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The supposed 'plague pit' at Thimblemill Baths / Smethwick Baths seems to be an urban myth of internet origin. There are only recent references.

There's still a bar, Mike. With beer under £5 a pint. But the money comes from food and cocktails. They have a website. At busy times in the evening it will be rammed. I've not been in myself, but Brindley Place and Gas Street are very lively in the evenings. There's Sunday lunch and live music...

But my photo of June 2023 is out of date - the pub is now The Botanist - its parent brand. Things move quickly in this part of Birmingham!

After being closed for years, The James Brindley has been refurbished as The Canal House.

I agree Lyn, we took our children when small to the baths and both learned to swim. We had moved within yards of a canal. My daughter jumped in twice when she was out with a schoolfriend. As you say, being able to swim won't always save you in open cold water. But it can't hurt. Amongst the...

Posted on another thread by me but deserves its place here. Happy Memories! Sailed my model boat here too.

BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WON'T DROWN Telegram in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons (1930) I am naturally very sorry for those who lost children in drowning incidents. In the 1960s and 70s we were allowed to roam and explore before the growth of health and safety culture.

Lightwood's Park in Bearwood used to belong to Birmingham Corporation (though it is just outside the city boundary in Smethwick, Staffs.) It had a children's paddling pool which was drained to become a skateboard park.

I've seldom been in Moseley Park, but there is mention of a game keeper's cottage hidden behind Park Hill. Last para on right. https://moseley-society.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HoD-2015-Moseley-Hall-leaflet.pdf

We are used to walking or cycling on the towing path, but until 1948, I think, there was generally no access unless one was permitted to buy a permit. I think most city centre access points had a locked gate? Good thread on here...

Rotton Park Reservoir which is now called Edgbaston Reservoir has been the site of many drownings. The water is cold and deep. Many people live locally and are drawn to the water as it is a delightful place to relax and has unrestricted access.

Welcome Liz. As Pedrocut says https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk is an excellent source and you will be able to reference the accounts properly. Check that your library subscribes, if not then get your supervisor to recommend it. Contact the Canal and River Trust? I have stayed in Lock...

The Prefab Museum website has photographs and stories of the Wake Green Road Prefabs. https://www.prefabmuseum.uk/search?st[]=Wake+Green+Road&css_searchfield[]=text&fq= Birmingham Mail published a heart-warming experience of a woman tenant who has returned to her home after the refurbishment...

The prefab at Avoncroft was manufactured in April 1946 and was originally sited at 85 Moat Lane, Yardley, Birmingham. It is the Arcon MK. V prefab, produced by Taylor Woodrow. https://avoncroft.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Prefab-information-1.pdf

A very happy birthday, Frothblower!

They certainly gleam in the sunshine now. I think they are made in bronze with a gold finish? Perhaps they were dulled with dust and polluted air in the 60s and 70s?

John, the BBC are moving to the rebuilt site of the old Typhoo Tea building, so Bordesley Street/ Typhoo Basin on the Digbeth Branch Canal. I'm glad that they are building and intending to stay in Birmingham. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-62407714

Currently Ancestry won't accept raw DNA data uploads from other company's tests, so anyone with 23 and Me could download their data and keep it for possible future use before deletion. Back up DNA data may belong to the individuals rather than being a company asset. Such data would be covered by...

Yes Eric, see MWS's post #73 above. I think they are trying to sell the company.