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From before my time, a very sweet reminder to “Post Early“ from 1951.

That would be Escalado

Many happy returns, Janet!

Here’s a link to view a collection of Argos catalogues from previous years, the earliest being 73/74. Simply click on a catalogue and you can view it page by page https://issuu.com/retromash To get a rough idea of prices compared to today you can use the Bank of England’s Historic Inflation...

Nice tin, Viv. I’ve just got back from walking the dogs in the woods, no snow but plenty of mud.

A silly little thing perhaps, but some of the nicest things about Christmas are. At some time in the early/mid 1970’s when I was a child, the BBC showed an award winning, short animated version of A Christmas Carol and my elder brother or sister (I can’t remember which one) recorded the audio of...

Does it look anything like this, Vivienne? I bought it a few years ago and kept it in use since then, I couldn’t part with it as I think the picture is wonderful. Mind you, the metal it’s made of is paper thin so I don’t know how long it’ll last.

From 1989, Michael Buerk presents four interesting programmes about the history of Birmingham. Whether the place has improved in the following 34 years is a matter of opinion.

Thank you, Vivienne. Do you know, I was never entirely sure what my job title was in the time I was there? I asked and was told “Mounter” and that seemed appropriate for some of the work I did (making the “mount“ for the stone to be “set” in) but as I did other work it’s anyone’s guess, really...

Janet, it’s really nice to hear that someone can stay in the trade they like for so long. It‘s been a few years since I visited the place and I think it’s time I did so again, Christmas is the best time to visit.

When I worked in the Jewellery Quarter there was a chap at our place who worked a few days each week as a polisher/lapper. He was an old boy named Bill with one good eye, an arthritic gate and a fag (seemingly) permanently in his mouth. He would sit for hours, absolutely motionless apart from...

Yes cba it‘s a different building just down from the one you mention, as Lyn said it seems the buildings in this street were subject to re-numbering at some point. It is now (as it was when I worked there in the 80s) No.8, and the building is shown on the map Lyn provided marked “Jewellery...

That’s odd, Lyn. The information I quoted comes from Historic England and dates the building to 1905 yet the map seems to show the building existed in 1889. Perhaps there was another building on the same site previously?

I’ve found some information online that says the (grade II listed) building dates back to 1905 and was purpose built for jewellery manufacturing, with the earliest listed occupants being W.H. Haseler in 1916. Do you have a date for the map you kindly provided, Lyn? Here‘s the link for the...

Thanks for the replies, both. Number 8 is entered by a door on Hylton Street and into a passage which leads to the back of the building, then through another door on the right. There is then a single room which was used as an office, with a flight of steep wooden stairs down into a basement...

Does anyone have any information on 8 Hylton Street, Hockley please? I worked there as a lad in the 80s for a company called DRH Jewellery Ltd and I’m interested in the age of the building, previous tenant etc. Thanks, John.

When I worked on Hylton Street in the Jewellery Quarter in the ’80s, Eric’s was very well known and seemed to have a reputation for the best prices.

A terrific photo, Wilfred. I wish I’d taken pictures of my work pals over the years but I simply never thought to.

A little late perhaps, but a poignant song for this time of year Apologies if it’s been posted before.

When I was around 13 my class at school was entered into some competition or other and we won a prize which was a trip to see the Circus at Bingley Hall. During the performance a small group of us went to use the toilets and shortly afterwards a clown in full garb entered. “Alright, lads?” he...