Nostalgic memories of West Bromwich's local history

Share your own memories of West Bromwich 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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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total

born 63 Hargate lane which is now gone and fire station there went to the Hargate chapel for Sunday school my father played bowls at the blood tub in Hargate lane
Does anyone remember the bread strike in 1978? I had just had my third child and went to queue outside Robinsons bakery; you were only allowed one loaf per person. The lady from the bakery came out and gave me a loaf so I didn't have to wait in the queue - felt a bit guilty about that but how about all those power cuts too? Oh... happy days.
Does anybody remember the Boad Inn canal side Golds Hill in the 1930s? I was born there in 1946 - it was no longer a pub then. I had many happy times there as a small boy, I had all the open fields to play in. On the canals I made rafts to sail on and Cashmores to explore in the old tanks...oh happy days, they were. My grandfather 'old Jock McDonald' was a well known face that everybody knew, he had fists like ...see more
I lived in Charlemont Avenue as a child for several years until 1966. I remember Charlemont Farm Estate being built, a group of us spent many hours investigating half built houses and flats - no health and safety in those days! I used to attend Sunday school at the Methodist church at the top of Charlemont Avenue. There was a small shop which is now a bungalow opposite the end of Charlemont Road that used ...see more
Hello, my name is Barbara Wearing (Nightingale). I had my first job at Robinsons bakery, I was 15, I felt so grown up. I came from Wednesbury but spent happy times at West Brom, I used to go to watch the Albion play, and they won the cup in 1968, I watched them parade down the high street, and a white horse stood on my foot. I want to pick your brains, does anyone remember Udalls in Pitt ...see more
Hello there, I was born at 53 THOMAS STREET,1943, my family go back to at least 1800 and were mostly butchers, lastly around 1900/1914 at 127 High Street. Joseph Gordon was head of family and was a Druid in the Earl Dartmouth Lodge no 537, he was Guardian and had a medal for long service presented in 1902, he had 5 sons, Charles, Albert, William, Joseph, Horace (KIA France 1916) and a daughter Florence. My last ...see more
I too loved Robinsons products, but my favourite was their glazed tea cakes, these were about five inches in diameter, and about one inch thick, and filled with cream. Even after we moved from the area, on our vists back home my mother-in-law would always have tea cakes waiting for us, what a shame they had to close.
Hello all, Joseph Howorth here. 1971 was a good year as I married my dear wife Linda (nee Grigg), we married in West Bromwich Registry Office on the High Street and next April 17th will be our 40th year together. We have three great children, Angela, Karen, and our son Antony and we have four lovely granddaughters, and in a few weeks Angela is about to give us our first grandson, we are ...see more
I remember my mom buying the apple doughnuts with fresh cream. But my favourite was what I recall being called a 'pancake fritter' - like a pancake but a lot deeper, and with currants and sultanas in, turned up at the edges, golden yellow on top and brown underneath. I tried making them myself but had no success. If anyone by any chance knows the recipe I'd be grateful, ...see more
Circa date: 'The British Oak' Public House. My Uncle Neville and Aunty Joan kept this Pub for some time when I was a young child. Uncle Neville died whilst licensee and Aunty took over. It was a family pub, always seemed to be full. This is where my erngagement party was held in 1968. (Many years later, with 2nd husband George, Aunty Joan (with one other pub in between ) moved to The Samson & Lion further down the road - last time I saw that it was a fish and chip shop.