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Sadly, nearly all shoes bought in Britain are now made abroad but some mass producers still exist. Personally, I think “Fashion” is generally a bad thing because it encourages items to be cheaply made and disposable rather than well made and durable. A well made pair of shoes if cared for...

Lady P, this explains it

Seems like high end stuff, perhaps for for the more well-to-do. Well Viv, it seems there WAS a significant number of bootmakers after all. I learn something new every day, here. Thanks for all the replies, everyone

Thanks Rob. I know FHW was a very large shoe retailer but I didn’t know they actually had their own factories. “The Largest Boot and Shoe Manufacturers in the World” is quite a boast. A quick check online says they were a Leicester based company.

Thank you MWS.

Given that Birmingham was known as “The City of a Thousand Trades” did it ever produce boots and shoes? If it did, was there a “Shoe Quarter“ and does anyone have any pictures of Birmingham made boots or shoes or old advertisements, please? John.

Fantastic Rob, that’s the one! I must’ve seen it before when I was looking for pictures of that illuminated map of Kings Heath, I used to see how many of the buttons I could press at one time when I was little while waiting for the number 35 bus with my mum. Thank you, lord knows where you found...

Tried that Lyn but no joy, maybe I missed it so I’ll try again John

Hmm, thanks Lyn, I hadn’t thought of that. John

A few years ago (before I was a member of this site) while looking online for old photographs of Kings Heath, I came across a picture of a middle aged chap making a call from the telephone box on Kings Heath High Street, right by E A Darlaston’s newsagent near the Kingsway Cinema. I think he was...

I live very near the HS2 construction site. Wash your car, leave it parked outside for 2-3 days and it’s covered in dust and grit. Windows and doors are the same. There’s often acrid smells in the air. Frequent road closures and temporary lights cause traffic congestion with vehicles sat with...

Last time I looked the statue was still there. Possibly only because it weighs two and a half tons.

Wonderful. “If you want this, go here!“ I often see advertisements now and I haven’t a clue what they’re meant to be selling

You’re welcome.

When I worked night shifts I would often listen to Radio 4 which would transfer to the BBC World Service at around 1am, not long after the shipping forecast I think. The announcement of “This is London!” followed by the Lillibullero theme made this brief patch of the night all rather sweet...

A quick look online seems to indicate £100 to over £300 each but prices vary.

The most frustrating thing about the death of MG Rover is that it happened when they finally had decent Union/Management relations and were producing good cars. In fact, the 75 was an excellent motor. The new models they had in the pipeline looked very promising, too. Such a shame we lost the...

Thank you, Janice, I’ve just looked on Google Earth and you’re right, there is. However I don’t remember it being right at the end of the road but a few doors down, my memory’s probably failed me there. Yes, I remember him doing that, like spinning plates! I was unfortunate enough to undergo a...

As a kid growing up through the 1970s, whenever the dreaded trip to the dentist was due I was always taken to a practice on Springfield Road in Kings Heath, opposite the big, red church. That long walk up Poplar Road felt like climbing the steps to the guillotine. While sitting in the waiting...

As I’m sure you remember, up until perhaps the mid 2000’s the shortwave bands were full of English language broadcasts from all over the world and listening to them could be a real education. Most of my listening was done on old, multi band Soviet built Vega Selena/VEF radios bought second hand...