Ian,
You are spooking me out. Catching up with the Marston Green threads. On the other one you mention Whitaker, with one 't', and my husband's mother was Phyllis Whitaker. Then, on this thread, you refer to a Bradley, and I am a Bradley! My husband said that his grandfather, Thomas Henry Whitaker (1882) often referred to the The Bell, Bell Lane, Marston Green.
Ann
Ann, do you want more Marston Green coincidences? Today I went to visit a gentleman called Tony Coles in Hockley Heath who had enquired about wrought iron gates, that's what my son and I do. We had a chat and agreed upon what I'd quote him for and,over cup of tea, started chatting. I asked how he earned a living and found that he runs a haidressers shop in Marston Green, where he'd been for 30 years. I mentioned that a pal of mine had opened one in Marston Green a long time ago, for his wife to run and it turns out it's the same shop.
This evening I found, on this forum, some old and some modern photos of Station Road, Marston Green and there, bold as brass...Hair by Tony!
There's more. We also got onto the topic of classic cars and bikes whereupon he asked if I remembered Coles Motorcycles of Bordesley. I replied that I did, very well and that another pal of mine, who called in for a coffee on Friday evening, used to work in the stores there. He told me that it had been his Dad's business and asked me to describe my coffee visiting pal. I did and he replied Dave Kemp....bang on the button!
My turn next....I asked if he'd ever crashed an orange Bond Bug into the side of a blue Volkswagen van, Where? he asked, grinning. Tile Cross roundabout, I told him. By now his wife, son and pal were intrigued. He started to laugh and admitted to his actions. It had been my brother's van he'd driven into, 36 years ago, and his Dad's business put right all damage and fully resprayed the van! Our kid was well pleased as it had been a scruffy old thing.
It was one of the most memorable and entertaining business calls I've ever made, topped by the fact that I was there on recommendation from a pal of Tony for whom we'd made and installed wrought ironwork last summer. Apparently his words had been "Get Ian Whitaker in, you'll have a laugh with him!"
Never a truer word..........I'll get that job!
The final bit now......last year I received an enquiry for railings from an elderly gentleman living at the other end of Elmdon Lane from where I lived. You've probably guessed it...it was the other Ian Whitaker's dad!
It took five minutes to discuss business and over two hours to reminisce.
We got that job, too!
Ian