Recent content by Lady Penelope

Whilst on holiday my friend and I were discussing our grandparents' sayings and she reminded me of one of her granddad's 'Well, dog bite Old Roper' - there is a book called Old Roper by John Rose but I couldn't find a connection. Mom would often say 'none of your half-larks (arf larks) here' if...

I thought it would be nice to mention Bombette Martin and her connection to Birmingham. This young girl was born in Manhattan but her father 'Bomber' Martin (hence her name) used to train at the Rose & Crown in Gravelly Lane, Erdington. There was a boxing gym next door to the pub, run by her...

I too miss Lewis's very much. I can still smell the aroma of the food hall and hear the rattle of the escalators. I think it was the new road layout that caused the final death of this department store. It was cut off from the main part of the shopping centre. Birmingham always seems to do this...

Hi Lyn, I looked for the photos yesterday and couldn't find them but this morning I went straight to them! Here they are: Just looked to see when they were taken and couldn't believe it was 2014. Where has that time gone? Penny

It seems that everyone who grew up round there called it the EE-light as Annie mentions not Elleet as we from the north (Erdington) would call it. I love the way we locals have different names - like Cath-err-yne Street for Catherine Street in Aston. Lyn, we did take a couple of photos of the...

Thanks Viv, Mom would have started work there when she was 14 probably which would have been in 1926. He sister Dorothy, known as Dolly, would have been there some time before as she was older than Mom by 8 years. Dolly couldn't have been the first as she was known as 'Miss Clifford' and their...

I love these drawings! Mom worked at Grey's, going straight from school and she would often talk about the staff being like another family. When do you think the store in picture 3 post #109 was built? I can remember Mom telling me that upstairs at Grey's was like a rabbit warren so it was...

I loved working at the Custard Factory although it was after the custard powder itself had ceased to be made there. I worked at an advertising agency for some which was based in the old offices. What I really enjoyed though were the flea markets which were held there about 4 times a year, after...

Glad you reminded us Lyn - I thought I'd done one at Christmas with my charity donations but can't find a record of it so will do one anyway.

I seem to remember that being told that only a small proportion of items in the library had been catalogued and staff were hoping that when the move was made to the new site they would would be able to go through all those items in store. I don't think anyone actually knew exactly what they'd...

Sorry Alberta, I missed this post in December. Elijah is one of mine. He was my husbands great grandfather. They originally lived in Mud Town, Lye Waste.

Alberta, I was spotted eating an ice lolly and given a kindly warning not to do it again. Can't remember who it was that spoke to me but I was allowed to finish my lolly! There used to be a sweet shop at the dip in Wood End Road on our way to 6 ways and I'd bought it there.

Morning Eric, I'm trying all ways to get this photo to you - see my PM earlier today. However, this may be the best way. My original email read: I'm enclosing a photo of the Eagle which I spoke to you about. There's no rush as I don't need it yet. Sorry it took so long - the photo we have on...

Many Happy Returns Bob. Lovely day here in your old home town. Penny

Thanks Richard, so the original address was wrong. It's the other side of Sutton to Birmingham. Thought I didn't know it and it's certainly not Wylde Green from your description.