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Wynn, Timmins & Co. Came across these adverts on Ebay as well as over a hundred items made by them for sale; must have been quite a major Birmingham company in its day – so decided to look into it’s history. Wynn, Timmins & Co. was an amalgamation of two well...

KINGS HEATH WOOlWORTHS When I came to Birmingham [after marriage] in the late 1960s we used to shop in Kings Heath and I used Woolworths a lot. It had a very good but not large DIY section which I used a lot. Their paint was cheap but very good. I also bought quite a few hand tools there. Later...

Spital &Clark Another small Birmingham metal working company that only lasted 17 years from 1897 to 1914. Based in Newhall Hill. This advert is from a trade catalogue dated 1912 and on sale on Ebay. This is from Graces Guidefor 1914: Architectural Metal Work Manufacturers, Iron and Bronze...

Howarth & Co., Umbrella Makers Howarths had premises at 8,9&11 Bull Street and at 56 High Street. Haven’t been able to trace any information about them. They made and repaired umbrellas. They were also noted for their brilliant and humourous adverts. Looking at them, the costumes etc look...

Armstrong, Stevens & Son Ltd. Came across this on ebay and did a bit of simple research on line. Firm was founded in 1835! with premises for many years at 15 Whittall Street. They later had a factory in Willenhall. It is no longer an independent company. The 1914 Directory lists them as...

Pollution Monitors: I noticed a small solar panel on lamp post on the other side of the road a week or so ago attached to a metal cylinder [in Moseley]. Neighbour said it was a pollution monitor. Noticed since many more in the area. Perhaps temporary? More important - why is BCC monitoring...

If you are a fan of the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child [aka James Grant] there is a free exhibition celebrating his work just opened at Grand Central, above Birmingham's New Street station. Opened by Lee Child himself to launch his 30th novel, called Exit Strategy. Open into December.

I’ve only recently discovered the value of “ ephemera” on ebay as a starting point for checking out a Birmingham company. [Apols if you already know this!]. Often contain useful information not easily found on-line. As an example here are two invoices for sale on Ebay for Frederick Marsh Ltd...

I've often wondered about the history of this building on Pershore Road, Stirchley. It opened in1912 as the Empire Theatre. and was taken over by ABC cinemas in 1932 but closed in 1943. It later became a garage and is now used by Enterprise Car Hire.

Harborne Police Station Well you learn something everyday! Harborne Police Station [the Rose Rd one] is now also. history. Must have passed me by. I don't think it's been mentioned on the Forum? The former divional HQ was closed in Oct 2023, put on sale in 2024 and acquired by Spitfire Homes...

Came across this invoice from Charles Cartwright & Sons dated 1893 for sale on Ebay. From 1846-1866 Charles Cartwright & Sons operated from 22 Edgbaston Street. By 1875 [advert] there was a showroom and warehouse at no 15. By 1869 a subsidery company was operating from Cumberland Street which...

Came across this on ebay and couldn't resist posting! Advert from 1918. Highgate Park Works was situated in Alcester Street but cannot trace location or much information about the factory. Josiah Isaacs must have had some success as he took out patents in the USA and Australia. This is part...

I was walking up Heathfield Road, Kingsheath yesterday and noticed this building. [Screenshot from Google Maps in 2017]. It looks Edwardian? Does anyone know anything about its history? Kellys Directory for 1940 lists 23-31 as TASCOS. Anyone know if this is the building. It swas convderted to...

Newton Road, Sparkhill. Fielders Tea & Provision Store. Corner shop? But which corner? Cannot trace on Streetview but so much changed.

I attend St Albans Church in Highgate and have often wondered about this building in Coneybere St near the church and decided to check it out. It turns out the factory is a modern example of Birmingham success - Barkley Plastics. The History of Barkley Plastics started in 1963 when John...

I don't know if forum members generally know ..............but I didn't until today! On checking a road in Hall Green I noticed via a box in the top LH corner that there were 8 different street views at different dates. Also checked a main road near us and there were 15 views for dates from...

This is Woodbridge Road in Moseley about 1905. I don't think it's been posted before. Classic Edwardian street scene. The Trafalgar Hotel is on the right. Building still there but renamed the Patrick Kavanagh. I do wish they would leave pub names alone - 100 years of history changed! The tall...

Early aviation in Birmingham started with the founding of the Birmingham Aero Club in 1909. In 1911 they moved to a field on Billesley Farm. While researching the Prosser family of St Agnes Road, Moseley, I discovered that young Edwin Prosser was an early member of the Birmingham Aero Club and...

This building is on the corner of Maypole Lane/Highters Heath Lane B14. The picture shows the front [office block etc] - the factory is to the rear and wasquite substantial. My wife who lived near the Maypole said that it was known locally [1950s] as the Eiderdown Factory. We still have...

I know Birmingham [BCC] is in financial meltdown but have just read the proposals for community libraries. The council plans to turn 11 of the existing 36 venues [ie community libraries] into joint 'library and neighbourhood advice service hubs' - putting the other 25 under threat. That leaves...