Kingshurst, West Midlands

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]

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

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]

Chemo Woods

We moved from Aston, (Lichfield Road) to Tile cross, in 1948. Talk about a breath of fresh air??

We soon discovered Chelmsley woods, it was a grand trek, down Bell lane, past the smithy on the right and down to "Ye Olde Bell" .

Acoss the fields at the back of the bell, past the bomb crater, and... [more]

The Blue Bell Wood

Having recently moved to Kingshust from Aston it was wonderful to have Chelmsley Wood within walking distance. Taking a picnic we would set off and thoroughly enjoy the walk, climbing over the style and venturing into the woods especially when the wood was carpeted with the most amazing blue bells. We would play hide and seek and be amazed... [more]

Pedleys

Pedleys was on Coterills Lane, Bert, his wife, daughter Margaret, and his two sisters ran the paper shop. They also lived there. I collected paper money for them. Lovely people. I also came from Tile Cross before living in Cotterills Lane. There was also a chip shop, wool shop, grocers and Hopkins the butcher. The 14 bus would have stopped at... [more]

Pelham Road, Alum Rock

I hope I have got the right area as my grandparents lived in Pelham Road from about the 1920s. My father was born in this road in 1924. I can remember as a child in the 50s and 60s visiting them every week, catching the No. 14 bus from Tile Cross to see them every Sunday. I also remember my grandmother... [more]