photograph of his lorries parked in Kent St North which gives a lovely impression of the road and the back to back terraces.

We left Lees St around 1954 and aspired to Handsworth ( ho ho ho ). Dad's business went on in

Kent St North in one form and another until the good

old Council took it off him in the late 70's (my daughters just about remember the yard)

I remember - the bull from the REAL awakening us at around 0700 hrs in Lees St - Swain's groceries shop halfway down the street and up from

Anscombes on the corner - Horse drawn milkmen - 1 penny bangers making super boom's up entries - Train spotting down the bridge on Handsworth New Road ( a little later that is) - buying Topee helmets from Bushell's yard (ex-WD on Lodge road) - buying red, yellow and green flags on sticks from Bushell's -Dad buying me half an ex-army sledge from Bushell's as well.

No one has mentioned the CO-OP in Bachaus Road (do you remember your divi number) or the baths ( in the bath/wash house with Dad -up to my neck in lovely hot water)

Mother is 81 and is still rather sharp, so after visiting your site I questioned her(and recorded it) about the facts -

Enoch Wassell most of the female members of the family were wooed by his son Teddy .

The Kavanagh's were 4 sons of a Boar War veteran, (the 8th Royal Irish Hussars, who was also the son of a Trooper of the same Regiment, who missed the Charge of the Light Brigade because he had been court martialed and reduced to the ranks the January before) - one of which ran the outdoor on the corner of Norton St. The family home was on Lodge Road. We also married into the Richardson family of Handsworth New Road (Richardson;s garage opposite the school)

Mother remembers the glass blowers making their own bottles and sending the lad down to the outdoor for them to be filled with beer.

Remember - Dr McKinnon of Lodge Road, The Screws houses around the wall of the Nick, Bert's the hairdresser on Lodge road just down from Don Street - Tinegates Wood yard - Mr Ginster in the furniture department of Norton's on the Flat - Soho Poll wharf - The butchers just up from Benson Road School -

My uncle Geoff is just 80 and lived down the Flat end of Park road. His wife ran a hairdressers shop there - he worked as a delivery driver for the

Birmingham Mail in the 50's - remember their Austin vans ( were they red orgreen)

Mike Hyde

Homes in KENT STREET NORTH were a mixture, on our side of the road we had Albert, Russell and Victoria Terraces together with Malvern and Matlock Places, (sounds posh, but they were not) on the other side were Court Yards 1 to 8 and the best in the street Clifton Terrace a total of approximately one hundred homes. At best the houses could be described as adequate with, no hot water, no bathrooms, shared lavatories, brew-houses and miskins. The terraces however provided a wonderful warren of places to hide, play and get into trouble in.

Ted Rudge E:mail ted.rudge@btinternet.com

KENT STREET NORTH 21/01/06.

Just found you web site, lived in Kent Street North until late 1950's what a change!!.

Great memories of Winson Green as a child.Thanks for your photo's .Also info about the Gypsys in Back Patch Park.

We used to live a 4/41 Russell Terrace..Mom & Dad ..Alma & Arthur Bayliss & my sister Pat. I can just remember some of our Neighbours..Mrs Adams (Who kept chickens in her front Garden!) Mr & Mrs Payne & their son Keith & the Spooner family. At the bottom of the terrace on the opposite side of the road there was a little shop (Can't rembember the name) (Mrs PLUME).

We had no hot water...kept coal under the stairs and our bath hung on a nail on the outside wall!!!.I can remember my mom (She passed away last year aged 93) doing the washing in the 'brewhouse' at the top of the terrace also all the toilets for the terrace were there as well!

My dad worked in the jewellery quarter involved in the manufacturer of same.

I can rember going with him up Lodge road to somewhere by the canal to have glass batteries charged for our radio...no TV (Accumulator shop was on the corner of Lodge Rd and Harmer street) !!.

As a family one of our regular treats was the tram ride to the Lickey Hills...in the summer....magic if you could get a seat up top at the front!!.

My Auntie, Uncle & Gran lived at 61, Musgrave Road (Horace & Emily Ward) and I remember going with my Cousin Anita to Mrs Emmings little shop for sweets when we used to visit.

I was at Benson Road School until the late 1950's when dad decided we should try to get a better way of life in Cornwall...and all of us dad, mum,my sister, her husband Doug Martin & my baby nephew Stuart piled all our belongings into an old Bedford van & moved to Cornwall....lived in a old rented caravan for a while...but it all came good in the end thanks to dear Mom & Dads efforts.

As and when I can think of things I will pop them on your website,thank you for caring enough to creat it ........I will get my sister & her husband over to read through it....if anyone has any questions or the think they may remember us please ask tham to leave a message on your site..

Once Again Thankyou. Dave & Karen Bayliss. [ My Wife comes from 'Brum' as well but we met in Cornwall !!]

David Bayliss Email: davidbayliss900@btinternet.com

KENT STREET NORTH 17/11/05

I have just heard about your web site and had a quick look. What memories it brought back

I was born in Kent Street North 1952 my name Susan Cooke my sisters are Ann and Doreen our parents were Lily and Walter we lived half way down the street at no 12.

I also remember the "Flat" and Yarnalds, Woolworths and the dripping cakes on a Saturday that was our treat.

I went to Benson Road School then Handsworth NewRoad School.

Somewhere in my loft I have photo's of Kent Street North.

Hope you have another reunion!!!!

Keep up the good work,. regards Susan Haller (Cooke) Email OUTWORKSOLUTIONS@aol.com

KENT STREET NORTH 09/02/05

Wedding Photo taken 16th October 1931 at Devonshire Street of George Pritchard and Rose nee Godwin Maternal Grandparents of Paul Gedhard who sent in both photos. Email: paul.gebhard@btinternet.com

(Looks like the R.E.A.L. in the background )

KENT STREET NORTH 31/10/05

I was born in Kent St North in Jan 1931 the youngest of five children one of whom died with diptheria before I was born.We lived at no. 9 Victoria Terrace the last house on the left next to the brewhouse.There was a row of

about five toilets at the top of the terrace serving about ten houses.I remember the "Alex" on the corner and a fish and chip shop on the opposite corner.There was a factory in Devonshire St between Kent St and Lees St on the far side and a little sweet shop above it towards Norton St. outside of which there was a vending machine from which one could get two Woodbines and two matches in a packet for a penny.

My father lived at 23 Lees St in a family of 7 boys and 1 girl and he worked in the Jewellry quarter as a polisher.My mother lived at 1/5 Piddock St and served as a barmaid in her uncles pub.They were married in 1922.

The Railway pub was run by Rose (can't remember her maiden name) in the early thirties who became my aunt when she married my uncle Harry (youngest father's brother).She lived at the top of Wharf St on the left hand

side.They later moved to manage a pub in Smethwick called "The Engineer"just down the road from the tram terminus probably Wellington or Boulton St just inside the Smethwick boundary.

I attended Benson Road infant school until we moved in 1939 and remember the"rec" in Musgrave St, I had to walk up a path between the "rec" and the railway to get to Benson Road.

I returned to the area as I attended Handsworth Grammar in Grove Lane after winning a scholarship from 1941 to1946.

I have fond memories of the Saturday afternoon "twopenny crush" at the Winson Green picture house we used to walk it and save the tram fare to buy sweets with.They used to show a serial "Flash Gordon" and "The Lone Ranger"

I remember. There was the "Rowlands Bakery" in Norton St, the building still stands but

is derelict now.

Hope this adds a little more information for your excellent website.

James Simms E-mail jamessimms@tiscali.co.uk

KENT STREET NORTH 19/09/04

Firstly, congratulations on a great website – my granddad Edward Mann grew up in Kent Street North from about 1913, having being born in Aston in 1908. He married in 1940 and moved to Smethwick, before coming back to Birmingham in 1950 and living in St Michaels Hill, Handsworth.

His father was (Edward) John Mann, who lived at 4 back of 22 Kent Street North for 50 years, from 1913 until he died in 1963. He lived there with his wife Lizzie (nee Cook). Lizzie died in 1952 and Edward John used to pay a neighbour, Dorothy Shurmer, a small amount each week to make his dinners for him. In January 1963, he had a lodger living with him, who my dad thinks was a John Keen. Edward John called him down one morning to make sure he was up for work, and by the time John had got downstairs, Edward John had died!

I’d be grateful if you could post this on your website –

Best wishes with the website – keep up the good work.

Dave Mann, Email: dave_mann@ntlworld.com

KENT STREET NORTH Between 1940 - 1961

Homes in Kent Street North were a mixture, on our side of the road we had Albert, Russell and Victoria Terraces together with Malvern and Matlock Places, (sounds posh, but they were not) on the other side were Court Yards 1 to 8 and the best in the street Clifton Terrace a total of approximately one hundred homes. At best the houses could be described as adequate with, no hot water, no bathrooms, shared lavatories, brew-houses and miskins. The terraces however provided a wonderful warren of places to hide, play and get into trouble in. Our house no.40, fronted Russell Terrace, enabling us to have a cellar but it was always under water, before using the coal we had to dry it out. Attached to ours were four more houses, they were like most of the others in the district, one room down and two up. Gardens about 8-foot square lead of the passageway. Our house had a side and front door; the front door was always locked, but could opened onto three steps. The steps provided a seat and a meeting place for the local kids it was illuminated by a gas lamppost directly out side. Many a bucket of water was passed under the door to break-up the meetings.

As children we tended to group or gang with others in the street. Outsiders from the adjacent streets were treated with caution. We played our own games lasting all day until the night came, then our mothers started rounding us up for bed. At the Lodge Road end of the street there were two long, high walls, one on each side of the horse-road. In the summer this was our cricket pitch and in the winter our football pitch. At each end of the street one of us would look out for the local policeman (always around), one day we did not see him coming and ended up at Dudley Road Police Station. Our parents were sent for and we all received a telling of for ”playing football in the street!!” Much agro was also received when retrieving the ball that had accidentally found it's way over the wall into the gardens of the big houses on either corner of Lodge Road.

In the middle of Kent Street North, opposite our house was Kavanaghers coal yard, next door to them was Mrs Plumes shop she sold everything. Sweet were on ration most of my childhood and I always remember Mrs Plume saying, you can't have any because they will make your nose bleed. Another shop could be found at the Devonshire Avenue end of Kent St run by Mrs Piper; I loved her boiled ham. I remember one day going in there, for somebody, to fetch some boil beans and came out with dried peas. Next-door to Pipers shop, occupying the corner of Kent Street and Devonshire Avenue was the glazed white tiled Ansells Public House run by Mr and Mrs Kemp. Officially called the “Princess Alexandra” but affectionately known as the “Alec” by the locals. Most nights the pub was packed out, football, darts, and dominoes teams competed from there. On to the other corner was Jackson's fruit and vegetable shop, penny specs could be bought from there but most times they were given if you asked nicely. Round the corner in Devonshire Street was our local fish and chip shop Sarah's owned by Mrs Jeavons. Sarah would let us youngsters take the eyes out of the potatoes and hand chip them; we got paid 6d and a bag of chips a night. Any newspaper that did not end up on a nail in the lavatory was welcomed at Sarah's, for a good bundle you were rewarded with a bag of fried batter bits (scratching's). Ted Rudge E:mail ted.rudge@btinternet.com

Ted Rudge, "National Senior Learner of the Year" Award Winner.

Receiving his award from

the Rt Hon. Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Education and Skills at the launch of Adult Learners' Week 2005 (23/05/05)

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London.

Far left Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE.

2nd from the left Peter Leather from the University of Birmingham

Photograph from Hollis Photography.com

KENT STREET NORTH 16/01/04

"We lost ourselves for 2 hours yesterday evening laughing and remembering the old times whilst reading your Winson Green Website."My how the years have rolled back"! - Our "end of terrace town house" (ha,ha) fronted on to Kent St North with the tradesman's entrance in Clifton Terrace. I now live in a village north of Leicestershire by the River Soar (a far cry from Kent Street North) but have often thought about Kent St and the many childhood friends I had in that street. I can remember those names mentioned on the web site and many more. I can still see you Ted and others in the street playing cricket and football up against Kench's wall.

I also remember old Sarah Jevons very well and how she used to talk to the chips and keep her money in her knickers. Sandra Kench (Hingley) my hubby's cousin lived at 50 Kent street North one day she went to cut chips in Sarah's fish shop and as she walked out, having finished her task, a cockroach crawled out of her shoe. It was horrible but we couldn't stop laughing! My, wouldn't the environmental officer have had fun in those uncomplicated days!

We all seem to have moved away from Kent Street and used our childhood experiences to build a better lives for ourselves - BUT we will never forget Kent Street North and the fun we used to have. One of the highlights of times in Kent Street was when we at last had our own dustbin (perhaps you weren't as posh as us Ted and still had to share!)

We got married at All Saints and were mortified to find just a 'car park' when we returned on a day trip to Brum a few years ago! "

Val(erie) Hingley (Nee Chaplain) joval-thepines@supanet.com

My Memories of Kent St North 1940 - 1962 17/08/03

My name was Doreen Cooke I went to Benson Road Jr school and then Handsworth New Road Girls school, I lived at 12 Kent St North, next to Mrs Plumes shop and Kavanaghers coal yard.

I used to go to Mr & Mrs Williams Sunday school institutes, one very hot Sunday my friend and I didn't fancy going so we went to Blackpatch Park instead. We had no sense of time in those days and didn't get home until 4 o`clock our mom had the police out looking for us `We NEVER did it again `

I can remember going every Friday to Mrs Jeavons Fish & Chip Shop as my farther got paid on Fridays it was the only night we could afford fish & chips, Mrs Jeavons kept her purse up the leg of her knickers, if she hadn`t got change she would go to the back of the shop, and get the purse from her knickers to give us change we used to laugh about it,

Once I went with my friend June to Lodge Road coal wharf for some coal, we put the coal in the barrow and pushed it to Junes house we opened the cellar grate to empty the coal down, as we tipped the barrow up the handle went though June`s moms window (Did we catch out) June & I still laugh about it now,

My father Walter Cooke always went down to the Alec Pub for a few pints on a Sunday he would always bring back a bottle of Woodpecker cider to have with our Sunday dinner, I was aloud to have a small cup of it, we had not got any glasses we couldn't afford them in those days.

When I got home from school on a Monday I had to light the fire in the Brew House down the yard for mom (Lilly Cooke) to do the washing when she came home from work, she would be there until dark scrubbing and boiling the whites, if it rained we had to dry the washing in the attic there was a line from one side of the wall to the other, and there was a small black fire grate up there but was never enough coal to have a fire very often.

I can remember playing out all day with the gang we never got in much trouble and we all played together at the top of the street lodge road end. I have so many happy memories I could go on all day my grandchildren love to hear the story's of the days when we had no hot water or a bath or electricity, And how we used to take a bucket to bed in case we had to go in the night as the toilet were outside the house in the back yard.

I would like to send my regards to all my old friends of Kent Street North and I will always remember the good time we had growing up there together

Yours sincerely Doreen Rotheroe nee Cooke Email: Pigginluffly@aol.com

KENT STREET NORTH 1944 - 1965

by Margaret Layton (now Clements)

MEMORIES of Kent St North hold a very special place in my heart.There where loads of wonderful memories, here are just a handful. I was born in March 1944.

I went to Benson Road Junior School then on to Handsworth New Road Secondary Modern School

OUR HOUSE. We lived in a back-to-back house, down an entry. No electric, we used to have to buy gas mantles, very thin white things you had to handle them with care. An outside toilet with a brew house in the middle of the yard.

OUR ENTERTAINMENT was the wireless (No TV).

Workers Playtime, Housewives Choice, Two Way Family Favourites.

Billy Cotton Band Show, Have A Go Joe with Wilfred Pickles “Whats on the table Mabel”.

I suppose my favourite day of the week was Tuesday. That's when my mom went to collect her family allowance 7/6d from the post office down THE FLAT. She always had our favourite comics waiting for us when my brother and I got home from school. My comics were School Friend and Girls Crystal Along with our comics was our cakes Jam turnovers and Dripping cakes from “Hunts” on The Flat.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE LODGE ROAD.

My friends and I used to go to the Institute the highlight of which was the Anniversary parade round the streets. The Boys Brigade in front followed by the Girl Guides and Brownies and then us dressed up in our best clothes proudly marching behind. The Institute was run by a lovely couple Mr. & Mrs. Williams who later on in the 50's opened a youth club which is where I first heard Cliff and The Everlys.

I have memories of taking my nans wireless batteries up Lodge Rd to be charged up. Memories of pushing an old push chair up Lodge Rd to the wharf to collect coal. The 96 bus.(thats another story) if you missed one the game was to try and beat the next one to the top of Lodge Rd or down to The Flat, what an achievement if you managed to beat the bus.

WINSON GREEN PICTURE HOUSE

What a treat that was to go and see all the films. My Moms favourite being Alan Ladd and my dads John Wayne and Doris Day. At the interval a cup of ice cream (or tub) with a little wooden spoon or orange maid iced lolly. Then when the film was over, everyone trying to get out or not leaving until the national anthem was over, the Queen's picture sitting there on her horse. And then if we missed the bus, my dad would carry me on his shoulders down Lodge Rd.

MY MOST TREASURED MEMORY OF KENT ST NORTH. Months before Xmas I saw this beautiful doll in Anscombes shop window (corner of Lees St). I can't remember how much it was but I knew my mom could never afford to buy it. I wanted this doll so much that every week I would go in and put my pocket money on it. Needless to say come Xmas that doll was mine. I took her everywhere with me, on the bus to my aunts up Newcombe Rd Handsworth dressed in real baby clothes that one of the neighbours had given me. My doll even had to go the Dolls hospital on Soho Rd as her eyes had fallen into her head she got repaired and was still the most precious thing I'd ever had. I've never forgotten saving my pocket money to buy that doll.

I do remember if my mom ran out of milk she used to add water to it to make it go further. “Happy days though” “Poor we certainly were but such memories are rich in abundance”.Hope you enjoy reading this little bit of Kent St North. I loved Kent St North, the people were wonderful. I've always lived in Winson Green, apart from six months in Harborne when first married in 1965, then moved back to Devonshire Street, then surprise back to Kent St North for a couple of years.

Best wishes Margaret Clements nee Layton no email address. Contact via ted.rudge@btinternet.com

Memories of Kent St North 1940 - 1962 by Carol Dyer 10/07/04

Updated 26/09/04

An Email from Carol to Ted Rudge

My name is Carol the younger sister of Gwen. Our parents were Elsie and Bill Dyer and we lived across the road from you at 4 back of 16. You don't get house numbers like that any more thank God.

It was a lovely surprise when I read your chapter in the book, "A WALK DOWN THE FLAT", it brought back such a lot of memories as you were describing the houses etc. along the streets, it was if I was back walking with you.

I remember Plumes shop well, the strong smell of vinegar and all those bundles of firewood. Do you remember his old dog that used to sit on his step until late at night. My most vivid memory was when he left and the removal men dropped his piano from his bedroom window, what a racket, I couldn't begin to describe it, but I've never forgot how it sounded.

Do you remember the Jones who lived up your yard. Their young boy David used to sit on your step singing his own version of the Banana Boat song, "I see woman on bended knee flogging johnnies for 1/3d", it was so funny as he was only 3 or 4 at the time. He later went on to greater things when he drove the bread float into Mrs Rose's front window with Cathy inside. Poor Cathy even I at such a young age felt sorry for her.

My Dad was a bit of a poser at heart. He had just bought himself a new pair of flannels and a pair of white pumps, (eat your heart out Burtons),when he decided to stand at the top of our entry showing them off. All was well until Mrs. Clemsons scottie dog went up to him, had a sniff round, then peed up his leg.

You mentioned Mrs. Pipers shop. Do you remember Mrs. King who owned it before her. She was a rather large lady.

My Mom and Dad used to go to the "Alex" Pub run by Mr. and Mrs. Kemp. I knew their son Graham.

They also had a daughter Margie, she was quite glamorous, and served behind the bar and must have been very friendly.I can remember my Mom saying to my Dad ,"I'll give you bloody Margie Kemp", I don't know if it was more in her mind or my Dads, or perhaps it was the grey flannels and white pumps!.

You didn't mention the Cafe' next door to the R.E.A.L. it was run by Mrs. Berry till her husband died very young, it then turned into a general type of shop. I remember my Mom buying me a doll for Christmas from there.

The shop next to the coalyard was very non descript, but do you remember when the window full of fireworks went off, what a display for free.

The "mint" man "Piggy" used to frighten me to death. I would dread Sunday morning if I could smell lamb cooking as my Mom would send me round to get some at 2d a bunch.

I used to help Sarah Jeavons, as did many kids. I was in there one night when an irate Amy Woodcock from Norton Street came in, ( She had a daughter Sheila ), complaining. She had bought what she thought was a piece of roe, but unknown to Sarah, her husband had decided to batter a sausage for his supper. Poor Sarah, she had sold it to her as roe. I wonder if he realised that battered sausage would be very popular in later years.

Opposite Sarahs was the Outdoor up two high steps and next door was the penny Vantas shop.

I bet you can't remember the Streets Football team, Kent Street North Albion. The results were pinned up in a box outside Chapmans where June and David lived. David actually played for them, they didn't do very well and didn't last very long.

Was your garden really as small as you say, it always seemed huge to me, especially when you or John came to tell us off for climbing on the palings. Next to you were the Saunders whose husband was a bus driver. They had two girls Valerie and Mavis.

I remember the Jones and Broadbents whose boy always seemed to be walking on his hands.

I had two close friends in Kent Street, Valerie Chaplain and Maureen Ashwell who was my Bridesmaid, she lived behind the Boyce's. What a lovely close family the Boyces were.

I remember your Cousin Josie who had a nasty accident to her leg. I went to visit her in hospital, ( I was in there to have plaster removed off my broken wrist ). She was sitting up in bed with a doll, but someone had given her a lipstick and she had more on the doll and sheets than she did on herself. I wonder if she can remember it. She lived in Devonshire St where my Mom and Dad's close friends lived. Ivy and Bert Roath.

Who would have thought a chapter in a small paper back could evoke so many happy memories. I hope I haven't bored you too much.

Regards to your Family.

Ted, confession time, this letter was written two years ago and laid in it's pad not knowing where to send it. Then came the magic of the net. Will send pictures asap. Thanks for the photo of the Alex football team with my Dad and Bert Roath. I went to a few matches at Black patch park. I didn't understand it, but all that talent!!!

This is my Son Steve's computer so please reply to the e-mail adress from sender so he can recieve a reply. Thanks again

Regards Carol Walton nee Dyer northern_lights@blueyonder.co.uk

Carol and her mom Elsie, Guess what Elsie is holding in their back yard ????

My wife Carol Walton (Dyer) died on the 27th September 2005.

I am afraid that it has taken me this long to be able to draft this letter. It was Carol's wish to thank those who wished to speak to her about her article on the Website. Therefore in order to conclude the piece would you please include the following after Carols' contribution on the Website.

"May I sincerely thank those who wished to speak to me about my published memories of Kent Street North and the surrounding area on the Website. Namely, Doreen Rotheroe ( Cooke), Maureen Palin (Ashwell), Margaret Clements (Layton), Valerie Hingley (Chaplain)

and David Chapman.

I am afraid that my battle against cancer prevented me from doing so and I was extremely disappointed at not being able to respond.

My thanks to Ted for a wonderful Website and for making these memories come alive and be made possible".

My sincere thanks,

Gerald Walton.30/01/06

"This photo was taken on the 4th May 2004, three weeks after Carols major operation."

"Carol was married to Gerald Walton from Nechells for forty three years" .

Donald Trapp about 5 years old outside 15 Kent Street North

the shadowy person in the doorway is David Chapman, there is a another person in the photo with his arm in a sling you can just make it out, I wonder who that was??? the bike belongs to David Chapman.

best wishes John and June Houghton 15/12/03

www.astonhistory.co.uk

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KITCHENER STREET 21/08/06

During the depression years of the 1920's and 30's I spent my childhood in a small house in Kitchener Street, Winson Green. There were six in our family two sisters, Doris and Olive, one brother Albert and my mother and father.

My father's name was Albert Frank Robins and my mother's name Winifred Clarice.

My name is John William Robins and I married Dora Amy Pratt who lived in Perrott Street at the same time. We were married at Bishop Latimers Church where I had served in the choir as a boy.

My father was totally blind caused by an accident while working in his father's factory. This happened just before my mother and father were married.

I hav e many fond memories of life in and around the Black Patch Park and hope that it can be saved from the developers.

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LANSDOWNE STREET 20/07/09

l lived at 70 Lansdown Street my name was ANN RYAN then my mother was Sheila she worked at Bulpits and the Oak pub my father was Michael it was the best years of my life.

Ann James ann_james1962@hotmail.co.uk

LANSDOWNE STREET 05/08/06

LANSDOWNE STREET 13/02/04

My Mom and Dad both came from this area. My Mom lived in Lansdowne Street at the rear of number 25 in The Poplars, no. 2 I think, her maiden name was Smith. My Dad Cyril Barnard lived in Foundry Road, I'm not sure of the number. I also had and Aunt and Uncle who lived in Winson Street, up the top end near to Dudley Road. I can remember as a child visiting my Nans in Lansdowne St, and waiting for the bus on the bridge, to get back into Birmingham. It was great to look through the gaps in the metal and try to see the trains or if you were lucky a canal boat making its way along the canal.

Sue Beckett beckett_mini@btinternet.com

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LEES STREET 27/05/08

I wondered if anyone could help me. In 1891, my greatgrand parents, James and Anne Davies, lived at 9 Lees Cottages Lees Street, they had several children, one a fifteen year old girl called Julia Ann.

She married Fredrick Brown, and in 1901 was living at 9 Devonshire Street. In all the diaries ect. you have from relatives, does anyone know of them. I know that it is a long shot, but if anyone has any pictures which may include them, could you email them to me, I am tracing my family history, and to be able to find a picture, to show my mum, it would be fantastic. I hope you can help.

Julia [Mata Hari] mata_hari642@hotmail.com

LEES STREET 17/12/06

I'm trying to contact any ex - Lees St tenants who can remember our family who lived there from 1966-1971, our surname is Carroll, mom and dad were George and Kathleen, sisters Anne, Marten, Eileen Jean and brothers Stephen, Richard and Collin. Thanks Richard Carroll rec@optima.org.uk

LEES STREET 05/11/06

For some time now I have had this niggling thought in my head, a memory about a train crash involving pupils and staff from Benson Rd school. My grandmother was on the train when it crashed and was badly injured along with the two pupils who were killed. Her name was Gladys Cross probably known as Mrs Cross, the head teacher I recall was Miss Legge. Gladys Cross used to live at 33 Lees street and my mother Janet Cross was one of her five children. The name Georgie Bull also rings a bell, any info on the train crash would be appreciated as I would like to research it further. Many thanks Cliff redrum@talktalk.net

LEES STREET 19/04/06

What a fantastic find! I came across this site while mooching, you see my family; mom Sandra Trevis and Baba (Billy) Ali lived on Lees St; 3back a9, although I was born in 1969 I was too young to remember most of the fun, but having 2 older sister, Sharon and Angela, I still to this day love listening to the story’s they tell me only now I can put a picture to the park, All saints and other story’s thanks to this site.

Kind Regards Jantina Allison

21/07/08

Still popping in now and then for an update! We lived at 3/9 Lees street until the late 70’s together with my 2 sisters my Mom Sandra Trevis and my Dad Billy Ali,

Both still around and would love to hear from anyone who remembers them,

Keep up the good work, still a great site !

Jantina Allison sales@kiwiprint.com

07/04/06

Does anyone know about LEES STREET and how it got it's name. I believe it is due to a family I am researching who had 24 children! 12 of these were twins. Mother may have been named sarah, dad worked at winson green prison teaching shoe making. Any info would be much appreciated.

Dawn Richy dawn@therichardsons.org.uk

LEES STREET 12/05/03

My family lived at 58 Lees Street, Winson Green from 1960 - 1975.

I went to Benson Road school and was in my fourth year in 1970 when the whole school left for a trip to Rhyl in the summer months. On our return, the train derailed and the last three carriages overturned. Two children were killed, Wayne Dandy and Catherine ?. It was mainly the fourth year pupils who suffered the worst casualties as we were in the rear of the train. Wayne Dandy was the only pupil to have passed his 11+ exam. His parents lived in Lees Street, approx 10 doors away from us. The news was broadcast on the television that all parents of pupils from Benson Road school should assemble at the school as there had been a train crash. The badly injured were taken to local hospitals and us lucky ones were brought home by coaches. I read the old newspaper reports recently when I went to the library in Birmingham. (I now live in Essex!). The head teacher at the time was Miss Legge. The pupils I remember from my class were Maxine and Julie Hurmson, Paul Brown and Lyn Bancroft. Our teacher was an American called Dennis Corrigan. His wife Fran taught the younger ones. I remember my childhood days with fondness. The neighbours were different then, in and out of each others homes, Gordon & Peggy Fisher,Mr & Mrs Hill and their brother Len, The Taylors, Brenda & Horace Badger, to name but a few. Elsie Anscombe had the shop at the bottom of Lees Street, and I do remember an outdoor over the road from our house. We used to go to the church at the top of the road for our Sunday school lessons! Our Mom, Kathleen worked as a store detective in town and used to run up Devonshire Street to catch the No96 bus outside the pub!

I hope that others from Lees Street will put on their own memories and trust that my recollection of the train crash helps! Keep up the good work, it is so lovely to read and remember the good old days.

Kind regards, Rosemary.

MARK ARNOLD 27/02/05 REMEMBERS

I read Rosemarie McPhersons recolections of Benson Road School & the train crash. I remember Rosemarie, as I had a crush on her (she never knew). I used to play with Rory Campbell, who lived opposite her. I too was on the train, originally in the last carriage before Mr Corrigan moved us up two carriages so we could get a second free ice cream (Wayne was in one of the last cars when he died). I remember that on our return to Benson Road, we were met with the sight of hundreds of people filling the road, we were ushered into the school while people jostled us about, no doubt desperate to catch a glimps of their own children. I will always be grateful to Mr Corrigan for moving us up, there's no knowing what might have happened if he hadn't.. I don't remember many of the other kids names, except Paul Brown, Martin Faulkner, Mike Bowen, Henry Stone and Rory, (& Rosemarie of course),

I'd love to know what became of them though,

I ended up working in factories before being employed by mecca bin.

Mark Arnold Email: fred2stone@yahoo.co,uk

LEES STREET 10/03/05

HI TED WOT A GREAT SITE I WAS WONDERING IF YOU KNOW A FAMILY CALLED BULL (Dad Jim Mom IreneReene)?

I WENT TO BENSON ROAD SCHOOL AND LIVED IN LEES ST, I HAVE A LARGE FAMILY OF

SEVEN SISTERS AND TWO BROTHERS AND HAVE FOND MEMORY'S OF LEES ST .

I REMEMBER THE TRAIN CRASH MY SISTER LIVED ABOUT FOUR DOORS FROM BENSON ROAD SCHOOL AND HELPED WITH THE FLOWERS AND COLLECTION FOR THE TRAGEDY

DAVID BULL WATCHET@HOTMAIL.CO.UK

WE ARE FROM LEES ST AND DEVONSHIRE AVE HAS ANY ONE GOT FOND MEMORIES OF THE REC OUR LAST NAME IS BULL LARGE FAMILY I MET SHARON AT THE REC WE ARE STILL GOING STRONG I WENT TO BENSON ROAD SCHOOL I REMEMBER MISS LEGGE BECAUSE SHE GAVE ME THE CANE ON MANY OCCASIONS,.GOOD DAYS .

LOOKING TO HEAR FROM LEES ST FOLK

DAVID BULL & SHARON CONLON WATCHET@HOTMAIL.CO.UK

03/03/06

Hi again I am looking for any one who knows the Bull family from 22 Lees St also by mate Macca who lived in Benson Road and a girl we called "TEAPOT" also from Benson Rd. Best wishes Dave Bull (Isle of Wight) watchet@hotmail.co.uk

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LEONARD STREET 16/01/09

I think this webite is wonderful, as I lived in Leonard street and attended Benson road school, I will be adding some of my stories to your site in the near future. my uncle Horace Garratt who I used to work for was a well known Booky and Coal Merchant, around the Soho Wharf.

Steve Garratt stephengarratt@live.co.uk

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LODGE ROAD 25/11/08 THE TAYLOR FAMILY

My name is Eric Taylor and 371 Lodge Road is where I use to live with my mom and dad Harry and Clara Taylor. A large rambling house that had once belonged to a doctor. If it were built to-day it would cost half a million quid. It had a large spiral staircase leading off a long hall which led to the three bedrooms plus a large old attic. At the rear of the house were more rooms where the hired help would have lived. Inside downstairs was a largish kitchen with a copper boiler with a small fireplace beneath it. I remember that quite well as most Monday's would be washing day. My Mom would let me have a day off from school so I could keep the fire beneath the copper going to boil the water then afterwards I would help out with the Maiding tub and then later would be turning the handle of the great old clanking iron wringer or mangle as we called it. Leading from the inside kitchen were more living quarters. A small living room which had its own staircase to three bedrooms Adjoining the living room was another long pantry type room which still had its original nameplate on the door which said "Surgery" Then followed two more large living rooms. The outside consisted of a large long garden. There was an outside toilet, a coal shed and a place to keep the dustbins or "Miskins" as we called them. I came to live here just after the war ended 1945/6 and believe me from what we had come from, this house was a palace. Whenever there was an election the Conservative Party would always rent our front room for its headquarters for the duration.

Together with my sister Doreen we attended All Saints Junior School under the vigilant eye of Miss Cole. Other teachers names I can remember were Miss Pierce, Miss Airey and a Mr. Taylor (His speciality was to give you a sharp smack across the face for your sins)

Lodge Road was a grand place to live way back in them times. There were four public houses within a hundred yards. "The Crown & Cushion" "The Hydraulic" "The All Saints Tavern" "The Abbey Vaults" On the corner was a Post Office. Across the road from the Post Office was a Bakelite manufacturer named "Harris's" I actually worked there for eighteen months moulding Bakelite iron handles and Castor wheels. The owner was a strict German named Carl Harris.

Finally you came to "The Flat" and what a place that was.(The Oxford Street of Birmingham) Nearly every shop you could wish for and two pubs "The Brown Lion" "The Bull's Head" which was run in my times by The Gaffer Harry Westwood. But just before we join "The Flat" I must mention just round the corner in Park Road "George Bartons the Pawnshop" I remember when I was in the RAF I'd hitch hike home from Aylesbury at the week-end and first thing I'd do was to pawn my watch for thirty bob. This gave me enough money for me and my girlfriend Sheila to have a good time while I was back in Brum. My mom would redeem it for me during the week, hand it back to me when I came home and then I'd pop it again and the cycle would begin again.

Now back to "The Flat" Yarnolds on the corner, The Sport & Play cycle shop where I bought my bicycle for five bob down and half a crown a week until it was paid for. A small chemist's (Franks or Izons comes to mind) and Chadwicks "The Bazaar" that name always fascinated me I half expected to be served by Aladdin. It sold everything imaginable, gas mantles, candles, soap, little silver kettle repair outfits on a card, bachelor buttons, blues for your washing or whitewashing, yes you name it they had it. Next up "Sutcliffes" the record shop, I practically lived there. When I got married Peter Sutcliffe the owner let me pick any album of my choice as a wedding gift. I went for Bill Haley & his Comets Stage Show. Further down were Butchers, Bakers (I've mentioned the candlestick makers)

and Spencers the greengrocers directly opposite his great shop was Harry Griffiths another shop exactly the same as Spencers. As a kid I imagined that whenever the two rivals met they'd have a great punch up. Then we had a Woolworths, Smiths the cake shop, The Pentacostal Church ran by two mesmeric sisters and on the corner another cycle shop "Centric". Opposite side of the road on the corner of Heaton Street was Boots the chemist's followed by Twists the grocers, Pope's the tailors, Playfairs the shoe shop, Freeman, Hardy & Willis the shoe shop and on the corner a type of outdoor called the Hole in the Wall (A great place at Christmas for your "Wine from the Wood" You could take your own bottles and they would fill them up with either sherry or port)

Most of my early childhood was spent in Lodge Road. On Guy Fawkes night we had bonfires in the middle of the road. It was as simple as that. Someone would set fire to an old armchair and the rest of the road would keep it going to well after closing time with their unwanted furniture. Nothing politically correct in them days. One memory I have is of sitting on the All Saints Taverns steps listening on the radio to Bruce Woodcock fight Joe Baksi for what I think was the Heavyweight title. Sad to say Bruce lost but I think he broke poor old Joe's jaw.

I met the girl who I married (Sheila Grady) She was my sisters best friend and lived in Abbey street. My first four jobs, after leaving Handsworth Road School, were Blackwells the builders (Icknield Street) Walsh & Walsh the Glass manufacturers (I was a trainee glass cutter) Rowley's on the Hollyhead Road near The Regal Cinema and C.W.Cheney's in Factory Road. I left Cheney's to volunteer for the RAF. After serving for five years I came back to Lodge Road and got a job at Rabones the tape manufacturer situated near Hockley Brook and the Tram/Bus Depot. Then I left and worked at Harris's Bakelite moulding firm then moved onto GKN in Heath Street Winson Green. Got married on December 22nd at All Saints Church. Finally after near enough twenty years I moved up to 134 Winson Green Road.

I have since then had many many more moves and jobs but now live happily with my wife in Worcester. Still a Brummie at heart and always will be.ERIC TAYLOR erica.taylor@btinternet.com

LODGE ROAD 04/07/08

I was just looking at your site and was fascinated to see that people still comment about the old Winson Green I lived on Lodge Road until I was about 11 which is 36 yrs ago now but it was such a good and safe area to live in at the time my parents Pat and Tom both worked at the "Golden Eagle" pub at the top of Lodge Road and also the Devonshire arms I haven't been down that area for a long time but don't think I want to see how its changed . my dad also worked at All Saints Hospital in the kitchens .

Thank you for letting me just remember the good times

Anne sarahfoxall285@btinternet.com

LODGE ROAD 20/02/08

Could help me find any old friends of my grandmother and grandfather they lived at 251 Lodge Road their names are Mildred and Howard Lees. Anyone who knows that surname or Beryl and Jim Sheldon or any of the Lees's or Cogswells please get in touch. My grandmother used to do the provident. Many thanks replies to :-hayleycogswell5@hotmail.com

LODGE ROAD 08/02/08

My name is Joanne Calder, I was born in the front bedroom of 126 Lodge Road in 1962; we left in 1970 when the houses were condemned. I have a sister Maxine and a brother Steven. My father is George Calder and he was brought up in the area too. His parents were Rose and Alexander Calder, he had a sister called Edie and they lived in the house next door. My mother also came from the area, she had a big family of 7 girls and 1 boy, her name was Marina Turner. Her mother was Amie Turner, sisters names were Ireen, Muriel, Betty, Georgina, Val and Yvonne. The 1 boy was called Arthur but he died as a boy, he was run over by a truck. It is my dads 80th birthday in July and I would love to hear from anyone who remembers any of my family members.

Joanne Greenhut nee Calder Email: jo.greenhut@pacificcoastgreetings.com

LODGE ROAD 10/12/07

Some photos of Kent Terrace (back of 43) Lodge Road where I was born and lived until 1968.

In the same terrace lived my Uncle Gordon and Aunty Pat and My Uncle George (pictured on the step of the first house) and Aunty Win. It might even be me sitting on the wall with my cap on!

It was between Scribbans and 'the flat'. I've got lots of lovely memories and I am going to record them for your site (carrying on the tradition of my dear old late mom, Pollie).

Regards Tony Chew

see Foundry Road 25/01/05 and Stories page 31/12/08 for the contribution Tony and his mom Pollie have added to this web site.

	Lodge Road between Scribbans and 'the flat' Photo courtesy of Tony Chew
	Kent Terrace (back of 43) LODGE ROAD between Scribbans and 'the flat' Photo courtesy of Tony Chew

LODGE ROAD18/05/07

BARBERS SHOP on the corner of

Don St,& Lodge Road, this was a front room of a house, this was let to help pay the Rent aprox.9/7d a week, this was converted,to a barbers shop for Mr.Sunny Walters who was their untill the 1939-45.war.he enlisted in R.A.F. In the interving years, another man named Billy Brannan ployed his talents of short back and sides no nonsence hair styles.he move his talents to the Bacchus Road in between Shuffelbottoms Greengrocers Fruit&Veg shop,and the washing baths and now we come to the period beging in 1947.well documented Mr."Bert"Burton the barber. as in many comments on this Web-Site,have stories to tell,I myself have waited late on the night

to have my hair cut, but while waiting bert would ask you to sweep the floor,and one occasion he gave me a Clay Pipe,and I gave it to my grandad who never used it,but diplayed it on mantel shelf in their front room for years. In proceding years my hair was always was a problem,and I asked if he would fix it, he said you have a double crown and that I would be bald at 25.I asked could he stop it,he pointed to his own head, Bald as Badger, great man of many years. Could remember him saying on a Friday anything for the weekend sir.

The Second Barber on the corner Foundry road next to Dolmans Garage named Tommy Smith, this man was disabled with one leg shorter than the other, he was fitted with a built up shoe, this caused him to limp very badly,and I probably was more aware than other people because he lived in Talbot Street close to my

Grandparents, he also carried out house vists, from personal experience, my father always called for him, or his brother George to our house, my dad was self-conscious because he was bald, they trimed his hair in our front room. When Tommy retired, his brother George carried on the business.

Colin Mills E-mail cmills9@blueyonder.co.uk