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Alfred Street, Sparkbrook

SueB100

New Member
Is there anyone out there who used to live on Alfred Street in Sparkbrook. I recall Miss Alan who had the sweet and general shop, my slightly mad old Auntie Liz who had the china shop cum all sorts, the Jones family who had a greengrocers on Ladypool Road, Westwoods, the Chinns, the Brady's and of course the wonderful and very eccentric Miss Cowley who had a small struggling shop opposite our house. Would love to hear from any of the residents. I am one of the Howard girls and we lived at No. 24. My Mum, Gladys, worked at the Bingo Hall and the rather grand sounding Casino Royale,
 
Hi SueB100,
I did not live in Alfred Street,but was friends with a lad called William Howard we both went to Dennis Road school, he lived in Alfred Street, almost opposite the Royal Oak, any relation?
Bob
 
Hello Bob,
Yes indeed - William is my brother. He joined the army when he was about 20 and made a good career in the service, rising to RSM before he retired some years ago. He was never much interested in the family (not surprising really as it was a house full of squabbling girls!) so he never really kept in touch. He married his girl Christine just after he joined up and she has been a fantastic partner - thanks to her keeping in touch with Mum we knew where he was. We last saw him at Mum's funeral in 2012 but sadly we know he probably wont bother to return again - we just exchange Christmas cards these days. He has a son, Philip, and lives in Dorchester where he had a small plumbing business after leaving the army but I think he has even packed that in now. I believe his great joy these days is strumming a banjo with a group of friends in local pubs. I will include a mention of you in the next Christmas card. Lovely to hear from you and hope that you have also enjoyed/are enjoying a good life.
Sue
 
Hi Sue,
thanks for the reply, I am glad to hear that William is happy and doing what he wants, long may it continue. I am recently retired and enjoying life, all the best for the future.
Bob
 
Is there anyone out there who used to live on Alfred Street in Sparkbrook. I recall Miss Alan who had the sweet and general shop, my slightly mad old Auntie Liz who had the china shop cum all sorts, the Jones family who had a greengrocers on Ladypool Road, Westwoods, the Chinns, the Brady's and of course the wonderful and very eccentric Miss Cowley who had a small struggling shop opposite our house. Would love to hear from any of the residents. I am one of the Howard girls and we lived at No. 24. My Mum, Gladys, worked at the Bingo Hall and the rather grand sounding Casino Royale,
Tommy jones was my great grandfather my grandad joey(Walter) was his eldest son.
 
hi sue,,,i knew bill jones for many yrs,,,he was a real character ,i often bumped into him at sainsburys maypole,,but for many yrs we were members of the kingsfield club kings heath, sadly now closed,,,i went to english martyrs school with a girl called kennedy from your rd,,,, this was in the fifties,,,,my dads local was the oak,,and i often took my widowed mom there from solihull for old times sake,,,she loved it,,,,,she even got her pension in ladypool rd PO ,,,whilst living in solihull,,,,,she used to enjoy meeting old neighbours on the lane,,,,she missed it bigtime when we moved ,,,,and never settled in solihull.,,,best regards john griffin,
 
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