Castle Bromwich, West Midlands

Post Office

We moved to nearby Kingshurst and the Post Office on the corner of Hurst Lane was the nearest for collecting the much needed Family Allowance. It was a good walk as the buses were not very frequent. When I was newly married 13 years later, our first house was in Hawthorne Road so this was my local shopping area.... [more]

Village School

I remember moving to the village school in about 1962/3. I had been at Highcroft private school further up towards the church for a couple of years but my parents decided to move me to the village school. The school was very old. My grandfather went there too as he was born in the village and I lived here from when... [more]

My house

Although I so far know little about it, the white house with the black beams was formerly the local shop. In the early 90's it was derelict and subsequently refurbished as a residential property.
I purchased the property in February 2007, and live there now. If anyone knows anything of its history, please leave information here!
It used to be a... [more]

Village School

To the left of where the photographer was standing was the junior's playground of the old village school (St Mary and St Margaret's.) In 1963-4 we would have vacated the old buildings and moved into a new building in Southfield Avenue on the Hall Estate. The old school was basically a large room divided into classrooms by immense sliding concertina doors.... [more]

West Midlands Pocket Album

The development of Castle Bromwich really got under way in the 1930s with the Hodgehill Common housing estate.After the second world war, in which Castle Bromwich played a major part with its Spitfire factory, there were further housing developments at Bucklands End and the Firs. About the time this picture was taken, plans by Sheppard Fidler had been accepted for a 461-acre development to include sixteen-storey... [more]

West Midlands Living Memories

There was a settlement on this site in prehistoric times, but the first documentary reference to 'Bramwice' was in 1168. The name referred to the wild broom which grew here. The castle was on a hill north of the church, comprising a motte and bailey with earth and timber fortifications. Though just a Birmingham suburb now, Castle Bromwich retains its green... [more]

West Midlands Living Memories

There was a settlement on this site in prehistoric times, but the first documentary reference to 'Bramwice' was in 1168. The name referred to the wild broom which grew here. The castle was on a hill north of the church, comprising a motte and bailey with earth and timber fortifications. Though just a Birmingham suburb now, Castle Bromwich retains its green and a few old houses.