Recent content by peterkirby

I am Bert Kirby's son. Jack was Bert's older brother. Bert was British flyweight champion 1930. I commissioned boxing historian Miles Templeton to publish a record of Bert's career. Modern boxing careers are counted in tens of bouts but in Bert's day they were counted in the hundreds! Bert had...

I believe there was a club in Digbeth called the Black Cat

Not obvious where to post this, but does anyone remember the Shadows (not with Cliff) performing at Birmingham town hall? I think it was 1961 and that Christine Perfect was one of the other performers.

Interesting comment about Bentley Rd (excellent) vs Sutton Coldfield girls grammar. I progressed from Bentley Rd to Bishop Vesey's boys grammar - complete waste of 5 years. I managed to claw back the loss and ended up with a PhD from Oxford University - which I think is testament to just how...

Hi Ian. Not sure there's any connection here but my sister, June Long (nee Kirby), lived on the Chester road - about half way between Brenda and Bacons End. At that time most of the Kirby and extended family lived in the Castle Bromwich area.

Well that brings back a few memories! I live in America (Philadelphia) and Penny is visiting from the UK in a few weeks. I'm sure she will remember you (as I do). It would be great fun to share what has happened since our respective departures from Bentley Road, but best done by direct email I...

I lived on the opposite side of the Chester Road (my parents owned and ran the Vanity Box hairdressers) from the late 50's to mid 60's. My memory was "Chesterfield Club". There was a claim that Cliff Richard stayed there when he was performing in Birmingham (early 60's I think). I don't know if...