Kings Norton memories
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Memories of West Midlands
Old Northfield
The stretch of road we see is called Bell Lane. Bell Lane curves back to Bristol Rd. The big house partly seen in the distance is Bell House which has quite a history.To it's left goes Bell Holloway (still fairly unaltered) and to it's right Bell Hill where I was born in an old cottage in 1927. It is now a double twin carriageway through to Harborne. In a cluster were a farm, two cottages, and a bungalow, .This small area was then known as Paradise and our cottage Paradise Cottage.
Coming back to the photograph the shop was Hewitt's which had a bakery and sold sweets. Bell House 'partly seen ' had five false windows on the wall looking over Bell Holloway which were due to the 'window tax' that existed at some point in it's life. Our cottage and the one next door feature in photographs that appear in the Archive Photographs series of Birmingham compiled by Pauline Caswell.
Selly Oak
My mother, Thelma Hill, and her brother Ken were born in Gleave Road, Selly Oak. They used to play down one end called (I think) "the pudding bag". My mum went to St Mary's School and her brother (at aged 11 years) to St Wulstuns. Mum used to speak fondly of her time at school but like a lot of others she left at 14 years of age and then her mum got her a job at Boxfoldia, she said that the staff were strict but kind.
My Memories of Selly Oak And Bournbrook
I was born in Bournbrook, Birmingham in 1950, daughter of Kenneth Clarke born 1924 and Joan Clarke (nee Price) born 1927.
My father was born at 21 North Road, Bournbrook, son of Edith Clarke and Jack Clarke. The family name was really Rone Clarke and this family began their trade as woodturners at Rose Cottage, Bristol Road, Bromsgrove.
My father worked at W H Ward in Dale Road, and as we lived at No 10 Dale Road, I remember as a child I used to wait for him at lunch time when he came out, I remember Mom used to tell him to "Take your boots off" because they used to bring swarf into the house. My father worked on a lathe at Wards and his brother Charlie Clarke also worked at Wards as did his mother Eva who was an engraver.
I remember early in the morning lying in bed and hearing all the men's boots going down Dale Road as they made their way to work at Wards.... Read more
Bristol Road Selly Oak
My mum and dad had a shop on Bristol Road until about 12 years ago. The first shop was opposite the big post office just up from Birmingham Battery. They had to give up this shop as compulsory purchase for the road widening scheme so they moved to another shop just opposite Sainsburys. I lived above the shop until i was 16 (approx 1981) so have lots of memories. I recently visited Selly Oak again after approx 15 years and was amazed by the changes. My brother and I went to St Mary's C of E School housed in the old annexe and the new building. What a shame the old annexe was flattened what a building that would be now and all the history. Would make a fantastic home now!
Meadows Primary School
I was born in Park Avenue, Northfield on February 17th 1956. I remember walking up the village to Northfield with my sisters to go grocery shopping. The Off Licence on the corner of Park Road and Bristol Road, I used to go and get 10 Woodbines for my Mom and Dad. The Post Office on Bristol Road where every Tuesday we would go and get my Mom's family allowance. I went to Meadows Primary school and have very fond memories. The head master was Mr Walker, Mr Walker did the swimming commentary on the TV for all the big swimming events. I was fist introduced to classical music at Meadows Primary school in assembly every morning. We had a large family of 7 childen and later moved to 35 Torre Avenue in Northfield. Griffiths was my maden name and Ray and Bet were my parents. Ray and Bet spent Saturday nights at the Longbridge social club on the Bristol Road. My mother would get up and sing, "wont you come... Read more
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