Ah, The Bell, Marston Green brings back memories. As children we would walk from Carlton Road, off Green Lane, Small Heath, up Green Lane. We passed The Samsom pub with tjhe large clock on the wall and then down Yardley Green Road to the Fever Hospital (now East B'ham Hospital) We dallied for a while to read the list, posted on the gate, of patients who could not be visited giving their latest state of health. Then to the bridge over the River Cole. Sometimes that was the end of our walk as we paddled or tried to catch stickleback. Many a time we carried on through The Dingle and thence to Old Yardley Church. We carried on through the park and along The Radleys passing under the narrow railway bridge and reaching The Bell at Marston Green. Here we wouild rest for awhile sitting on the wall outside and then off, over the fields, to Chelmsley Woods. Sometimes we picked bluebells (now against the law) or juat played in the woods. We then made our way home over the same route. At home we got told off by Mum for being out all day without her knowing where we had gone. Such happy days. Will they ever return? I fear not.
Old Boy