Mermaid Inn Warwick Road.

[JohnO]

I never knew Mandy Rice Davies personally but often saw her driving in Solihull in a powder blue convertible.
One of her close friends (female) worked with me at Wilmot Breeden's Research labs at Umberslade Park.

OldBrummie.

According to my ex, Mandy Rice Davies (Marilyn Rhys Davies) lived in Solihull, and attended the old Harrison Barrow, County Grammar School for Girls, in Acocks Green. Mikejee’s ‘Birmingham Mail’ attachment, seems to paint a rather different picture of Miss Davies. However, I rather fancy that the “powder blue convertible” that you mention, was altogether more her style.

 

[OldBrummie]

According to my ex, Mandy Rice Davies (Marilyn Rhys Davies) lived in Solihull, and attended the old Harrison Barrow, County Grammar School for Girls, in Acocks Green. Mikejee’s ‘Birmingham Mail’ attachment, seems to paint a rather different picture of Miss Davies. However, I rather fancy that the “powder blue convertible” that you mention, was altogether more her style.

JohnO she was definitely a "Show Stopper".
OldBrummie.

 

[Moonrakre]

The Mermaid Hotel (originally the Mermaid Inn) at the Stratford Rd / Warwick Rd junction in Birmingham was rebuilt by Charles Stephens in 1895. See 1873 photo on P/34 and later photo on P/38 of book "Birmingham Transport" by Keith Turner published in 1998 by Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 7524 15549.

Charles Stephens was my great grandfather.

 

[JohnJames]

Hi Derek

The Levey brothers were actually Mike & Seamus Dunleavy. I still see Seamus's son Russell. Seamus has just published a book entitled "Finally meeting Princess Maude" by Seamus Dunleavy an account of his life from coming over from Co Mayo buying his first houses in Wilton Road/Fulham Road Sparkhill.His wrestling career, doing the doors of the local clubs etc, it is an interesting read.

Regards

Brian

Mick Dunleavy the co owner of the Rildon pipe laying business has recently passed away in Co Mayo. His yellow trucks often used the Mermaid Pub as a pick up and drop off point for the company's workers in the late 60s/early 70s.

 

[Jim Brooks]

The Mermaid is now Farro’s which, is quite a pleasant steak, burger and meat restaurant mainly frequented by the present locals and no longer serves alcohol. It’s significance to my family was that up to probably 35 years ago it was a Lodge of “The Buffs”, The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) of which, The Master was my Stepfather. The building has housed several businesses over the past few decades, between closures including; a Banqueting Centre and a Casino.

 

[Terence David Lines]

The Mermaid pub in the 50's & 60's was where the mostly Irish building workers congregated in the early mornings if they needed a job on the building gangs by the day or the week. My husband was one of them.

They got paid by the agents in the pub at night and most of the Irish lived in that area too.

We went through that way last year and was quite shocked at how the place had deteriorated.

All those memories, and now most of the places they built in Birmingham are being demolished.

What are your memories Sparkhill lad?

Yes got laid off work. Went outside the Mermaid. Got picked out by the ganger man within five minutes. Job knocking down old Round Oak Steel Works I think it was. Spent a fortnight there. How it can back to haunt me. They built Merry Hell Shopping centre on the site.

 

[mw0njm.]

i did a bit of partime cleaning and was picked up outside the pub by the The commando cleanersfirst there first served

 

[Morturn]

The Mermaid was the palce to pick up casual labour, lots of buiulders would call in on the way to a site.

 

[Morturn]

Postcard of Stratford Road, close to the junction of Warwick Road. Mermaid Pub on right.