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"The Two Ronnies?" Spike Milligan- or am I going off subject?

I think it was probably his grandfather on his mother's side

I had a drink in the bar at Central studios after a few of the Tiswas shows with the cast. I remember there was a guy who was the phantom flan (or custard pie) flinger. The trouble was, as he was completely covered in a black mask and cape on set nobody knew who he was in the bar. How sadly...

Hi Edifi, yes but think of the honour of being soaked in front of millions of TV viewers. Were you al in a cage or am I getting confused with another programme?

I used to love the way that when arrivals were handed their key at reception with the words like "There you are sir, chalet 14" or when they departed with "We hope you enjoyed your stay" if they were extras they weren't allowed to speak (I think it was a question of only people with an Equity...

Hi Williamstreeter and Alf rogers. I remember "Compact" and "United." These were of course rivals to "Crossroads" because they were on the BBC. "United" was launched at about the same time as "The Newcomers" I think as a kind of pilot to see which one would catch the imagination of the public...

OK this is my moment of glory. I had an ex-girfriend who was a production assistant on "Crossroads," a show which I adored for many reasons. When I was back in Birmingham she'd invite me to come to Central Television studios and watch "Tiswas" live on a Saturday morning. AND she took me round...

I wonder if those bags were more "environmentally friendly" than the plastic we have today, but you're quite right Morturn, the string handles used to cut into your fingers!

I can't remember the exact date (early sixties?) but when I was a young lad I went with my mum to see a friend of hers who was the caretaker of a building somewhere around Temple Row. The building housed rehearsal rooms for ATV studios and while we were there the cast from "Crossroads" arrived...

As a kid, encouraged by my science teacher at school, I used to go to Philip Harris on a Saturday morning to buy chemicals and equipment. I seem to remember the place was crowded with kids like me. My dad helped me to make a test-tube rack and my parents encouraged me in my "experiments." One...

I guess I'm going to write about something which has been covered many times before, but there was an old lady in the Bull Ring who sold large paper bags to put your shopping in and used to cry out "'andy carria, 'andy carria!" I think she sat under the statue of Nelson. Does anyone know who she...

I went to kings Norton Grammar School and was lucky enough to win school prizes each year to be awarded at Speech Day. We had to choose our prizes (books) from Midland Educational, so I well remember going up and down the stairs, deciding what to choose. The other memory I have is when I passed...

Thanks for that. I don't think I'm making this up, but I'm can remember the clink of the coin dropped onto the pile inside. The uncertain security of memory...

I remember the lack of roof. And i'm certain there was an unexploded bomb or mine that had been painted red and was a kind of collection box for charities.

Hi Astoness, Many thanks for information and my sincere apologies if I've broken the protocols. As an internet incompetent I'm trying to navigate my way round the site, and to come across a long-lost family member was a bit overwhelming. Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Thank you Grea and apologies to everyone if I've contradicted one of the protocols, but as an internet incompetent I'm not sure what I should be doing

Hi Davidgrain, Thanks for this information. I just have this abiding memory of walking up the steps into the market and my mum standing at a seafood stall eating cockles and whelks out of a little cardboard container, with the vinegar bottle on the counter.

Thanks so much for writing back. I remember the range in our kitchen - black and red ceramic tiles. (Sorry about the gloves.) My dad ripped it all out to make the house more "modern!" It would be worth a fortune now. I've been living in France for the last 35 years but on my retirement wanted to...

Thanks again Radiorails. I've done some research and it must have been the Market Hall. No roof. Am I correct? If so there must have been seafood stands inside the entrance.

Hi Grea. I've just recently joined the Birmingham History Forum. Reggie Morrell was my uncle. I was born in Skinner Lane and my dad worked at Evans and Kitchen in Hurst St, so you might be able to work out who Bullring Boy is! I remember your dad. I have very many happy memories of childhood...