Nostalgic memories of Smethwick's local history
Share your own memories of Smethwick and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying all 10 Memories
I was there from 1969-1973 and had a wonderful time. Perhaps as there were no mobiles to contend with then. Miss Marshall was the Head teacher, I became deputy head girl in my last year and throughly enjoyed it. There were on 18 of us, as then you could leave ending your 4th year then. Who else was there then? I’m writing my memoir’s now as part of this.
Yes I went to Smethwick Hall Girls from 1990 until it closed.
Was very sad as the school had such amazing facilities. I got a better education because of it closing though.
Does anyone remember the head teacher’s dog? I used to walk it most lunch times.
My siblings also went here before me....including a brother over at the boys school.
I worked at Smethwick Hall Girls High school for about 10 years until its closure. Does any one remember this wonderful school? If so I would love to share memories with you, pupil or staff.
My mother Kath (Shepheard) lived in Grt Arthur St in Smethwick from 1930 until the late 1950 and remembers playing in the street with her mates. Ivor Coley, Olga Dubberly, William Pritchard, Horris Richards. Evans corner shop and Miss Jennings and the greengrocers Lavells.
We were moved to Brasshouse Lane School as we had nowhere else to go.
Mom and Dad were there for quite a few weeks, I went to stay at my Gran's house but I was not there long as two bombs were dropped in the street and they destroyed a few houses. One of the bombs had not exploded so again we were told to move out and only take what was needed, so there we were, Gran's five daughters and their ...see more
It was about September that the bombers came over Smethwick. They dropped their bombs all over Smethwick aiming for the factories. We were in the cellar when the bomb dropped on Smiths Foundry in Brewrey Street. The police came down the the street telling everyone to get out as the water mains had been hit, and the water was running into the cellars. My dad told the policeman that his father was still ...see more
I remember as a child flattening out card boards boxes, as we lived on Great Arthur Street, Smethwick, the gardens led onto the canal banks and my brother and my cousins used to slide down to the bottom - what a thrill - and trying to get back up before our father came home!
There was a type of pub shop on the corner that sold miltray chocolate in a bar and my uncle used to buy this on his pay day if we had been good. I ...see more
I was born and bred in Smethwick, my nan lived on Windmill Lane where i spent most of my time as my mum was a barmaid at the Cape of Good Hope pub opposite the Mitchell and Butlers Brewery, it's now a Macdonalds. Whilst working there she was spotted by the bosses from the brewery, who drank in there, and was asked to do an advert for TV. She went onto become Miss Brew X! She appeared on TV about 8 ...see more
There was a knock at the door, and there he was, this tall man wearing a bush hat who grabbed my mom, giving her a great big smacker of a kiss. Of course I wasn't having this strange man doing this to my mom, so I promptly got the broom and hit him with it, he may have been fighting a war in Burma but he hadn't met his bad-tempered stroppy daughter yet. Even though there was the odd photo around, this man was a ...see more
As I lived in Raglan Road at the time my memories are: Of heading over the road to Mitchells and Butlers playing fields, a green strip that ran alongside of the brewery, and lying in the grass. I thought it was great, a green space all to myself, as Victoria Park and the Sandpark were a fair distance away to a 5 year old. Then came the snow of 1947 and my sister and I going to the canal wharf ...see more