Belbroughton, West Midlands

Clent, my ancestral home!

My Huxley ancestors came to Clent from Ribbesford in 17C and married into the Waldron family who it seems had been there almost forever! Always interested to hear from any distant relatives.

The play swings

I remember the swings being located in the park as shown in this picture when I was about four. I know they kept the big slide when they relocated them down to the bottom left hand side of the park as you look at this photograph but I can't remember if they kept all the items shown in the picture when... [more]

Sweet walks home

From 1962 until 1968 I used to walk back from school with my best friend, Jonathan Austin and once or twice a week usually a Friday , we would have enough pocket money on us to give ourselves a little sweet treat at the sweet shop on Worcester road. THis little gem was called "Parks" and was full from counter to... [more]

Lived in Chaddesley 1950-1967

I lived in Chaddesley from about 1955 to 1967 when I left and went to America. I went to the village school and the Grange School in Stourbridge. Some of the names I remember from that time are: Jeff Stone, Dave Gold, Lawrence Rose, Rosemary Purchase and John George.
If you lived there at that time, it would be great... [more]

Crowther Family

Does anyone remember or have links with the Crowther family who lived in Chaddesley Corbett 1900-1910? This is relevent to me as Lewis was my father. Phillip my grandfather, who I never knew, worked in the big house as a coachman I believe and I want to see if there are any reletives still surviving who may be related to me.... [more]

The Big Climb

During the 1950s many children from Birmingham and surrounding areas suffered with TB and chest complaints.  I can remember the doctor prescribed that I should have sun ray treatment twice a week and climb the Lickey Steps once a week.  Climbing these steps was really hard going, coughing and feeling breathless and with legs like jelly, but as the months went... [more]

Shenstone College

Had a great three years there and made many friends some of which I still keep in contact with some 28 years later.

Shenstone Training College

Bromsgrove Teacher Training College's proper name was Shenstone Teacher Training College and was under the aegis of Birmingham University. Shenstone was originally situated on the old prisoner of war camp outside Kidderminster, in the village of Stone. It originally offered two year teacher training, but in 1960, with the change in the regulations for teacher training, the course was upgraded to... [more]