Hednesford, Staffordshire

The Tivoli in wartime

I remember the Sunday concerts at the Tivoli during wartime. These were produced in a very professional manner and were a wonderful morale booster for the local people during some very dark days. One Sunday the same concert was being performed at the Tivoli and The Empire on the same night and the artists were running between the two cinemas all... [more]

Uncle Frank's Cinema - the Tivoli

I believe the Tivoli was owned by my Uncle Frank Williams, who lived in the 40s at Tree Tops, a modern (then) bungalow in the vicinity of Rugeley. He was my father's brother and I think he also owned the cinema at the other end of the main road (was it the Empire?) Previously he either owned or leased Cannock Picture... [more]

Ice cream shop

The ice cream shop was near the big Catholic church at Hednesford, the church had hydraulics which were adjusted annually to keep in level from mining subsidence. The shop served the best ever ice cream soda in a tall glass with straws, my favourite was orange pop with vanilla ice cream. My Grandad Titley used to walk my cousin and I... [more]

Hednesford

The picture of the Van in the main street of Hednesford is I think the Co-op grocery delivery van. Just below the woman was then a Co-op grocery store. The van was driven by a man by the name of Tommy; I unfortunately can't remember his surname.
I worked at the Rawnsley Co-op branch in the 60s when I was... [more]

Hednesford

I remember Kings fish and chip shop in Uxbridge Street, it's now a Chinese takeaway, also Trabulis Cafe, soup and exra bread for 8d (old money). In the 60s we used to go for our dinner when I was at Littleworth Boys School (now Kingsmead Tech College), also the Anbatina Cafe in Market Street next to the Lichfield Laundry, all knocked... [more]

Ice cream shop

All I remember when I was a child was going for Saturday ice cream at Mr Spinelli's shop. Oooh those were the days!

Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album

The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con- structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.

Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album

The Shropshire Union Canal, engineered by Thomas Telford and con- structed between 1827 and 1835, was the last of the major canals. It linked Birmingham to the Mersey, and was built in a more direct line than previous canals, sometimes through deep cuttings, to reduce distances in an attempt to compete with railways. The Boat Inn stands beside the bridge.

Stafford Living Memories Pocket Album

One of the few thatched buildings in the area, the Duke's Head is no longer a public house. It has recently been renovated, and the timber-frame, probably dating from the 16th century, is now exposed. For centuries Gnosall was a small agricultural village, but in the 19th century many of the villagers also made shoes for the Stafford shoe manufacturers.