Ymca 1967

A Memory of West Bromwich.

Myself and a few others from N. Wales stayed at the YMCA for a couple of years 1966 onwards. Some of us attended the Technical college just up the road. We were young apprentices working for Etchells forgin and fasteners in Darlaston.
Mr Scott was the manager at the time and drove a jaguar.
A cinema was next door ( ABC?) watched Finders Keepers (Cliff and the Shadows) and Family Way (Haley Mills)
The YMCA building looked like a small Manor House .
There was a pub on the right hand side - think it was called the Wheatsheaf, or Woolpack? I was aged fifteen and a half but still managed to buy half a cider. Also recall “sing something simple" radio programme constantly on the tape loop.
Used to go to the “Adelphi”?, that was on the left up the high street, to hear the bands on the odd weekend.
Think the YMCA accommodation was £4-10s a week.
We were given exactly £1 a week to spend so had to budget very carefully.
Had many fond memories and met some lovely people, did have some wonderful times despite being skint.
I used to hitchhike home occasionally on Friday evening to North Wales for the weekend.
On the buses everyone smelt of slurry oil .
Great times.

Bryn Roberts