Alum Rock Rd - Ward End area

[MissSnoop]

Hi Alex,
I went to Alston Road, but during the late 50's early 60's. I remember Denville Cresent and my nan lived in Caldwell Road.

Hilary

 

[Fashionz]

Re: Birmingham 8

What wonderful memories these postings have stirred.
My uncle Paddy Twittey had a driving school up "the Rock", I was born in Cranby Street, went to St Saviours, then Leigh Road when we moved to live in Warren Road. I have swam in the baths in George Arthur Rd, my aunt lived opposite, and the boating lake in Ward End Park. "get off that island" from the Parky, Long Tom, when we ran our canoes aground.
Could go on for ever, thanks to all who have posted here, especially the photographs.
Best wishes to all,
Househunter.

My mom used to live in Crawford St, then they got 'posh' and moved to Ash Rd. A bigger house I suppose, there were nine kids and my mom tells me they used to sleep one, one way, and the next one would have there feet in your face (if you see what I mean).
Do you remember Crown Mission in Crawford St. I used to go to Sunday school there.

 

[Les]

I havent looked on this site for a while and notice that you were asking about the Aishes. I remember them well. I went out with Brian Aish when I was a teenager. I was very sorry to read on here that he died. He had a brother Micky and a sister Pauline. Both boys were blond (and good looking)!
They lived in Chartis Road, Washwood Heath.
Were you a friend of theirs?
WendyP[/QUOTE]

I knew Brian, Mick and their cousin Colin Aish who lived in Common Lane. I can remember Brian telling me that Mick and Colin had died.
Brian moved to a road off the Ridgeway, Opposite Witton Cemetary. He had lost an eye due to an accident. The last time I saw him was in 2002. He was a regular visitor to my market stall in Wednesbury Market where we used to have a cup of tea and discuss old times together.

 

[wendyP]

I havent looked on this site for a while and notice that you were asking about the Aishes. I remember them well. I went out with Brian Aish when I was a teenager. I was very sorry to read on here that he died. He had a brother Micky and a sister Pauline. Both boys were blond (and good looking)!
They lived in Chartis Road, Washwood Heath.
Were you a friend of theirs?
WendyP

I knew Brian, Mick and their cousin Colin Aish who lived in Common Lane. I can remember Brian telling me that Mick and Colin had died.
Brian moved to a road off Court Lane, Erdington. He had lost an eye due to an accident. The last time I saw him was in 2002. He was a regular visitor to my market stall in Wednesbury Market where we used to have a cup of tea and discuss old times together.[/QUOTE]

 

[wendyP]

Hi Les

Did I get it wrong that Brian had died? I see that you are saying Mick and Colin had died. If Brian is still alive and you still see him please remember me to him. I seem to remember they had a sister called Pauline too.
Wendy

 

[Les]

Hi Wendy,
I knew all of them. Brian, Mick and Pauline lived in Chartist Road and I lived in Bennetts Road. Colin lived in Common Lane and I think he had a younger brother called Kevin. Brian was a couple of years older than me but Mick and Colin were class mates of mine at Leigh Road School. Brian joined the Merchant Navy for a time and came back to Leigh Road Senior School one day to see us all.
Mick was disabled with severe gout but worked on the door at Saltley Gardeners Club for a while.
I believe Pauline lived near the Fox and Goose at one time.
Colin died quite young. I seem to remember someone mentioning a car accident - but I'm not really sure.
Brian lost an eye in an accident and after seperating from his wife lived with his daughter in a cul de sac off the Ridgeway. opposite Witton Cemetary. He was a regular passenger on the no 7 bus route on which I worked and we often visited each others houses.
A few years later I left the buses and had a market stall in Wednesbury Market where Brian used to come and see me.
He told me that Mick had died.
I think the last time I saw him was in 2002 in Dudley Road Hospital grounds when I was visiting someone. He was a patient but had sneaked out of the ward in his pjames and dressing gown and told me he was 'going over to the pub'

 

[Harryx]

worked with Colin for a few years at S U Carbereter and his dad Tom, used drink with his dad in the Pelham pub I'm sure we are talking about the same family Colins older brother lives in tamworth.

 

[Salvator]

Does anyone who were the Salvation Army hall on Alum Rock Road was?

 

[Salvator]

Does anyone who were the Salvation Army hall on Alum Rock Road was?

Apparently it was there in 1935.

 

[Salvator]

I reckon its probably here, roughly same shot from Google Earth.

What is that building between the car showroom and the white gable end of the houses?

 

[mikejee]

In the 1936 Kellys the salvation army is the first listing by Moat house road junction going towards Brook hill Road, probably on the corner (or rather set back from it , looking at the OS map ).
Mike

 

[Salvator]

In the 1936 Kellys the salvation army is the first listing by Moat house road junction going towards Brook hill Road, probably on the corner (or rather set back from it , looking at the OS map ).
Mike

Hi Mike - was the hall on Moat House Road - or on Alum Rock Road?

 

[mikejee]

It was listed on alum rock road, but was the first listing going towards town. On the c 1937 map below, i would reckon it is probably the red building. I would think the blue one (whatever it is)would be listed in Moat house Rd, though i can't be sure.
Mike

 

[Marlene]

Kia ora Reg & Mrs Morris I don't know how I missed your post - apologies!
Fanny Gertrude Lucy STEPHENS (widowed WW1) lived at 787 until her death in 1948. I am wondering if the Mrs STEVENS you knew was actually her daughter Mabel Hannah Stephens who appears not to have married and died Oct 2003 aged 100. Blimey!
I'll try to follow Mabel's brothers forward and see what I can find!
Thank you!
Marlene

 

[Salvator]

It was listed on alum rock road, but was the first listing going towards town. On the c 1937 map below, i would reckon it is probably the red building. I would think the blue one (whatever it is)would be listed in Moat house Rd, though i can't be sure.
Mike

Looking at Google Earth there is a new building on this site now - which is a shame. I wonder if there are any pictures of the Army hall?

 

[Doger]

DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE,who was at WARD END HALL School in the late 1950s remember DOUGLAS LAMBIE,also what or where has Veegie gone ?,i miss her posts. (don't know where this lands)

 

[Morturn]

Do any of the members recall the Pardoe family, who lived inChurch Walk, at the end of St Margret’s Passage opposite the park?



Has anyone also heard a about St Margret’s Passage beinghaunted?

 

[carolina]

Here are a couple of old photos of Ward End and Alum Rock -Fox and Goose and Ludlow Road

 

[davemccallin]

Does anybody remember the Nursery school in Ward End Park or its new Location on the site of Sladefield Road Secondary Modern? Any photos or memories greatly appreciated, currently involved in research into the history of nursery schools in Birmingham.

 

[BilboC]

DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE,who was at WARD END HALL School in the late 1950s remember DOUGLAS LAMBIE,also what or where has Veegie gone ?,i miss her posts. (don't know where this lands)

Ward End Hall first opened in September 1958, I started there in Sept 1959 ex Leigh Road Junior & Infants, I dont remember a Douglas Lambie though!

 

[Blaugeist]

Yep I remember the nursery it would be over the road from the fire station but situated in the boundary of the park

 

[Gillflower]

Just came across this site today. I know it's an old thread but it bought back memories. I went to Leigh Road school in 1957 and remember Mrs Purnell very well. She gave me a slapped backside for snapping my pencil into two. She made me use both halves until I couldn't hold them to teach me to care for equipment. Mr Waldren was my favourite. I think Mr Mullins was the head and Miss Payne his deputy. Such a long time ago. I haven't been down there for many years. I did hear that the name had changed.

 

[Phil]

Hi Gillflower

Welcome to you, unfortunately I see this is one of the threads that lost all it's photos in the forum hacking and subsequent crash in 2011. We haven't gotten around to repairing this thread yet, but it is in hand.

I have taken a quick look through the thread and I can't see anywhere where this photo of Leigh Rd School might have been displayed so I will post it here. I have no personal knowledge of the school other than I used to work in the saw mill at the Metropolitan Cammell works next door behind the school.

 

[joe 90]

Hi does anybody remember a corner grocery and greengrocery shop situated in Cotterills Lane owned by the Smith's it was stechford end of Cotterills Lane.?

 

[pam1511]

Hi Veegee 13/11/09 REF PAGE 133

Did you take your 11 plus at Thornton Rd,i failed mine in 1957/8,any memories of children or teachers.My best friend at Thornton school was John Price who had dark hair,just like his mother who was a lovely lady,he lived local, i had been to his house many times, we played with his old wind up recordplayer in his garden,he had been to my home several times.We both loved marching music,the Colonel Bogey March was his favourite 45 record.It was a sad day,when he left the school.

Another sensible boy and friend was John Hayes who lived at a greengrocers shop, close to Thornton Rd,he was tall and well built,i think he liked boxing. Other boys i can remember were
Jeffrey Woolley, Jeffrey Hemmings, Steven Cross.

I was sent to Ward End Hall shool shortly after failing the 11 plus

( Do you remember when Gary Porter was struck & killed around 1958/9 ? )

AT WARD END HALL school,teachers-Miss Lidgey-Mr Tompson-Miss Macerwright (Mr Haynes & Miss Butler, head teachers) also a blind man used to teach music and played the piano.

Hi Veegee,

I recognise all the names you gave,its a small world.I was at Ingleton rd Infants and the annex nearby,we played in the woods and skated on the large frozen pond in winter.

I remember a girl- Gloria Cooper,who lived at a shop near Ingleton rd.

Pat Lees was always chased by the boys,i didn't know she married Terry in 1963.

WARD END HALL school, i was in B.We may have been in the same class at some stage,i transferred to Hodge Hill Secondary at around 1960.

I left the Ward End area in 1965 and live on the south side of the city in Acocks Green / Olton district.

Hi Doger Geoffrey Woolley was my uncle he sadly passed away age 42

 

[Paul.]

Yes the even side was on the 'Gate side'. I can't really remember David but I remember his Mother who was, as you have said, widowed. I believe their next door neighbour was Fogg and a family called Richmond also lived a couple of doors from them.

Cheers

Les

Hi, if you have any memories or information about the Fogg family in Bennett’s Road I’d be most interested, my grand mother was Rosina Fogg but she died in 1927, the family stayed on in the road for many years later. I’ve never seen a photo of her.

 

[brummy-lad]

I recently re-discovered this photo which was taken around 1959 from 14 Exton Way, Washwood Heath (maisonette), the street shown is Membury Road.

 

[lia2028]

Bennetts Road. Washwood Heath

I lived in Bennetts Road. Washwood Heath. 1945-1966.

There was a shop half way down and Mr Meredith used to be the shopkeeper in the early 50's. Then it was owned by the Strong family and later the Oldacre family. The shop is now a private dwelling.

At the top of the road there was a dairy. Later the premises were took over by RTP Crisps. At the very top was Franklins which was a grocery shop.

Families that spring to mind are Tovey,Morris, Potter, Richmond, Guest, Densley, Hughes, Strong, Potter, Bone, Williams,Smith, Brookes, Grant, Wood,Foster and a few others.

At the very bottom of Bennetts Road was a newsagents shop an off licence and a sweet shop. The sweet shop was run by the Hadley family.

I used to live in bennetts road washwood heath i was born there in 1968, a group of us children would play in a building that was abandoned, the building was knocked down and houses were built which became sandway gardens. this building was next to number 32 ,i was in number 30. can anyone tell me what that building was.
I had some good memories as i grew up there i have since moved away but would like to revisit the area and see how much it has changed

 

[Phil]

Hello & welcome Lia, During the time frame you mention I would think that the building would have had to be part of the TA centre that was in that location.

 

[Jim morgan]

Lived in chetwynd road , went to sladefied road, Thornton road , and then the big boys school burney Lane, from mid 70s onwards , form teacher at burney Lane was a lady called miss diahl I seem to remember firm but fair , suffers terribly with migraine . First love was Kay brelsford .. love the site bringing back some happy memories .