Recent content by Bish Bong

Remember the Marquee that was erected in the park, just across the path from the shelter just above the tennis courts. The large grassy area was at one time used as allotments, probably during the war, &.my father had two plots which fed us for quite a long time.

Hi all, I lived in Showell Green Lane & the top half of the park was where all my activities took place. Football, Cricket, Headers, etc. The priest from English Martyrs Catholic Church sometimes joined in, as did the vicar from St Johns church, reverend Tetley. My time at the park would...

If anyone saw my post regarding Aston Villa & the Midland Cycling & Athletic Club, it should have read that Aston Villa migrated from Perry Barr to Aston Lower Grounds in 1897, do not know what they were known as before the move or where they played, sorry for the mis-information on the original...

Have just been looking through old records of the Midland Cycling & Athletic Club. An article mentions that the Villa started as a football club in Perry Barr before moving to the Lower Grounds in Aston, any information on this. I should mention that the MC& AC had a close relationship with...

Anyone remember the Fishermen Special to Tewkesbury very early in the morning at week-ends from near New Street Station, fishing crealls pilled up along the centre of the bus, no health & safety in those days. Many a tall tale told on the way back.

I can well remember travelling to Stratford-upon-Avon in the forties on the Midland Red, on a bus with a spiral staircase at the rear. They used to stop in Henley by the Ice Cream parlour & we got off to get an ice cream during the summer months before continuing on with the journey. The buses...

Sorry I am unable to help you on this one, as the records that I have start in 1895 & my club began in 1890.

I went to this school in the early fifties, left in 1955. Remember Mr Wildboar the woodwork teacher, Mr Schofield metalwork teacher, Mr Brittain who had a nasty twitch caused during the war. In those days we given a good training in crafts which proved to be very useful in my working life.

I first went into the Brewer & Baker in 1957 as an eighteen year old with a friend who was a year older than me. We went there as it was known as the cider house, where you could get Scrumpy, had a few sore heads by going there.

This is almost certainly a '5' mile time trial. the time is right considering the date of 1949 & second place. My club run '5' mile T/T,s now & depending of the time of the year & the weather conditions the times vary from around 11 minutes to 18 minutes in general.

The Midland Cycling & Athletic Club used to promote sports meetings at what used to be known as the Aston Lower Grounds, which became Villa Park. The cycle meetings used to get thousands in attendance at some of the meetings when the top riders were taking part.

Would this be the large house at the top of Weatheroak Hill, near Wythall, now used by the Bettel organisation.

Thanks Ralph, Am interested in receiving any information to add to our records. Can you e-mail any info to me at [email protected] Many thanks, John B.

I believe that we are the 3rd or 4th oldest cycling club still in existence, but we may be better than that as an active club. Others may exist by name only, as we have club runs, organise club time trials & have social events each year, plus a monthly club magazine called the 'Roll-Call'.

If you still have the records I would be interested in receiving copies, thanks John Bishop. General Secretary, Midland Cycling & Athletic Club.