On the opening of the extended Smithfield Garage in April 1972. The building was built over some very old wells - the area once known as Meriden Wells is, according to the Birmingham Post article below, part of a very old settlement. Viv.
My dad ran Smithfield during the late 70’s and early 80’s for the Labrookes - Clive Shakesheff. He became the Group Operations Director for the group when they were awarded franchises for Porsche, Mercedes Benz and Jaguar (Monarch Cars) My brother and I have very fond memories of going to the dealership in digbeth every Saturday, drinking hot chocolate and eating sausage sandwiches, wandering around the new cars.I was there about the same time and can remember: Les Smith, Allan Corbett (he went to work at Car Lighting), Hedley Hindmarsh, Tony Ticer, Dave Rowley ( died a few years ago), Tom Gillette, Mr Winkley and Martin Broadbent. I was an auto- electrician with Les Jeans. Gordon (the swimmer), he was the workshop foreman/tester. I sometimes see him in Sutton. Roger the workshop foreman. Terry Blizzard (mechanic) who was a friend of Dave Rowley.
Who was the author of The Hidden History?The site of this garage, is of course just a very small part of the history of the old city. Most history of that place and the area lie beneath the surface. Quite interesting excavations and the subsequent finds have given much information of the areas past, illustrating the various industries that were undertaken in the early and late medieval times. Most seem to have been located there due to the amount of water/river that was a large feature of the place. It revealed that some of the area, where the garage was, was built-up ground enabling structures to be built.
Digbeth and Deritend have so much hidden history* that is still being discovered.
* "Birmingham The Hidden History" - if you haven't got a copy, treat yourself to one.
Smithfield owned the Renault dealership in Marston Green, John.Did Smithfield Garage have a Renault dealership somewhere in Digbeth in the early 70s? When I worked at The VW Smithfield I think I heard about the Renault place but never went there.
Thanks Bob.Smithfield owned the Renault dealership in Marston Green, John.
I now remember some of us used to go to that pub at the top of Digbeth, the pub with the Galleon on the outside wall. What was the pub called? Any memories of it please?I was there about the same time and can remember: Les Smith, Allan Corbett (he went to work at Car Lighting), Hedley Hindmarsh, Tony Ticer, Dave Rowley ( died a few years ago), Tom Gillette, Mr Winkley and Martin Broadbent. I was an auto- electrician with Les Jeans. Gordon (the swimmer), he was the workshop foreman/tester. I sometimes see him in Sutton. Roger the workshop foreman. Terry Blizzard (mechanic) who was a friend of Dave Rowley.
The Royal George.I now remember some of us used to go to that pub at the top of Digbeth, the pub with the Galleon on the outside wall. What was the pub called? Any memories of it please?
Thanks for the info, me not remembering that was bothering me. Much appreciated.The Royal George.