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Birchfield Road Perry Barr
- Thread starter debi
- Start date
Right Mike, makes sense that the Picturedrome was probably the predecessor Viv.
Hi All. The "Birchfield Picturedrome" was first opened in 1913 under that name. My wife has an inscribed cigarette case given to her grandfather by the architect on completion of the building. He was the builder. Hope this clarifies any confusion. Incidently, the Odeon was the first and only cinema on its present site. Regards. willey
Just had another look at the cinema treasures site I posted in post #26 and the Birchfield Picture House is listed on there too! There's a great photo of the interior. Here's the link. Looks like when this theatre was demolished Woolworths was built on the site. Viv.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/36943
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/36943
That's great Oldmohawk. It's an interesting little site. Viv.
Di.Poppitt
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Yes Graham, Pat Harper was my sister's friend when they were little girls. Once Jenn went to Great Barr Comp I think they went their own ways.
We have exchanged info before, I think your brother is Michael B !!
Witton was always B6, before post codes we all had numbers to make it easier for the postmen. My husband lived in Amberley Grove right on the edge of Witton/Erdington and that was also B6.
Oldmohawk, the Clifton has been very well taken care of, I have watched it over the years and not a brick has changed. I used to walk,to it with my aunt from Hamstead along the cut (canal) some Saturday evenings. Sometimes we would go to the Beacon, opposite the Scott Arms.
We have exchanged info before, I think your brother is Michael B !!
Witton was always B6, before post codes we all had numbers to make it easier for the postmen. My husband lived in Amberley Grove right on the edge of Witton/Erdington and that was also B6.
Oldmohawk, the Clifton has been very well taken care of, I have watched it over the years and not a brick has changed. I used to walk,to it with my aunt from Hamstead along the cut (canal) some Saturday evenings. Sometimes we would go to the Beacon, opposite the Scott Arms.
A Sparks
master brummie
Thanks for that link about the Birchfield.
I stand corrected in what I said before about thinking the King and I was the last film shown there. My mother DID take me to to see that (which I can just about remember, it was in the winter and snow was around) but the last film shown there was South Pacific in 62 which I also saw at the Birchfield.
My Sister would have been at Canterbury road during these years (Lesley Cook). The postal address where we lived off Perry avenue was 22B and classed as Perry Barr, always remember the phone Number Birchfield 5200.
Hello Di,
yes, we did speak before. My brother certainly is Michael B, but these days we see very little of him. Pat Harper was the first girl I took a fancy too - I must have been all of 11. I kicked around with a few other kids around Woodall and Norris Roads - I can see their faces but can't put names to them. Another world, really.
Hope you're keeping well, all the best,
Big Gee
yes, we did speak before. My brother certainly is Michael B, but these days we see very little of him. Pat Harper was the first girl I took a fancy too - I must have been all of 11. I kicked around with a few other kids around Woodall and Norris Roads - I can see their faces but can't put names to them. Another world, really.
Hope you're keeping well, all the best,
Big Gee
Lyn
there is no large scale map of the area after 1917. However the Picturedrome was on the east side, between Thornbury Rd & the Broadway. On the 1021 map below the building I think was the Picturedrome is in red. In the c 1917 map it is marked as "Lodge", so has either been converted or rebuilt.
CORRECTION
This map shows incorrect position. SEE #68 for correct map. Have left this here so as not to confuse people who read Sparks comments etc
there is no large scale map of the area after 1917. However the Picturedrome was on the east side, between Thornbury Rd & the Broadway. On the 1021 map below the building I think was the Picturedrome is in red. In the c 1917 map it is marked as "Lodge", so has either been converted or rebuilt.
CORRECTION
This map shows incorrect position. SEE #68 for correct map. Have left this here so as not to confuse people who read Sparks comments etc
A Sparks
master brummie
Thanks Mike - it must have been a bit higher up the Birchfield Road from where I remembered?
Actually, looking at Google Street View, I think I am right about the Birchfield having been between Aston Lane and Bragg Road.
I remember the Birchfield in the 50's and the buildings higher up between Bragg Road and the Broadway/ Thornbury Road were built earlier (in the 30's I would guess) so it can't have been there.
Actually, looking at Google Street View, I think I am right about the Birchfield having been between Aston Lane and Bragg Road.
I remember the Birchfield in the 50's and the buildings higher up between Bragg Road and the Broadway/ Thornbury Road were built earlier (in the 30's I would guess) so it can't have been there.
Yes you sre right Sparks. the number i got from the directory (couldn't find it in any other directory) must be a missprint. Also this morning there is a largish scale map c 1953 showing the Birchfield. It wasn't there yeasterday !! Map is below. Have added correction to earlier posts
Is the sports ground between Aston Lane and Thornbury Road still there? I remember when I was in All Souls Cubs (177th, if I recall correctly) we had the occasional 'sports day' there.
Bill The Bandit was just along from the Mosque, but it's long gone. We shopped there a few times after we married and lived in Woodridge down off Trinity Road, but we always thought it a rather shabby place. The Post Office is still there.
Big Gee
Bill The Bandit was just along from the Mosque, but it's long gone. We shopped there a few times after we married and lived in Woodridge down off Trinity Road, but we always thought it a rather shabby place. The Post Office is still there.
Big Gee
Thanks the post office is still there how interesting we use to attend a Sunday School called Christadelphian Hall it was accross the flyover like when your going to heathfield road does anyone remember going to this Sunday School, we use to have great days out with ready made lunch boxes it was fab and the teachers were lovely though vague I hope someone remembers the church and some of the old names thanks
TOPSYTURVEY
brum
I Think it was Bill the Bandit where we hired videos from in early 80s. You had to register to hire a film name/address etc. Shortly after joining we were burgled only the video rec was stolen. ??
A photo of the Birchfield Picture House in 1952 and the Perry Barr Restaurant. Should bring back fond memories ..... Viv
TOPSYTURVEY
brum
What a great picture vivienne. I can,t remember ever seeing a picture of The Birchfield.
And this is the Odeon Perry Barr just before opening its doors for the first time in 1930. Viv.
I never knew until this thread that The Birchfield Cinema was originally built as the Picturedrome. Nor did I realise it was built as long ago as 1913. You live and learn, eh?
Has anyone got a photo of the shops opposite The Birchfield, including R Watts' toy-shop? There was a line of shops that stood back from the road, and I think there was a florist amongst them.
Big Gee
Has anyone got a photo of the shops opposite The Birchfield, including R Watts' toy-shop? There was a line of shops that stood back from the road, and I think there was a florist amongst them.
Big Gee
The Co-op seems to have had a sizeable presence along Birchfield Road in 1932. I don't remember this at all, must have gone by the time I knew Birchfield Road. Anyone know whereabouts this was along Birchfield Road? Viv.
Thanks Mike.That's great. We've managed to reconstruct a fair stretch of Birchfield Road! I expect the Co-op building went when the underpass was built through Perry Barr in 60s. Viv.
