The Barrel Soho Road..

[cookie273uk]

Its the age we now live in unfortunately. If I was a young person I would seriously think of emigrating, I feel so bitter to see the way my country has gone and the is nothing I can do about it. If my Wife had not died we would now be living in Malta. Eric

 

[Bryn Meurig]

Hello
My Mom Margaret worked at the Barrel in the late 1960's (as you do...) - before working at the chemist. I was in Handsworth a couple of months back myself and I was surprised it was still there, and still looked the same at the front. She worked at the Frighted Horse also (prior) round about 1962. That pub has gone now? Boarded up on Google Street view I noticed today (circa 2008).

When I was looking for pictures of The Barrel on Google earlier today I found this:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/council-close-handsworth-pub-the-barrel-3720

-so it was shut down finally in 2012, and now "Google maps" show it, in 2017, as a sari shop! Nice to see that the old Tibbetts' shop next door (the other side of Louisa Road) is still selling fruit and veg. though! Does anyone remember Gertie and Ted Tibbetts - she was in charge of the fruit and he the fish?

Back on track, your Mum, Margaret, must have known my parents - Gethin Davies used to drink in the "Frighted Horse" quite regularly during the sixties, but rarely took my Mum there. They went together to the Barrel every Friday and Saturday night, to socialise with friends - the Tibbetts, Councillor Tommy Ryder, "Little Stan", Doris and Arthur Harrison, Margaret and Arthur Salisbury,....and many more. Dad, being a Welshman, would stand up and sing all his favourite hymns and songs, often joined by Gertie Tibbetts -together they would sing an aria from "Madam Butterfly" - and drinks would be sent over to them from all the customers, resulting in both becoming rather the worse for wear and missing the top notes!!
Dad was also, along with some of the aforementioned, heavily involved with the "29 Club". This was formed by a group of local chaps - business men, shop keepers, working men - who were regulars at the Barrel, as a sort of charity, raising money for local causes. They met once a month, on a Sunday morning, in the little snug at the back of the pub to plan, and later sell tickets (beautifully gold edged!) for events such as raffles, coach trips and dinner dances (at the Farcroft or the Red Lion) which were open to anyone who wanted to attend. Membership of the "29 Club" was, however, strictly limited to men! For many years, my Dad was Chairman and his father-in-law, Joe Aston (usually drank in the Boulton) was coerced into being the secretary/treasurer.

Your Mum would probably also have known the young, Salvation Army girl who called in on Friday and Saturday nights with her collecting tin. Dad used to worry about her walking to the next pub all alone, especially with her tin, and so would leave my Mum (to look after his whisky), and escort the young lady to the Cross Guns or the Frighted Horse , where he would hand her over to a trusted customer, who would in turn take her to the next pub.

I can remember so many evenings, being left alone in the beer garden, or by the "outdoor" in the back hall of the pub, or even in the front porch to the lounge, with a glass of lemonade and a back of crisps, when my Grandfather wasn't able to "babysit" - it was often so cold and dark, and I didn't dare open the door to call for more pop, but I always felt safe!

I've written sufficient for now, but if your Mum, or anyone else, remembers the bear, kept in the garden at the Barrel, ask and I'll tell quite a tale!!

 

[Bryn Meurig]

When I was looking for pictures of The Barrel on Google earlier today I found this:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/council-close-handsworth-pub-the-barrel-3720

-so it was shut down finally in 2012, and now "Google maps" show it, in 2017, as a sari shop! Nice to see that the old Tibbetts' shop next door (the other side of Louisa Road) is still selling fruit and veg. though! Does anyone remember Gertie and Ted Tibbetts - she was in charge of the fruit and he the fish?

Back on track, your Mum, Margaret, must have known my parents - Gethin Davies used to drink in the "Frighted Horse" quite regularly during the sixties, but rarely took my Mum there. They went together to the Barrel every Friday and Saturday night, to socialise with friends - the Tibbetts, Councillor Tommy Ryder, "Little Stan", Doris and Arthur Harrison, Margaret and Arthur Salisbury,....and many more. Dad, being a Welshman, would stand up and sing all his favourite hymns and songs, often joined by Gertie Tibbetts -together they would sing an aria from "Madam Butterfly" - and drinks would be sent over to them from all the customers, resulting in both becoming rather the worse for wear and missing the top notes!!
Dad was also, along with some of the aforementioned, heavily involved with the "29 Club". This was formed by a group of local chaps - business men, shop keepers, working men - who were regulars at the Barrel, as a sort of charity, raising money for local causes. They met once a month, on a Sunday morning, in the little snug at the back of the pub to plan, and later sell tickets (beautifully gold edged!) for events such as raffles, coach trips and dinner dances (at the Farcroft or the Red Lion) which were open to anyone who wanted to attend. Membership of the "29 Club" was, however, strictly limited to men! For many years, my Dad was Chairman and his father-in-law, Joe Aston (usually drank in the Boulton) was coerced into being the secretary/treasurer.

Your Mum would probably also have known the young, Salvation Army girl who called in on Friday and Saturday nights with her collecting tin. Dad used to worry about her walking to the next pub all alone, especially with her tin, and so would leave my Mum (to look after his whisky), and escort the young lady to the Cross Guns or the Frighted horse , where he would hand her over to a trusted customer, who would in turn take her to the next pub.

I can remember so many evenings, being left alone in the beer garden, or by the "outdoor" in the back hall of the pub, or even in the front porch to the lounge, with a glass of lemonade and a back of crisps, when my Grandfather wasn't able to "babysit" - it was often so cold and dark, and I didn't dare open the door to call for more pop, but I always felt safe!

I've written sufficient for now, but if your Mum, or anyone else, remembers the bear, kept in the garden at the Barrel, ask and I'll tell quite a tale!!

Just remembered - "Little Stan" was Stanley Reeves - one of the group of chaps, who along with my Dad, behaved like naughty little boys on many occasions, and gave my Mum apoplexy! He was with Dad when they took the bear for a walk in Handsworth park one Saturday afternoon, let it off it's lead and it climbed up a tree and refused to come down! I am deadly serious here - I was 15, but had to rescue all 3 of them! How? The bear loved dog biscuits, and I had a small bottle of whisky in my pocket for the other two!!!! There is more!

 

[Brad1875]

hi folks since researching my family history i have found many pubs that my ancestors have owned or run but alas all long since gone now....until the other day...i have found out that my gt gt grandmothers son charles bradnock ran the barrel pub on soho road from 1901 until 1913...its just up from ninevah road on the soho road...to find the building still standing would have been great but to find it not only standing..still called the barrel and still trading was amazing..to the.....here are a couple of pics of the back of the pub..the buildings to the left and right have been added on and a bit directly in front...the rest is all original brickwork and wooden window frames...absolutely delighted...i will be taking pics of the front of the pub when soho road is a bit quieter...

lyn

Hi Lyn

Don’t know if you will even get this message but I am sitting here with my mother looking at my Grandads Birth Certificate who was born on September 21st 1900 and his name was Harold Bradnock. He was actually born in the Barrel Inn and his Father was Charles Bradnock, which means you must be related to my mother. What a small world….

 

[Astoness]

hi brad and welcome i have just edited my first post and taken bits out because i had not long started researching my family so was a bit of a novice ...i certainly do have a charles bradnock in my tree and he had a son also named charles but it may not be your charles bradnock however it could be.. i will double check and get back to you asap.it would help if you.could you tell me when your charles bradnock was born please and who his parents were..

all the best

lyn

 

[MWS]

Appears to be registered/listed as Thomas Harold (or Thomas H) Bradnock mostly.

 

[Astoness]

Appears to be registered/listed as Thomas Harold (or Thomas H) Bradnock mostly.

yes ive found that as well mark...just waiting for brad to get back to see if he can answer my questions before i go any further

lyn

 

[Brad1875]

yes ive found that as well mark...just waiting for brad to get back to see if he can answer my questions before i go any further

lyn

Hi Lyn I have attached my Mothers Dad’s birth certificate, as you can see he was Born September 21st 1900 as Thomas Harold and his dad was called Charles but his mom was Charlotte and he was actually born in the Barrel Inn

 

[Astoness]

hi brad thanks for that cert..i will get back to you

lyn.

 

[Brad1875]

No problem Lyn looks like Bradnock was quite a common name in the old days

 

[Astoness]

No problem Lyn looks like Bradnock was quite a common name in the old days

it does brad but it is looking so far as though we have no connection and it was me jumping the gun a bit unless we are loosly connected.. more research needed to confirm cant rush these things...as far as my research takes me and pretty sure its correct (hopefully) as i have plenty of documents to back it up my bradnock line is

charles dimicus bradnock born 1837 birm...he marr jane terry in 1861
they had a son also named charles dimicus bradnock b abt 1869 birm which is the one i thought maybe your charles bradnock but he marr mary ann chilton in 1899..where as your charles marr charlotte harris in 1900..

if i have got it wrong my only defence is that i got it wrong about 12 years back when i was a novice and i am still learning..so at the min its looking like i have lost a publican but you have gained those photos i took of the barrel inside and out and also the older photos of the pub that are posted on this threadso something good has come out of it because the pub is now a shop..as said i will get back to you asap..

lyn

 

[Brad1875]

I found out something very interesting about my Grandad from his RAF discharge papers, He was a Motorcyclist and he spent one day in France which was the 11th November 1918, my mom seems to think he was the one who broke the news that the War was over

 

[pjmburns]

The Charles Bradnock who married Charlotte Harris in 1896 appears to be the son of a Henry Bradnock according to his marriage cert to Charlotte. Henry is listed as a publican. Charles occupation is given as nail carter.
In 1895 and 1897 Directories Henry is listed as a beer retailer of 96 Great Barr Street.

 

[Astoness]

The Charles Bradnock who married Charlotte Harris in 1896 appears to be the son of a Henry Bradnock according to his marriage cert to Charlotte. Henry is listed as a publican. Charles occupation is given as nail carter.
In 1895 and 1897 Directories Henry is listed as a beer retailer of 96 Great Barr Street.

thanks jan...no obvious connection to me...not yet anyway

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

Charles Decimus who married Jane Terry seems to have consistently been recorded as Bradnack not Bradnock. His birth, baptism, 1871, 1881, 1901 death are all listed with an "a" not an "o".
That may not be significant as his Father seems to have used both spellings.

 

[Astoness]

Charles Decimus who married Jane Terry seems to have consistently been recorded as Bradnack not Bradnock. His birth, baptism, 1871, 1881, 1901 death are all listed with an "a" not an "o".
That may not be significant as his Father seems to have used both spellings.

yes i noticed that as well jan...i have janes signature a couple of times and it could be taken as bradnack or bradnock..as we all know down the years names can change depending..does not change my bradnock/bradnack line though

lyn

 

[MWS]

Strangely (for what to me seems an uncommon name) there's a Charles Bradnack/Bradnock registered in 3 consecutive years in Aston - 1868, 69 & 70 - 2 appear to be cousins, Lyn's rels, the other Brad's and 2 of them married a Charlotte.

Henry Bradnock took over the license for the George & Dragon (Great Barr St as mentioned by jan) in 1877, possibly from his father.

 

[pjmburns]

Yes - I thought it odd about the three lots of Charles.
I haven't managed to link Henry to Lyn's lot yet.

 

[Brad1875]

Yes - I thought it odd about the three lots of Charles.
I haven't managed to link Henry to Lyn's lot yet.

Just as a point of interest, what was a Nail Carter?

 

[pjmburns]

I assumed they delivered (or transported) nails.

 

[MWS]

Could it possibly be a nail caster ?

 

[pjmburns]

Could it possibly be a nail caster ?

I think you could be right

 

[Astoness]

Yes - I thought it odd about the three lots of Charles.
I haven't managed to link Henry to Lyn's lot yet.

it would nice to find a link as i would have found a rellie but if the evidence is not there its not there..at least not yet

lyn

 

[AstonTavernLad]

Just remembered - "Little Stan" was Stanley Reeves - one of the group of chaps, who along with my Dad, behaved like naughty little boys on many occasions, and gave my Mum apoplexy! He was with Dad when they took the bear for a walk in Handsworth park one Saturday afternoon, let it off it's lead and it climbed up a tree and refused to come down! I am deadly serious here - I was 15, but had to rescue all 3 of them! How? The bear loved dog biscuits, and I had a small bottle of whisky in my pocket for the other two!!!! There is more!

 

[AstonTavernLad]

My mom and dad had the pub in 64. Margaret and Brian Hawthorn.
Heres a picture of our bear. I have more.

 

[AstonTavernLad]

Please t

When I was looking for pictures of The Barrel on Google earlier today I found this:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/council-close-handsworth-pub-the-barrel-3720

-so it was shut down finally in 2012, and now "Google maps" show it, in 2017, as a sari shop! Nice to see that the old Tibbetts' shop next door (the other side of Louisa Road) is still selling fruit and veg. though! Does anyone remember Gertie and Ted Tibbetts - she was in charge of the fruit and he the fish?

Back on track, your Mum, Margaret, must have known my parents - Gethin Davies used to drink in the "Frighted Horse" quite regularly during the sixties, but rarely took my Mum there. They went together to the Barrel every Friday and Saturday night, to socialise with friends - the Tibbetts, Councillor Tommy Ryder, "Little Stan", Doris and Arthur Harrison, Margaret and Arthur Salisbury,....and many more. Dad, being a Welshman, would stand up and sing all his favourite hymns and songs, often joined by Gertie Tibbetts -together they would sing an aria from "Madam Butterfly" - and drinks would be sent over to them from all the customers, resulting in both becoming rather the worse for wear and missing the top notes!!
Dad was also, along with some of the aforementioned, heavily involved with the "29 Club". This was formed by a group of local chaps - business men, shop keepers, working men - who were regulars at the Barrel, as a sort of charity, raising money for local causes. They met once a month, on a Sunday morning, in the little snug at the back of the pub to plan, and later sell tickets (beautifully gold edged!) for events such as raffles, coach trips and dinner dances (at the Farcroft or the Red Lion) which were open to anyone who wanted to attend. Membership of the "29 Club" was, however, strictly limited to men! For many years, my Dad was Chairman and his father-in-law, Joe Aston (usually drank in the Boulton) was coerced into being the secretary/treasurer.

Your Mum would probably also have known the young, Salvation Army girl who called in on Friday and Saturday nights with her collecting tin. Dad used to worry about her walking to the next pub all alone, especially with her tin, and so would leave my Mum (to look after his whisky), and escort the young lady to the Cross Guns or the Frighted Horse , where he would hand her over to a trusted customer, who would in turn take her to the next pub.

I can remember so many evenings, being left alone in the beer garden, or by the "outdoor" in the back hall of the pub, or even in the front porch to the lounge, with a glass of lemonade and a back of crisps, when my Grandfather wasn't able to "babysit" - it was often so cold and dark, and I didn't dare open the door to call for more pop, but I always felt safe!

I've written sufficient for now, but if your Mum, or anyone else, remembers the bear, kept in the garden at the Barrel, ask and I'll tell quite a tale!!

Please tell your tale . The beer belonged to my dad Brian. Here's a picture..