ARCHWAY OF TEARS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=215 BGCOLOR="#CC3366" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04106732dkcfyw.png"> <div> <U>LATEST UPDATE</U></div> <div> Archway of tears </div> <div> 27/11/08</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Will it will be there in 2009?</div> <div> <IMG SRC="a8b96640.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="100" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 2003</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="a0496710.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="113" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 2007</div> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="a8c96710.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="113" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 2008 JUNE</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="abc96640.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 2008 November</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Read the campaign comments received so far on this page, opposite</div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #CC6699;" BGCOLOR="#CC99CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> Birmingham, England. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> </B></FONT><B> </B><B> </B><B>|   </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Birmingham, England. "><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BROOKFIELDS">BROOKFIELDS</A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="COMMENTS">COMMENTS</A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHURCHS">CHURCHS</A>   |   <A HREF="organizations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ORGANIZATIONS">ORGANIZATIONS</A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SCHOOLS">SCHOOLS</A>   |   <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HISTORY">HISTORY</A>   |   <A HREF="workhouse.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WORKHOUSE">WORKHOUSE</A>   |   <B>ARCHWAY OF TEARS</B>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" STREETS"> STREETS</A>   |   <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" PHOTOGRAPHS">  PHOTOGRAPHS</A>   |   <A HREF="pubs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PUBS">PUBS</A>   |   <A HREF="id13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STORIES">STORIES</A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPRING HILL">SPRING HILL</A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOKS">BOOKS</A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OLD FRIENDS">OLD FRIENDS</A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" NOW "> NOW </A>   |   <A HREF="whats_on.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHATS ON">WHAT'S ON</A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS">LINKS</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CC99CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>ARCHWAY OF TEARS</I></div> <div> <I>"BIRMINGHAM UNION WORKHOUSE" </I></div> <div> <I> Western Road , Brookfields.</I></div> <div> LATEST INFORMATION.<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >27/11/08</FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The chief executive of the Trust at City Road Hospital is setting up a meeting with Carl Chinn, Heritage Lottery and the Birmingham Conservation Trust early in the new year. He is keen to do something positive.</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I> </I></div> <div> >>>> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" >please send us your comments ASAP</FONT> <<<< </div> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="819" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 168 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="ab7c8850.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="133" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I>Taken</I></div> <div> <I> in </I></div> <div> <I>2003</I></div> <div> <I>by </I></div> <div> <I>Ted</I></div> <div> <I>Rudge</I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="246"><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="a88c8960.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="150" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT>T<I>aken</I><I> in </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>2007</I></FONT></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <I><IMG SRC="a89c8960.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="150" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <I>T</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><I>aken</I></FONT></div> <div> <I> JUNE 19</I></div> <div> <I>2008</I></div> <div> <I>by</I></div> <div> <I>Andrew</I></div> <div> <I>Simons</I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 254 WIDTH="247"><div> Taken 15 November 2008</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The front now clearly marked for parking</div> <div> Photo thanks to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Ken Grinnell</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="abbfaa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="246"><div> Taken 15 November 2008</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  The rear is a </div> <div> car park</div> <div> Photo thanks to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Ken Grinnell</FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="ab9faa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="300"><div> WILL THE ARCHWAY </div> <div> BE THERE </div> <div> NEXT YEAR ???</div> <bR> <div> please send us your comments ASAP and</div> <bR> <div> WATCH THIS SPACE</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17240e50.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="229" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> The COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE situated alongside the building that was<I> </I>opened by <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><U>Prof.Carl Chinn</U></FONT> in memory of the people who spent time in the workhouse. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(</FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >Photo thanks to</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Gordon Smith).</FONT></div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in supporting a </div> <bR> <div> campaign to try and save the building </div> <bR> <div> please send us your comments ASAP</div> <bR> <div> Email<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:Ted@winsongreentobrookfields.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Ted@winsongreentobrookfields.co.u">:Ted@winsongreentobrookfields.co.uk</A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>YOUR LATESTCOMMENTS</U></I></div> <div> 12/10/08 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I was born in New Spring St, Brookfields. I now live in Sheffield but frequently visit my family in Brum.</FONT></div> <div> I am interested in workhouses and am planning to visit the archway of tears - so I was saddened and cross to hear that it might be demolished. I think these places should be preserved as a monument to the people who spent miserable, humiliating years there - many of them after working hard all their lives as servants etc.</div> <div> I am a writer and singer/songwriter and wonder if there is anything I can do to promote the cause of saving this building. Maybe a fundraising concert or something, or I could write a song about it? I wish you well with it.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Tina McKevitt </FONT> tinamckevitt@hotmail.com</div> <bR> <div> 27/09/08</div> <div> Too many of our old buildings in Birmingham have been lost to the bulldozer, we must save this one The Workhouse in the grounds of City Hospital, let me know if there is anything I can do to help save it.</div> <div> Sincerely  Phil O'Dell </div> <bR> <div> 10/08/08</div> <div> I have just discovered my 2xgrandmother ended her days at the Birmingham Workhouse at the great age of 83 in 1894. Although she thought she was in her 90s its taken me three years to track her down. She once lived near the workhouse in Farm Street and Northwood Street.</div> <div> We are losing our roots and even though <B>these places were sad if they hadn't been there then some of our ancesters would have not recovered enough to have gone back in to the world and produced us</B>. </div> <div> Elaine<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, great great granddaughter of Ann Hollington(Oxby) </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >terry.grange@tesco.net</FONT></div> <bR> <div> 04/07/08</div> <div> Tracing back my family tree, I found that my Grandmother together with my Great Grandmother and family went through the Archway of Tears on two occasions. It is a big part of our ancestry, however sad, and we have all worked so hard to find out more detail. As a result it has brought so many of us together. Three generations on, our family members can see this piece of our own history. If it is taken away, as so much is these days, we have nothing but photographs to pass on. If this applies to my family, it must also apply to so many others. </div> <div> Libby Roberts<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > . </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >Libby.Roberts@dlapiper.com</FONT></div> <bR> <div> 24/06/08</div> <div> The building is without doubt one of the most important modern inner city historical sites within Birmingham and<B> MUST</B> be preserved and restored for future generations to appreciate. I totally support your cause and would, if required, offer time and effort in raising awareness. </div> <div> Good luck. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Keith Acton</FONT> </div> <bR> <div> 24/06/08 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I was shocked to see the recent photograph of the condition of the workhouse building and the "Archway of Tears". As a child in the fifties living on the Brookfields I remember it as Summerfield hospital? I think it was a geriatric hospital then and regarded with some dread. I thought that the commemorative plaque opened by Carl Chinn was a very fitting memorial to all those unfortunate souls who found themselves within those workhouse walls. Surely there is some way of preserving this piece of Birmingham's history and that of it's people? I will certainly support any campaign to save the building and I hope my comments will help. </FONT></div> <div> Yours sincerely, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Mary Free</FONT></div> <bR> <div> 19/06/08<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > We visited today with Year 5 from Matthew Boulton Community Primary School the entrance building to Birmingham Union Workhouse. As you will see from the attached photograph the building is subject to neglect by City Hospital. It is now very difficult for anyone to get near the building as cars are parked in front of the building and also a fence has been errected between the entrance and the building presumably to reduce the visibility of the building to people entering from Western Road. As you will also see the building is also now obscured by trees and bushes. I think we need to step up the campaign to save the building. What would you advise? </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >andrew.simons@blueyonder.co.uk</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(Ted Rudge 07/07/07)</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" >I spoke to  </FONT>Carl Chinn<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#3366FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0033" FACE="Arial" >and asked him if he knew what was the latest possition regarding the "Archway of Tears"</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(Carl's  reply 07/07/07) </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" >"The building belonged to the national health service and he had been in touch with them over many months to try and find out what was planned for the building. The reply from the NHS was </FONT><U>nothing was planned due to lack of money</U>." </div> <bR> <div> I am an old Brummie living in Tamworth now. I have seen what Tamworth Borough Council has done to this Ancient Town, covering it with concrete lumps. I am sure if our Castle could be sold and built on, it would be! I hate to think of similar happening to Brum. I don’t know what good this will do, but at least it is a bit of support, and who knows, if a campaign gets up and running, every comment might be important. </div> <div> Regards  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >Paul Higgins</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>30/07/07 </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I have just discovered that my g-g-grandfather, Charles Murray, died in the workhouse infirmary in 1890, I feel that I  now have a connection with the building, I was born in brum but now live on the I O W, I do hope that they will leave it standing as a building of great historical interest</FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" >.   </FONT>Terry Glynn <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>daddywarbuck@hotmail.co.uk </I></FONT></div> <bR> <div>  06/10/2006 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >No! this must stay. I understood it was to be renervated? not sure where I got this idea from. It is part of Birminghams history and we MUST KEEP IT. Let me know if I can help in any way. Regards </FONT>Pat Smith</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >26/10/06 </FONT>I moved into Brookfield Road in 1990 and lived there only a few years but am very interested in the history of my first home. I also trained at what was  Dudley Road Hospital and remember much about the old buildings on the site especially the archway of tears that has fallen into disrepair I hope you succeed in ensuring it is kept alive in memory of all those who walked below it. I moved away but am now working again on the City Hopsital site and would hope to see it restored as a memorial <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >Julie Winning</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>juliewinning@btinternet.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> 06/04/06 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The  <A HREF="http://www.friendsofkeyhill.org.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.friendsofkeyhill.org.uk/">Friends of Key Hill Cemetery </A>support your cause - we have suffered enough demolition of our history, we are fully behind the campaign to save the workhouse entrance - IT MUST NOT GO, IT IS PART OF OLD BIRMINGHAM, AND LORD KNOWS, WE HAVE LITTLE ENOUGH LEFT.</FONT><B> </B>Pauline Roberts<B> </B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >26/06/05     </FONT>My book,  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Archway of Tears</B></FONT>, is largely based around the area. </div> <div> It is published by Brewin Books. isbn 1-85858-184-2 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >David Conroy </FONT> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>david.conroy6@btinternet.com</U></FONT></div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >29/05/05 </FONT>My family have a long history with Hockley (Ford Street) and with Dudley Road Hospital and I would like to support your cause to keep the 'Archway of Tears' workhouse building.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Regards.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>Gary Callaghan</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>