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What incredible maps those are, David!I assume they were done by the Corporation Water Department as a record for their office staff to know where their supply pipes and access manholes were, and what foundation walls to expect if they were asked for a price for making a connecytion through...

I'm trying to remember the 'potato field', but can't really manage it. I went to Aston Grammar from 1944 to 1950, and clearly remember the derelict air raid shelters in the park but fronting on to Park Road at the top of the park frontag. They were filled in in late 1945. Did they grow spuds on...

Welcome Manx! No need to worry about asking too many questions, your problem may be too many answers. It is incredible how helpful people are on this site. The amazing thing about it is that the answers come literally from all over the world. It's not just family history either - but everything...

Friday 6 March 1959 was my last day working for the City Architect's department,at the then-called Civic Centre building, now Baskerville House. I had started straight from the School of Architecture in September 1955, and at first assisted on various Corporation-owned buildings, at first on...

As kids I remember we always used to say 'la-pom' between ourselves, but I don't think our parents taught us to do so. My middle class parents taught me to say 'lavatory' (which means washing place), and frowned upon what they called snobs who said 'toilets' (meaning exactly the same thing). I...

There were far more anti-protestant riots (meaning the 'non-conformist' churches) in Birmingham than anti-Catholic. The free thinkers like Dr Priestley had a hard time, which is sad, considering the amount he had contributed to scientific research in the late 18th century. Poor man, after his...

Mallyb2, The answer to your query about how drivers changed the points at junction is fairly simple. There was a short insulated section on the overhead wire which connected was connected to a relay which actuated the electric point motor. In those days drivers could recognise which way the...

If you go to the Museum of the Jewellery Museum Quarter, (which still contains almost everything as it was when Smith and Pepper closed down there in the early 1970s I believe) you can see the many evil processes which employees were expected to do. The last one for many metal products was...

Although Summer Lane is less than a mile from Hockley, I'm a bit surprised that it has been described as being "in Hockley". Historically, Aston had much more history than Hockley - In the Domesday Book, Aston was five times as wealthy as any of the surrounding parishes. Hockley was never a...

Many thanks at all concerned for some more inspiring photos. Just a detail for Stitch - It was Jerry's Lane, Short Heath, which I recall from my cycle rides had some odd old buildings in it in the 40s. It still exists, and I thought I saw some meaty historical stuff on a local web site, but the...

That was a good question and a brilliant answer in the end. It shows just how people together can do so much more than one on their one. Thanks and congratulations all round, I say. Peter

I got another lump in my throat when I saw the picture of the rope walk in Handsworth. My future parents lived opposite each other in Grasmere Road, in houses built in 1909 or thereabouts. Nanny Walker lived on the railway side of the road and, when I was a nipper, Soho Road Station was still...

Chris, Ot just might be St Martin's, taken in St Martin's Lane, with the tall building behind in Spiceal Street. But I thought the buildings in St Martin's Lane were a lot grander than those in the photo. Peter

Fantastic picture there, Jules. I woudn't be surpised if it is a lot older - perhaps 1890s? No sign of motor traffic at all. Peter

There were many licensed premises containing the name Victoria. Below is a copy of what I have put into my database. Victoria, 99 Duddeston Mill Road, Victoria, 20 John Bright Street (still there, been in recently), Victoria, 1 Prince Albert Street, Victoria, 189-193 Stratford Road, Victoria...

Mike, that's a lovely thought, but I'm too cynical to believe that BCT traqm 395 could ever run on the Black Country Museum tracks - first and foremost because I doubt that the proprietors (who do a fantastic job deserving every credit) would wish to exhibit a tram which - as far as I can see -...

Re: City Centre Photo Album ChrisM's pages on the old High School are superb, and the presentation is ideal for a factual web site. It is especially interesting to see the architect's original design, but it does not shows the two? towers which had to be demolished in 1936. I just wonder about...

I would guess that the answer would be a tram running 'To City' from the Coventry Road to Station Street would pass a tram running 'To City' from Moseley Road to Albert Street. Peter

I think most of the replies are almost right. I reckon the pic was taken from the flat roof of Perry Common Lobrary, opened in 1933, and the bus stop is the one which is still there, near5est the Crossways and Hawthorn Road. We lived about 100 yards from there, as the crow flies, but it was a...

A good source of information is one of the books written and beautifully illustrated by Ron 'Smudge' Smith on Hockley Brook, as he started work as a van boy working for them. I forget which book it was, and I don't have a copy at home, but they are still available, and would be in a local...