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HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
we are now using a backup solution
Here is Emma and Arthur's house in Selbourn Road Handsworth.
Terry the boarded up house could be the Bulls Head and certainly looks like it. I need to do some more research.
Yes isn't it wonderful I have a couple of photo's of the inside as well. I don't know if it's still there. I know very little of the family but thanks to a distant relation on Ancestry I have loads of photos and some lovely family history.
I love these photo's of Arthur and Emma they are for the Mayors Fancy Dress Ball, I don't have a year as yet. The costumes are lovely but I suppose when you own a drapers the sky's the limit....lol
Just down from Key Hill and turning left where the number bus used to stop, I had my first cup of coffee made from a bottle with a chicory taste but I cant remember the name of the coffee. I am someone on the forum will. Just up from there was a little grocers shop and then a grate shop. Again I cant remember the name of the grate shop but her daughter went to All Saints School in the early 50s and we used to play together sometimes.
I love these photo's of Arthur and Emma they are for the Mayors Fancy Dress Ball, I don't have a year as yet. The costumes are lovely but I suppose when you own a drapers the sky's the limit....lol
Wendy your family photos just keep getting better. How lovely to have pictures of them in fancy dress. Thier costumes are fabulous - but as you say if your family own a drapers shop and have plenty of money they would be. I wonder if there was a competition and if they won? Also it would be great to find out the year
Thanks for sharing the photos with us - I can't wait for the next ones!
That's such an atmospheric ad Wendy. Gives a real sense of the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers (and some nice added historical info about the layout of the shop). Love the quote about Mr. Pickwick's attempt to dance - interesting that in 1919 Dickens was being used to promote the typical, old english festive spirit. Doubtless that worked for Norton's as the shop looks very prosperous with several units occupied along the road. And the windows are bulging with goods. Mr Norton must have had a very astute sense of business. Viv
Hello Viv yes I agree I have several adverts and a copied catolouge which I have found fascinating. I had no idea I had a connection to the shop. It is interesting in these adverts the shop is A.J.Norton my great grandfather's sister Emma Yates married Arthur James Norton who seemed to be the driving force. The family were quite large and Arthur's father died at the premises which is where he lived. Some family members I have found were accountants, secretaries, assistant in drapers etc so I assume it was a real family business. Here is another advert from the B'ham Mail 1920.
I think these adverts tell us a lot about the store's success. Obviously Mr Norton (or should I say Arthur, as he's family Wendy!) knew his market and the last advert seems to be appealing to customers much further afield. The helpful map makes sure potential customers are in no doubt as to how to reach his shop. I wondered if he thought he could persuade city shoppers to take the trip out to his shop? Despite being handy with a sewing needle, I had to look up a couple of the words. For those, like me, who are a bit hazy on 'nainsook' and 'long cloth':
"Long-cloth is a plain cotton cloth made in long pieces which in the early 1900s was used principally for underclothing. Nainsook was a fine, soft-finished white cotton fabric with a polish on one side and lighter in weight than long-cloth".
You have some smashing evidence of your family's business Wendy. I enjoy trying to work out the background to these adverts. Viv.
What a lovely advert Wendy. I remember this shop well, as I was always mooching around on the 'Flat'. Looking at the clothes advertised, I bet the quality was a lot better than we buy today, and made in England.
I love the adverts Wendy! Such elegant clothes too, thanks for posting them. How lovely to find all this background for your Family.
I was going to ask about "nainsook", thanks to you too Viv!.
rosie.
I think one of those coats suitable for "the matronly figure" would suit me, Wendy ...sigh...
Love the advertisements and how lovely to be descended from the Nortons!
Many years ago I was given one of those adjustable chairs, it was very comfortable! I wish I still had it, but there wasn't room for it when we had a "three-piece suite". (Sounds posh but it was an old one, I preferred the chair!)
rosie.
this is my son on the donkey that we brought for his first christmas at norton
when we lived in icknield street we also brought him a monkey from there to
josie he is now 50