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Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank maps

Historic maps of Quarry Bank and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Quarry Bank maps

Quarry Bank area books

Displaying 1 of 7 books about Quarry Bank and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank memories
Read and share Quarry Bank memories

Displaying a selection of personal memories of Quarry Bank.
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WESCO Not TESCO - The First Ever Supermarket in The UK?

I have so many wonderful memories of growing up in Quarry Bank - from moving into the brand new 'fashion houses' when I was 3; four of us on a motorbike, with me wedged between mum and dad (Wes Archer) as he negotiated the roads before they were finished (my 7 year old sister, Jenny, on the back!); the proud opening of the shop in Lawnsdown Road - it was actually called W.E.S. & Co and became the social focus of the estate - only recently did we realise that dad was way ahead of his time with the name of the grocery-cum-sweet shop that my mother, Hilda, ran cheerfully for several years. She sold just about everything Dad brought back from an Aladdin's cave beyond Dudley. And every day I was allowed 2 custard tarts and a Mars bar before I did my homework. No wonder I have so many fillings! In the early days we often played 'armies' in the 'oods behind the houses, made... Read more

Quarry Bank

To me the first eleven years of my life, growing up in Quarry Bank, was the most enjoyable. I was born Kenneth Graham Sewell, on the 26th January 1947, at 59 Saltwells Road, now renamed White City, and the whole country was in the grip of the worst snows for years. I can remember from when I was eight months old and can recall being held in my mother's arms, watching our new council house being built. Number 3 Montgomery Crescent was to become a wonderful place for me, with my dad Joe, mom Lily, and my sister Janet. And later at number nine, a boy named Danny Priest was to become my life-long friend. One fine memory I have is of the Queen's coronation in 1953. The government doubled the sugar ration so as our mothers could bake cakes for the celebrations. Chairs and tables were lined up all down our streets and they were festooned with red white and blue. And that day was the best day... Read more

West Midlands memories

CHATTIN AND HORTON SHOPPING STORE

High Street 1968
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IWAS FIVE IN 1964 AND IN THE HIGH STREET WAS A LARGE SHOP CALLED CHATTIN AND HORTON.   IT WAS A WONDERFUL SHOP ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN FATHER CHRISTMAS USED TO BE THERE WITH HIS SACK OF TOYS.   YOU COULDN'T HELP YOURSELF IN THE SHOP YOU HAD TO ASK ASSISTANTS BEHIND THE COUNTER TO GET THINGS FOR YOU.   DOES ANYONE ELSE REMEMBER THIS SHOP?

Chattin And Horton

High Street 1968
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I also remember Chattin and Horton shop in Brierley Hill high street yes, it was a very exciting store especially at Christmas.  I was six years old and my sister who was four years older saw a lovely toy baby grand piano in the window. She said to my mother that Judith would love that piano for Christmas. That Christmas morning the piano was there waiting for me.  I was over the moon, happy days!

Coming Back Home

High Street 1968
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I came back to brierley bonk in 1966, complete with surfboard, after leaving BH in 1961 ,with my parents for Australia, to start a new life ?,well when i got back the place haden't really changed, Except me.I had left behind golden beaches and fantastic surf,But it was the revolution of the 60's, so i was going to get into that revolution. I met up with some old school mates, Howard Cooper, John cownley, and of course all my cousins,aunts and uncles, it was really fantastic visiting old haunts,wich took on a different picture now,i had experinced another life but, the old place was pumping,
Come back again for part 2 1970 visit

M.D.Gittens

High Street 1968
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I remember Gittens high class grocery shop when it was in Hill Street, it then moved to 10-12 High Street, moving into Shakespears hardware shop. What I remember most was the aroma of the coffee being ground in a special machine. The staff were always friendly. The shop was taken over by Ernest George. I remember 'Minnie with the glasses' who I identified when I was about 5 years old, she had worked there for years.
The old shop in Hill Sreet was used for the Home Guard during tha war. My Uncle Tom used to deliver groceries to the villages, until he went into the R.A.F.

Chattin And Horton

High Street 1968
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I remember Chattins. They had a machine powered by AIR to take the money to the office and then return the change and receipts to the customer, it went up the wall and across the ceiling and then disappeared into the back and then appeared again.
They used to have a Club where an employee came round the customers' houses to collect the money, I think the lady was named Betty. The owners were Mr Tom, Mr Edward. Mr T. D and I think there was a daughter. I remember a Miss Groves who seemed to be there forever. The family were Methodists and attended Bank Street Church.

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