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Church Road, Yardley.

Susan D - I printed out your posts and sent to mother in law (Margaret Dawkins). She was thrilled to read what your remembered. She is now 90 years old and as she has been in Yardley all her life and having the paper shop, remembers everyone you mentioned and can give names and addresses of the past residents of Church Road. She remembers your father and told me that she used to take the wireless to him to get the battery charged!

Can you tell me which one is you on the photograph taken in 1953 in Wroxton Road?

Sue
 
Sue,

I am so pleased that Margaret enjoyed my post. It was at least useful to one person!

As our respective families were close neighbours for a long time, I have written this forum's administrators and asked them if they would send you my e-mail address so we can chat off-line about the more personal stuff if you wish.

Regarding the day of the coronation, there was a second celebration aimed at adults (although some children without baby sitters went). It was well attended and went on quite late. This took place in a building behind the Yew Tree pub and the shops in Hob Moor Road. It was accessed from a drive between the pub and the shops . I haven't seen it since that day in 1953 so my memory of it is vague, but it seemed to me to be some sort of community hall or perhaps a WW2 drill hall? My guesstimate is that it might have been built on the pub's garden. Does anyone out there know it? Did Margaret Dawkins go to that event?

Susan
 
Susan D said:
Regarding the day of the coronation, there was a second celebration aimed at adults (although some children without baby sitters went). It was well attended and went on quite late. This took place in a building behind the Yew Tree pub and the shops in Hob Moor Road. It was accessed from a drive between the pub and the shops . I haven't seen it since that day in 1953 so my memory of it is vague, but it seemed to me to be some sort of community hall or perhaps a WW2 drill hall? My guesstimate is that it might have been built on the pub's garden.
Click to expand...
Could it have been Hobmoor Primary School? Built in 1933 it has since been demolished, replaced by a new building on the edge of Oaklands Recreation Ground.
yewtree.jpg
 
Maybe that's it Spargone. Thank you - and for finding the map. It makes sense and seems very likely. The schools would be shut on that day. I never even knew that there as a school there. I wonder if any government records were kept about coronation celebration plans. It is incredible to think that the Queen started work in her new appointment on that date so long ago and is still working in the same job! How many people can say they have done that?

Now, could I impose upon you your obvious map finding skills for further assistance please? I recently discovered that Croft Road (and therefore Newcroft) in Yardley appears to be called after a detached house with some considerable land which included a pond. The road was built on that site. I found that out via the 1888 map on the Find My Past web site attached to the 1939 National ID Register 'census' for the area, but cannot copy it. I also noticed that Wroxton road, then probably a hedgerow, seems to have been built along an existing field boundary.

Thanks again,

Susan
 
Susan,
The 1886 OS map has a house called 'The Poplars' which on the 1905 map has become 'The Croft'. Croft Road, unnamed on the 1888 map is called Moses Lane on the 1905 map. I think you are right about Wroxton Road following a field line, though often the roads are slightly displaced, one of the rear gulleys following the actual line. (If you think about it, adjacent fields might belong to different land owners so the common boundary forms the initial access to two rows of houses built on one field. I don't know if that was the case with Wroxton though). Here is part of the 1905 map, which has the names that you want. (There is a very small pond at the 'Yew Tree' end of Croft Road too by the way).
croft.jpg
 
The 'Yew Tree' 1970 from "Yardley Revisited" by Margaret D. Green, page 40.
The path leading from Stoney Lane (right margin) between the Yew Tree car park and the shops zig-zags to Hobmoor Primary School, the corner of which is just visible top right. The Yew Tree pavilion, serving the bowling green, might be another option for the Coronation party, but I have never seen inside it.
yewschool.jpg
 
Hobmoor Primary School was accessed in my time there 1954 to 1956 via an entrance by the side of the shops off Hobmoor Road and the first residential houses, you went in by the entrance next to the caretakers house. Not off Stoney Lane or by the side off The Yew Tree pub.
Is there anybody else out there that went to this school, particularly at this time?
I remember a Mrs Nightingale as my reception teacher, I liked her, then next year a Mrs Roberts, I didn't like her, she was far more stern from my memory.
 
Spargone said:
The 'Yew Tree' 1970 from "Yardley Revisited" by Margaret D. Green, page 40.
The path leading from Stoney Lane (right margin) between the Yew Tree car park and the shops zig-zags to Hobmoor Primary School, the corner of which is just visible top right. The Yew Tree pavilion, serving the bowling green, might be another option for the Coronation party, but I have never seen inside it.
View attachment 136371
Click to expand...

Dear Spargone,

Thank you so much for the fantastic research you have done. All three entries are extremely interesting and your efforts are most appreciated.

Susan
 
Elmdon Boy said:
Hobmoor Primary School was accessed in my time there 1954 to 1956 via an entrance by the side of the shops off Hobmoor Road and the first residential houses, you went in by the entrance next to the caretakers house. Not off Stoney Lane or by the side off The Yew Tree pub.
Click to expand...
The nearest I ever got to the school was via the zig-zag path and then only to the gate picking up a nephew that went to a pre-school group there in the early 1990s. That path shows up in the photograph. I'm sure Susan would welcome suggestions by anyone that actually used the school or pub as to where the coronation celebration was held and how people got there.
Incidentally the Margaret Green book has a class photo with a Mrs Humphreys in 1967 - after your time!
 
I attended Hob Moor Road school from 1945 - 1950/1. I remember the reception teacher was Miss Eamer. She gave me a smack on my first day as by lunch time I thought that I had been to school, so went home! My sister marched me back and the smack was my reward. I also remember Mrs Davies, Mr Wright -who rode his sit up and beg bike to school, he went so slowly it was amazing that he managed to keep it moving. Also remember Mr Turville and Mr Hughes who took top juniors. The toilets were 'open air' and smelt dreadful - can still remember the smell to this day. Trying to remember the caretakers name who always seemed to be covered in coal dust as he was responsible for stoking the boilers.
 
Spargone said:
The Croft (from "Yardley" , compiled by Michael Byrne) page 30.
View attachment 136370
Click to expand...

The caption to this photograph of the house called The Croft still appears to be valid. It does still stand although it is surrounded by other properties now. I found it on Google maps Streetview. This is the link:
www.google.co.uk

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.co.uk www.google.co.uk

Here is a photograph of Croft road under construction in 1930. The road is as yet unmade.

Croft road.jpg
 
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Spargone said:
Could it have been Hobmoor Primary School? Built in 1933 it has since been demolished, replaced by a new building on the edge of Oaklands Recreation Ground.
View attachment 136327

Coronation Celebration


Here is the photograph of the evening celebration of the 1953 Coronation held for residents of Church road, Wroxton Road and nearby in the location behind the Yew Tree pub (looks like it was the school that has been suggested on this site). I can name some of the people in it but would welcome more information about the participants.

- Couple on the left row second from the back - my mother Florence Holloway in a dress and jacket and slightly behind/next to her my father Alfred Holloway. They were living at 208 Church road at the time but took over the hardware shop later that year. Sitting next to him is his mother, my grandmother, Matilda Holloway of the hardware shop at 206 Church road.

- Front row, sitting fourth from our left is Mary ? of Wroxton road and her daughter Kathleen next to her. Then it is me in a cone shaped hat. Then Mr and Mrs Edmunds of the green grocer shop at 202 Church road, and then a little girl who I was friendly with and may have lived in Wroxton road but sadly cannot remember her name. I assume that the woman next to her is her mother.
Click to expand...
 
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oldbrit said:
Please explain who, what, were and when Thanks John Crump now 86 I lived on Moat Lane Yardley 23 or so years till 1957
Click to expand...

Dear John,

The explanation about the photograph is actually there above it but somehow got hidden. I tried to be too clever by replying directly to Spargone's information on the map but it didn't work. This is what I said:

Coronation Celebration


Here is the photograph of the evening celebration of the 1953 Coronation held for residents of Church road, Wroxton Road and nearby in the location, thought to be behind the Yew Tree pub (looks like it possibly was the school that has been suggested on this site). I can name some of the people in it but would welcome more information about the participants.

- Couple on the left row second from the back - my mother Florence Holloway in a dress and jacket and slightly behind/next to her my father Alfred Holloway. They were living at 208 Church road at the time but took over the hardware shop later that year. Sitting next to him is his mother, my grandmother, Matilda Holloway of the hardware shop at 206 Church road.

- Front row, sitting fourth from our left is Mary ? of Wroxton road and her daughter Kathleen next to her. Then it is me in a cone shaped hat. Then Mr and Mrs Edmunds who ran the green grocer shop at 202 Church road, and then a little girl who I was friendly with and may have lived in Wroxton road but sadly cannot remember her name. I assume that the woman next to her is her mother as there is a resemblance.
 
Great photo, love the old pics. I wish I still had all the ones that Dad took. I found this one time at the seaside. Love the hats they wore those days must have been in the early 40s I am youngster on the right with the glum face. My Sister Joan on the left My Gran and Grandfather on left My Mom centre Can anyone tell where this was taken?Rhyl 1947 001.jpg
 
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Susan D have you thought the venue could be Church Road School rather than Hob Moor Road? They are both close to the area - just a thought!!!
 
Susan D said:
The caption to this photograph of the house called The Croft still appears to be valid. It does still stand although it is surrounded by other properties now. I found it on Google maps Streetview. This is the link:
www.google.co.uk

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.co.uk www.google.co.uk

Here is a photograph of Croft road under construction in 1930. The road is as yet unmade.

View attachment 136416
Click to expand...
I lived at 46, Croft Road in the seventies and my boys went to Church Road school.
 
geofred said:
Susan D have you thought the venue could be Church Road School rather than Hob Moor Road? They are both close to the area - just a thought!!!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the suggestion Geofred. I can see the logic, but I am pretty sure that it wasn't there.

Susan
oldbrit said:
Great photo, love the old pics. I wish I still had all the ones that Dad took. I found this one time at the seaside. Love the hats they wore those days must have been in the early 40s I am youngster on the right with the glum face. My Sister Joan on the left My Gran and Grandfather on left My Mom centre Can anyone tell where this was taken?View attachment 137999
Click to expand...

Great family group John. Isn't it strange how all the adults dress so smartly and formally for the beach in those days. It was the same in my family photographs. If this is the early 1940s it must have been taken during the war. I didn't think that people went on seaside holidays then.

Coming back to Yardley, are you too young to have remembered Yardley during the last war? If you can remember, are you able to tell us what it was like?

Susan
 
Susan D said:
Thanks for the suggestion Geofred. I can see the logic, but I am pretty sure that it wasn't there.

Susan


Great family group John. Isn't it strange how all the adults dress so smartly and formally for the beach in those days. It was the same in my family photographs. If this is the early 1940s it must have been taken during the war. I didn't think that people went on seaside holidays then.

Coming back to Yardley, are you too young to have remembered Yardley during the last war? If you can remember, are you able to tell us what it was like?

Susan I was born in 1933 So I was a nipper during WW2 This bomb came pretty close, a second earlier I would not be here now, this just around the corner from my home on Moat Lane Yardley Nov 1940 I was 7yrsold
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oldbrit said:
Coming back to Yardley, are you too young to have remembered Yardley during the last war? If you can remember, are you able to tell us what it was like?

Susan I was born in 1933 So I was a nipper during WW2 This bomb came pretty close, a second earlier I would not be here now, this just around the corner from my home on Moat Lane Yardley Nov 1940 I was 7 yrs old
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting the photograph of Vera road John. Wow, that is absolutely shocking! It certainly brings the reality of war into sharp focus. That surely would have been a brand new house. I hope that the family were safe in the Anderson shelter.
 
mikejee said:
Correction. It just seems Yew tree house was missed out in the 1904 directory.

1868 Daniel Holloway esquire
1873 Daniel Holloway farmer & auctioneer
1876 - 1900 Daniel Holloway Land agent & surveyor
1903 Ernest Newton
Before 1868 I can’t find Yew tree house in the directories, and it may be outside the area covered, but in 1855 there is a Daniel Holloway, fancy steel toy maker & confectioner in Bristol St, listed but not numbered between 109 and 113 bristol st, and in 1862 he appears (as J & D Holloway) in Balsall Heath Road.
mike
Click to expand...
That has to be a different Daniel Holloway at Bristol Street as he always lived in Yardley, his birthplace. His parents operated a farm and lived on the Coventry Road.
 
geofred said:
I attended Hob Moor Road school from 1945 - 1950/1. I remember the reception teacher was Miss Eamer. She gave me a smack on my first day as by lunch time I thought that I had been to school, so went home! My sister marched me back and the smack was my reward. I also remember Mrs Davies, Mr Wright -who rode his sit up and beg bike to school, he went so slowly it was amazing that he managed to keep it moving. Also remember Mr Turville and Mr Hughes who took top juniors. The toilets were 'open air' and smelt dreadful - can still remember the smell to this day. Trying to remember the caretakers name who always seemed to be covered in coal dust as he was responsible for stoking the boilers.
Click to expand...
My mom would have been at hobmoor primary school around the same time As yourself. Mr Hughes was one of her teachers then, and he was also my teacher between 1965 and 1970. My moms name was Patricia Chapman, I wonder if you remember her ?
 
Steve Stokes said:
My mom would have been at hobmoor primary school around the same time As yourself. Mr Hughes was one of her teachers then, and he was also my teacher between 1965 and 1970. My moms name was Patricia Chapman, I wonder if you remember her ?
[I do remember Mr Hughes a teacher, but Patricia Chapman not. I lived down Harvey Rd to Moat Lane almost Barrows Lane
Click to expand...
 
Old Boy said:
Hi John,

Did you happen to know my old friend Tom Sutcliffe who also went to Cockshut Hill? He was about your age but has sadly passed away now.

Chris Beresford (Old Boy)
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I knew Tom Sutcliffe very well. I was bridesmaid at his wedding to Sheila Toft. Sadly she has passed away too. He joined the Police with Alan Watson. He was a good friend of my brothers' too, Bob Priddey. He went to Cockshut Hill from 5yrs to 17yrs with Tom.
 
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