trevor bow
master brummie
Hello Trevor, we lived in Cottage Row, number 8 and my brother was born there, would be funny if it was the same house that you lived in.
We were the very last people to live in Cottage row when they all got demolished in about 66 my mother refused to move and we were the only house standing almost, holding out for house with bathroom, they demolished the outside toilet and my father built a toilet building for us.
We played in the ruins of St Saviours church, jumped out of boarded up house bedroom windows unbelievable. My children wouldn't believe this.
Hi Angelal,
Well I never thought I would meet anyone on this site who actually lived where I did - i.e. - in Cottage Row off Bridge St West ! I lived at number 3 which was right opposite number 8. There is an A to Z type of map on the Bridge St West thread (page 18) and it just about shows part of Cottage Row on the top left hand corner. What year did you move into Cottage Row by the way ? As I mentioned in an earlier post, my family moved to Northfield in the summer of 1954 when I was just coming up to 8 years old.
I still remember some of the families who lived there at the time. Next to us at No. 2 lived the Thompson's who had a big Alsation dog. At No. 4 next door was widower Wilf Barber who had 4 grown up children; Donald, Eric, Sheila, and another boy whose name I can't remember. Sadly, Donald was killed on his motor bike. At No. 5 was an OAP, Mrs Haycock who lived on her own.
In the houses opposite at No. 6 were Les and Gladys Smedley who had a girl and 2 boys; the girl I think was named June, and perhaps one of the boys was Bill. At No. 7 were Mr and Mrs Morley, two pensioners. In your house, No. 8, were a newly married couple and the girl was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Sheppard (Annie) who lived next door at No.9.
Finally, No. 10 had a strange collection of 3 women named Ashmore, and a boy my age whose name I think was Robert (Ashmore).
(Edited to remove details of someone who may still be alive)
Towards the end of 1964, I went to have a look at my old abode and I just wish I had taken a camera. There was no one living at No. 3 and I think the door was open. I think of all the photos I could have taken inside and out and I kick myself now. I love the idea of you playing in the ruins of St Saviours and jumping out of the bedroom windows of the houses. No 'Health and Safety' back in those days so no wonder your children wouldn't believe you ! I was christened in St Saviours by the way, in July 1946.
I only have just one photo of Cottage Row if I can find it, and it's of me as a baby being carried by my father and mother outside of our house. If I can find it, I'll have to learn how to put it on the site.
Kind regards,
Trevor.
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