Recent content by JohnCCD

Devonjim, Alvis made a front wheel drive car as early as 1928. There is one in our village https://www.alvisregister.co.uk/vintage/fwd/ Made in Coventry I think so not too far away

or maybe a year or so earlier. I think I remember going there as part of a cycle proficiancy course when I was at Yenton Juniors. I think I stll have the certificate somewhere.

The cycle track rings a bell. (sorry- pun not intended). What year was that?

I find that quite sad. It's commercial vandalism really. When I worked there as a summer job they only made malt loaves but there was a store room on the top floor that had big rolls of wrappers for other products. I think I remember a cherry loaf and a few others. I thought they sounded really...

I thought he wasn't advertising anything when he first went up but that came later. It was a long time ago though.

Coming to this conversation a bit late but I believe they closed down after the fire. The Sale family had already sold the company by this point. Thankfully the original H.B.Sale factory on Constitution hill survived it's recent fire. (H.B.Sale was my G.G.Grandfather although I only discovered...

I agree. He was a bit naff and more suited to advertising than pretending to be art. Ozzy the mechanical bull at New street Station though is a much better piece to represent Brum. In my opinion.

I spent many happy days fishing at Brookvale as a kid in the late 60s and 70s. I caught Roach and Perch but mostly Gudgeon. My favourite place though was fishing for Tench in Bracebridge pool very early morning at the beginning of the season. I live in Somerset now but if I'm passing by I'll...

If the nasty 60s addition on the top had to be removed then it would be a distinct improvement. Let's hope the original is undamaged

Does anyone know what the final outcome was? Was it just the 60's addition at the top that was damaged? Thanks.

Lovely historic buildings like this would be cherished in most parts of the world . It's such a shame they're not looked after here - unless they're in London.

Thanks Maz! That's really interesting. He was mostly deaf which would have stoped him being called up. I didn't know he'd ever been a clerk to borough surveyor.

Thanks for looking Maz and Vivienne. My father was 21 in 1939 and his parents were Thomas and Sybil so that's not him unfortunately. I vaguely remember my mum saying he had been a fire watcher. Is that the same as a warden?

Here is a news paper story from The Walsall Free Press dated 30th January 1858 about an illegal game of whist in the Scott Arms. Robert Cragg, mentioned in the article, was my 3xGreat Grand Father.

Thanks Vivienne! I think he lived in Handsworth but it could have been Sutton or possibly Great Barr. He may well be listed as Thomas Evans Day. He liked to use Evans Day instead of just Day.