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Location wanted for this bus if possible

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An excerpt from the First Black Brummies was shown on BBC TV Inside - out West Midlands this evening and I saw the image copied by Pedrocut above as one of the unnamed chapels in the film. Another shot showed the chapel that used to be at the bottom of Brasshouse Lane in Smethwick next to the canals. I always remember the large inscription painted on the wall 'Where will you spend eternity?'. I thought this was a boatmen's chapel
 
I am a newcomer to BHF and still learning to find my way about. So, is this the only conversation about the First Black Brummies, TV programme, "What chapel was that?"?

The b/w films gave a real feel of the chill that seemed to characterise Birmingham in the 50's. The equivalent of Manchester's drizzle. Sure I was young, had a few coppers in my pocket, knew my way round the pubs and jazz clubs and was relatively happy.

Once the different christian factions stopped burning each other Birmingham has always been a place targeted by immigrants. Mainly non-conformists I think. Then mainly agricultural workers. My mother's family came from north Lincs. I can only trace my father's family to a small village on the far side of Staffs but they seemed to have a celtic appearance.

It has always surprised how immigrant ancestors picked up the local accents/dialects. And they they picked up local trades too, nothing like their agricultural tasks. One was a 'banker'! You what? There are a lot of ditches in Lincs and someone has to maintain their banks.

To have come to Birmingham in the 50's and stuck it out must have been difficult. I remember from that era
- an estate agent's board in Small Heath saying "Whites only",
- a London newpaper saying that a part of Birmingham was so notorious that it was now called Soho,
- Belgrave Road was known as "Burma Road"
- "How can you tell someone is Birmingham bus conductor?"
"He's a black man with a sprig of shamrock in his turban.

Actually what I wanted to talk about is the attached photo. If the people in the TV programme the first black Brummies who was that chap on the right of this photo. It is the annual club photo of Small Heath Harriers in 1922 taken in the yard of the Old Bull Hotel, Coventry Road. My father is on it, aged 17.

132601
 
Immigrants are folk usually from another country. If they were not then something like 70% or more of the population in the SW of England could be known as that as would be other favourite retirement places. :laughing: Yes, people from other parts of England would have been Protestant as it is a predominately Protestant country.
However, as far as incomers from other European countries is concerned then the Italian and Irish people who found a new home in the city would more than likely to be Roman Catholic. I believe Birmingham would be a close second to London with its highly mixed background population, particularity as industry grew and workers drifted away from agriculture.

PS: We still haven't located the bus yet! :scream:
 
JohnWish said:
I am a newcomer to BHF and still learning to find my way about. So, is this the only conversation about the First Black Brummies, TV programme, "What chapel was that?"?

The b/w films gave a real feel of the chill that seemed to characterise Birmingham in the 50's. The equivalent of Manchester's drizzle. Sure I was young, had a few coppers in my pocket, knew my way round the pubs and jazz clubs and was relatively happy.

Once the different christian factions stopped burning each other Birmingham has always been a place targeted by immigrants. Mainly non-conformists I think. Then mainly agricultural workers. My mother's family came from north Lincs. I can only trace my father's family to a small village on the far side of Staffs but they seemed to have a celtic appearance.

It has always surprised how immigrant ancestors picked up the local accents/dialects. And they they picked up local trades too, nothing like their agricultural tasks. One was a 'banker'! You what? There are a lot of ditches in Lincs and someone has to maintain their banks.

To have come to Birmingham in the 50's and stuck it out must have been difficult. I remember from that era
- an estate agent's board in Small Heath saying "Whites only",
- a London newpaper saying that a part of Birmingham was so notorious that it was now called Soho,
- Belgrave Road was known as "Burma Road"
- "How can you tell someone is Birmingham bus conductor?"
"He's a black man with a sprig of shamrock in his turban.

Actually what I wanted to talk about is the attached photo. If the people in the TV programme the first black Brummies who was that chap on the right of this photo. It is the annual club photo of Small Heath Harriers in 1922 taken in the yard of the Old Bull Hotel, Coventry Road. My father is on it, aged 17.

View attachment 132601
Click to expand...

There are several mentions of SH Harriers in the press for 1922, if you were willing to give the name we could have a look.

Interesting question about the chap on the right, much before the "Windrush" generation! I remember my old man telling me about a "black man" he used to play football with in the 1930s. Apparently he was very popular.

It could well be the first mention.
 
There is a Thread for Small Heath Harriers and the great photo provided by JohnWish has also been placed there. It would be of interest to athletics researchers. I will provide a bit of info on that thread.

Small Heath Harriers

I cannot see a thread for Small Heath Harriers so I thought I would start one and would be glad to hear any stories etc. My Dad Reginald Breakwell ran for them in the late 1940s. The club later amalgamated with Solihull Athletic Club. The solitary runner was my father.
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
 
There is a connection between Middlemore Homes (as they became known) and Wycliffe Baptist Chapel.

The father of Thomas Middlemore was William Middlemore who died in 1887. He donated to many needed causes. It was in 1859 that the Wycliffe Baptist Chapel was commenced, the conception and execution of the work was practically his alone. He bought the site and gave a preliminary donation £1,000 to the building fund. He also gave £1,400 towards the site and buildings of new schools in connection with the chapel.

Unfortunately there is no information concerning the windows.
 
Pedrocut said:
There is a connection between Middlemore Homes (as they became known) and Wycliffe Baptist Chapel.

The father of Thomas Middlemore was William Middlemore who died in 1887. He donated to many needed causes. It was in 1859 that the Wycliffe Baptist Chapel was commenced, the conception and execution of the work was practically his alone. He bought the site and gave a preliminary donation £1,000 to the building fund. He also gave £1,400 towards the site and buildings of new schools in connection with the chapel.

Unfortunately there is no information concerning the windows.
Click to expand...
One of these days I'm sure a picture will turn up of Wycliffe Baptist Church (with the spectacular windows), it never ceases to amaze me the images and information that gets posted on BHF. Fingers crossed.
 
When I saw the thread pop up I wondered 'has it been located' but alas no ...
It made me think of the one below which I think will remain a mystery... :)

Great Barr Cottage

Three young girls stand in this road as the photographer takes his photo. A caption on the photo (postcard) says it is in Gt Barr but having looked at it for quite a few years I have no idea where it is and I know Great Barr. The road ends at an angled junction with another road which has fields...
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
 
Pedrocut said:
There is a connection between Middlemore Homes (as they became known) and Wycliffe Baptist Chapel.

The father of Thomas Middlemore was William Middlemore who died in 1887. He donated to many needed causes. It was in 1859 that the Wycliffe Baptist Chapel was commenced, the conception and execution of the work was practically his alone. He bought the site and gave a preliminary donation £1,000 to the building fund. He also gave £1,400 towards the site and buildings of new schools in connection with the chapel.

Unfortunately there is no information concerning the windows.
Click to expand...

Pedrocut no prize till the windows are sorted out
 
Pedrocut said:
There is a Thread for Small Heath Harriers and the great photo provided by JohnWish has also been placed there. It would be of interest to athletics researchers. I will provide a bit of info on that thread.

Small Heath Harriers

I cannot see a thread for Small Heath Harriers so I thought I would start one and would be glad to hear any stories etc. My Dad Reginald Breakwell ran for them in the late 1940s. The club later amalgamated with Solihull Athletic Club. The solitary runner was my father.
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
Click to expand...
M
 
I have had contact with a member of the Balsall Heath History Society and they will ask around if anyone has info about the Wycliffe Sunday Schools.

They are searching for any pictures of Mary Street, and Upper Mary Street.
 
Just wanted to resurrect this thread as it has been dormant since October 2019.
Perhaps there are new members that can help with information about Wycliffe Baptist Church or the Sunday school that was attached to it.

Fingers crossed......
 
brummy-lad said:
Just wanted to resurrect this thread as it has been dormant since October 2019.
Perhaps there are new members that can help with information about Wycliffe Baptist Church or the Sunday school that was attached to it.

Fingers crossed......
Click to expand...

Simple answer to this find the building with the windows that match the original picture
 
View attachment 144275
brummy-lad said:
Just wanted to resurrect this thread as it has been dormant since October 2019.
Perhaps there are new members that can help with information about Wycliffe Baptist Church or the Sunday school that was attached to it.

Fingers crossed......
Click to expand...

It is possible that a new member may be able to shed some light on the Sunday School, even it is a long shot. I think Williamstreeter is right in suggesting that windows are the key, and can be used to discount some suggestions.
 
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