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Here is new series of essays on the history of roads leading to Birmingham. A series on the development of roads within the city will follow later. Perhaps Keith can put them on the main site some time. Peter

Just done a bit of homework, mainly courtesy of the excellent Alton Douglas volumes on Birmingham in the 1950s, and have traced the following dates. 09.06.1951: Princess Elizabeth was photographed in Victoria Square (unveiling reinstated statue) 03.11.1955: The Queen and Prince Phillip were...

Back to the 1950s, there certainly was a Royal visit in 1957 or 1958, when the Queen came to the Council House. I'm not sure of the date, and it's too late to answer that question now. But I've got my 1957 and 58 diaries out and will go through all the scribble then. I remember it quite well...

Just seen that wonderful bit of old tramway film - brilliant. I think Lloyd is absolutely right about the location of the first sequence - turning out of Alexandra Road into Balsall Heath Road. I may post some more on the subject in the morning, with pics and map. Peter

Just seen this one. Isn't it Colonnade Passage, going down from New Street to Stephenson St. I remember Kanga Models on the right, run by Mrs McQueen for over 30 years, after they moved into Burlington Passage (I think that was the name). Also in the late 1950s there was a nice old gent who sold...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 8: The last years of Corporation buses, 1953 - 1969 The mid 1950s perhaps saw the Corporation bus system at its peak, with a large fleet of first-class modern buses, which all but monopolised the city's public transport, and the undertaking was...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 7: Recovering from World War 2 Review of wartime changes to bus route network Few changes were made in the first two years of the war, but the effects of bomb damage, and later vehicle and fuel shortage made a number of minor cuts (especially...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 6: World War 2 1939 - 40: The first fruits of war At the outbreak of war in September 1939, Birmingham had as fine a fleet of modern buses as any town in the kingdom, and a final programme for the replacement of all its trams had been...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 5: Growth of the bus fleet, 1930 - 1940 As already mentioned, the first deliveries during this period were of 177 AEC Regent double deckers (209 [II], 338 - 503, with Ôpiano-frontÕ bodies, the last of which arrived in 1932. All but the very...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 4: growth of the bus network, 1930 - 1940 Expansion of the bus network was hardly less spectacular in the 1930s than in the previous decade, as large new housing estates were built, both public and private, and people lived further away from...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 3: Growth of the Corporation bus fleet, 1922 - 1929 By 1922 the original buses were becoming life-expired, and replacement vehicles were needed in additional to more to open up new routes. 15 AEC 503 open-top double-deckers (59 - 71 and 89 -...

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 2: Expansion of the system, 1922 - 1929 1922 - 1942: The Nechells trolleybuses A significant event was the abandonment in 1922 of the Nechells tram route, which had never paid its way and the track was in need of renewal. As traffic was...

Yes, definitely looking down Victoria Road towrds Lichfield Road from Park Road. You can just see the tram track turning to the left of the picture into Park Road, leading towards Witton depot. Peter

The nearest I can get at is the following: Globe Inn, 35 Blews Street 1921 Philip R Davis 1933 Frederick K Dalloway Peter

Re: Golden Hind Glad to see the Golden Hind is still doing well. I went in once last year, and once about ten years ago, and was quite impressed both times. It is so nice to see people making a success of running a pub - not many seem to have that talent today. Peter

Birmingham Corporation Buses By Peter Walker Part 1: The first ten years 1834 - 1912: Historical introduction - horse buses and trams Birmingham's first horse bus ran on 15 May 1834, and by 1869 there were 20 horse buses in service on 15 routes. The first horse tram in Birmingham ran on 6...

It's now a few years since I posted some notes on BCT bus history, which are still on the main site, but in need of updating and illustrations. So I have been working on it and will be putting a new version in serial version here. Perhaps Keith can replace it for the old stuff on the main site...

Before World War 2, Dinky Toys used to make a 'Mechanical Horse' like that. I had one in Great Western Railway colours, which I treasured because my nan was a teacher at All Saints' Infants, opposite Hockley Goods Depot, where there were scores of these lorries. Peter

I remember the views of and from the Ley Hill area when I was doing my teen-age courting, and the Bristol Road trams were still running. Being possibly more interested in trams than girls I was able to persuade Cynthia to walk all round that area between Northfield, Bartley Green. Frankley and...

There are about ten places going for a ride on 55-year old Guy Corporation double decker 2976 on Saturday 5 July leaving from outside the 'Old Contemptibles' at 2 pm for the Wythall vehicle museum and returning to town by around 5.30. All web friends are very welcome, but they must book with me...