Studley, Studley College c.1960

Photo ref: S299013

At the time I lived at 45 Crooks Lane, I must have been about 12 or 13 living with my parents Fred and Sis, approx. 1951 or 1952, when my Dad told me that a rather strange man who lived in a large detached house along the Redditch Road,had a painting that he wanted to dispose of and would I take a wheelbarrow down to the house and collect it. I was very wary of this because of the tales that the ...see more

My nan lived at 59 Alcester Road with her second husband, Jack Pinfield. I remember visiting when I was a child and have fond memories of them both. Mr Pin (as we called him), cycling off to work at Needle Industries every day and taking me fishing at weekends - happy days! Although it was before my time, nan used to be a popular pianist in the local pubs including the Duke of Marlborough (no longer there). He father was at one time a publican, and ran the Nags Head. Anyone remember them?

My grandparents and their family lived here for many years and I was born in the front bedroom in the middle of the photograph in November 1947. My stay in a castle did not last long, as a few days after my birth we moved to a prefab and lived there until 1960.

This building is known as "Studley Castle" and after the demise of Rover, who owned it, was sold to a hotel chain.