Nostalgic memories of Birmingham's local history
Share your own memories of Birmingham 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 Memories 1 - 10 of 19 in total
What pictures and memories will we have in the future of our beloved Birmingham as we look back to this time ?
Empty streets, shops closed, pubs etc empty. Very little traffic, no children playing, no schools etc. etc.
What a sad time for the human family, so many fearful of loosing loved ones, loosing jobs, and income. Wondering how we will survive, what the future holds, where can we turn ...see more
I was born at home in Tottenham Crescent.....my mom and dad lived with my man as they had just got married ! I can just about remember living down summer lane a two up two down and an outside toilet as was Tottenham Crescent.
My Nan then lived in Maxted road in the prefabs before moving to a brand new flat on the Walsall road. Number 3 Birchfield Tower opposite the Odeon and up from th Brummies Speedway track.
In the Francis Frith book "Did You Know? Miscellany of Birmingham", reference is made to Charles Dickens on page 12.
If I may offer a small correction - Charles Dickens was not a visiting lecturer. He raised money for the establishment of the Institute by holding his first public reading ( A Christmas Carol ) in Birmingham Town Hall on 27 December 1853 before a capacity audience of some 2000 ...see more
We were the Hobbis family and we lived at 54 Oak tree Lane, Selly Oak with my parents and grandmother. The house was directly opposite the old Selly Oak Hospital. I can remember the re-building of the hospital and sadly now it lays derelict ready for redevelopement into housing.
Selly Oak was always a busy village with many shops and you could walk from one end of Oak tree Lane to the bottom of Selly ...see more
We lived in Gerrard Street, Lozells, until I was about 6. My father had an allotment where we would go and play, I still have a photo taken when I was about 4 of my father, older brother, and myself at the allotment with my brother on a wooden 'horse' and me on a rocking 'duck'. Our house was opposite a training school for nursery nurses and I was used as a 'model' for them from when I was ...see more
my maiden name was Pamela gillett and I lived at 53 Edward Road Balsall Heath during the 40 50s our house was right opposite the Police Station and ARP yard. Have happy memories of Tindall Street school and then college road secondary school. I remember canon Hill park and cycling round aged about 11 or 12 my cousin pushed our other cousin into the pool and my grandmother had to jump in and get him ...see more
Eileen Handley
My father was born in 1937 in Birmingham, UK. He had an older brother Gordon (known as Tom) and a baby sister Eileen. When my dad was 4 years old, his mother (Amy) died from Bronchial Pneumonia. His father (Earnest), unable to cope with a young family at wartime placed my father and his brother into an orphanage (Sir Joshiah Mason Orphanage in Birmingham). His sister was adopted (not placed in ...see more
I remember my Saturday job at Lewis'. I loved my job there. I worked there for two years. I used to go to the Locarna on a Saturday, or the Gaumont Cinema in the week. I remember the bullring being built. I was the oldest of five children and used to do the shopping in the market. I used to have a shilling pocket money and and I loved spending it in the shops in the city centre. How things have ...see more
I went to Burcot Grange School until 1948. Miss Cozens was the Head Mistress. I remember Pam Madeley, Janet White, Betty Genders, Margaret Vale, Jill Trott, Joy Cavill, Ann Barnett who were all in my class. I wonder if anyone remembers? It was such a nice school. I'd love to get some feed back. We lived in Chestnut Drive, Erdington which holds lovely memories. I have lived in South ...see more
I lived on Muntz Street, Small Heath from 1963-1973 at number 143. It was right on the bend, a three-storey house with three bedrooms, two reception rooms, a small kitchen and an outside loo in a concrete yard. I have loads of memories of my chilhood there. Like the times me and my brother Philip used to play marbles in next door's garden because they had soil. They were the Roberts, there were a lota of them but ...see more