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The Custard House Blake Lane
- Thread starter dek carr
- Start date
brummie nick
master brummie
Was that 'Grab A Granny' night? 
fatfingers
master brummie
The Custard House was this it,s real name we used to have some great Saturday nights in the upstairs room back in the early 60s. Dek
Yep, real name. Used to be a custard apple orchard on the site I think.
Not, as is commonly beleived because of a connection with Bob Monkeyhouse. who's grandad founded, birds and monkhouse custard, and I think maybe actually invented custard powder.
EDIT..Sorry should be Monk & Glass.
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House, Blake Lane
I'm very sorry, fatfingers, but I beg to differ on your theory of the orchard.
Attached is a map of the Blake Lane area of Bordesley Green of 1890. One can see that the Custard House - which is halfway down, or up, Blake Lane on the eastern side - was then called the Custard House Tavern.
If you now look at the corner of Green Lane, Blake Lane, Hobmoor Road and Yardley Green Road, on the corner between the last two named roads, you will see a building which was called Custard House. I very much imaging that the tavern - and consequently the pub - took its name from the original Custard House.
Has anyone got any information on the 1890 building?
Might it be just possible that the name is a corruption due to local pronunciation of Customs House? Only a theory. I can't for the life of me imagine why a customs house would be out in the wilds of what was then Warwickshire. db84124
I'm very sorry, fatfingers, but I beg to differ on your theory of the orchard.
Attached is a map of the Blake Lane area of Bordesley Green of 1890. One can see that the Custard House - which is halfway down, or up, Blake Lane on the eastern side - was then called the Custard House Tavern.
If you now look at the corner of Green Lane, Blake Lane, Hobmoor Road and Yardley Green Road, on the corner between the last two named roads, you will see a building which was called Custard House. I very much imaging that the tavern - and consequently the pub - took its name from the original Custard House.
Has anyone got any information on the 1890 building?
Might it be just possible that the name is a corruption due to local pronunciation of Customs House? Only a theory. I can't for the life of me imagine why a customs house would be out in the wilds of what was then Warwickshire. db84124
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john knight
signman
Re: The Custard House, Blake Lane
Don't know where I got this photo from.
Don't know where I got this photo from.
fatfingers
master brummie
Re: The Custard House, Blake Lane
Definitely remember reading somewhere that the custard house was connected with an orchard, possibly my mistake for thinkint that it reffered to the pub, I wasnt aware of the other building. So maybe half right eh ?
I also remember hearing more than once that the custard house was bob monkhouses grandfathers home; Although, according to his autobiography, which I read years ago, his grandfather did invent custard powder,and did live in the area.
Definitely remember reading somewhere that the custard house was connected with an orchard, possibly my mistake for thinkint that it reffered to the pub, I wasnt aware of the other building. So maybe half right eh ?
I also remember hearing more than once that the custard house was bob monkhouses grandfathers home; Although, according to his autobiography, which I read years ago, his grandfather did invent custard powder,and did live in the area.
Bob monkhouse's garndfather did make custard, but he didn not invent it. that "honour" went to alfred bird ( https://www.rpsgb.org.uk/informationresources/museum/exhibitions/themotherofinvention/bird.html ).
db84124
Brummophile
.... So why, gentlemen, was that building between Yardley Green Road and Hobmoor Road shown on an 1890 map of Bordesley Green given the name "Custard House"? Is it just possible that the wealthy scientist cum businessman who invented Bird's Custard - because his wife was allergic to eggs - with a factory in Gibb Street, Digbeth had a "country house" at the eastern end of Green Lane?
Any other suggestions or backing for my theory would be warmly welcomed. David (ex-Blakelanian)
Any other suggestions or backing for my theory would be warmly welcomed. David (ex-Blakelanian)
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
Mikejee, being one of the most prolific contributors as far as commercial interests are concerned, could you not - through your vast knowledge of directories - throw some light on the mysterious original Custard House? Was it ever registered in one of your reference books as having belonged to a certain Sir Alfred Frederick Bird - who would have been 41 years old when the map was published – and who could quite easily have lived in the semi-rural area which Green Lane – as its very name implies – was in 1890? It should be listed at the very beginning of either Yardley Green Road or Hobmoor Road. David
Mikejee, being one of the most prolific contributors as far as commercial interests are concerned, could you not - through your vast knowledge of directories - throw some light on the mysterious original Custard House? Was it ever registered in one of your reference books as having belonged to a certain Sir Alfred Frederick Bird - who would have been 41 years old when the map was published – and who could quite easily have lived in the semi-rural area which Green Lane – as its very name implies – was in 1890? It should be listed at the very beginning of either Yardley Green Road or Hobmoor Road. David
terryb18
Gone but not forgotten R.I.P.
The address of Alfred Bird in 1891 was
BIRD, Alfred F Address: The Firs, Alcester Road, Kings Norton, Moseley
I suppose its possible that he could have lived at a Custard House, but somehow I dont think so.
Terry
His household in 1891
BIRD, Alfred FHeadMarriedM411850Manufacturer Of Food Product
BIRD, Eleanor FWifeMarriedF381853
BIRD, Robert BSonM141877Scholar
BIRD, GeoffreySonM131878Scholar
BIRD, OliverSonM111880Scholar
BIRD, Dorothy FDaughterF91882Scholar
BIRD, Christopher ASonM61885Scholar
BIRD, LelsieSonM41887
BIRD, Eleanor MDaughterF31888
JENKINS, MaryHousemaidSingleF291862Domestic Servant
GREGORY, MaryCookSingleF301861Domestic Servant
COOPER, Elizabeth AHousemaidSingleF201871Domestic Servant
BIRD, Alfred F Address: The Firs, Alcester Road, Kings Norton, Moseley
I suppose its possible that he could have lived at a Custard House, but somehow I dont think so.
Terry
His household in 1891
BIRD, Alfred FHeadMarriedM411850Manufacturer Of Food Product
BIRD, Eleanor FWifeMarriedF381853
BIRD, Robert BSonM141877Scholar
BIRD, GeoffreySonM131878Scholar
BIRD, OliverSonM111880Scholar
BIRD, Dorothy FDaughterF91882Scholar
BIRD, Christopher ASonM61885Scholar
BIRD, LelsieSonM41887
BIRD, Eleanor MDaughterF31888
JENKINS, MaryHousemaidSingleF291862Domestic Servant
GREGORY, MaryCookSingleF301861Domestic Servant
COOPER, Elizabeth AHousemaidSingleF201871Domestic Servant
db84124
Brummophile
Thanks, terryb18, very useful information. Have you any means of carrying out an inverted research, i.e. finding out who lived in a house which could possibly have been numbered - no idea when numbering was introduced - 1 or 2, Hobmoor Road or 1 or 2, Yardley Green Road? I am assuming the two roads already bore their present names.
By the way, I believe BIRD, Christopher A(lfred) Son M 61885 Scholar set the record time for pedalling from Land's End to John O'Groats by tricycle that is unbroken to this day.
David
By the way, I believe BIRD, Christopher A(lfred) Son M 61885 Scholar set the record time for pedalling from Land's End to John O'Groats by tricycle that is unbroken to this day.
David
David
“Commercial interests “ – sounds like you think I’m some sort of Lobbyist !!. It looks like the custard house was demolished between 1888 and 1890. The 1890 date on the map is the publication date, and the survey was probably done 1885-87.
In 1888 it is in hobmoor road was occupied by ;
Badger Rev. Williams Collins M.A.[chaplain of St. John's Church,Deritend]
In 1883-4 the above person is listed as living at the Laurels, Yardley road (now Yardley Green road), but it is the first house , and so I am pretty sure that it is the same house, but listed on a different road (being about on the corner of the two roads). In 1880 the area is not included in the Birmingham directory (at least the streets are not listed separately.) Rerv Badger is still in charge at St Johns, but he is not listed in the private addresses.
So it looks as if it was only called the custard house for a very short time, for some reason. It is possible that Alfred Bird supported the church , as it was close to his factory.
Incidently in 1880 Alfred Bird is listed as living at Park villa , Alcester road. He disappears after 1884
mike
“Commercial interests “ – sounds like you think I’m some sort of Lobbyist !!. It looks like the custard house was demolished between 1888 and 1890. The 1890 date on the map is the publication date, and the survey was probably done 1885-87.
In 1888 it is in hobmoor road was occupied by ;
Badger Rev. Williams Collins M.A.[chaplain of St. John's Church,Deritend]
In 1883-4 the above person is listed as living at the Laurels, Yardley road (now Yardley Green road), but it is the first house , and so I am pretty sure that it is the same house, but listed on a different road (being about on the corner of the two roads). In 1880 the area is not included in the Birmingham directory (at least the streets are not listed separately.) Rerv Badger is still in charge at St Johns, but he is not listed in the private addresses.
So it looks as if it was only called the custard house for a very short time, for some reason. It is possible that Alfred Bird supported the church , as it was close to his factory.
Incidently in 1880 Alfred Bird is listed as living at Park villa , Alcester road. He disappears after 1884
mike
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
Yes Mike, re-reading it I should have expressed myself more 'eloquently'. I have nearly always noted your name alongside reams of information about shops, businesses and companies. I was asking information about a private address; I used commercial as a synonym of trading, i.e. shops, businesses and companies. I hope I didn't embarrass or annoy you.
Thanks very much for the information. Having such a broad and deep interest in Brummagem's local history, could you offer a personal explanation of this weird name for a pub? David
Yes Mike, re-reading it I should have expressed myself more 'eloquently'. I have nearly always noted your name alongside reams of information about shops, businesses and companies. I was asking information about a private address; I used commercial as a synonym of trading, i.e. shops, businesses and companies. I hope I didn't embarrass or annoy you.
Thanks very much for the information. Having such a broad and deep interest in Brummagem's local history, could you offer a personal explanation of this weird name for a pub? David
David
Of course you didn't annoy me, it was just my little joke.
I don’t really have any ideas that haven’t already been put forward. I think this came up about two years ago and no definite conclusions were reached then either. The pub appears in the Birmingham directories back to 1862, although it wasn’t actually in Birmingham for all that time. Previous to that the Birmingham directories don’t seem to cover the area (or there wasn’t a Blakes lane or a custard house before).
Mike
Of course you didn't annoy me, it was just my little joke.
I don’t really have any ideas that haven’t already been put forward. I think this came up about two years ago and no definite conclusions were reached then either. The pub appears in the Birmingham directories back to 1862, although it wasn’t actually in Birmingham for all that time. Previous to that the Birmingham directories don’t seem to cover the area (or there wasn’t a Blakes lane or a custard house before).
Mike
john knight
signman
Hi David,
We were there at the same time!, I lived off the Hobmoor Road (Fosbrooke Road) between 1953-1965.
I always used the Custard House and played snooker there 3 times a week, me and my mate Jimmy Cooke used to go out with the gaffers daughters, but sadly he had a heart attack one
Sunday morning and died, we never saw them again.
Small world eh.
We were there at the same time!, I lived off the Hobmoor Road (Fosbrooke Road) between 1953-1965.
I always used the Custard House and played snooker there 3 times a week, me and my mate Jimmy Cooke used to go out with the gaffers daughters, but sadly he had a heart attack one
Sunday morning and died, we never saw them again.
Small world eh.
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
Good morning, John,
How are things in Brighton?
My first recollection of the Custard House was the enormous garden behind the pub. I was only 9 or 10 when I used to go and play on and around an old stage which had been erected between several apple trees which we occasionally took advantage of in late September (perhaps the remnants of the orchard mentioned by fatfingers in Post #6?). I was far too young to go into the pub and can't say I remember the publican. I recall having been chased out of the grounds on a couple of occasions but I've no idea by whom.
Despite having lived a stone's throw from the pub until I was twenty-one - very much off and on for the last two years - I hardly ever drank there. I far preferred to travel into town to the legendary Greyhound or down to Yardley to the Ring o'Bells.
With your connection with sign-writing, did you ever meet a Mr Wilson (Ron perhaps) who used to sign-write for a company in the Bromsgrove Street part of town and lived in Harvey Road, Yardley behind Yardley Junior and Infants School near the Yew Tree? His elder daughter was the love-of-my-life for almost three years!
Best regards, David
Good morning, John,
How are things in Brighton?
My first recollection of the Custard House was the enormous garden behind the pub. I was only 9 or 10 when I used to go and play on and around an old stage which had been erected between several apple trees which we occasionally took advantage of in late September (perhaps the remnants of the orchard mentioned by fatfingers in Post #6?). I was far too young to go into the pub and can't say I remember the publican. I recall having been chased out of the grounds on a couple of occasions but I've no idea by whom.
Despite having lived a stone's throw from the pub until I was twenty-one - very much off and on for the last two years - I hardly ever drank there. I far preferred to travel into town to the legendary Greyhound or down to Yardley to the Ring o'Bells.
With your connection with sign-writing, did you ever meet a Mr Wilson (Ron perhaps) who used to sign-write for a company in the Bromsgrove Street part of town and lived in Harvey Road, Yardley behind Yardley Junior and Infants School near the Yew Tree? His elder daughter was the love-of-my-life for almost three years!
Best regards, David
john knight
signman
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
David, it gets stranger, I worked with Ron for 5 years at SIGN SPECIALISTS in Bromsgrove St.
I have just found an old map 1821 showing the Custard House, I will post it in the next post after this.
Regards John,(nice and sunny in Brighton at the moment(.
David, it gets stranger, I worked with Ron for 5 years at SIGN SPECIALISTS in Bromsgrove St.
I have just found an old map 1821 showing the Custard House, I will post it in the next post after this.
Regards John,(nice and sunny in Brighton at the moment(.
john knight
signman
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
Here you are David.
I will be in Birmingham on February 12-15 and will take a couple of photos for you.
Here you are David.
I will be in Birmingham on February 12-15 and will take a couple of photos for you.
Lloyd
master brummie
The inventor of Custard Powder was Alfred Bird (1811-1878). The family above was his son's.
See https://www.rpsgb.org.uk/informationresources/museum/exhibitions/themotherofinvention/bird.html
In the 1861 census, at 69 Worcester Street, Birmingham:
Alfred Bird, 49, Chemist, born Nymsfield, Gloucs.
Elizabeth Lavinia Bird, 50, Wife, born Nottingham
Charles Bird, 17, son, born Birmingham
Jessie Martha Bird, 15, daughter
Alfred Frederick Bird, 11, son
There was also a Chemist's assistant, an apprentice and two servants.
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
Well, Lads,
This thread has certainly sprung to life !!! I've been asking myself since 3rd August 1957 the significance of this extraordinary pub name. Could we be getting somewhere?
Is there any way of finding out the nature of the original Custard House: was it a private residence, a workhouse, a hospice, a hospital? Could it be possible that Alfred Bird, Snr - who we know founded a custard-producing factory in Gibb Street, Digbeth - attended St. John's Church, Deritend (thanks again, Mike!), befriended Rev. Williams Collins and donated a figure sufficiently large to enable the construction of a charitable establishment and his generosity rewarded by its being given the name "Custard House"?? Even today wealthy entrepreneurs give vast sums to charity. In those days might it have been a form of "advertising"? Custard House …. custard ….. Bird’s Custard ????
Lloyd, so it was the head of terryb18's Bird family that set the record time for pedalling from Land's End to John O'Groats on a tricycle that is unbroken to this day. Ironically, after such a long, successful tricycle ride, he died on 7th February 1922, aged 72, shortly after being run over by a car in Piccadilly, London.I had picked up somewhere along the line that Alfred Bird, Snr had had only two sons, so was a little taken aback when Terry listed five male offspring. But the more information we have, the better …… so thanks again Terry.
John, the map is fantastic !! It’s pre-railway although of course in 1821 the Grand Union Canal is there. Very interesting the fact that The Swan was then the New Inn, Yardley Old Church (St Edburgh’s) is there but not named, and the only building in Blake Lane is on the very site of our old house !! Seeing this map means I won’t be in bed before three o’clock tomorrow morning! Thank you, John, it’s amazing. David
Well, Lads,
This thread has certainly sprung to life !!! I've been asking myself since 3rd August 1957 the significance of this extraordinary pub name. Could we be getting somewhere?
Is there any way of finding out the nature of the original Custard House: was it a private residence, a workhouse, a hospice, a hospital? Could it be possible that Alfred Bird, Snr - who we know founded a custard-producing factory in Gibb Street, Digbeth - attended St. John's Church, Deritend (thanks again, Mike!), befriended Rev. Williams Collins and donated a figure sufficiently large to enable the construction of a charitable establishment and his generosity rewarded by its being given the name "Custard House"?? Even today wealthy entrepreneurs give vast sums to charity. In those days might it have been a form of "advertising"? Custard House …. custard ….. Bird’s Custard ????
Lloyd, so it was the head of terryb18's Bird family that set the record time for pedalling from Land's End to John O'Groats on a tricycle that is unbroken to this day. Ironically, after such a long, successful tricycle ride, he died on 7th February 1922, aged 72, shortly after being run over by a car in Piccadilly, London.I had picked up somewhere along the line that Alfred Bird, Snr had had only two sons, so was a little taken aback when Terry listed five male offspring. But the more information we have, the better …… so thanks again Terry.
John, the map is fantastic !! It’s pre-railway although of course in 1821 the Grand Union Canal is there. Very interesting the fact that The Swan was then the New Inn, Yardley Old Church (St Edburgh’s) is there but not named, and the only building in Blake Lane is on the very site of our old house !! Seeing this map means I won’t be in bed before three o’clock tomorrow morning! Thank you, John, it’s amazing. David
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john knight
signman
David it covers an area from Cannock in the north to Redditch in the south, and from Kidderminster in the west to Maxstoke in the east.
Any area you want me to scan for you ?.
Any area you want me to scan for you ?.
db84124
Brummophile
Re: The Custard House Blake Lane
John, you’re a first-class, spontaneous, genuine Brummie MATE, mate! Thank you. I’ll remember this kind offer and may well take you up on it shortly. Thank you.
Any news of Mr Wilson (I can’t bring myself to call him Ron - he was my girlfriend’s dad!)? David
John, you’re a first-class, spontaneous, genuine Brummie MATE, mate! Thank you. I’ll remember this kind offer and may well take you up on it shortly. Thank you.
Any news of Mr Wilson (I can’t bring myself to call him Ron - he was my girlfriend’s dad!)? David
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