Handsworth Pound Hamstead Road

[Vivienne14]

Handsworth’s Pound was on Hamstead Road near to the Church. The press cutting (November 1931) tells us there was also once a smithy/blacksmith’s shop across the road. I’m attaching a modern view of the site, the Pound being, I think, roughly to the left of the bus stop. The postcard image of the Pound is c1900s. It would have been removed at the very early part of the 1900s. Viv.

 

[A Sparks]

I think the old photograph was taken in front of St Mary's Church by Handsworth Park.

The modern photograph you have posted is the former church just past the crossroads at Villa Road.

 

[Vivienne14]

Absolutely right - that looks more like it ! I have edited it. Thank you. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

just beat me to it sparks..i have seen the old photo before and was taken alongside st marys church next to handsworth park...the new photo is taken of another church at the other end of hamstead road which i think was called st johns..will have to check that out...as you know both churches still standing and still in use

lyn

 

[A Sparks]

I think the church at Villa Cross is a mosque now, it was up for sale for some time.

 

[Astoness]

here it is sparks i went to a few disco at the church back in the day

lyn

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.501...4!1sZt4aGKggS5pAYtgmRAFmOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[A Sparks]

Yes, that's it!
Passed it so many times on the 16 bus, I've never been inside.

 

[oldMohawk]

Another view of the Handsworth Pound c1908.

 

[Vivienne14]

Ever wondered what might be found in the Handsworth Pound ? Some examples from the Birmingham Daily Gazette, June 1863.

Presumably a ‘wolf-dog’ was a wild dog - not an actual wolf. The Handsworth Pound diesn’t Look large enough to contain all those animals at once, although maybe they just squeezed as many in as would fit.

Although tongue in cheek the letter suggests pounds were a government responsibility (I think). I’ve seen many small ads in papers asking for owners to reclaim their animals within 3 days or they would be sold. These ads included those held in the Handsworth Pound. Viv.

 

[Alimichele]

I very much enjoyed this thread, which I’ve just found. I had no idea it was here. Isaac George, the last keeper of the pound was my paternal great great grandad...... I’m absolutely delighted to find the cutting about his funeral.....for years I’ve been wondering where he’s buried. Does anyone know if Churchill cottages still exist? I’m visiting as soon as lockdown is over...........thank you all so much xxx Alison xxx

 

[mikejee]

I'm afraid they are no longer there. They were still there on the c1956 map, but had gone by 1977, after the school had been built. Below is a map showing no3 (Isaac's House) in red on the map c1890

 

[Alimichele]

Oh wow, thank you very much indeed for this. Very much appreciated xx

 

[oldMohawk]

For reference
Aerial view taken in 1920 with St Mary's Church near top centre and railway line coming in from the right towards Church Hill House. Unfortunately, too many trees to see the cottages marked on the map. The boating pool top right and large graveyard behind the church. Open fields in top of view.

image source (britainfromabove) EPW001116A

Google's computer generated modern view.


Google's 1945 view. I've corrected their image stitch error and highlighted St Mary's and Church Hill House.
With reference to the map in #11, perhaps the cottages can be vaguely identified.

 

[Alimichele]

These are absolutely wonderful, oldmohawk. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this x
alison xx

 

[oldMohawk]

I suppose in the current 'lockdown' conditions I have plenty of time to do it ...
When I went to nearby Handsworth Technical School around 1950, we used to hire rowing boats on the lake during some lunch hours.

 

[Astoness]

Oh wow, thank you very much indeed for this. Very much appreciated xx

hi alison going through my handsworth books yesterday i found a close up photo of your gt gt grandad isaac george..trouble is i dont have a working scanner at the min so tomorrow i will take a photo of it with my camera and hope it turns out ok i will then post it on this thread for you

lyn

 

[Alimichele]

hi alison going through my handsworth books yesterday i found a close up photo of your gt gt grandad isaac george..trouble is i dont have a working scanner at the min so tomorrow i will take a photo of it with my camera and hope it turns out ok i will then post it on this thread for you

lyn

that is so thoughtful and kind of you, lyn……thank you xxx

 

[Astoness]

that is so thoughtful and kind of you, lyn……thank you xxx

its no trouble we know how important family photos are...this one is not the sharpest of photos but it was taken in 1908...will be in touch asap

lyn

 

[mikejee]

The photo is shown on post 1 of the thread. Not sure if this is a better copy

 

[Astoness]

looks a tad sharper than the one on post 1 mike....the other one i have does not show mr george standing outside the pound as said hope to post it tomorrow

 

[Astoness]

hi alison mikejee has the same book as me so he kindly scanned the photo and sent it to me...dated 1908 as you can see we can see his facial features a lot better than the one taken of him outside the pound

lyn

 

[Alimichele]

That’s a fabulous photo! Thank you both very much for taking the time to scan and send it to me. Wonderful photo of quite a character! Thank you again so much xxxx