Re: Sparkhill & Sparkbrook
Most extraordinary Ann B, is that my family also lived in Newton Road at 29 next to the Building family, Mr & Mrs ? forget the name (Wilkes) and 2 sons. Also the dog Brock a small black dog that Barked at me all the time, I was small and terrified. They had a great social life in the street even ran 4 football teams in the 50,s called Newton Social. my dad used to look after all the case balls, dubbin & a hardy bicycle pump I recall. We played "Hard Tig Ball" in the street, football & cricket. kids where allowed in the 50's & 60's untill you broke a window. We broke loads and scarped very quickly. In fact we must have kept someone in full time work. Another trick was to tie cotton on two opposite door knockers and as the horse drawn milk float went by the doors Knocked simultaneously (Simple minds I know?) and we used to light photo negatives and as they smoldered, an awfully smell used to be given off in that area, like a long lasting stink bomb. What fun!! Your family must have lived at the top of the hill up from the Stoney Lane which was the boarder with Balsall Heath. In-fact on Bonfire nights we used to be in area gangs and have banger fights with one gloved hand, very cool what? See the photo of one of the teams sent to me from George Tustin from Australia. Do you remember the 2 shops in the street, Goodienuffs at the bottom and the corner shop by the outdoor Mrs Shipphams? Both sold great sweets and ice lolls.