Redditch

Read and share memories of Redditch and Worcestershire inspired by Frith photos

Those were the days

Who remembers being compared to Robbie Burns's "wee sleekit cowring timrous beastie" as we first crept into that hallowed school? Then how we quickly got used to all the pranks and fun that could be had, despite the rather formidable presence of Jimmy Morrall, "Goofy "Stranz and Miss Lericheux.
Boys and girls had to wear their hats to and from school, and faced detention if seen without one. "Harty" the maths teacher was usually on the ball with that one as he always came to school on a bike and passed a good many of us on his journey. Harvey Morris conducted our choirs and, although looking serene and professional  with his back to the audience of doting parents, his ...read more here
Contributed by Carol Lynn

Bates Hill Methodist Church

This was the year that I was christained there. My grand parents and great grand parents attended the chapel. As a child I also went to Sunday school there. It was a beautiful church and should have been given a heritage listing, what a shameful waste when it was burnt down, probably arson. All the nice buildings have been pulled down and the town of Redditch has been destroyed completely by the 1960,s Planners and so called Architescts. Not a very nice place anymore and I am glad that I no longer live there. When aretheyever going tp stop building? They have not stopped since itbecame a so called newtown in the 60's.
Contributed by Glenys Horton

Mr James Bishop.

The elderly man on left is my grandfather Mr James Bishop. He had probably popped in to the Post Office to get tobacco for his pipe. He was born in Worcester in 1883, his father was a master builder and from an early age he used to help carry bricks. He then delivered meat on horseback and went on to manage Redditch Meat Company butcher's shop on Church Green. Then he worked at 'Terry Springs' in the warehouse for 35 years retiring at 65. He couldn't settle in to retirement so went on to work for Taylor and Johnson's a fishing tackle firm where he stayed until he had to have the lower part of one ...read more here
Contributed by Susan Bough

Working in Evesham Street

I remember Evesham Street in Redditch in the early sixties very well. I was 15, had just left school, and was working at Liptons the grocers which was about half way up on the left just past the department store. There was a small chapel just opposite and also other grocery stores: Farrands, George Masons, the Home & Colonial stores. The Kingfisher coffee bar was on the corner, half way down, and the Co-op stores were further up. There was a wonderful greasy spoon cafe at the top end on the right, Smokey Joes. I remember carnival days in September each year and the talent competitions held down by the old library ~ my sister Mary invariably won the singing contest! ...read more here
Contributed by Sue Ford