Nostalgic memories of Handsworth's local history

Share your own memories of Handsworth 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 5 Memories

Although not really Handsworth my Mother and her family lived at 212 New John Street West. They lived there until my Mothers Mum died in 1931. Her name was Christina Parker. My Mum was only 8 years old but remembers that day as if it were yesterday.
I was born at 1/161 Hingeston Street and lived their till 1960.
I was born in the Witton end of Handsworth, so I relate more to Aston really. Albert Road School as a little girl, I still have a group picture of Class 2.1932. Canterbury Road Girl's School at 11 and Aston Commercial School in wartime. Evacuation split the school, then a bomb in front of the Ettington Road Fire Station closed the school. I have never seen such a huge hole that bomb dug, I've always compared it ...see more
I worked at Avery's in Foundry Lane. The Avery's "bull" used to blow for start of work and lunch time and could be heard for miles. Soho Road was full of great shops including Woolworths, Tibbits, Pendries, Wilkinsons, The little red shop, The fish and chip shop (opposite Murdock Road). The best one was the Chicken Inn though a bit further up past the police station. On Murdock Road, my mom remembered ...see more
When my Mother passed away in 1999 I had the unhappy task of clearing out her Warden Controlled little flat. Amongst her possessions I came across an old history project I had done at school in the 1970s for which I recall I got very good marks. Mom must have been proud of it I think for she kept it along with various other momentos. Contained in my history project was a word for word account I ...see more