Recent content by Phil B

Hi Brian and Lyn, Brian hello again, I agree with you, I lived at 2/214 as you know and left in 1969. I know Park Road from one end to the other and don't remember those houses with the steep steps. Sorry Lyn the photo is not Park Road. Phil

Hi Lyn, we have spoken before about our paths crossing especially about visiting the Vine pub down the road. As an apprentice with my mate at lunch time we would race down to the pub for a couple of games of darts with a pint or two and a cheese and onion cob, then race back. The good old days. Phil

I completed my apprenticeship here from 1968 to 1973 and then taken as a Draughtsman. At this time, they were then called Driver Southall Ltd. after merging with Geo Driver and Son Ltd. in 1966. They still made weighing machines but not just for tea, also for sugar, flour and the like. They...

Does anyone have any information or photos of 70 Muntz Street or the old football ground of Birmingham City F.C. formely known as 'Small Heath Alliance'. My distant relative Harry Martin Pumfrey lived at number 70 in 1903 and later he designed the new St Andrews ground for Birmngham City F.C. in...

Thanks Mike!

For those who are interested; after contacting the Birmingham Civic Society with a proposal for a Blue Plaque for John Cadbury, the founder of Cadbury’s chocolate, their ‘Heritage Committee’ has now replied. Their answer and I quote is “John Cadbury and his shop at 93 Bull Street. The members of...

Hi Geoff, great photo. John Cadbury opened his first grocer shop at 93 Bull Street in 1824, selling Tea, Coffee and Cocoa. Next door, at 92 Bull Street, John’s father, Richard Tapper Cadbury, had already established a Draper’s business. In 1847, John’s brother, Benjamin Head Cadbury who had...

To anyone who's interested here's Bull Street in 1840 showing exactly where 92 and 93 Bull Street are, the established businesses of the 'Cadbury Brothers' John and Benjamin, this is before Corporation Street existed....

I see, thanks again for pinning numbr 93 and for imparting your knowledge. I always know your accuracy is second to none. Here's a mock-up of where the Cadbury shop started and later showing the expansion of the Barrow Stores. The placement of a Blue Plaque would be appropriate somewhere near...

Hi Mike, so are you saying your 1950 street map could be numbered differently in John Cadbury's time, mid 1800's?

Thanks Mike, interesting to see odd and even numbers on the same sides of the road.

Hi Mike, just out of interest can you pin-point 93 Bull Street please? I've found this 1840 ish street map while looking for "The Friends Meeting House" where some of the Cadbury family members were buried but there's no numbers on the properties. Incidentally John Cadbury’s father was buried in...

Today I received a reply from the Birmingham Civic Society about my proposal for a Blue Plaque for John Cadbury and the Blue Plaque Coordinator at BCS has agreed to present it to the Society's Heritage Committee for approval. The down side is it could take a long time before one is put in place.

Hi Janice I did check the website as you suggested and to quote directly from there ...."In 1998 English Heritage initiated a trial national scheme which saw 34 plaques installed in Birmingham, Merseyside, Southampton and Portsmouth. The scheme was discontinued in 2005." Phil

I apologise if I offended anyone, :( it’s all meant to be a bit light hearted and not to be taken too seriously. :) In the meantime, I sent an email to the Birmingham Civic Society who seem to be the ones responsible for Blue Plaques in our City, to ask if there is a plague for John Cadbury...