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Sorrento Hospital Nursing Home

hi ya,just noticed this thread.
both our children were born at sorrento nursing home,
in 1974 and 1976, my wife,s gynecologist was Mr Mansfield.
We were told we would not be able to have children after
my wife having had TB diagnosed six weeks after we were married,
she spent 3 months in little bromwich / east Birmingham that was
and the rest is history.
we have two healthy sons in there thirties one,s a bank manager,
and the other one works for the local council,so yes we have fond
memories of serrento nursing home,i spent a few hours there
we lived in chelmsley wood at the time but because Mr Mansfield
was there that's were my wife wanted to go.
they called them both wonder children. and we,re proud of
them.
We have two grandchildren and another one expected in
January. happy days regards dereklcg.
 
Thanks Wendy.
I've made up for it now! The doctor says that I need to loose it now....

When we were expecting our first daughter in at the Sorrento in 1970 I stayed with the wife for 22 hours then went for a smoke and they wouldn't let me back in, I had to wait until she was born and the nurse brought her back, missed it all!
 
Another fellowess 'Sorrentino' here too. :)I was born there in 1957 & my Mom & Dad hadnt a clue what to name me as they thought I would be a boy (obviously 9 months isn't long enough to think of possible names for girls or boys!!) in which case I would've been 'Andrew'.
When I landed (a hurrumphing 9 or 10lb beast - cant remember which one) my Mom asked one of the nurses what her name was as she was nice to my Mom. Thats how I got my name (Angela) & then my Dad said he wanted to add 'Yvonne' into the mix too.:rolleyes:
I always take great mischievous delight in replying 'oh Sorrento' when asked where I was born........great innit???lol
 
An old friend of mine , who died in 1980, told me a story about the Sorrento: His father or grandfather was a local councillor and was attending some function at the Sorrento. Seeking to enhance his standing amongst the asssemled worthies he decided to demonstrate the speed with which the Fire Brigade could be roused and on the job. A false alarm call was made and soon the Brigade clanged up. The chief fireman apparently was not too impressed and set about lambasting the boasting local politician in front of the worthies and warned him that he would have him locked-up if he ever pulled such a stunt again!
Trivia I know!
 
Isn't there a block of apartments now on the site in Wake Green Road? The area has all been scrubbed and cleaned, I believe.

I was born there in the late 50's, fellow Sorrentinos, and my eldest son (now 18) was born there JUST BEFORE it was closed down. It was, by then, in a sorry state, as was that part of Moseley. (There were"working girls" hanging around on the corner, too. LOL!)

My next two sons were born in Solihull.

My Mum always use to tell the tale that whilst returning to Greet after my birth, by black cab, the taxi driver began to whistle"Sorrento" so it was the first tune I ever heard. Oddly enough, whenever I hear it, I get very emotional! Quite daft!

Brummie hugs...Gill :beam::beam::beam:
 
The owners of Sorrento before it was a Hospital was the Adams family. My mother Nora Gwynne ( 1910 - 2001 ) was related to there coach man Arthur Burton and she told me many times that she would stay there with them. I remember before WW2 we had some large pictures of the stables on the wall in Avon Street but they where lost in the bombing. I worked at a garage just off Wake Green Road after I left school.
 
My twin daughters (43 years old now) were taken to Sorrento Hospital after being born at my wifes mothers house in Kingstanding, we lived in Burntwood at the time but things never work out as planned. They spent 4 weeks in the hospital, most of the time in incubators, until they were strong enough to come home. Brilliant hospital in my opinion. Goffy
 
Sorrento was owned by the Adam's family. My mother was related to there coach man and housekeeper Mr Arthur and Mrs Burton. She told me that she spent many days there. We had some large pictures on the wall in Avon Street Sparkhill of the stables but which was lost during the bombing.
 
I have been researching the origins of the Sorrento Hospital as a member of my grandmother's family had some links to the original owner, William Adams. On the 1901 census, he was living there with his wife Martha, and four children but by 1911, I can find no trace of them at the address.
William and Martha were both born in Sheffield and William was listed as "retired Insurance Company manager". My grandmother seemed to believe that it was "given" to Birmingham by this family, but again, it's all a bit vague. Any information would be appreciated.
 
Frenchie said:
I have been researching the origins of the Sorrento Hospital as a member of my grandmother's family had some links to the original owner, William Adams. On the 1901 census, he was living there with his wife Martha, and four children but by 1911, I can find no trace of them at the address.
William and Martha were both born in Sheffield and William was listed as "retired Insurance Company manager". My grandmother seemed to believe that it was "given" to Birmingham by this family, but again, it's all a bit vague. Any information would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Sorrento was given to Birmingham and accepted by Neville Chamberlain who was Lord Mayor in 1915 so I would think this was a hand over date, I have seen further info somewere but cannot find it at the moment. Try a request on this site for a Kelly's look up and this may confirm the date.
 
Funny I was born at Sorrento in 1947. My Mom was Italian and she Dora honeymooned in Sorrento with my Dad Eric

See photo on next post
 
Bob,

That's a great coincidence that your mom and dad took their honeymoon in Sorrento.
I finally made it to Sorrento a couple of years back, and fell in love with the place.

Ann
 
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Apparently, according to my birth certificate, I was born at No. 15 Wake Green Road in 1945. Is there anybody out there that remembers whether this was a maternity home then or a private residence?

Regards

Ken
 
I think it may have been a maternity home because my brother-in-law was also born there.


Chris/Pom :angel:
 
Hi. Yes your right - it was a maternity hospital. it was called Sorrento. Had a very good reputation. Only recently demolished & apartments built on site called Sorrento Court.

Replacement image may vary from original.
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I remember the place very well from my youth as when I passed there the dustbins were always overflowing with dummies, nappies, rubber sheeting and all kinds of feeding bottles; I can still smell the place right now!
icon10.gif
 
also known as the stork hotel. My son was boen there over 30 years ago
 
Congratulations Ken that is the year my sister was born there - April it was.
 
That's great init'
Kenaldis asks a question about where he was born and finds out in 2 posts, with a photo to boot :)
 
I was born in Sorrento in 1956 unexpectadly as my mom was told she was only having one child. I popped out an hour after my sister, no scans in those days. my dad had to go out and buy all new stuff.I was told i was a breach birth and had yellow jaundice
 
As far as the original Victorian house is concerned, can trace some black-and-white photos of that era for you. They are on www.viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk. Easiest way is if you just get the homepage and type in "Sorrento" in the search box right in front of you. I'm traditionally a cinema/theatre specialist but these came up co-incidentally.

I'm claiming the cinema photos on that site as a BH first for a later essay on Birmingham cinemas!
 
kenaldis said:
Apparently, according to my birth certificate, I was born at No. 15 Wake Green Road in 1945. Is there anybody out there that remembers whether this was a maternity home then or a private residence?

Regards

Ken
Click to expand...

You may like to look under Sorrento Hospital on this Forum, I am related to the Adhams family coach man and housekepper.
 
hi superdad...thanks very much for the pic of sorento...i have a family member who will be very happy to see this......

astoness
 
Thank you everybody for your prompt & helpful replies

Regards

Ken
 
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