Search results

Of course,another reason it is not pre '39 is because of the waste land at the top of Theodore Street.It was of course a bomb-site,that was the only reason for clear land prior to the re-development of the '60's.There was many such sites in the Summer Lane and surrounding streets in the...

The reason I believe the photograph was taken in the '50's is because of the bus.It appears to be,judging by it's livery,a bus owned by Midland Red.It is a rear entrance bus,as far as I recall,all pre-war Midland Red double-deckers were FEDD's (front entrance double deckers).Not 100% sure on...

That picture is without doubt a photograph of the roads I previously stated.It is not pre '39,I would say it was mid to late '50's.The reason the police station cannot be seen is because it is set back from the lane by about 20 yards.It is therefore hidden by the row of houses to the left of the...

Hi Rupert, you're nearly correct with your answer,although the road to the right is Theodore Street.The road to the left is Bridge Street West.I used to live not 300 yards from there,to the left,just out of picture,would be Hughes Newsagents,and the famous...

Hi padgo, yes, you're quite right,everything that was sold in the shop.apart from bread,was made fresh daily at the shop.Apart from the meat pies,he also made and sold fruit pies,apple pies both large and small,jam tarts ,fruit teacakes and rock cakes.If anything was left from the day before,he...

Hi Goalzone, I remember going into Colin Baine's back yard and seeing the huge bowls of maggots.They used to sell them by the pint glassful in the shop.I don't think they would allow a maggot breeding shop next door to a baker's shop nowadays !..............Mal.

Hi padgo, only just noticed your post re. summer lane where you remembered several shops nearby.I used to live at the pie-shop,as my dad was the owner of the business.Baines the fishing tackle man was next door,he also used to charge up the accumalators used to power the early...

I would guess these pictures were taken early-mid '60's,or possibly very late (1958-9) '50's.I say this by taking note of the cars in the pictures,one showa a Mini which wasn't produced until 1959.All the other cars are also of this era..........................Mal

Thanks for that Lloyd,is there any particular reason the bonnet was painted blue,rather than the cream colour used on the other 'tin-front' buses?

I s that bus a Daimler,as it looks somewhat unusual around the grille.And why is the bonnet painted blue?...................Mal.

Hi ,referring to the Jim Davies retail unit I quoted above,on reflection it would have been nearer to 1990 when I made my last visit there,,,,,,,,Mal

Hi bode, I remember Jim Davies Models,or 'Big Jim', as he used to be known amongst the model-making clan,very well.He was one of the first model shops to have a display team of what were for the time,about the mid '70's,a fleet of 'large' models powered by 'chain-saw' engines.His display team...

Hi Big Gee, the argument about Summer Lane being in Aston or Hockley was discussed earlier in the year,with many knowledgable people holding quite contrary views.All I will say is that I used to live in Summer Lane,near John Street West,and all I ever knew it as being in Aston,Birmingham 19...

Hi Dek,I remember that cycle shop very well,it was roughly opposite the garage that is still there.My dad bought me a bicycle from that shop,it was a Sun 'Vitesse',painted in a metallic light blue.I remember it plainly,a bicycle in those days (about 1956) was VERY special.I remember he used to...

I remember getting a new bike in about 1956,for a Christmas present.It was a Sun 'Vitesse',a sporty looking bike with drop handlebars,finished in a light metallic blue colour.It was bought from a shop in Summer Lane opposite what is now Jacksons Garage.It was a garage then,but I don't recall the...

I think Fabian was played by Robert Beatty..................Mal.

Hi,don't forget that 'Fabian of the Yard ' was based on the true life stories of an actual detective,Robert Fabian. Police were a lot less pc (no pun intended) in those days.Going off this programme for a sec or two,and possibly into the '50's,you must remember the hilarious antics of the tenant...

By the way,Astonian,'Muffin the mule' with Annette Mills,was on a Saturday,along with 'Hank rides Again'..............Great stuff !................Mal.

Hi Astonian,don't forget Wilfrid Pickle's 'give them the money,Vi',ended up playing Ena Sharples on Coronation Street,do you also remember 'Journey into Space',The Goon Show,2-way family favourites,down your way,music while you work,and many,many more............Mal.

Re the houses with few windows,don't forget that at one time there was a tax levied according to how many windows were in a house,which is why many houses were seen with bricked up windows.I'm not sure when this tax was abolished,but it is ,incidentally,where the phrase 'daylight robbery'...