over to the right of the coach and horses. now hickories. as shown in pic #20I wondered if the smithy might have been located near a pub/inn ? Viv.
I grew up in a house on the Chester Rd approx 1/2 mile before Bacons End and the wood behind our back garden was Smith's Wood. The farmer that owned it was a Mr Webb so I have no idea why it was called Smith's Wood.I have just reread this thread again and I wonder if either the Smithy or James Smith is why the section of the Chelmsley Wood estate that lies between the Birmingham road , Bacons End and Castle Bromwich is called Smithswood.
It is also marked on the first edition OS maps of 1834 and 1862 (these are much smaller scale maps)Smith's Wood is listed as such on the 1888 map and no doubt pre-dates this as well.
This was my father's local (1940s -60s) where he met his friends every night. On our way back from Birmingham one day, my father got off the bus outside the Bradford and when I asked the reason why, my mother said he was going to his church. When we next passed the Bradford, I embarrassed her my announcing in a loud voice to all the passengers "Look mummy, there's daddy's church". Another story is when my father and his friend were late on Home Guard parade having spent too long in the Bradford. When the Sargeant asked why they were late, they replied that they were delayed by two men. "What are their names" he asked. "Mitchell & Butler" they replied.Another of the Bradford Arms. A time gone by - cyclists stop off for a drink amongst the chickens. Looks early 1900s. Viv.View attachment 149710