-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team -
HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
we are now using a backup solution
OldBrummie
master brummie
Hi Lindyloo.
By the sound of things, I started in Sheldon well before you and I can fill in some of the information on the area I knew. In fact I moved into 279 Lyndon Road a few days after coming into the world on 28th Feb 1940. I don't remember the war but can remember the Air Raid Shelters which dotted the road, particularly up by the Lyndon Road/Coverdale Road/Barn Lane shops. Opposite us and slightly to the left was a laneway that lead to the Rover Sports Field. It was sited right where the first "Council House" was built. The playing field was where "Campden Green" is and in the far right corner there was an Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacement and a couple of tethered Barrage Balloons. From the Rover site all the way up to the shops and all the way back to Ulleries Road was farm land with corn fields backing onto the shops and houses on Lyndon Road. On the (present) right hand corner of Daylesford and Lyndon Roads were the milking sheds. Bombs dropped within 150 - 200 yards of our house, leaving three major craters which eventually filled with water and spawned lots of aquatic wildlife. Our house was hit by shrapnel. That is as close as I came to the "action". I can remember Daylesford Road being constructed and of course the Council Housing. And if I am correct, the foundation of the road was made up with layers of old house bricks, laid in a sort of herringbone pattern. I also remember (though not the date) Lyndon School being built. From my bedroom window we watched as concrete was poured into the main halls foundations at night under lights. I had connections with the school as Dad was one of the members of the first Board Of Govenors, and the Deputy Headmaster, Vernon Clark, was a family friend.
At the end of the war, the government set up a series of "British Resaurants" to create a sort of "Community Gathering and Eating Place. Ours was located on the Coventry Road side of Melton Avenue in Lyndon Road. Another was located in Digbeth, near the Midland Red Bus Depot.
I think the Sheldona Cafe was on the Coventry Road diagonally across from The Weatsheaf Pub. And yes, the "Chippy" was The Seagull.
When did I leave the area? I did an engineering apprenticeship at Wilmot Breeden and at the end of my time (1963) there was no job for me. I headed for Southampton and boarded the "SS Fairsky" and travelled on the last but one convoy through the Suez Canal before the Egyption Troubles, bound for Australia. And now, well into retirement I spend my time reminicing and searching out my family history.
Hope all this helps.
Best wishes, OldBrummie.
Oh, another point that might help. The houses in that area of Lyndon Road were built in about early 1937. Dad took out the first lease on 279 but sub-let for 24 months, moving in in 1939.
By the sound of things, I started in Sheldon well before you and I can fill in some of the information on the area I knew. In fact I moved into 279 Lyndon Road a few days after coming into the world on 28th Feb 1940. I don't remember the war but can remember the Air Raid Shelters which dotted the road, particularly up by the Lyndon Road/Coverdale Road/Barn Lane shops. Opposite us and slightly to the left was a laneway that lead to the Rover Sports Field. It was sited right where the first "Council House" was built. The playing field was where "Campden Green" is and in the far right corner there was an Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacement and a couple of tethered Barrage Balloons. From the Rover site all the way up to the shops and all the way back to Ulleries Road was farm land with corn fields backing onto the shops and houses on Lyndon Road. On the (present) right hand corner of Daylesford and Lyndon Roads were the milking sheds. Bombs dropped within 150 - 200 yards of our house, leaving three major craters which eventually filled with water and spawned lots of aquatic wildlife. Our house was hit by shrapnel. That is as close as I came to the "action". I can remember Daylesford Road being constructed and of course the Council Housing. And if I am correct, the foundation of the road was made up with layers of old house bricks, laid in a sort of herringbone pattern. I also remember (though not the date) Lyndon School being built. From my bedroom window we watched as concrete was poured into the main halls foundations at night under lights. I had connections with the school as Dad was one of the members of the first Board Of Govenors, and the Deputy Headmaster, Vernon Clark, was a family friend.
At the end of the war, the government set up a series of "British Resaurants" to create a sort of "Community Gathering and Eating Place. Ours was located on the Coventry Road side of Melton Avenue in Lyndon Road. Another was located in Digbeth, near the Midland Red Bus Depot.
I think the Sheldona Cafe was on the Coventry Road diagonally across from The Weatsheaf Pub. And yes, the "Chippy" was The Seagull.
When did I leave the area? I did an engineering apprenticeship at Wilmot Breeden and at the end of my time (1963) there was no job for me. I headed for Southampton and boarded the "SS Fairsky" and travelled on the last but one convoy through the Suez Canal before the Egyption Troubles, bound for Australia. And now, well into retirement I spend my time reminicing and searching out my family history.
Hope all this helps.
Best wishes, OldBrummie.
Oh, another point that might help. The houses in that area of Lyndon Road were built in about early 1937. Dad took out the first lease on 279 but sub-let for 24 months, moving in in 1939.
lindyloo
master brummie
Hi OldBrummie,
Thank you so much for your wonderful reply
It gives me a much better understanding of how the area that I grew up in developed, better than looking at a map could.
and yes you are right, there are 18 years between us.. I can only imagine how awful those war days must have been and thank goodness those bombs weren't closer !! I will be telling a friend of mine from my teenage years, about your description of the pre Campden Road days because he lived there and will be very interested in what you have told me. I have vague recollections of those herringbone patterns from when there were various holes dug in the roads. My sons attended Lyndon but despite only living round the corner, I didn't, I had to get two buses to Blossomfield Road because I passed my 11+. My Mom used to work in the newsagents at the end of the block on Lyndon Road, but I will have to check the year she started, she later worked in the precinct at the Wheatsheaf which I am guessing was roughly where the Sheldona had stood. I don't recall ever seeing any photos of The British Restaurants but I will be keeping my eyes open.
You have been left a long time then OldBrummie, have you ever been back ? We share the same interests, especially in the family tree area and I have distant family in Australia.
It has helped a great deal, Thanks again. I'm off to work now, roughly in the area of the old Tan House Farm..
Best Wishes to you to, Lindyloo
Incidentally, our old Milkman lived a few doors up from 279.
Thank you so much for your wonderful reply
It gives me a much better understanding of how the area that I grew up in developed, better than looking at a map could.and yes you are right, there are 18 years between us.. I can only imagine how awful those war days must have been and thank goodness those bombs weren't closer !! I will be telling a friend of mine from my teenage years, about your description of the pre Campden Road days because he lived there and will be very interested in what you have told me. I have vague recollections of those herringbone patterns from when there were various holes dug in the roads. My sons attended Lyndon but despite only living round the corner, I didn't, I had to get two buses to Blossomfield Road because I passed my 11+. My Mom used to work in the newsagents at the end of the block on Lyndon Road, but I will have to check the year she started, she later worked in the precinct at the Wheatsheaf which I am guessing was roughly where the Sheldona had stood. I don't recall ever seeing any photos of The British Restaurants but I will be keeping my eyes open.
You have been left a long time then OldBrummie, have you ever been back ? We share the same interests, especially in the family tree area and I have distant family in Australia.
It has helped a great deal, Thanks again. I'm off to work now, roughly in the area of the old Tan House Farm..
Best Wishes to you to, Lindyloo
Incidentally, our old Milkman lived a few doors up from 279.
lindyloo
master brummie
Hi OldBrit, I spent many a happy thursday evening in the Grange with my Mom at the Free and Easy's in the late 70's !!
OldBrummie
master brummie
Hi Again Lindyloo.
You know you've opened a can of worms don't you. The memories are flooding back. Let me try and recall the shops (and I'm talking late 40's early 50's). Standing in the middle of Lyndon Road and looking towards Barn Lane. On the right - (from Coverdale) Stallybrass Chemist Hardings Bakery Peckmore Sweet Shop and Hardware Shop (2) Wakemans Butcher Greens Mensware (I think) Fred Luckett Bicycle Shop Pollocks General Grocers Shop then first house a Doctors Surgery - Dr Ackerman I think. Now across the road right on the corner was an Air-Raid Shelter then Jones the Newsagent & Tobacconist Pinfolds Double Grocery Shop Greens Drapery Paynes Shoe Repairs and last, Garners Fruit and Veg. There were also 2 large Air-Raid Shelters each side of the road in front of the shops. Next to Garners were the fields. Every 5th of November, Garners put on a huge Bonfire & Fireworks Display for the whole neighbourhood. I can't recall the date, but sometine in the 50's, the Co-op built a store and off-licence on the land next to Garners. Further down the 2 Police Cottages and of course later, between them, the infants school.
As I recall, the Milkman's name was Jack. When I first knew him, he operated with a horse and cart and I recall once, up near Chapel Fields School (my school), his horse bolted - but that's another story. Later, he was supplied an Electric Milk Float and I often rode around with him. I can still remember when his house was built.
This reminds me of Home Deliveries - Milk, Bread, Mr Green on a Friday in his small blue van selling fresh vegetables door to door. His Market Garden was on the Coventry Road out towards the Airport. Also door to door, "Tizer" and also Mitchell & Butlers. And who could forget the "Bin Men". You didn't have to put your own bin out, they came into your side entry and collected it and even brought it back when emptied. Oh happy days.
Have I been back? Yes, probably half a dozen times. Primarily because I worked in the airline industry and got concessions.
But that will do for now. Hope it is all interesting as I personally believe we should not forget the past. That is why Family History is important to me.
OldBrummie.
You know you've opened a can of worms don't you. The memories are flooding back. Let me try and recall the shops (and I'm talking late 40's early 50's). Standing in the middle of Lyndon Road and looking towards Barn Lane. On the right - (from Coverdale) Stallybrass Chemist Hardings Bakery Peckmore Sweet Shop and Hardware Shop (2) Wakemans Butcher Greens Mensware (I think) Fred Luckett Bicycle Shop Pollocks General Grocers Shop then first house a Doctors Surgery - Dr Ackerman I think. Now across the road right on the corner was an Air-Raid Shelter then Jones the Newsagent & Tobacconist Pinfolds Double Grocery Shop Greens Drapery Paynes Shoe Repairs and last, Garners Fruit and Veg. There were also 2 large Air-Raid Shelters each side of the road in front of the shops. Next to Garners were the fields. Every 5th of November, Garners put on a huge Bonfire & Fireworks Display for the whole neighbourhood. I can't recall the date, but sometine in the 50's, the Co-op built a store and off-licence on the land next to Garners. Further down the 2 Police Cottages and of course later, between them, the infants school.
As I recall, the Milkman's name was Jack. When I first knew him, he operated with a horse and cart and I recall once, up near Chapel Fields School (my school), his horse bolted - but that's another story. Later, he was supplied an Electric Milk Float and I often rode around with him. I can still remember when his house was built.
This reminds me of Home Deliveries - Milk, Bread, Mr Green on a Friday in his small blue van selling fresh vegetables door to door. His Market Garden was on the Coventry Road out towards the Airport. Also door to door, "Tizer" and also Mitchell & Butlers. And who could forget the "Bin Men". You didn't have to put your own bin out, they came into your side entry and collected it and even brought it back when emptied. Oh happy days.
Have I been back? Yes, probably half a dozen times. Primarily because I worked in the airline industry and got concessions.
But that will do for now. Hope it is all interesting as I personally believe we should not forget the past. That is why Family History is important to me.
OldBrummie.
lindyloo
master brummie
Hi OldBrummie,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, Christmas Preparations are taking over at the moment !!
I am pleased to have opened that can of worms, because your memories are wonderful to read Thank you so much for all the information you have given, I will be making note of it all.
I had a saturday job at that newsagents and my Mom worked there as I said, I think it was for Mr Eager first of all and then Parkers took over, they also had the shop in the precinct at The Wheatsheaf. My first proper job after leaving school was at that Coop, I worked there for a couple of months until a position I had been waiting for came up at a Home and Hospital in Sherbourne Road, Acocks Green. My sister-in-law lived in one of the council houses that were built between the Police Cottages and the entrance to the infant school.
I'm not sure if the Jack the milkman was the same chap that delivered our milk because I knew him as Dennis, he lived in the house that has the white wooden railing type feature in the porchway. Perhaps he was Jacks son ?
I imagine you have seen many changes on your visits back here.
It is all extremely interesting OldBrummie, thanks again for sharing your memories with me.
Lindylou
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, Christmas Preparations are taking over at the moment !!
I am pleased to have opened that can of worms, because your memories are wonderful to read
Thank you so much for all the information you have given, I will be making note of it all.I had a saturday job at that newsagents and my Mom worked there as I said, I think it was for Mr Eager first of all and then Parkers took over, they also had the shop in the precinct at The Wheatsheaf. My first proper job after leaving school was at that Coop, I worked there for a couple of months until a position I had been waiting for came up at a Home and Hospital in Sherbourne Road, Acocks Green. My sister-in-law lived in one of the council houses that were built between the Police Cottages and the entrance to the infant school.
I'm not sure if the Jack the milkman was the same chap that delivered our milk because I knew him as Dennis, he lived in the house that has the white wooden railing type feature in the porchway. Perhaps he was Jacks son ?
I imagine you have seen many changes on your visits back here.
It is all extremely interesting OldBrummie, thanks again for sharing your memories with me.
Lindylou
OldBrummie
master brummie
Like everyone else I think the photos are great. It's all part of our past that is mostly memories these days.
Now I have a question that is not quite Sheldon but not far off. My memory recalls "The Swan" at Yardley.
Travelling into Birmingham, on the left was Arthur Painter - Funeral Director and next to him if I recall, the Library.
On the oposite corner the Rover Dealership Colliers and was there not a Corporation Bus Shed next to Colliers?
Now if one turns left off Coventry Road and travels 2 or 3 hundred yards, I seem to recall a Garage and I think it
was called "Jauncey's". Anyone remember this and does the family owned business still exist?
OldBrummie
Now I have a question that is not quite Sheldon but not far off. My memory recalls "The Swan" at Yardley.
Travelling into Birmingham, on the left was Arthur Painter - Funeral Director and next to him if I recall, the Library.
On the oposite corner the Rover Dealership Colliers and was there not a Corporation Bus Shed next to Colliers?
Now if one turns left off Coventry Road and travels 2 or 3 hundred yards, I seem to recall a Garage and I think it
was called "Jauncey's". Anyone remember this and does the family owned business still exist?
OldBrummie
stars
master brummie
Hi OldBrummie
Here are a few photo's of the area you speak of. You can see Colliers
clearly on this first one. I hope these may help you. This first one is early 50s
Dated 1915
Dated 1915 BMC was to the left of the tram before becoming Colliers in 1927
Dated 1938
Regards Stars
Here are a few photo's of the area you speak of. You can see Colliers
clearly on this first one. I hope these may help you. This first one is early 50s
Dated 1915
Dated 1915 BMC was to the left of the tram before becoming Colliers in 1927
Dated 1938
Regards Stars
S
Stitcher
Guest
What used to be the City Boundary, Coventry Road junction with Arden Oak Road in 1950.
S
Stitcher
Guest
Hello Dave, when I said "used to be" it was just a figure of speech.
lindyloo
master brummie
Hi stars, I recognise the name of Burgess and Garfield but I cant remember where from.
There were originally two Petrol Stations on that stretch of land inbetween the Coventry Road and the New Coventry Road, one at either end. The one closest to where the Sheldon Picture House was, stood just in front of The Wagon and Horses which must be the pub you are thinking about. The Wagon stood empty for quite sometime and eventually some bright spark set fire to it. The site was cleared and an Aldi now occupies the site where the Petrol Station and The Wagon were.
Further up towards the other Petrol Station (which was called the Whirlwind ..by the Brays Road/Cov Road junction) there was a business called Glynwed at one time and there is a BT Exchange there.
I think the photo is of the Whirlwind which is now a BP station.
stars
master brummie
Hi Lindyloo
Yes that was the pub.
I think the first garage in the center was a Fina garage, named the Wirlwind, then the pub and then Burgess and Garfield, i used to work at Burgess and Garfield for a while
Then for Sheldon motors a bit further down towards the Wheatsheaf, There was Morgan Motors one side of the road and Sheldon Motors opp. Also Dereklcg would that garage
you mention be The Radleys Service station, next to the Cabin pub. There were 2 garages on the Radleys, one at the top and one on the corner of Mackadown Lane.
Yes that was the pub.
I think the first garage in the center was a Fina garage, named the Wirlwind, then the pub and then Burgess and Garfield, i used to work at Burgess and Garfield for a while
Then for Sheldon motors a bit further down towards the Wheatsheaf, There was Morgan Motors one side of the road and Sheldon Motors opp. Also Dereklcg would that garage
you mention be The Radleys Service station, next to the Cabin pub. There were 2 garages on the Radleys, one at the top and one on the corner of Mackadown Lane.
Stars she was definitely in the office after 1964 she would have been Taylor. She lived 1900 Coventry Road which was just as the road split into two. There was a pub near to B&G where the wedding reception was held but I cant think of the name of it on the Coventry Road
lindyloo
master brummie
stars and carolina, I'm getting confused as to which end B&G was...but carolina your sister would possibly have known my Sister-in-law and her family as they lived close to 1900 and I live there now, opposite the exit from the Whirlwind.
Nearby Pubs would have been The Good Companions heading towards Birmingham or The Wagon and Horses opposite Barrows Lane, The Three Horseshoes across the road from where the cinema stood or The Wheatsheaf.
Nearby Pubs would have been The Good Companions heading towards Birmingham or The Wagon and Horses opposite Barrows Lane, The Three Horseshoes across the road from where the cinema stood or The Wheatsheaf.
