Soho Road, Handsworth 1956 to 1964 opposite the Libary

[SueB58]

Hi SueB58
Sorry SueB58 the one referring to Milestone Lane was meant for Sue Reeves Apologies if it caused confusion !
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

Hi Rich

I've just remembered the Milestone pub opposite Aston and Fincher. Do you, or was it after you? One of those no character to the building pubs.
SueB

 

[mrpastry]

Hi SueB58
Now scratching my head ! The Milestone Pub rings bells but for the life of me cannot place it ... also the name Aston & Fincher ! where were they ?
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

 

[SueB58]

Hi Rich

I've just remembered the Milestone pub opposite Aston and Fincher. Do you, or was it after you? One of those no character to the building pubs.
SueB

Hi Rich

Think of Booth Street corner of Soho Road (opp Regal Cinema) towards St James' church. About 3 or 4 buildings up from that corner (set back a bit) square concrete (new) last time I saw it in 1975 building. A bit like a new Estate pub.
Aston and Fincher supplied the Hairdressing trade (now moved - I assume as I saw it on the way to Solihull last week). Big black and White Victorian House - set back off the Soho Road (opposite side to the Milestone pub).
Sue

 

[mrpastry]

Hi SueB58
Just found the Old Aston & Fincer's premises on Google street view ... only a vague memory of the Milestone now, it must have been built after I moved out of Handsworth ? Don't think I ever went in . That location is now a builders merchant .
Also some one mentioned where the location of the old milestone that was by the old Post Office by Milestone Lane ... Is it now? just about in the same place but inside the railings of Holyhead Road School ..have a look on Google street view ! Have Googled Aston & Fincher they have several premises located all over the UK
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

 

[SueB58]

Hi SueB58
Just found the Old Aston & Fincer's premises on Google street view ... only a vague memory of the Milestone now, it must have been built after I moved out of Handsworth ? Don't think I ever went in . That location is now a builders merchant .
Also some one mentioned where the location of the old milestone that was by the old Post Office by Milestone Lane ... Is it now? just about in the same place but inside the railings of Holyhead Road School ..have a look on Google street view ! Have Googled Aston & Fincher they have several premises located all over the UK
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

Hi Rich

Just been on Street View - wish I hadn't.

Milestone was where the petrol station is now (bus stop on the opposite side of the road is still there). The petrol station on the opposite side of the road (Oakland Road) has now gone. Thank god St. James' church is still there. Aston and Fincher - funny, I remember as Victorian House, but it isn't is it. Still glad of my memories of that bit though. Getting rid of the Regal was Sacralidge. I have got to try and forget what I saw on street view. The funeral home has changed hands also - bad memories for me.

Over and out - exam revision awaits
Keep Smiling Rich

Sue

 

[A Sparks]

Sue - just seeing your mention of the funeral home at the top end of Soho Road reminded me that I had a two week temp job there back in the late 70's (I think it was) covering for someone on holiday.

I was asked to take a dictation from the young Director (in long hand as I can't do shorthand) which involved instructions about tying labels on toes!

 

[mrpastry]

Hi SueB58
Remember the old garage on Oakland Road ... Used to go to Boy's Brigade Meeting at the church on the corner of Milestone Lane .. cannot remember the name of the church ! I really have no memory of The Milestone LH .... I first went to the the Regal when I was 6mth old ...Mom used to take me so Dad could get some rest !!!!! ...was a ABC minors monitor on Saturday morning.... we would go to all the local cinemas during the week and at weekend (No TV) sometime twice to the same cinema if there was a mid-week change of program .... Later did some of my courting with the wife at them ... The Bus stop was were we caught the bus to work both of us working in Hockley and later I worked at Hockley bus garage starting off as a clippie later driver (1963-1971).... I certainly need a de-frag if not a complete new hard drive !!!
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

 

[SueB58]

Hi SueB58
Remember the old garage on Oakland Road ... Used to go to Boy's Brigade Meeting at the church on the corner of Milestone Lane .. cannot remember the name of the church ! I really have no memory of The Milestone LH .... I first went to the the Regal when I was 6mth old ...Mom used to take me so Dad could get some rest !!!!! ...was a ABC minors monitor on Saturday morning.... we would go to all the local cinemas during the week and at weekend (No TV) sometime twice to the same cinema if there was a mid-week change of program .... Later did some of my courting with the wife at them ... The Bus stop was were we caught the bus to work both of us working in Hockley and later I worked at Hockley bus garage starting off as a clippie later driver (1963-1971).... I certainly
need a de-frag if not a complete new hard drive !!!
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

Hi Rich - sorry for delay in replying. The church - was it not St. James'. I was a Brownie up there. I was also an ABC Minor. Remember the song we used to sing (to the old war/army tune) #The Minors of the ABC, and every Saturday all line up, to see the films we like and shout along with glee. We like to laugh and have a sing, song, oh how happy we will beeeeee. (can't remember the rest). Good days - nothing to worry about other than making sure you did not spend the fish and chip money 1s and 6d in my day. I went to the Regal with mom and dad to see Laurence of Arabia. god knows how old I was, but I wouldn't take a nipper to see that long film. Hadn't got a clue what it was about. They couldn't get a baby sitter. Used to watch lots of Jerry Lewis films there with dad, Spring and Port Wine, and Funny Girl, with Big Sis. I used to love the decor, the lighting and the curtains - like the Gaumont eh. The circle was brilliant - posh up there. Do you remember the stair case and also the walkway through to the cinema area upstairs that had all the pictures on the wall of people. Who were they, do you know? Always remind me now of all the pictures of people that they have in council houses - and the posh stairs.
SueB

It's amazing how that bus stop is still there - given all the changes.

Hockley garage - always reminds me of Freddy Thorpe - do you remember him. That Garage has changed now hasn't it.

 

[mrpastry]

Hi SueB58
St James Church is further up the road on the corner of St James Rd & Crocketts Rd.... Just Googled the Minors song ... if you really want a trip down memory lane it's on You Tube ..You remembered the song well only a few words short ... more than I could have done ... did not know Freddy Thorpe ... The garage certainly has changed ... I had a happy 8yrs working there ... Only every went to the Regal once with my Dad to see the Dam Busters .. and what did he do ... fell asleep !!! He did the same when he took me to the Tower(Think that was the name) at Carters Green to see Ivanhoe staring Robert Taylor... I can remember the foyers in the Regal but the only picture I remember is Ruby Murray and that's only because one of the Usherette was named Murray and she told us she was a relative !!!!! also had a look at the bus stop again and if my memory serves me correct I think its been moved further up the road ...I think it was o/s the Old Clinic (no:6?) and Duponts (No:4 ?) Duponts used to be a home shopping company ....long gone ....Some one mention about Hodgson's & Sons Funeral Directors on the corner of Oakland Road .. was that not Dr Spearway's ( Not sure if the spelling is correct) surgery ? last but not least do you remember the organ ? left hand side of the stage at the Regal .. I have a copy of the official magazine for the opening of the Regal .. no idea were I got it from.
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

 

[SueB58]

Hi Rich

Yes, the church. Just looked on Google Earth - zoomed in, almost on the door step - can't see a name at all for that church.
I saw an article about Lawrence of Arabia in the paper yesterday - came out 1962. I was four when I was dragged to see it. It's fours hours long isn't it... I don't remember the organ - before my time. I am sure I would have as I played the piano when I lived in Handsworth. see link https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/36956 shows the organ.
I mentioned Hodgson & Sons as a bad memory. Then a member mentioned something about toe tagging. So I assumed she was tagging for my mom's toe.........
It was always the funeral home as I knew it. You do have a good memory when it comes to who was where and what number they were at. The Regal Mag - you lucky man.

SueB

 

[SueB58]

Additional info Rich

The church was called Asbury Now the Weslyn and Holiness Church.see Digital Handsworth under Holyhead Road

Just played the ABC Minors on you Tube - Heaven...

Sue

 

[sylviasayers]

In the early 60s we had a three piece suite from Dudleys on the Soho Road, it was dark grey with silver grey seats, if I remember correctly Dudleys was a family owned firm.

 

[Jayell]

Rich - I remember well the organ at The Regal. It was the usual to have someone playing music on it during the interval and you could have a sing song if you wanted to. There were two films, a newsreel and the organ - all for 1/0d in the front stalls, 1/6d in the back stalls and 2/3 in the circle!!

Judy

 

[Patty]

I used to go to Aston and Fincher a lot, I lived in Sanwell rd at the time and I am sure before it was a hairdressing warehose it used to be a furniture warehouse, I think we had our bedroom furniture from there.

 

[TOPSYTURVEY]

The firm Aston and Fincher started trading from two rooms on the ground floor of a large Victorian House at 13 Soho Rd in 1959.

 

[SueB58]

The firm Aston and Fincher started trading from two rooms on the ground floor of a large Victorian House at 13 Soho Rd in 1959.

Yes, I always described the building as a Victorian House, but it wasn't really was it.
Where is Mr Pastry (Rich) have not heard from him on here.

 

[mrpastry]

Hi the SueB58
Still about ... thanks for the info on the church.... just had a look on Old map's 1889 and it shows the Aston & Fincher's house as The Shrubbery ... must have been money people living there then .Must check census .
Keep Smiling
Regards
Rich

 

[SueB58]

Not sure if it's any help Sue, but when I was a teenager in Handsworth I used to buy my records from Whites at 145 Soho Road. I guess this would be between 1953 and 1956. I still have some of my old 78s in their original covers with the shop's name and address printed on.

Judy

Libby's record shop - see the other thread for Handsworth.

 

[SueB58]

Hi All
By the Library, same side as if you are walking up to Soho Road station, there used to be a large frontage which I am sure was like blue engineering bricks. It later became (I think) we will call it an Ironmongers/cement that sort of stuff (Asians). Big Gee? Stephen002, do you remember this? Did it used to be a cinema? I know it used to have bill poster all over it. Or was it part of the railway station. I was just sitting here doing some revision and could see this building that I had completely forgotton about. It is Soho supermarket now on Google Earth?
Can anybody help.
SueB

 

[spurfilm]

In reply to mrpastry, hello! I know it was a year ago when you wrote it, but you mentioned Dr Spurway who lived in Oaklands (now demolished), at the corner of Oakland Road and Holyhead Road. Dr Spurway was my grandfather, and I grew up in that house (you almost got the spelling of my name right!) Even though I was only 5 years old when I left, I still remember a lot of detail about the house. When I was three I was taken to see my first film at the Regal Cinema - it was the 1951 Disney cartoon "Alice in Wonderland". I remember I was terrified! How do you remember Dr Spurway? If you are interested there are some photos of the house, and my grandfather here... www.spurfilm.eu/spurway-family/
With best wishes, Rick Spurway

 

[mrpastry]

Hi Rick .. sorry about the spelling always thought the name was Spearway .. He was not our family Dr. so I never knew him .. ours was Dr.Lyons in Sandwell Rd ... I doubt you would remember him .. I remember the house thought passed it many times ... Looked at the pictures and they do bring back many memories ... Regards Rich .... Keep Smiling .

 

[SueB58]

Memories. The Oaklands Funeral Home was were my mom went to before being buried.
Your Home was lovely Rick.

 

[Bryn Meurig]

Sue - just seeing your mention of the funeral home at the top end of Soho Road reminded me that I had a two week temp job there back in the late 70's (I think it was) covering for someone on holiday.

I was asked to take a dictation from the young Director (in long hand as I can't do shorthand) which involved instructions about tying labels on toes!

That young director must have been Howard Hodgson, who conducted my grandfather's (1976), and my father's (1977) funerals with great style! He went on to build up the business and then sell it for an amazing amount of money!
The young Howard (he of the toe labels) is now an author and lives in Malta, see: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bed-and-board-howard-s-way-1255061.html
and:

The Prince And I - The Malta Independent

A new book on Charles casts the prince in an unusually favourable light, as a good man and loving father. All the rest is myth, says author Howard Hodgson, who researched his subject for four years. Here he talks to Sandra Aquilina

www.independent.com.mt

His great grandfather knew my great grandmother, Louisa Farrell the midwife, from the days when they both lived in Aston and they were good friends all their lives, sometimes known as the "hatch and dispatch" pair. Following Louisa's move to a bigger house in Handsworth and her need for a new bedroom suite, it was made in the coffin making workshop at Hodgeson's! I still have the chest of drawers which was part of it! Old Mr. Hodgson also, of course, knew Louisa's sister Edith Littley, and she worked for him as receptionist, living "over the shop" at their office premises next door to the "Queen's Head" pub, near the Regal cinema. With such connections, I believe my grandmother "walked out" for a short while with the next generation Mr. Hodgson, but years later, my mother sent her counterpart packing very quickly!

 

[Bryn Meurig]

Hi All
By the Library, same side as if you are walking up to Soho Road station, there used to be a large frontage which I am sure was like blue engineering bricks. It later became (I think) we will call it an Ironmongers/cement that sort of stuff (Asians). Big Gee? Stephen002, do you remember this? Did it used to be a cinema? I know it used to have bill poster all over it. Or was it part of the railway station. I was just sitting here doing some revision and could see this building that I had completely forgotton about. It is Soho supermarket now on Google Earth?
Can anybody help.
SueB

It was definitely a cinema! My aunt's friend ran an antiques business (junk shop?) from the small attached shop on the library side, and I think my ex-husband's grandmother was a previous tenant (greengrocery?).In the 1960s, my close friend from school lived in the station house in the fire station yard at the back of the cinema, and we found a back way into the shop itself and created a den among the cinema seats which had been stored in there!

 

[Bryn Meurig]

Hi Rich - sorry for delay in replying. The church - was it not St. James'. I was a Brownie up there. I was also an ABC Minor. Remember the song we used to sing (to the old war/army tune) #The Minors of the ABC, and every Saturday all line up, to see the films we like and shout along with glee. We like to laugh and have a sing, song, oh how happy we will beeeeee. (can't remember the rest). Good days - nothing to worry about other than making sure you did not spend the fish and chip money 1s and 6d in my day. I went to the Regal with mom and dad to see Laurence of Arabia. god knows how old I was, but I wouldn't take a nipper to see that long film. Hadn't got a clue what it was about. They couldn't get a baby sitter. Used to watch lots of Jerry Lewis films there with dad, Spring and Port Wine, and Funny Girl, with Big Sis. I used to love the decor, the lighting and the curtains - like the Gaumont eh. The circle was brilliant - posh up there. Do you remember the stair case and also the walkway through to the cinema area upstairs that had all the pictures on the wall of people. Who were they, do you know? Always remind me now of all the pictures of people that they have in council houses - and the posh stairs.
SueB

It's amazing how that bus stop is still there - given all the changes.

Hockley garage - always reminds me of Freddy Thorpe - do you remember him. That Garage has changed now hasn't it.

It was definitely a cinema! My aunt's friend ran an antiques business (junk shop?) from the small attached shop on the library side, and I think my ex-husband's grandmother was a previous tenant (greengrocery?).In the 1960s, my close friend from school lived in the station house in the fire station yard at the back of the cinema, and we found a back way into the shop itself and created a den among the cinema seats which had been stored in there!

Now remembered - it was "The Elite", and I've found a picture:

Elite Picture House in Birmingham, GB - Cinema Treasures

Located in the Handsworth district of Birmingham on Soho Road between Thornhill Road & Stafford Road. The Elite Picture House was opened on 30th S...

cinematreasures.org

 

[A Sparks]

That young director must have been Howard Hodgson, who conducted my grandfather's (1976), and my father's (1977) funerals with great style! He went on to build up the business and then sell it for an amazing amount of money!
The young Howard (he of the toe labels) is now an author and lives in Malta, see: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bed-and-board-howard-s-way-1255061.html
and:

The Prince And I - The Malta Independent

A new book on Charles casts the prince in an unusually favourable light, as a good man and loving father. All the rest is myth, says author Howard Hodgson, who researched his subject for four years. Here he talks to Sandra Aquilina

www.independent.com.mt

His great grandfather knew my great grandmother, Louisa Farrell the midwife, from the days when they both lived in Aston and they were good friends all their lives, sometimes known as the "hatch and dispatch" pair. Following Louisa's move to a bigger house in Handsworth and her need for a new bedroom suite, it was made in the coffin making workshop at Hodgeson's! I still have the chest of drawers which was part of it! Old Mr. Hodgson also, of course, knew Louisa's sister Edith Littley, and she worked for him as receptionist, living "over the shop" at their office premises next door to the "Queen's Head" pub, near the Regal cinema. With such connections, I believe my grandmother "walked out" for a short while with the next generation Mr. Hodgson, but years later, my mother sent her counterpart packing very quickly!

Thank you! That's a very interesting article - what a character he turned out to be
You have to admire him in a way!!