Wagon Lane, Sheldon, Isolation Hospital

[oldbrit]

Hi, not sure this is relevant, but in 1968, I joined the Midland Cycling and Athletic Club, based in what was called the Henwood Lane Institute, Catherine-de-Barnes, Solihull.
This was next to the Isolation Hospital, Smallpox if I remember.
Sure it was something to do at some time with Olton Hospital, remember Mother saying someone she knew went in there after the war?

PAUL SIMPSON Hi. When I rode and raced for the Midland C&AC in the 1950s My mentor was JACK SIMPSON a great rider and racer in those days. Had a cafe on Cov Rd where the airport is now, Is he a relative he was from Yorkshire? Are you still a member do you know Paul Gould and John Pottier?

 

[AlisonH]

With respect, the Solihull Union Hospital is marked on my map of 1889 as being in Lode Lane....nowhere near Wagon Lane playing fields..?

The Solihull Workhouse house was situated at 1 Lode Lane see http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Solihull/. Solihull , whereas Solihull Union Hospital (later known as the isolation or "fever" hospital) was on Wagon Lane see https://maps.nls.uk/view/115633419

 

[AlisonH]

I grew up in the road alongside the Wagon lane park, [Lyndon playing fields] right next to the old hospital buildings. They were there in 1966, and were still there when I left home in 1974. However, they were no longer used as a hospital, though it was common knowledge at the time that it had originally been a hospital. Instead, during the football season, the buildings provided shelter and changing facilities for the footballers who came to use the pitches. Sometime in the late 70s, or possibly early 80s, the buildings were demolished [they were in a very poor state anyway], leaving just concrete bases behind. Then later, those were removed completely and the area was grassed over. Interestingly, I was told that Lyndon playing fields had been donated to the council to be used as a recreation ground, forever, by the two farming brothers who lived in the little farmhouse next to it. [still there, along with converted farm buildings]

There is still a small concrete base and there is an area of grassed over tarmac (you can still see feel it underfoot).

 

[Pottier]

PAUL SIMPSON Hi. When I rode and raced for the Midland C&AC in the 1950s My mentor was JACK SIMPSON a great rider and racer in those days. Had a cafe on Cov Rd where the airport is now, Is he a relative he was from Yorkshire? Are you still a member do you know Paul Gould and John Pottier?

Hi

I know John Pottier he is my uncle and still alive living in Astwood Bank. My mother was Gillian Pottier who I think rode with him.

I know uncle John was the 1st British person to wear the yellow Jersey in the 1953 Tour of Britain.

Attached a piece on The Tour from 1953 and some pics from the official programme.

Hope you find this interesting.

 

[KidB]

The following might be of interest showing the former Isolation Hospital on Wagon Lane and what appears to be a WWII barrage balloon to the rear of the building with associated fixings in a wider circle and other temporary buildings. The date is 29th March 1942. (c) Historic England and used for non-profit social research purposes only.

 

[KidB]

There used to be a youth club there in 1960/70s That was an old building, also demolished now.

Fascinating. Just digging deeper, the earliest reference found on the youth club is the attached article from 1954. There are later references to the representatives of the club being part of Solihull's public speaking competition in 1957 and then a Mothers Club being held at the buildings in 1963.

 

[Rob sheldon1960s]

Have lived all my seventy five years in Yardley and Stechford....and played footer here in the late 40s and early 50s....King George V Playing fields, Wagon Lane ....but looking at an old map of our area recently...saw this and had no idea that there was once an Isolation Hospital there....and there seems to be nothing about it on the net....has anyone got info on it...?
View attachment 115474 View attachment 115475 View attachment 115476 View attachment 115477

 

[Rob sheldon1960s]

Hi
The Isolation Hospital, Wagon Lane, mid, late 1950s was a infants school i went there 1958 to about 1960 and we moved over the road to the new one. I remember the head mistress Mrs Quinton (not sure spelling). Have School Photo of the school classes taken on Lyndon Playing Fields next to School. 1959. Memory of the School very old, dark and cold. Happy times there though.