Hi Alan - you made laugh about the chlorine in the water at the swimming baths sending you to the pub!! Well I was too young for the pub in those days, would have been about 14/15 when we went swimming on Sunday mornings at Grove Lane. Also used to have school swimming lessons there once a week.
I don't remember the owner's son from the Hollygate - what was his name? Names I remember from those days are Trevor Cooper, David Bickley, Hartland Robins, Maurice Eccleston, George Reed, John Rowe, Brian (Trob) Roberts, John Perfect, Eddie Cart Veronica Winkle, Margaret Hodgson, Jean Thomas.
My mother was a Hanson, but I don't know of an Iris.
I did go back to Handsworth some years ago, and it had changed beyond all recognition!
Judy