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Bridge Street West

Here is a map of Brideg st west. Wellesley st is marked in red. There was once a Victoria Inn on the sharp corner of Guest st, but it seems to have gone by 1921

map_c_1905_Bridge_St_west.jpg
 
mikejee said:
Here is a map of Brideg st west. Wellesley st is marked in red. There was once a Victoria Inn on the sharp corner of Guest st, but it seems to have gone by 1921

map_c_1905_Bridge_St_west.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for that mikejee. Looking at this map there was still housing on the Lucas site. I was confused as from the aerial shot as the road to left of the pub was an industrial site (Lucas) whereas in my photograph it was housing. The configuration of the windows etc on the aerial shot of the pub looks right but the angle seems sharper on the photo. I don't suppose there was a pub on the corner of Farm Street that you know of? Anyways, this is fleshing out my knowledge of the area and helping me get some order to my understanding of my family's connections. My mother and her family lived in Great King Street until 1938. Worked at Cannings 40s. My Uncle had a life time connection to the BB at the chapel in Gt.King Street and, as I said before, my Great Grandfather, lived in Wellesly Street.
As a further interest, my Grandfather, Harry Chapman, was an oxy-aceteline welder, and was known around the area (and others, I think), as 'the gun doctor'. There is reason to believe he had an association with the Kirby family, who, apparently, were not nice. This would have-been in the 30's I guess. It's a line of inquiry I am interested in following up. if you have any pointers.
Thanks again,
Rob
 
Rob Westwood said:
View attachment 101766

Hi all, this photo has been in the family vaults for many a year. I knew it existed but couldn't find it but it reappeared last week.
Having been through the thread I have been unable to tie it in with any of the other shots. My question is which pub, and can I find a map that shows its relationship to Wellesly Street?
I believe it was my Great Grandfather, Thomas Chapman, in the driving seat. I know he drove for the Midland Red and there is a family anecdote that he drove the first Middie Red to Stourbridge. He lived in Wellesly Street and my thinking id that he was co-opted to run a day out for the pub clientele.
Astoness will, perhaps, be interested in this as it ties in with a link to another post regarding The Manor House Nechells, the Chapmans and the Harringtons.

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=39864&highlight=manor+house,+nechells

Regards, Rob.
Click to expand...

hi rob thats a great photo... so we could be distantly related then....yes one of my harringtons married into the chapman family...i know in the early days the chapmans ran a stagecoach from nechells to aston and they lived at the manor house nechells...i have a few old newspaper snippets about their transport business..i would have to get my notes out to give you anymore info as ive not looked at them for ages now..

lyn
 
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Lyn, hi again. Yes we are(related)- we had an exchange of posts on the Manor House thread and decided not to work out what it was. If I remember you advised me not to delve into the Harringtons as it would drive me potty. I do have some of the cuttings I think- police action over mistreating horses and the sale of the Manor House and stuff of that nature, but you may have more.which would, of course, interest me. The Chapman's also had a route along the Coventry Road- one of the sons. I thought it a little ironic that the bus connection would evolve into driving for the Midland Red.

Any thing you have would be gratefully recieved.
Regards'
Rob.
 
rob
if you go on to the wellesley street thread you will see photos of wellesley street that lyn kindley put on as my husband family in the street from 1916 untill they was brought down
josie
 
Rob Westwood said:
Thanks for that mikejee. Looking at this map there was still housing on the Lucas site. I was confused as from the aerial shot as the road to left of the pub was an industrial site (Lucas) whereas in my photograph it was housing. The configuration of the windows etc on the aerial shot of the pub looks right but the angle seems sharper on the photo. I don't suppose there was a pub on the corner of Farm Street that you know of? Anyways, this is fleshing out my knowledge of the area and helping me get some order to my understanding of my family's connections. My mother and her family lived in Great King Street until 1938. Worked at Cannings 40s. My Uncle had a life time connection to the BB at the chapel in Gt.King Street and, as I said before, my Great Grandfather, lived in Wellesly Street.
As a further interest, my Grandfather, Harry Chapman, was an oxy-aceteline welder, and was known around the area (and others, I think), as 'the gun doctor'. There is reason to believe he had an association with the Kirby family, who, apparently, were not nice. This would have-been in the 30's I guess. It's a line of inquiry I am interested in gollowing up. if you have any pointers.
Thanks again,
Rob
Click to expand...

Rob, you may be interested in seeing some of over 5,000 pictures and memorabilia about the 1st A Birmingham Boys' Brigade posted on flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/1staboysbrigade/sets
You may be able to find pictures of your uncle and reference to him on the roll books and membership forms and see pictures of Great King Street in the 1930s. The 1st A BB are still going and the old boys are holding their annual remembrance parade and service on Sunday 8th November from 2.30pm at People's Chapel now located in Great King Street on the corner of Barr Street further up Great King St from its original location. Rob.
 
Rob1abb said:
Rob, you may be interested in seeing some of over 5,000 pictures and memorabilia about the 1st A Birmingham Boys' Brigade posted on flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/1staboysbrigade/sets
You may be able to find pictures of your uncle and reference to him on the roll books and membership forms and see pictures of Great King Street in the 1930s. The 1st A BB are still going and the old boys are holding their annual remembrance parade and service on Sunday 8th November from 2.30pm at People's Chapel now located in Great King Street on the corner of Barr Street further up Great King St from its original location. Rob.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, Rob. I did look on the website awhile back but the flickr sets are new to me. I will be looking. When I was a boy we used to go to the playing fields in kingstanding for the Boxing day old boys footie match, and to the memorial services. Great times.

Many thanks,

Rob.

Rob- just had a quick look at flickr- totally amazing. Thanks again.
 
josietrue said:
rob
if you go on to the wellesley street thread you will see photos of wellesley street that lyn kindley put on as my husband family in the street from 1916 untill they was brought down
josie
Click to expand...

Josie, many thanks. My GGF lived in 36 Wellesley St. until his death in 1937, so will be of extra special interest.
Regards,
Rob
 
Rob Westwood said:
Thanks for that, Rob. I did look on the website awhile back but the flickr sets are new to me. I will be looking. When I was a boy we used to go to the playing fields in kingstanding for the Boxing day old boys footie match, and to the memorial services. Great times.

Many thanks,

Rob.

Rob- just had a quick look at flickr- totally amazing. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Boxing Day football matches still happen at Perry Barr park, but unfortunately playing fields had to be sold after vandalism.
Lots more info on the 1st A BB here https://1abirmingham.boys-brigade.org.uk/Contents.html
Rob
 
Rob Westwood said:
Lyn, hi again. Yes we are(related)- we had an exchange of posts on the Manor House thread and decided not to work out what it was. If I remember you advised me not to delve into the Harringtons as it would drive me potty. I do have some of the cuttings I think- police action over mistreating horses and the sale of the Manor House and stuff of that nature, but you may have more.which would, of course, interest me. The Chapman's also had a route along the Coventry Road- one of the sons. I thought it a little ironic that the bus connection would evolve into driving for the Midland Red.

Any thing you have would be gratefully recieved.
Regards'
Rob.
Click to expand...

ahh now its coming back to me rob...of course we have exchanged posts but it was a long time ago and i have done so much research since then that i do have these senior moments lol....i dont have time today but over the weekend i will sort out my harrington/chapman notes and see if i have anything that you may not have....ps i still advise not delving into the harrington ha ha

be in touch as soon as i can rob

all the best

lyn
 
Rob1abb said:
Trying to Repost of #166 with pictures attached:
With reference to the picture on post #2 dated 20/11/1956 showing the collapsed wall in BSW. I was born, in 1944, at 3 back of 128 Bridge Street West, which is the second house up the path behind the 2 people in the photo. These were small 2 storey houses. The tall houses with the missing walls were 4 storey tunnel back houses accessed from yards in Wheeler Street with attics and basements. The missing wall backed onto rough ground between the brew house and the two shared outside toilets - an ideal for practising playing football.
Now I'm not saying the missing wall is anything to do with me but I spent most evenings in the early 1950's kicking a football against it!!

Bridge_Street_West_back_of_128_Newtown_-_20-11-1956.jpg
Click to expand...
 
The photograph shows work being carried out by J and T Walsh builders. The area in front of the removed wall is where bonfires were lit on 5th November. The majority of burnable material for the bonfire was collected by Micky Walker, Trevor Nicholls, and Vaughn Isaacs. I even remember a few bits of garden fence going on the fire when it was going out. Anyone reading this do they remember when the tram tracks were removed in Wheeler Street between Bridge Street and New John Street and all the kids collected the wooden blocks that were set in tar that were set between the rails ? These blocks were burnt for weeks on the fire to save using coke or coal.
 
roger plumb said:
The photograph shows work being carried out by J and T Walsh builders. The area in front of the removed wall is where bonfires were lit on 5th November. The majority of burnable material for the bonfire was collected by Micky Walker, Trevor Nicholls, and Vaughn Isaacs. I even remember a few bits of garden fence going on the fire when it was going out. Anyone reading this do they remember when the tram tracks were removed in Wheeler Street between Bridge Street and New John Street and all the kids collected the wooden blocks that were set in tar that were set between the rails ? These blocks were burnt for weeks on the fire to save using coke or coal.
Click to expand...
Yes, I remember those great bonfires and I was guilty of aquiring the blocks from the Wheeler Street tram tracks and can confirm they burned really well.
 
This lady at 48 Bridge Street West keeps an orderly shop. Everything is tidy and well presented in the shop window. There's plenty of signage to show she stocks many popular items. And the step shows it's been a popular shop for many years (or at least the building has). And she keeps a respectable home judging by the nets and blind in the upstairs window. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
wonderful photo viv..new one to me..that lady is certainly proud of her little shop

lyn
 
Presumably Mr. E. Baker who made sure that all exterior wall space had adverts to her and the manufacturers benefit.
There are quite a few signs relating to products still available today - even if they are now under the control of multinationals. However there are some products names which have disappeared into oblivion.
Mr. Baker also, it appears, had many irons in the fire. :D
 
Edward Baker ran the removal business, and his wife Mary Baker ran the shop. However only Edward is listed in Kellys in 1912. In 1913 & 1915 both are listed, but by 1921 edition there is no listing for that address. the electoral roll lists only a cyril Edwards in 1920, so I the photo must be between 1912 & 1919. Possibly Edward dies in the war
 
thanks mike...was no 48 near to the summer lane end or was it the other end...

lyn
 
Astoness said:
hope these are ok. wales.
Click to expand...
Astoness said:
hi folks. i thought i would put a few pics of bridge st west on for anyone who may have lived there. it ran at the back of my old school farm st. wales
Click to expand...
Hi Astoness, hope you are keeping well. I remember looking at all your photos from when you first started putting them on the site. Having been born and bred in Bridge Street West (b 1946), I also left a post on the site describing my memories. However, I've just come back to have another look at your wonderful photographs, but can't seem to access them. What am I doing wrong I wonder ? Kind regards, Trevor.
 
Afraid all the images were lost some years ago after the site was hacked. Many have been replaced, and we are trying to replace others.
 
mikejee said:
Afraid all the images were lost some years ago after the site was hacked. Many have been replaced, and we are trying to replace others.
Click to expand...
Why do these idiots have to hack sites just for the fun of it ? That's such a shame to lose so many interesting photographs. I suppose 'Astoness' and many others still have their originals, but think of the amount of work and time it takes to put them back on to the site again. And there's no saying that the original vandal will hack in and do the same again. So sad really.
 
hi trevor...when i have time over the weekend i will go through this thread but i think i have reposted most of them...you need start at post 1 and work your way through the thread but i will double check for any i may have missed...

mike thanks for the showing where no 48 was...just a stones throw away from farm st school which i attended..my gt nan lived at no 32 villa st which was a few doors from the church so a very good chance she used that shop

lyn
 
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Lyn I've just now been adding images to the first few posts. Don't know if they're the original images. But it's a start!! Viv.
 
This seems to be the only remaining section of the old Bridge Street West left. It's near the junction with Hospital Street. Everything else seems to have been re-built. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
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