The first images I looked at were the Phyllis Nicklin ones and it was sad to see the dereliction of the area. Having looked at those on the Furnace Lane thread it was obviously an area with so much character and unbelievable history. We've lost so many areas like that in Birmingham. I'm finding it such an eye opener compiling the images for the map but I keep finding images from other areas (like St. peter's Place yesterday) and my attention gets diverted from the task in hand.they are great images john thats for sure..never thought we would have so many of the famous furnace lane which was our mom and dads courting spot
lyn
I have to agree that is at Gower St. We designated Furnace Lane into 3 separate gulleys. Starting #1 at Porchester St to Clifford St. #2 Clifford St to Gerrard St, & #3 Gerrard St to Gower St. #3 is the only one that has cobbles (I believe).
Thanks Dave, I've become fascinated with the history of Furnace Lane, my dad used to take me to J. R. Pearson on Porchester Street (where he worked), I had no idea of this area further up the street, I can imagine it was a haven of enjoyment as a child. We would play 'tracking' as children but always ended up going to the Aston Road North side of Parliament Street, never the High Street side.
We very rarely referred to Furnace Lane, it was always the 'Gulley'. It was more of a Lovers Lane than anything else. We would use the first gulley to get to the #8 inner circle bus to go to my Aunties in Balsall Heath. Returning in the evening, our mom would make us look the other way when coming down the gulley past the number of couples that were occupying the wall spaces. Pearsons loading dock was our playground on Porchester St. I have a photo of the loading dock taken in 2003, with me and my best friend from Paddington St. I believe I posted it to BHF, but not sure...
Yes, I've seen that picture on here somewhere. So you would use the No. 8 to go in the opposite direction to me, I used it to go to Saltley
