76 Lions! Plantagenet Buildings Spencer St

[brianthelion]

Still creating a couple of post lockdown walks and one is based on animals in the Jewellery Quarter. Likely to end at Jewellers Arms (if and when!). Anyway sat outside the pub having a minutes break on this morning's exercise walk and was looking over the road at the aforementioned building and there's a Lions head and a Lions head and blow me there's 76 of them! That's the last stop of the walk sorted, however any info on the buildings and there history would be gratefully received. Off to do some online research. I miss the library! Usual grim mobile photos in bright sunlight but the dark blotches are lions heads...honest.

 

[mikejee]

Building from about 1871 (possibly as early as 1868), when owner was Richard Kent
In 1871 it was occupied by 3 people:
Frederick Braham , optician &factor (he was on site in 1968 but no mention of Plantagenet buildings)
J. Miller , dealer in precious stones
T Ingram. beer retailer
In 1872:
Frederick Braham, William Cooke, gold brooch manufacturer and Frederick Young, jet ornament manufacturer

 

[pjmburns]

Is that a stylised tudor rose between as well? Lion definitely on planatagenet coat of arms. Not sure about the other badges.

 

[brianthelion]

Is that a stylised tudor rose between as well? Lion definitely on planatagenet coat of arms. Not sure about the other badges.

Yes I think they are Tudor roses albeit stylised as you say. I hadn’t thought of researching th3 coat of arms to see what else might Tie in with the building adornments. Nice one!

 

[brianthelion]

Building from about 1871 (possibly as early as 1868), when owner was Richard Kent
In 1871 it was occupied by 3 people:
Frederick Braham , optician &factor (he was on site in 1968 but no mention of Plantagenet buildings)
J. Miller , dealer in precious stones
T Ingram. beer retailer
In 1872:
Frederick Braham, William Cooke, gold brooch manufacturer and Frederick Young, jet ornament manufacturer

Thanks for that. Love all of this type of thing. Cheers.

 

[sospiri]

Brian,

I don't think we are going to be quite so lucky this time. It's a Grade II Listed Building and all the carvings are original. All lots of small businesses now and one has already gone bust and the space they occupied is being re-listed. No details anywhere about the original architects that I can see.

Maurice

 

[mikejee]

English Heritage book on the Jewellery quarter book (from which I got earlier information) states architect unknown

 

[brianthelion]

Is that a stylised tudor rose between as well? Lion definitely on planatagenet coat of arms. Not sure about the other badges.

Plan b I think the carvings May include “sprig of broom” linked to the Plantagenet heraldry.

 

[pjmburns]

I did wonder about the Broom but wasn't sure.

 

[jimbo]

Still creating a couple of post lockdown walks and one is based on animals in the Jewellery Quarter. Likely to end at Jewellers Arms (if and when!). Anyway sat outside the pub having a minutes break on this morning's exercise walk and was looking over the road at the aforementioned building and there's a Lions head and a Lions head and blow me there's 76 of them! That's the last stop of the walk sorted, however any info on the buildings and there history would be gratefully received. Off to do some online research. I miss the library! Usual grim mobile photos in bright sunlight but the dark blotches are lions heads...honest.
View attachment 145129View attachment 145130

brianthelion. I worked in Spencer Street at Hawker Marriss / Cavalier tableware for over 20 years, often frequenting the Jewellers after work, and I must confess I have never noticed the Lions on the building, (eyes on the ground I'm afraid) Thank you for enlightening me and possibly several others who worked in Spencer Street.

 

[brianthelion]

brianthelion. I worked in Spencer Street at Hawker Marriss / Cavalier tableware for over 20 years, often frequenting the Jewellers after work, and I must confess I have never noticed the Lions on the building, (eyes on the ground I'm afraid) Thank you for enlightening me and possibly several others who worked in Spencer Street.

That's what my walks will be about. People rarely have time to look up. One will be on animals in JQ and other will be people and faces. It's amazing what there is on buildings. Cheers.

 

[Radiorails]

Plan b I think the carvings May include “sprig of broom” linked to the Plantagenet heraldry.

The spring of broom is how the name Plantagenet arose. I arises from the latin name for the broom. (You may have found that out already). It seems there are two schools of thought: one was the spring was worn in a hat, the other broom was planted profusely as a hunting cover. Take your pick!
An most interesting building and hopefully more information will be forthcoming. I wonder what was there before? Maybe some scrub land with broom/gorse. Or just an architect that loved (as we do here) history?
Lions and roses were also a feature of Plantagenet heraldry, the Wars of The Roses of course was a kind of family quarrel I think.

 

[brianthelion]

Its fascinating to see the unusual plat it’s on and shows how every bit of land was developed for profit. Just like all the new apartment builds. Nowt changes!

 

[brianthelion]

Recount! Upon closer inspection there are 78 Lions heads. 2 more for my stone zoo!

 

[brianthelion]

New toy! Point and shoot camera to help with compiling walking tour material. Lots to learn but plenty of time to do it! Jewellery Quarter Circus Tour coming when all this is over. Might even get a ringmasters costume for effect!

 

[Lady Penelope]

Very interesting thread Brianthelion and as we often go to the Jewellery Qtr, I look forward to hearing more about your walks.

 

[Radiorails]

That's what my walks will be about. People rarely have time to look up. One will be on animals in JQ and other will be people and faces. It's amazing what there is on buildings. Cheers.

Picking up on Brian#s comments, I was told this by a window cleaner, when discussing work to be done above street level.
"The streets are narrow and the roofs are high". In other words few look up.

 

[Morturn]

A Point and shoot camera; you will have a lot of fun with that. Great for just putting one in your pockets and snapping inserting stiff as your out and about. The quality of these small cameras is amazing.

My two pieces of advice would be:

One, shoot your pictures in RAW mode if your camera can. RAW is like having a digital negative so you can alter the images with software and still retain the original RAW image.

Two, be very organised with your images when you download them to your computer. Have a filing system that works for you so you can find stuff. Its surprising how many images you can collects in a year. I have tens of thousands.

 

[sospiri]

Alam,

I agree. Unless doing the tourist thing, few would spot these I guess. But it does depend on the weather in Brum. Here I would say that less than 2% leave their hotel pool !!

Maurice

 

[brianthelion]

Very interesting thread Brianthelion and as we often go to the Jewellery Qtr, I look forward to hearing more about your walks.

They will all be free!

 

[brianthelion]

A Point and shoot camera; you will have a lot of fun with that. Great for just putting one in your pockets and snapping inserting stiff as your out and about. The quality of these small cameras is amazing.

My two pieces of advice would be:

One, shoot your pictures in RAW mode if your camera can. RAW is like having a digital negative so you can alter the images with software and still retain the original RAW image.

Two, be very organised with your images when you download them to your computer. Have a filing system that works for you so you can find stuff. Its surprising how many images you can collects in a year. I have tens of thousands.

Will check that out and do as you suggest. Many thanks.

 

[brianthelion]

Today’s favourites before the Sun got too much for me!

 

[Kardug]

brianthelion. I worked in Spencer Street at Hawker Marriss / Cavalier tableware for over 20 years, often frequenting the Jewellers after work, and I must confess I have never noticed the Lions on the building, (eyes on the ground I'm afraid) Thank you for enlightening me and possibly several others who worked in Spencer Street.

I’m new to this forum but interesting to read a post about Hawker Marriss/Cavalier tableware. My Dad used to work there. I was only about 14 when he left but remember a few names like Brian Phillpots, Black Ted who use to live but Barr Beacon. I’d love to hear more about it

 

[jimbo]

I’m new to this forum but interesting to read a post about Hawker Marriss/Cavalier tableware. My Dad used to work there. I was only about 14 when he left but remember a few names like Brian Phillpots, Black Ted who use to live but Barr Beacon. I’d love to hear more about it

Kardug, welcome. What was your dads name please? myself, I was a Polisher 1962-1979. Brian Phillpot was Time study and Ted Brown (black Ted) had a number of jobs was assistant foreman/manager of the warehouse. More names to follow.

 

[Kardug]

Hi
How lovely to get a reply. My dads name was Dennis Hampson, I think at one time he was a polisher then I think he was a foreman and later managed the warehouse. He loved it there but unfortunately left under a cloud after a fling with a woman there called Doreen. Problem was her husband also worked there, Roy. It was all out in the open so I’m not breaching any confidences. It was also a long time ago now. He lived with Black Ted for a while on Pheasey. Sorry if not politically correct calling him by that name but that was how he was known there apparently. He was a lovely guy, younger than Dad. I use to babysit for Samantha Phillpotts, Brian’s daughter and in later years lived by his ex wife, Sue.

 

[jimbo]

Hi
How lovely to get a reply. My dads name was Dennis Hampson, I think at one time he was a polisher then I think he was a foreman and later managed the warehouse. He loved it there but unfortunately left under a cloud after a fling with a woman there called Doreen. Problem was her husband also worked there, Roy. It was all out in the open so I’m not breaching any confidences. It was also a long time ago now. He lived with Black Ted for a while on Pheasey. Sorry if not politically correct calling him by that name but that was how he was known there apparently. He was a lovely guy, younger than Dad. I use to babysit for Samantha Phillpotts, Brian’s daughter and in later years lived by his ex wife, Sue.

Karbug, your dad was indeed a polisher at one time. He came to Cavalier from Newtown Polishing with Norman Luckman. He was my foreman for a while and yes, we all knew about his indiscretion, mind you, at times the firm was like Paton Place ( a bit before your time I think). Brian Phillpotts worked with Neville Rudge in time study. Your dad was assistant to Frank Westwood at first but Frank had to retire due to ill health and your dad took over. I took my redundancy just before the firm moved to Lichfield Road and not long after ceased to exist. It was a real happy place to work.
A few names for you, Don Megan, Barry Gould, Vic Holder, Billy Rogers, Colin Hatch (rip), Winston Kelly. Is your dad still with us? x

 

[Bendyclifford]

I used to work at Cavalier (Hawker Marris) back in about 1974, as Export Shipping Supervisor. I’m sure I remember Dennis Hampton in the polishing shop, along with a few other people....Eddie Dunkley in the warehouse, Miles and Hugh Whitelock (director). I worked for Henry Joy (Export Director) and Tim Wadsworth (export sales manager). My mum also worked in the accounts department for a while too, and many more....lovely place to work