Newspapers : From Birmingham Post 150 years ago

[mikejee]

I would not call multiplying the number of chimneys to the level that htis must have done could fairly be described as artistic licence. fiction would be a better term. In fact I am sure that, even with the true number of chimneys, you would not have been able to see that fat anyway

 

[paul stacey]

I think it was artistic licence, and I do believe it could have looked something like the drawings, going on other reports and drawings I have seen over the years.Paul

 

[Pedrocut]

I would not call multiplying the number of chimneys to the level that htis must have done could fairly be described as artistic licence. fiction would be a better term. In fact I am sure that, even with the true number of chimneys, you would not have been able to see that fat anyway

In the times described writers and artists portrayed the Black Country as a poisoned and desecrated area with few redeeming features. From the Black Country History site a more modern picture with a lot of chimneys!

https://blackcountryhistory.org

The best place to view at that time was from the other way, being from Dudley Castle. In fact I think the gatekeeper at the Castle made a bob or two by letting people in at night to see

 

[mikejee]

15.12.1866
There is much enthusiasm, understandably, for the removal of toll gates

 

[DavidGrain]

This was the removal only of the Aston Cross toll gate. In an earlier cutting the comment was made that the next toll gate along the road would remain. The reference to the Iron Country which I assume means the Black Country was interesting.

 

[devonjim]

12.12.186
Bailiff becomes permanent train passenger

This story about the bailiff reminded me of an event that entered our family annals some fifty years ago:-
My then girlfriend and I had been invited to Yorkshire for the weekend. We met at New St station after work on Friday evening and caught the train "up north". After a while my girlfriend decided that she should go to the loo to freshen up after her day at work. The train terminated at Sheffield where we eventually arrived, still no sign of her, I was not sure if she had gone fore or aft, it was a compartment/corridor style train, so I decided the best thing to do would be to gather up our combined luggage and get off the train. While I was being indecisive, the train pulled away from the platform but then fortunately backed up a parallel line that was away from all platforms. At which point an anxious face appeared at the train window. A somewhat embarrassed girlfriend was rescued by a porter who had to jump down from the platform, lift her from the train and then up onto the platform!

 

[mikejee]

18.12.1866
Self-satisfied Councillor takes man to court for remark about himself
Barnes Royal Musical Hall to open in Balsall Heath. Not sure where St Helena Gardens were though.
Wombwell's circus to visit

 

[Pedrocut]

18.12.1866
Self-satisfied Councillor takes man to court for remark about himself
Barnes Royal Musical Hall to open in Balsall Heath. Not sure where St Helena Gardens were though.
Wombwell's circus to visit

It seems that St Helena Gardens were advertised as Sherborne, Balsall Heath and Moseley Roads. The 1883 OS Map doesn't seem to show a likely site. However in 1873 the proprietor had trouble with the law by serving on a Sunday to non travellers! Later in 1873 it changed name to the Birmingham and Midland Zoological Gardens. The last mention I can find is in 1876 when they were advertising for stale bread from Bakers to feed the elephants.

 

[mikejee]

19.12.1866
People then had something more than carol singers at Christmas.
The elite shot pheasants and partridges. The rest shot sparrows

 

[mikejee]

Regarding post 2676, I have now identified the site of Thomas Barnes establishment as the Sherbourne Hotel, on Sherbourne road. This is shown in red on the c 1889 map below . I would guess the court immediately behind the hotel (Kensington Gardens) was once St Helena Gardens

 

[Lady Penelope]

Hi Mike,
Some time ago I began searching for St Helena Gardens, Birmingham in connection with boxing history. I came to the conclusion that it was the one in London. However, you have come up trumps as usual and I shall now write to my friend in the USA and tell her the good news. In other papers it states that boxing took place in Balsall Heath so this could actually be the same venue. Thanks Mike!

 

[Pedrocut]

Hi Mike,
Some time ago I began searching for St Helena Gardens, Birmingham in connection with boxing history. I came to the conclusion that it was the one in London. However, you have come up trumps as usual and I shall now write to my friend in the USA and tell her the good news. In other papers it states that boxing took place in Balsall Heath so this could actually be the same venue. Thanks Mike!

There are many adverts for the Sherbourne Hotel and St Helena Gardens, but none as yet have come up with boxing.

 

[devonjim]

Found this re to St Helena Gdns. Doesn't make much sense to me as couldn't open the link. Had a look on GoogleMap at the area as it is today such a green open space!

 

[Lady Penelope]

Thanks Devonjim, looks like fourpence to see the female Blondin? Wasn't she the one that appeared at Aston Lower Grounds and fell from the high wire? Now that I have a definite location I can start ferreting around. I have a cutting somewhere so will look it out.

 

[mikejee]

Jim. this is the elongated advert from 1 nov 1861.

 

[Pedrocut]

Thanks Devonjim, looks like fourpence to see the female Blondin? Wasn't she the one that appeared at Aston Lower Grounds and fell from the high wire? Now that I have a definite location I can start ferreting around. I have a cutting somewhere so will look it out.

July 1863

 

[mikejee]

22.12.1866
Joseph & William Ansell were the originators of the Ansells brewery, but other members of the family were also in the trade, as agents for other breweries

 

[mikejee]

24.12.1866
Hamstead and Great Barr station now taking mineral and goods traffic. Station later renamed Great Barr, and later still Hamstead

 

[mikejee]

25.12.1866
Yes there were papers on Christmas Day then.
Not a good idea to steal from the magistrate .
Christmas in the Asylum

 

[Pedrocut]

25.12.1866
Yes there were papers on Christmas Day then.
Not a good idea to steal from the magistrate .
Christmas in the Asylum

Ah, Mr Jaffray one of the "great men" associated with Birmingham; the Victorian benefactor. Seems he did the ethical thing and stood down for this case.

Cooper was given 10 months prison and Wharton 2 months. Meanwhile, no doubt, Jaffray continued to shoot ducks and coots on Edgebaston Pool. (At least that was what he was doing 20 years later!)

 

[mikejee]

26.12.1866
Perhaps the 19th century equivalent of 21st century chuggers

 

[Astoness]

sounds that way mike...very interesting snippet

lyn

 

[mikejee]

27.12.1866
Then, even if there was no deliberate adulteration of food, there were unseen dangers.
Never heard of Battle money. Presumably it was some form of tontine.
Not come across this friendly society before. Rather like the name flowerpot lodge

 

[Pedrocut]

27.12.1866
Then, even if there was no deliberate adulteration of food, there were unseen dangers.
Never heard of Battle money. Presumably it was some form of tontine.
Not come across this friendly society before. Rather like the name flowerpot lodge

5 April 1974....MOTORWAYS (LEAD POLLUTION)...

"Mr. J. W. Rooker (Birmingham, Perry Barr) I am grateful for the opportunity to raise on the Adjournment the subject of lead pollution, lead poisoning as it almost is to those who live near the urban motorways, particularly the M6, as it runs through my constituency in Birmingham and the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Silverman). Evidence has recently come to hand to show that there has been a drastically significant increase in the blood-lead level of those living around the M6 in Birmingham. A control group was tested before the motorway was opened, and ongoing tests have been continued during the few months that the motorway has been open to traffic...."

https://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1974/apr/05/motorways-lead-pollution

 

[devonjim]

100 years later lead was still being used as white paint!

 

[Pedrocut]

27.12.1866
Then, even if there was no deliberate adulteration of food, there were unseen dangers.
Never heard of Battle money. Presumably it was some form of tontine.
Not come across this friendly society before. Rather like the name flowerpot lodge

I think the "Battle Money" is the purse for a boxing match or something similar.

 

[mikejee]

Yes, thanks Pedrocut. That makes sense

 

[mikejee]

28.12.1866
Sounds like ssomeone who had just been done for fraud was trying to get his own back

 

[mikejee]

31.12.1866
New guildhall for W alsall
Passion for snuff
showing that letterboxes were not common in 1866
Not sure what the "Birmingham Fancy " was. Possibly some sort of rackets club

 

[Astoness]

the lady certainly liked her snuff mike lol....my nan took it all of her life i can still see her brown stained hankies..never did her any harm as she lived to be over 100

lyn