Sheldon

[shakespear]

Yes Ray, I remember "The Diamond Dump" well it was a vacant piece of land behind the flats in Downsfield Road and the other side was Elmay Road I spent many an hour scratching around looking for diamonds to put in my little tin and then go off and swop them with other friends I have often wondered to this day where they came from.

 

[lencops]

As Rector, Dr Thomas Bray spent little time in the parish. He is best remembered for being one of the founders of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (S.P.C.K) and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (S.P.G) both of which were founded during his time as Rector of Sheldon. Also during his time as Rector he set up the first school in Sheldon in 1704 which was originally held in the church itself and which continued until 1937 (although by then in its own buildings), Brays road is named after the Rector, Dr Thomas Bray.Len.

 

[lencops]

Giles Church Sheldon

A drawing of St Giles church dating from 1865. It is noticeable that there are four pinnacles on the tower, which are not to be seen on the Church in later years. Len.

 

[cathrays]

Len: Those are two fascinating pictures. I certainly wasn't aware of the existence of the portrait of Dr Bray.Coincidentally a few years ago I bumped into a descendent of Dr Bray.He was a professor of politics at a University here in Australia where I now live. We met, twelve thousand miles from Sheldon, over a pint of beer and found to our astonishment that we both came from Sheldon (though we had not known each other) He told me of his connection with the long-serving, esteemed Rector of Sheldon. Strangely at the very same University, the Professor of German was the son of a former headmaster of Holy Family School (against whom we used to play cricket when I captained the team from Blakenhale Rd Primary. Talk about a small world!

The picture you have posted of St Giles also brought back lots of memories. When I contributed to the History of Sheldon ( a publication edited by VHT Skipp) we used to meet on a weekly basis (along with about a dozen other contributors) in the Vestry of St Giles. That is certainly a strange thing about the earlier presence of four pinnacles on the tower of St Giles.I wonder at what date they "disappeared"?

Thanks again, Len.

Ray

 

[Arkrite]

The glass beads or "Diamonds " intrigue me. These have been used as trade goods for hundreds of years. Birmingham itself made many such trade goods cheaply e.g. Axes, nails, cheap firearms but uncertain about glass beads. These could be obtained cheaply in India ,a long term trading partner. There were I suppose dealers who would supply all your trade goods for your forth coming expedition up the Orinoco or across the Great Plains. I wonder if there was one such dealer close to the "Diamond Pit" ? Once I start this musing it can mean some late nights.

The Sheldon brand in the USA produces high class glass ware.Coincidence or what ?

 

[OldBrummie]

Len, Thanks for putting me onto this Thread. I've finally found some time to read it from go to woa. One comment I have to make is that it is predominantly just one side of Coventry Road. So I want to ask if anyone recalls the "other side" which was still Sheldon until the boundaries changed (in the 50's) and it became Solihull. The first point - does anyone recall the Dairy/Cereal Crop Farm in Lyndon Road. It was right oposite my house which was No 279, and adjacent to the "Rover" soccer gounds and stretched as far as the Shops opposite Coverdale Road. It sat where Daylesford Road now runs off Lyndon Road. That farm copped a lot of Jerry bombs. There was (during the war) an Ack Ack Battery either on or very close to the soccer field and there was also a Barrage Balloon tethered there. Jerry was aiming for the Rover Factory (just 1 mile distant) and the Solihull Gas Works. He missed! I also recall the "British Reastaurant" which was located on the Coventry Road side of Melton Avenue. I think there was a Telephone Exchange next to the Restaurant and Police Houses on the corner of Lyndon Road and Coventry Road, across from the Sheldon Cinema.

Regards to all for a very informative Thread. OldBrummie.

 

[OldBrummie]

Here's another question I forgot.
I believe the houses in Lyndon Road from the Coventry Road end as far as the Coverdale Road shops were built around 1936-7. Dad took out a lease on completeion of No 279 but didn't move in for 24 months or so. What I am interested in is does anyone know when Lyndon Road was laid down as a paved road?

OldBrummie

 

[lencops]

The Chestnuts pub bought by Kiri Gold and opened as an Asian foods restaurant and experienced all sorts problems from opening is to demolished, so another "pub" bites the dust. Len.

 

[G G Jean]

Len is that the pub by the Radley's neighbourhood office?. Jean.

 

[lindyloo]

The Chestnuts pub bought by Kiri Gold and opened as an Asian foods restaurant and experienced all sorts problems from opening is to demolished, so another "pub" bites the dust. Len.

Hi Len, Hope you are keeping well.
Am I right in thinking there has been a fire at the "The Chestnuts"..My Partner and I were on the verge of buying that place before it was sold and changed to the Kiri.. pulled out at the last minute despite having spent a fortune on surveys..I often wonder "what if.." but in hindsight I'm glad we didnt go through with it..
The way things are with the trade at the moment, I think we will be losing many "locals"..

 

[lencops]

Hello Jean, The pub you are thinking of was The Cabin its replacement The Mazeppa whose name was changed to The Radley Arms is now awaiting demolishion, you can`t drink beverages containing alchohol in the area. Len.

 

[lencops]

Hi Len, Hope you are keeping well.
Am I right in thinking there has been a fire at the "The Chestnuts"..My Partner and I were on the verge of buying that place before it was sold and changed to the Kiri.. pulled out at the last minute despite having spent a fortune on surveys..I often wonder "what if.." but in hindsight I'm glad we didnt go through with it..
The way things are with the trade at the moment, I think we will be losing many "locals"..

Hi Lynne, Thanks for asking, i am OK at the moment but don`t like wet cold weather, hope you and yours are fit & well, re Kiri Gold, the fire happened just after they opened, the Council allowed them to use the kitchen after inspection, went twice later and found vermin infection, ordered them to clean up, on second and last visit closed them down for good, the owners say they have lost in excess of £20,000. it now has security fencing right round the building & awaits the arrival of the wrecking crew, i have no idea what the site will used for, so a not bad pub The Chestnuts was lost. Len.

 

[lindyloo]

Hi Len, Glad to hear it ! I don't much care for this weather either. Apart from the usual seasonal coughs and colds, alls well !!
Did they keep the pub part or the live music going ? It was quite a large place for it to have been just a resturant. Perhaps it will be developed for housing, I just hope whatever goes there gets completed, unlike the eyesore across the road from me !!! The Chestnuts was a great Live Music venue, we would have kept that going if we'd have taken it. Lynne

 

[Salvator]

OldBrummie, Link to memories of Solihull. Len. https://www.solihull-online.com/m40.htm

Do you know if there was a Salvation Army in either Sheldon or Solhull?

 

[lencops]

Hi Len, Glad to hear it ! I don't much care for this weather either. Apart from the usual seasonal coughs and colds, alls well !!
Did they keep the pub part or the live music going ? It was quite a large place for it to have been just a resturant. Perhaps it will be developed for housing, I just hope whatever goes there gets completed, unlike the eyesore across the road from me !!! The Chestnuts was a great Live Music venue, we would have kept that going if we'd have taken it. Lynne

Morning Lynn, No live music, quiz nights started, stopped after the fire, just kept open as a restaurant, i think it was a case of one visit never again!. Len.

 

[Atherstonebrummie]

Does anyone have any information about Lyndon House that was possibly located on Barrows Lane in Sheldon. I cannot find any information about this or any photographs. Thanks

 

[RoyMcC]

Does anyone have any information about Lyndon House that was possibly located on Barrows Lane in Sheldon. I cannot find any information about this or any photographs. Thanks

It would surprise me if it were that side of the Coventry Road. Is it an old house you're looking for Atherstone?

 

[stars]

Hi to all
i used to live on the Radleys from 1950 to 1969 and i have seen lots of photos of the area, but i was wondering has anyone got any photos of the Radleys with the prefabs one side
and the houses on the other. There was a garage at the top of the Radleys and another garage at the corner of mackadown lane.It would be nice to see some photos from that year.
Many Thanks Stars

 

[lencops]

The Chestnuts pub bought by Kiri Gold and opened as an Asian foods restaurant and experienced all sorts problems from opening is to demolished, so another "pub" bites the dust. Len.

Kiri Gold is now open again don`t know if its been improved, have never been a customer. Len.

 

[stars]

Hi Re-posting lost photos of Sheldon, plus some new ones



The Radleys Sheldon

Church Rd looking towards the Radleys.

The Radleys Shops 1955

The Smithy Church Rd Sheldon 1967

Last one for now is St Giles church in Church Rd Sheldon.

Regards Stars

 

[lindyloo]

Great Pictures Stars the one of the Sheldon Picture House and the bus stop is one of my favourites because it brings back many memories for me.... a school friend of mine used to live in the house showing (at least I think it was that one) by the bus stop and I used to go there to play ....and my brother and I spent many a happy Saturday morning going to the matinees. I pass by there most days but it all looks very different now.

 

[OldBrummie]

Yes definately great photos, bringing back so many memories. But I must ask, photo of Sheldon Church - am I right in thinking there was a Scout Hut (298th Birmingham Troop) just behind the church (any photo?)? Also, re the photo of The Sheldon Cinema - two points, "The Bon Bon", tucked in at the right hand side of the cinema - out of sight. Second, re the cottage behind the bus stop - were not there 2 (or maybe even 3) cottages, belonging to the Police? And behind them, in Lyndon Road, a telephone exchange?What I would love to see, if anyone has any, are photos of the shops just beyond the cinema, set back from Coventry Road. That is where we did our day-to-day shopping (and the shops a few hudred metres further up Lyndon Road). And does anyone remember the weekly home visits from the "Barrows" rep? I even recall his name (the chap who covered the Lyndon Road area) - it was Mr Nutt!

 

[stars]

Hi old Brummie
I can answer part of your question. Yes i believe there was a scout hut and also there is a hall just to the right of the Church which they held jumble sales and i think air force cadets used it.
Regarding the shops just beyond the cinema. Behind those shops was a firm called Browns and also Bailey's, they did road work and laid large gas mains. Just across the road and up a bit there was the pub and Burgess and garfield garage, which lay in the center of the road. Her are a few more photos of Sheldon.



Here is one of my old school

Here is one looking out from St Giles Church.

The radleys looking towards St Giles Church

The Smithy Church Rd Sheldon

The radleys and Sheldon heath Rd

Regards Stars

 

[lindyloo]

Yes definately great photos, bringing back so many memories. But I must ask, photo of Sheldon Church - am I right in thinking there was a Scout Hut (298th Birmingham Troop) just behind the church (any photo?)? Also, re the photo of The Sheldon Cinema - two points, "The Bon Bon", tucked in at the right hand side of the cinema - out of sight. Second, re the cottage behind the bus stop - were not there 2 (or maybe even 3) cottages, belonging to the Police? And behind them, in Lyndon Road, a telephone exchange?What I would love to see, if anyone has any, are photos of the shops just beyond the cinema, set back from Coventry Road. That is where we did our day-to-day shopping (and the shops a few hudred metres further up Lyndon Road). And does anyone remember the weekly home visits from the "Barrows" rep? I even recall his name (the chap who covered the Lyndon Road area) - it was Mr Nutt!

Hi OldBrummie, with regard to The Bon Bon and another discussion on that area you may be interested in this thread https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36171&highlight=cabin

and yes there was more than one Police House...I think there were 3.
Behind them was The Sheldon Exchange which housed the Strowger telephony equipment for the whole of the Sheldon area, 742/743, and across the road was the Directory Assistance Exchange (The 100/192/152/154 numbers). The Police houses were purchased by the GPO and knocked down and a new building was erected adjoining the old Strowger Exchange to cope with the growth in the Sheldon Exchange Area.
My old Doctors surgery of Freeman and Robinson was by the D A Exchange, that is now a Guest House.
I havent come across any photos of the shops by The Bon Bon as yet, but you would not be able to do your daily shop in those shops now as there are no grocery shops, you would be ok for take-aways, eating out, carpets, stained glass, motor cycles/repairs and getting your car washed these days. When the cinema was knocked down it was replaced by a supermarket (Presto) which obviously would have killed off the smaller shops trade.
The Wagon and Horses Pub and the petrol station in the middle of the carriageway have gone and Aldi has a store there now.

 

[OldBrummie]

Greetings "Stars" and Hi Lindyloo.
Many thanks for the photos and the 'history'.
It doesn't take much to jog a memory or two and you've both done that for me.
Home was Lyndon Road so that and the near Coventry Road was my territory.
Lindyloo, my doc was Dr Washington and then Freeman and sometimes Robinson.
I can still visualise the surgery waiting room and those dreadfull old settees. I'd like a quid for every time I've been in there.

Talking of the shops just up from the cinema, there was a fabulous Fish and Chip Shop which we frequented on Friday nights.
I can almost taste the chips, wrapped traditionally in newspaper. How times have changed.

'Stars', I also remember those businesses behind the shops but what I recall was the machinery in there for repair.
As a kid, I was amazed by the size of the "tipper trucks" they had in there.

It's been a long time since I was in Sheldon and I'm sure I would find it hard to recognise the place now.

One last memory for now, the old "British Restaurant" on the left, just up from the Coventry Road. Just after the war we
enjoyed many a meal there on a Friday night.

Thanks to you both. OldBrummie.

 

[woofy]

Hi Stars
Great photo's I travelled on the 166 bus as a child and the lady boarding appears to be my gran
with my mother behind her, used to live in Fallindale Rd. Also went to Sheldon school at this period
and the radleys shops so thanks for posting them and keep them coming.


Cheers Woofy

 

[stars]

Hi Woofy
I used to live on the radleys and also went to Sheldon heath Comp and Elms farm.
Like you i used the 166 or the 165. What a turn up if that's your gran and mom. The bus stop they are at
is just by Ragnel Ave.

all the best Stars

 

[lindyloo]

Hi OldBrummie,
You're welcome on my part too.

I back tracked to a post you made earlier in this thread and you mentioned where on Lyndon Road you were. I was curious about your mention of the Dairy/Cereal Crop Farm and The Rover Soccer ground, because as a child on my way to Daylesford Infant School, whereby I would pass opposite to your house, neither of those places were still standing. I have checked maps for 1938 and 1954/5 and the '38 one shows what I believe to be the farm and then the '54 one shows Daylesford Road in its place and also Colesbourne Road (where I grew up). I had never really thought about Daylesford Road not being there, but obviously that area was developed a lot later than the surrounding area. Do you know roughly when Daylesford Road was laid down please ?
The Infant School must have been built after 54/55 but before 61, but I notice Lyndon School is on the '54 map. I know that the playing fields of Lyndon School and beyond to the backs of the houses in Ulleries Road and further up Lyndon Road were known as the cornfields, so the name presumably originated from the farm land era. We didnt move into Colesbourne until about 1961 (prior to that we lived with my Nan in Wells Green Road)
Your mention of The British Restaurant is also intriguing, I had never heard of it before now, could you tell me in more detail where that was please. I have seen a photograph of a Cafe called Sheldona which I thought might have been the one you referred to but the description says it was close to the Wheatsheaf Hotel, so that can't be it. (I would like to know where that was too :encouragement: if you know) and can I be nosey and ask when you left the area ?

I don't recall Doc Washington but I do remember having the Polio medicine on a sugar lump there !! and also Dr's Freeman and Robinson calling out to the house to see my brother, who had several bouts of "Croup" and Mom having to sit him under a Clothes Horse Tent with the kettle steaming into it !! Would 'elf and safety allow that now ??
On the other thread that I gave the link for, the chippy was named as The Seagull.

 

[oldallens]

Stars, hello.
Your picture of Sheldon Heath School is good to see, especially as I reluctantly left the school at the time it was taken, 1959. I'd had a very enjoyable two years plus two terms there but my family moved to Kent where I finished my school days at a boys only school & missed the girls every day!
At Sheldon, there was only one year ahead of me because the school was brand new. In fact, the builders were still on site. Photographs can be deceptive but it seems that the upper & lower school buildings were much closer than I remember.
Sometimes we went a short walk to some playing fields for football or rugby & I seem to think we walked past the little parade of shops you've put up, the picture that includes a "Maypole" shop.
At 66 years of age, like all of us on this splendid website, I'm very nostalgic, especially about my childhood & school days. So, thanks for helping me to relive some very good Sheldon memories. An old fogies school reunion would be nice!
Be well.
David.

 

[stars]

Hi
Re-posting another lost photo of Sheldon Picture House.

regards Stars