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Formans Rd, Sparkhill.

245.jpgA get to gether about 4 years ago, Barbara is second left with Ken Harper at the end. Within a couple of years of this both had passed away.
 
What a great picture of the park - haven't been there for years but it used to be lovely. I remember after the war going with my aunts and uncles to lots of shows there and also there used to be lots of plays and dramas out on and talent shows and band shows - wasn't there. Lovely ice cream parlour next to the park. I had my first sports cycle from
Mcgauleys when I left school it was lilac coloured and it was a Dawes.
 
Hi Smithy
Just trailing through the posts on Formans Rd. Iremember your dad Stan, i lived at 139 1935-1961, i believe they had papers from us, dad had a paper round he ran from home by the name of Harris. There was also a Grace in the house if my memory is correct.
 
She lost her husband quite a few years ago,but always found things to do. before retiring she worked many years at Solihull Hospital.We must have followed each other around years ago, i also went to the park shows. Do you remember Powels cycle shop in Percy Rd?? There daughter was always on doing accrobats.
 
I remember her a pretty auburn haired girl and I used to play with her when I stayed at my nans - was her name Jean there were two welsh girls called Rhoda & Ann who came to stay next to my nans during the war and they played with her a lot. I used to go to the Brownies at Greet Institute with June and I think Jean might have gone there too and the only other girl I remember there wad Rita Randall. You mentioned Ray Burbridge - did he marry Dorothy Yeomans?
 
Yes it was Jean, very very thin girl,i think Ray married a girl named Kathy Godard and lived in Medina RD. Rita Randell came to one of our reunions. At the time she lived in Knowle.
 
I must have walked past your nans house a 1000 times on my way and back to Greet school, another one i remember from Percy Rd is Kenny Guy.
 
Sorry you are right about Ray and Dorothy i was getting mixed up with someone named Brian Greathead. Just checked my book from 1990 when we all got back together. Its got a load of names and address in.
 
007.jpg008.jpg009.jpg 71 years on 8/12/1943 my uncle Albert lost his life in the build up to the battle for Monti Casino in Italy.He is buried in Minturno war cemetry and lived at 109 Formans Rd when he was killed
 
Sept 1956 my 21st party held at Collage rd school hall. We lived at 139 Formans rd,mom, dad ,sister Janet and myself.
 
I remember it, run at first by the father and then by his son. We used to get fireworks from them .you could only get 2shillings worth as they were in short supply in the late 40s, but you did get quite a few for that amount of money
 
Thats an excellent bit of information. Thanks very much. The father was my great grandfather i got curious about him after finding an old photograph of him outside the shop at 19 formans road, which must've been around the 40s
 
Hi Oldfashioned
As i said before i lived a bit further up the rd at 139, so to get to the Stratford Rd would mean passing the shop. Ido not think i ever saw him without his boiler suit and a flat cap ,a bit like an olden day Fred Dibner. The entrance to the shop was very small ,just about enough room for 3 people. As well as selling cycle spares he also always had a good selection of Airfix models. In the late 40s he also had a licence to sell Wilders fireworks, but as they were scarce you could only get 2 shillings worth in a paper bag. Mind you you got a good selection for that amount in those days. At the side of the shop was an entry leadind to the back garden. The garden and the sheds were like an Alladins cave of old cycles and spares for repair or sale. Ihope this helps with your search for information on your great grandfather, on of the great characeters of Formans Rd in the old days. Ilived in the rd from 1935-1961.
 
You mention the shops on Formans Road opposite Percy Street. The greengrocers was owned and run by my parents, Wilf and Cath Bartlam from 1959 to 1965 - when I was a child. It had an open front in a market style and was always very busy. Our next door neighbour was indeed the barber Ray Rogers and his wife Bet. Next to them was the d.i.y. shop which was owned by Mr and Mrs Askey. After we left the greengrocers (which was actually no. 2 Solihull Road) carried on for a while as a smaller shop, and later I believe it became a video shop.
 
As i have mentioned before i lived at 139 Formans Rd 1935 till1961 ,i can remember the shop changing owners but would not have remember the name. Mom used to shop at Danns competitor across the road Snapes was the name, he was always good for an extra bit of fruit during the war when ever any was avalable.It was Percy Rd not street by the way.
 
Another shop I remember between Stratford Road and Percy Road was the optician's. He was Mr Bates. It was near to the fish and chip shop I think. I was only eight when I left Birmingham so not too clear.
 
I'll just add a couple more names to the mix, David and Judy Benson in the 1950's lived at about 194 Formans. Also the Deakins family Cyril and Dorothy (parents) with Judith at number 202.
 
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