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The Shakespeare Memorial Room at the top of Birmingham Library. It was in store after the destruction of the old library and installed here in the new building. Pictured Jan 2022. Whoever took the decision to store the material from the old library did a good job.

The Shakespeare Memorial Room at the top of Birmingham Library. It was in store after the destruction of the old library and installed here in the new building. Pictured Jan 2022. Whoever took the decision to store the material from the old library did a good job.

Some of the timbers and cabinets from the Shakespeare Memorial Library were stored and can be seen on Floor 9 of the current Library of Birmingham. The book collection isn't displayed there as this room is neither climate controlled nor large enough for the Shakespeare collection. It is worth...

Ecco occupied 42A from 2019 - Aug 2024 Gail's opened Jan 2025

I'd say that the fire door was inserted after the date of the plan. Very likely when Ecco the shoe shop was converted into Gail's. There's only the public exit onto New Street otherwise and because of the counter the ground floor of Gail's is rather cramped. You can see the door with the green...

I'm pretty sure that's a fire exit. Looking at #262 it would lead to Needless Alley via the blue dotted passage. Needless is I'm afraid pretty rough these days, the back doors of bars and cafes- staff tend to come out for a smoke. But I agree not a place to hang around in.

Thanks Chris for your on-line history of Kynochs which gives us material which might have been omitted from the official company histories.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/pre-christmas-exit-imi-winds-down-8299744 Business Live Dec 2014 suggests the Fukushima nuclear disaster and German nuclear policy change meant there was no longer demand for components. The manufacture of ammunition on the site had ceased...

I'm certainly not an expert here Richard, but the nature of IMI's business changed. You can read an unofficial history of Kynoch here: https://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/KOtherInformationKynochV2B.htm IMI plc still exists but moved its headquarters in 2003 to near Birmingham Airport...

All credit to the local residents association and Heritage Lottery Fund! From what I can see six made it to Yorks Wood, but they are large chunks of stone, an amazing survival story. And wonderful that they are still part of the landscape.

There's a thread with photos of the scout camp at Yorkswood/Yorks Wood. https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/yorkswood-york’s-wood-camp-site-castle-bromwich.2715/page-3 The griffins fitted in with large wooden carved and painted totem poles.

Welcome to BHF, Emily! Yes, I remember the griffins from camping at Yorks Wood with the scouts in the 1960s. Though I didn't count them. I didn't know they came from the roof of the old Lewises. The griffins were installed at the scout campsite about 1923 and became part of the new housing...

No basement stairs to be seen from the ground floor of Gail's.

Nor mine Richard! I wonder if the menu was written in French? Someone wanted to create an upmarket clientele. In Gails the prices are high, but it is more 'Can I get a coffee?'

'Satis' means enough. Latin as in satisfaction. You will have plenty to eat here. :)

The main entrance to Newton Chambers is in Cannon Street and seems very elaborate. [Source CC. Futurilla@Flickr]

The only smoke in our house came from two days of wood fires in the front room. The only days when a fire was lit there. But yes, wonderful Christmases as a child. We make a lighter pudding these days and don't boil it for hours. No rich fruit cake these days. I'm grateful I was taught to be a...

I make it October, so the only Christmas traditions in my childhood home would be the making of puddings and a cake. I helped, or hindered with the stirring using my grandmother's large wooden spoon. It was one of the few times that spices and alcohol were used in our house. We still use my...

A recent article published by the Museum Association: https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/10/outcry-after-council-signs-off-plan-to-relocate-walsall-leather-museum/ Looks like a done deal: 'Councillors last week signed off on a 125-year lease of the building to Walsall...

Yes, you can. But I don’t know if there are any staff areas. The main room has an oven or autoclave at the far end.