Search results

Hey, I haven't posted here in a very long time! To answer the question about the moat, I had a look at a map from the 1880s (I'm afraid I cannot post a screenprint of it due to copyright but it is accessible through Digimap if you have it). The map shows there was indeed a moat alongside the...

You'll be glad to hear that there is one being proposed as part of a development very close to the markets. It has previously been refused by the council due to concerns over the design and because they were worried about residents complaining about the noise coming from the markets (weak excuse...

That is sad. I got it from a planning application for one of the buildings currently being built. Unless they intend on recreating it, I imagine plans must have changed since the planning app was submitted. What a shame.:(

I've been doing a bit of researching whilst writing an article for Wikipedia and came across some info over the fate of the Swing, GWR mosaic, Kennedy Mosaic and a certain Mosaic Panel which were located in St Chads Circus. Well, the GWR memorial was completely removed and has been disposed of...

A snippit of information: In 1940, a bombing raid destroyed the junior block at Gower Street School. The department was housed in the former Alma Street School until 1945 when it closed.

A little extra info on that chapel I mentioned. It was the Ebenezer Chapel. H R Yeoville Thomason was commissioned for improvements to the chapel in 1898. His other work on Steelhouse Lane include the erection of nurses' home and mortuary in 1879 and the construction of an extension to the...

Don't hold me to this but I heard that the area between Bath Row, Broad Street and what is now Suffolk Street Queensway was home to a large Jewish community. Quite obviously, it has shrunk enormously but a recent programme (I think it was Holiday 2007 or something with Lawrence Lewyn Bowen)...

Snow Hill is developing into Birmingham's new economic district. Expect much more construction and high rises, that's all I can say. Although, I haven't heard anything about the Dental Hospital being pulled down. Whilst it is a prominent site, I just can't see it happening due to the sheer cost...

A few months back there were tours of the tunnel that ran between the Mailbox and New Street Station and a friend of mine who went on it said that the guide mentioned tales of people being killed during construction of the tunnel. I don't know how true that is though. Apart from that, I know of...

Incase you don't know, it's to be replaced by a bog-standard business park.:(

Info on the previous building from Birmingham by Douglas Hickman: :)

Aah, I knew it was some form of weaponry! Thanks a lot for that info though - I never knew about that law at all. Here are pictures of the church spire and school. It's difficult getting a picture of the church in as there are just so many trees. I would have added it as an attachment but the...

I can't justify the demolition of the old library. It was a terrible loss to the city and I'm sure the planners of the time would be looking back now and would be nothing but apologetic. Douglas Hickman wrote in his book Birmingham that the reason for the construction of a new library was...

It's a beautiful church indeed. I used to live in Yardley some years back and I spent many hours during my childhood playing in the park near there. The churchyard felt so much bigger back then and the church felt like a cathedral. I wrote the article on Wikipedia. The actual church dates back...

The river through Sutton Park that was tapped was Plants Brook - actually a stream. At this time it was actually known as Ebrooke or East Brook. The stream had been dammed in Sutton Park to form various pools, mainly for local water supply and mill power, however, the reservoirs formed for...

For information on the baths you may want to read The City of Birmingham Baths Department 1851 - 1951 written by J. Moth in 1951. It's got lots of information on all the other baths up until 1951 as well. I haven't seen any copies available to buy but I do know Sutton Coldfield Reference...

I used to live not far from here. The name comes from the ring of bells inside St Edburghas Church up the road.

I have visited this place quite recently and has enjoyed a large money injection which has seen the surroundings be transformed into a more appealing location. There is now a visitor centre (which offers a short history through images of the building) and there is a car park. I recommend it...

Sutton Town Hall I have only lived in Sutton Coldfield for about 2 years and one building that really strikes me is Sutton Town Hall which is a relic of Sutton's municipal past. I only learned recently that it is used as a theatre venue and I just wondered if anyone knows when it was first used...

I think this was one of the first five free public libraries in Birmingham. It was the third to open and it did so on 26th October 1866. The library had re-opened in 1898 after enlargement. Deritend Library closed in 1940. In 2003 it was opened as a conference centre and exhibition space. It is...