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Church Road, Yardley.

1851 Church Road does not seem to exist but:
The Causeway Yardley has an entry for The Shrubbery for
Thos D Clare (or Clure) and family + servants. Wife, 2 daughters and 1 son +2 visitors + 2 sisters in law + 3 servants
A lack of maps online of early date means I can't prove or disprove whether Causeway and Church Road are the same place or, indeed the same house.
That last comment goes for all of the records. The original could have been rebuilt with the same name.
 
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No mention of The Shrubbery on 1841 there is one entry possible on the Causeway
Bartholomew Bretherton (I think) listed as a Coach proprietor - wife + 2 children + 6 others
One site I saw suggested that Martin Billings was the first occupant.
 
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pjmburns said:
No mention of The Shrubbery on 1841 there is one entry possible on the Causeway
Bartholomew Bretherton (I think) listed as a Coach proprietor - wife + 2 children + 6 others
One site I saw suggested that Martin Billings was the first occupant.
Click to expand...
I read that Martin Billings was in The Shrubbery in 1858. Also I have seen The Causeway too so I think that was the name before Church Road. I suppose it was originally just a dirt track. The original village would have been up where the Church is now with just a few cottages along the road down to the Yew Tree. I know that the Flavell family owned a lot of land around the Yew Tree so that is another name I need to look at.

I know that there was water somewhere around the Yew Tree and I think there may have been some sort of stream in front of what is now the bank. The roadway there was going to be a continuation of Hob Moor Road but I am not sure why it never happened. It goes into a small car park now in front of the block of flats.
 
Below is a map c1888 showing the Shrubbery (and Long Causeway), and enclosure map from 1847, which seems to show a building at the position of the shrubbery (in red)

enclosure map 1847 showing possible shrubbery.jpgOS map c1888 showing the Shrubbery.jpg
 
My next query is - Does anyone know where The Limes in Church Road was situated?

I have looked at both the 1901 and 1911 census and The Limes is entered next door to the Ring of Bells. I thought that maybe The Limes was what became the Carmelite Monastery (this was in between the old and the "new" Ring o' Bells) but I have found that was originally The Grange. Checking the 1901 again, it also shows The Swifts & Gilderbrook, I am thinking that all these houses were in the old Village or at least going up Church Road (towards the old village, but I have no idea really.
 
suemalings said:
My next query is - Does anyone know where The Limes in Church Road was situated?

I have looked at both the 1901 and 1911 census and The Limes is entered next door to the Ring of Bells. I thought that maybe The Limes was what became the Carmelite Monastery (this was in between the old and the "new" Ring o' Bells) but I have found that was originally The Grange. Checking the 1901 again, it also shows The Swifts & Gilderbrook, I am thinking that all these houses were in the old Village or at least going up Church Road (towards the old village, but I have no idea really.
Click to expand...
I realise now that the old Ringers was not where I thought it was, but was in the car park of the "new" pub.
 
According to the 1900 Kelly's directory The Limes is between the Old Ring O Bells and The Grange
1622040316170.png
1884 map - the property I think must be the Limes is in yellow. The Grange is written over the land as well as next to the house.
1622040450858.png
 
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The Grange (which became the Carmelite Monastery) was next door to the Old Ring O' Bells. The new Ringers was build behind the old one and then the old one demolished to make way for the car park of the new pub, This was in the mid 1930's but surely there would not have been the need for such a large car park at that time. So I cannot see how the Limes could have been in between the pub and the Grange, unless The Limes was a smaller house than I think it may have been. But then on the 1911 census it states that there were 11 rooms, so it must have been a reasonable size. What I really need is a photo of the old Ring of Bells showing next door as I bet the house was there. All those photos I have seen just seem to show the pub itself. Looking back on the Ring o' Bells forum I have found a photo and there is wall between the pub and the Grange so that must be where the Limes was situated.
 
Hi,

I remember that the wall was fairly high, and I am sure you could see the top of a building
near the corner of the wall by the roadside. . This would tie in with the 'yellow house'
shown in post 367.

Kind regards
Dave
 
Sue, regarding The Shrubbery; my memory of it in its original state is hazy as I was but an infant prior to the Yew Tree shopping centre being developed, but I think I remember that the front garden of the Shrubbery had very tall, mature trees along the front edge of it so you could hardly see the house from Church road and it had a lowish wall - 2-3 feet, that I was lifted up onto and helped to walk along the top. It had a sense of mystery about it. I am sure that your mother-in-law Margaret would remember much better than I can. Next time you speak to her would it be possible to ask if I right or am I completely imagining it please!?
 
Susan D said:
Sue, regarding The Shrubbery; my memory of it in its original state is hazy as I was but an infant prior to the Yew Tree shopping centre being developed, but I think I remember that the front garden of the Shrubbery had very tall, mature trees along the front edge of it so you could hardly see the house from Church road and it had a lowish wall - 2-3 feet, that I was lifted up onto and helped to walk along the top. It had a sense of mystery about it. I am sure that your mother-in-law Margaret would remember much better than I can. Next time you speak to her would it be possible to ask if I right or am I completely imagining it please!?
Click to expand...
Susan

Haven't seen mother n law for just over 18 months now but will be speaking tonight so I will mention the wall. I am sure I put a picture of it on the forum before the shops were built in the garden along Church Road.

Meanwhile does anyone remember Sister Petra? She was the only nun who was allowed out of the Carmelite Monastery. She used to walk down Church Road to the shops, pushing a wooden barrow.
 
Thank you to Sue Malings and her mother in law Margaret for confirming my memory of the trees and low wall in front of the Shrubbery area is correct.
 
Regarding The Shrubbery, I don't know if researchers have seen this already?: https://aghs.jimdofree.com/lists-from-the-1847-schedule/

It is a Tithe map of the area and the house and cottages (four houses and gardens) are clearly shown on it as well as a small path in the vicinity of Croft road. It also mentions the owners and occupants. An interesting web site which also shows old photos of Yardley.
 
Susan D said:
Regarding The Shrubbery, I don't know if researchers have seen this already?: https://aghs.jimdofree.com/lists-from-the-1847-schedule/

It is a Tithe map of the area and the house and cottages (four houses and gardens) are clearly shown on it as well as a small path in the vicinity of Croft road. It also mentions the owners and occupants. An interesting web site which also shows old photos of Yardley.
Click to expand...
It is annoying that I cannot open anything, I keep getting error messages!
 
Google 'Acocks Green History Society' and look at the sitemap for tithe maps etc. Hope that works and it is something new.
 
Hello,
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
 
Crikeymickey said:
Hello,
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
Click to expand...
I lived on Moat Lane across from the church and rec centre we used to play tennis in the field across the street. Have fond memories of Harding bakery and a slice of fresh bread The Tiv on Sats snoggin with my bird in the back Flash Gordon snd movitone news
 
Crikeymickey said:
Hello,
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
Click to expand...
Welcome! I often marvel how much people's paths cross. I have a friend who now lives in Omokoroa, not a million miles from you, who lived by the Beaufort. A great uncle worked at Wash Lane fire station, my gran had Harding's bread delivered by horse and cart, she lived in Tyseley. I was in Life Boys in Moat Lane and often went to the Tivoli and Adelphi.
 


Crikeymickey said:
Hello,
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
Click to expand...
Nice to hear from someone who went to Bierton Rd School, I lived in the Ring so not far from the school, girls on one side boys on the other, my friend lived in Wash Lane so knew it well, I remember going to the Tivoli and asking an older male to get us in to see an X film, I think it was the Mummy. More than a few went to Bierton who lived in the Ring, small world. Do you remember the pre fabs on Hobmoor Rd past wash lane going up the hill.
 
suemalings said:
Mother in Law's (Margaret Dawkins) father used to own the newsagent's at 212 Church Road. They also had the house on the corner of Church Road and Blakemere. I know the laundrette you mean, no they didn't own that but a member of the family worked there for years.

We bought 3 Wroxton Road in 1977 for £6000.00. It hadn't had anything done, although it had electricity, the original gas mantles where still there. Birmingham Council used to give a grant in the 70's for "repairs and renovations", so we were fortunate to be able to get new windows and a new roof. The dining room floor was quarry tiles but they all had to go and (a condition of the grant) a concrete floor laid. No central heating though, just an open fire in the "parlour"!
Click to expand...
I knew Martin Dawkins back in the 60’s
 
I remember the name but am not sure I ever met him. He was the son of Hilary and Des Dawkins. Des was mother in laws brother.
 
Susan D said:
The caption to this photograph of the house called The Croft still appears to be valid. It does still stand although it is surrounded by other properties now. I found it on Google maps Streetview. This is the link:
www.google.co.uk

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.co.uk www.google.co.uk

Here is a photograph of Croft road under construction in 1930. The road is as yet unmade.

View attachment 136416
Click to expand...

I’m certain this is the view from the Barrows Lane side? Looks grand.

Has anyone got any photos of the other end of Croft road, from the church road side? The road bends round the side. I’ve always been curious, the last few houses on the road were built in the late 70s from what i know. Yet all the other houses on the road are 30s/40s built.

I have seen old maps of Croft road and show that the houses towards the end of the road on the bend only came up considerably later. The area is marked out as another building but not sure what. What was there before the 4 houses were built ?

Thanks in advance
 

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I remember Ivy Henn had a sweet shop which is now a house in Wroxton Road same side as Kelly's bathroom shop going up toward Croft Road.
 
Not got any photos but I know exactly which houses you are thinking about. I have asked mother in law who lives in Newcroft. I think they may have been build very early in the 1970's but I have always known them to be there! The house in Church Road on the corner used to belong to a plumber (I think) Can't remember exactly but he used to work in the garage/shed that is in Church Road. I'll see what I can find out. MIL moved into Newcroft in about 1958 and previously lived in Church Road so has been a wealth of info about Yardley.
 
suemalings said:
Not got any photos but I know exactly which houses you are thinking about. I have asked mother in law who lives in Newcroft. I think they may have been build very early in the 1970's but I have always known them to be there! The house in Church Road on the corner used to belong to a plumber (I think) Can't remember exactly but he used to work in the garage/shed that is in Church Road. I'll see what I can find out. MIL moved into Newcroft in about 1958 and previously lived in Church Road so has been a wealth of info about Yardley.
Click to expand...
Thank you - yes it’s the 4 houses built in the 70s at some point. I posted photos of the aerial maps which shows the area blocked out but not sure by what. All the other houses on Croft road built during the 1930s, and then later, these were seen on the 70s aerial map., with the space taken by the added 4 houses. Quite interesting to see how the area changed, but also a very large prominent plot which was filled by these 4 houses I can only assume had something substantial or of interest here before the houses were built.

Can’t wait to find out any info/see photos if anyone has anything!
 
mikejee said:
In 1950 no 75 is listed as a petrol filling station
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I’m sure that’s a house now. That’s the last on the row from the 30s/40s built houses. Then the 4 houses built in the 70s start. But from the older maps, looks like no 75 had a very large garden area so could have been. Not sure about the rest of the area though and what was there before the houses were built
 
habbasi94 said:
I’m sure that’s a house now. That’s the last on the row from the 30s/40s built houses. Then the 4 houses built in the 70s start. But from the older maps, looks like no 75 had a very large garden area so could have been. Not sure about the rest of the area though and what was there before the houses were built
Click to expand...
In 1964 there was a request for an illuminated sign for 75A: Jones family. However later applications have 75A in the back garden of 160 Church Road and much smaller. So maybe Jones had a filling station with that number in the large building, later keeping that number for the smaller car repair/storage unit to the west of the wall/fence after the newer houses were built.
 
Sadly mother in law is in hospital at the moment. I live in Cambridge but cannot visit due to the fact that I am over 65 so due to infections I am not allowed into the ward!. However her niece and nephew are with her and text constantly. I have sent a letter (she is deaf too and cannot hear on the phone) so as soon as I know I will get back to you. As I said, she has lived in Yardley all her life, her dad owned the newsagents in Church Road and she lived above the shop until she married in the 1950's.
 
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