Ward End memories
Here are memories of Ward End and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Ward End or a Ward End photo.
My Great-Grandmother's Memories of Castle Bromwich
I have copied and pasted a few sections of my great-grandmother's memories of Castle Bromwich to share. "As I was not robust as a little child, my parents took part of a small house at Castle Bromwich, a country village, as town life did not always suit my health. This house belonged to the village schoolmaster. His name was Mr. Barnes and he had the village school which was attached to his cottage. We all stayed from time to time with Mr. and Mrs. Barnes and loved them very much. In fact we called Mrs. Barnes, “Mamma Barnes”. Mr. and Mrs Barnes loved us all and we were very happy with them in the country. The house and garden were very pretty. Grapes grew over the porch. There was a nice lawn to play on, and trees to climb. I loved to sit on one of the lower branches of a tree and pretend it was a horse. I jumped up and down, while the leaves shook, so that I was really riding a... Read more
Ward End Scouts
I was a member of 1st Ward End Scouts Group from 1956 until 1971. First known as the 45th Birmingham, they became known as the 34th Birmingham in the late '60s (?) when they merged with the nearby 181. Our headquarters were in Rogers Road. The group is still going today.
Ward End Adult School
The Ward End Adult School was held on Sunday mornings in 'The Barn', St.Margaret's Road, Ward End before the 2nd World War. It was run on a sort of religious basis, like a church (non-denominational, I think, but similar to Methodists) with hymns, prayers, bible readings and guest speakers, some of whom were described as 'Rev'. My father, William Joseph Shakespeare, was 'Registrar' and 'President' from 1930-1940. I have the original Register from December 1930 to November 1938 showing details of attendances and subscriptions paid. The average attendance was around 40-45. The register shows the names and addresses of all those attending the meetings. For some reason that I do not understand, the attendees were given 1 of 2 different kinds of attendance marks. A black mark (in pencil) if they attended before 9.30 (later changed to 9.45) or a red mark (in crayon) if they attended after 9.30 (9.45). There is an occasional reference to 'breakfast' in the Agenda Book, so the early or late attendance might refer to... Read more
Pelham Road
I used to live in Pelham Road. On Sunday morning my sister Norma and our friend Sandra used to go to the Swan at Yardley, for the disco, it finised at 12, then we would go to the Yew Tree in Stechford.
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 the Pelham where lots of people traded, Ted Haynes greengrocer, Hunts the draper, Salts grocer, Hawtins the record shop and many more, not forgetting the Capitol picture house. We lived there from 1954 until the 1980s. I would fetch the Sports Argos for my dad on Saturday evenings, we would wait untill the van pulled up.
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 taking my brother and myself across the road to the local shops known as Pedley's, who I think have passed away many years now. I do not live in the UK any more but these fond memories of the area still remain and the friendly neighbours in those days.
Memories of West Midlands
MEMORIES OF WASHWOOD HEATH 1962-1972
My family moved to Common Lane, Washwood Heath circa 1962. I remember the haberdashery next door to Creaney's groceries (Mrs Creaney and her two children Paul and Norma), the chipshop and Wright's the newsagents with Mr and Wright and their son. At the bottom of Common Lane was what we children affectionately called the 'monkey run' which led to a predominently freight railway track. There was also a car factory. Half way up Common Lane was Metro Cammel who manufactured "state of the art" railway carriages. Further up from them across the road was Washwood Heath Church hall, which led to the main church situated on Washwood Heath road next to a couple of houses and a second hand shop. Across from the church was The Swan public house. Some of the families living on Common Lane were Brown, Aston, McKewan, Williams, Griffiths, Kerr, McKenzies, 'Irish John', Edith and her elderly father, Mrs Robinson, Mr & Mrs Levante, Mrs Carter, Mr & Mrs Churchill (I think), whose house was... Read more
Washwood Methodist Church
My parents William Joseph Shakespeare and Hetty Constance Smart were married in Washwood Heath Methodist Church on 1st June 1940. I was married to Margaret Tudor in the same church on 20th February 1971. Our first daughter Louise was christened here in 1972. The church was demolished a few years later.
Ward End Park
I can remember the boat shed in the park and where the swings used to be. There was a cafe-cum-ice cream seller in the white house and the most beautiful greenhouse full of strange plants that to a child looked very scary. Every year the gardeners would plant the loveliest scenes in the flowerbed close to the white house and the park keeper knew all the local kids. In turn I took my kids to enjoy the pond and flowers and to feed the ducks. It is so different now. There also used to be a mini golf course and bowling green. The more I talk the more there is to remember. I lived around the area all my life.
The Pelham
I was raised in Pelham Road from 1960 until I left in about 1983. I have many happy memories,and some not so. The triple murder at no 134, about 1944, well spoken about but not well known, Pedleys paper shop, the Marvel comics(wish I had kept them), Joan's the grocer's, Tom's the butcher's, Mckay's the wool shop, F.P.Tool's chippy on the corner. Not forgetting East Birmingham Club, Cottrills Lane, and the Pelham Arms. Lots of good families, oh what joy. It was hard but happy most times...
Gas Works, Also Public Baths in Adderley Road, Saltley
I lived in Ash Road Saltley, you could see the Gas Works from our back garden. My dad worked there for years, he used to stand on some steps and wave to me. I also remember the public baths in Adderley Road, I went there every Sunday morning for my weekly bath. The baths are still there today, but not used. There were rooms with a big white bath in the middle, the attendent use to fill the bath with hot water and you had to run the cold water in yourself, you had to take your own towel also soap. The baths were very clean and the place itself was well looked after, you had to pay the attendant when you arrrived.
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