Recent content by Paul B

The Rag Market Barbara Streisand’s real name was Ester. A regular seller at many of Birmingham’s Markets and Exhibitions and one of life’s great characters who always put on a good display, both visually and verbally. Woe betide anyone who questioned her prices. Stock reply in a very loud voice...

During his many trips to the UK in the 1950s is anyone aware of Walt Disney ever visiting Birmingham?

Thanks. Photographer's Stamp on the photocard is H. LOCKYER PHOTOGRAPHER, 11 VARNA ROAD BIRMINGHAM.

Could anyone help with this photo please from our Aunt's family album... She couldn't remember where in South Birmingham the shop was but what a shop window full of goodies!

Does anyone know of a map showing the location off Dark Lane Wythall of the original Kingswood Meeting House which was burned down during the Birmingham Riots of July 1791.

Lovely photo to find. Granny Ulett used to live round the corner in Wyndcliffe Rd and we lived one street up at Millward Street only a few doors away from my aunt. We left in 1963 when the Council started actively moving families out of the terraces and back to backs to Birmingham’s leafier...

Frank Sidney Smith really is quite unique as a Folk or Naive Artist and as a Brummie resident, and it’s understandable (after reading it) why Wiedenfeld and Nicholson published this 1993 hardback book about his life and work. Copies are available from Ebay for less than a fiver or you could...

Have always found comfort in Folk Art either recent or from 200 years ago. Art made by normal people trying to make sense of the world about them, sometimes under the most extraordinary circumstances. Last month I came across this published book about a unique Birmingham Artist Frank Sidney...

Reclaimed ones are still available online... Signs that is, not pies!!!

Love this one!… To the left of the F.Richards sign is the last letter “s” of the old green and gold leaf letters of the HOVIS sign that used to be above the local bakers shop... Sold some of the best bread and meat pies in Brum... Evening Mail once ran a photo during the bread shortage of the...

Yes in a few years time the cars will be gone as well, and the railway station will be back.... Climate change here we come!

My Nan once told me “always to carry a silver coin in your wallet”. “That way” she said “it would never be empty!” Great Brummie logic!! Took her advice and to this day I still carry a 1951 shilling piece in mine ( year of my birth) and true enough it’s always had cash to accompany it. Thanks...

I remember about 1960 (my brother and I were 9 and 10 at the time), we found out about a Guy Fawkes competition on Bonfire Night at Small Heath Park, so set about creating a Guy to end all Guys. It took us ages, old clothes from dad and grandad, stuffed with crumpled newspaper, old wellies for...

Old Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-op Society (TASCOS) Supermarket Stirchley shuts its doors this Saturday 25th after 105 years on the corner of Hazelwell Street and Umberslade Road. Co-op history group has put together a small presentation at the site along with lots of local history and...

Has to be one of the best things on TV for a very long time, well written, well acted, beautifully shot and a brilliant adaptation. It has been described as a play for our times. With reference to our own City it should teach us to appreciate the benevolence and vision of the early founders...