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  1. Martyn

    Aston Parish Church WW1 Memorial

    What a admirable project, when I first saw this memorial I couldn't quite believe the number of casualties from Aston and the third soldier on your list epitomizes the senselessness of wars that are mostly the result of politicians' egos and their reckless ambitions: Percy Alcock, died on the...
  2. Martyn

    Midland Red Bus Routes

    I'm confused by those directions. Coming from town, by the time the 42 reached St. Mary's College (a seminary rather than a monastery) it would have already passed the Crossways pub. After WMPTE extended the route from the top of Collage Road to Six Ways, the bus turned right onto the Chester...
  3. Martyn

    Early Radio

    Thanks Dave, I know that the person applying for the licence was an electrical engineer working for the GEC so perhaps had a personal and professional interest in the development of radio.
  4. Martyn

    Early Radio

    Here's a letter from the GPO in February 1923 authorising the installation of 'a station for receiving wireless signals for experimental purposes' at a house in The Broadway, Handsworth. There are several conditions of use including the external aerial 'shall not exceed 100 feet' and the...
  5. Martyn

    Some more of Bob Moore's photos of Brum's inner city from the mid '60s to the mid '70s.

    These are fabulous photographs, the grim weather and monochrome landscape hasn't dulled the kids' enthusiasm at making the best of poor circumstances. And the one inside the pub could have come straight from an 'Ansells Bittermen' advertisement.
  6. Martyn

    HS2 progress 2020 and beyond

    If like me you live directly in HS2's path in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you would want it to go through the longest possible tunnel.
  7. Martyn

    Canals of Birmingham

    Graffitiartist.com is based in the Custard Factory. This is a news story from 2018: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-45790672
  8. Martyn

    Canals of Birmingham

    I'm not endorsing their activity in the least but some of the graffiti 'artists' are clearly quite talented. I was astonished at how they had managed to cover this enormous blank canvas near to the Soho Foundry and, on my way back, three were carefully and quite skillfully finishing it off. I...
  9. Martyn

    The Roundhouse

    Although you can't see people sitting outside The Distillery from the other side of the main line, it looked quite busy last Friday afternoon with a large screen showing the cricket.
  10. Martyn

    Is this Erdington nr Birmingham ?

    I think this is the correct explanation. 'Aston' looks as though it was added as an afterthought
  11. Martyn

    Film cameras

    Couldn't agree more, fortunately my secondary school had a Photography Society and darkroom, and the first time I saw an image appear in the developing tray I was hooked. Much later I used wartime blackout material inherited from my parents to create a darkroom in my spare bedroom. Digital...
  12. Martyn

    Park Street, Aston

    This photo from Pinterest is marked as Park Street, Aston in 1904 (apologies if it has been posted before or if it's been misattributed). My great uncle's family converted their front room at 1 Park Street into a boot repairers at about the same time, an ironic occupation for someone with only...
  13. Martyn

    Bob Wilson’s Fun Fair

    Carters offer signwriting courses for anyone interested in the art https://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/learning/
  14. Martyn

    Digbeth Branch Canal

    As I live in tier 4 and can't go anywhere at the moment, I've spent the day putting together a set of photographs I took a while ago walking along the Digbeth Branch Canal. Less than a mile long it's perfect for your daily exercise and full of historical / industrial interest. I hope you like...
  15. Martyn

    Lock keeper’s cottages

    Here's one in Thimble Mill Lane currently for sale. If you go onto the site - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83330011#/ there are some interesting internal photographs
  16. Martyn

    Exchange Restaurant Stephenson Place

    Terrific building, they don't make them like that anymore.
  17. Martyn

    Catherine Street Mission Bible Class FC

    A photograph of the Catherine Street Mission Bible Class Football Club in Aston taken for the 1911-12 season. My grandfather is on there, perhaps other members' relations are as well. From left to right the names are: E. Roberts, P. Berry, W. Ryder, Rev. M.O. Duke, A. Harris, Rev. R. B. Jolly...
  18. Martyn

    Who Do You Think You Are

    Although I've always enjoyed this series, I wish the BBC would widen the variety of people they choose to feature. I'm sure there are well known people from many other professions who have just as interesting back stories as the usual actors and actresses, including the obligatory one from...
  19. Martyn

    GEC WITTON WORKS

    Hi Ian - in which section did your father work?
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