Back to backs in Ladywood

[Mark Tooze]

I found Nelson Street 1937 listed as Summerhill, before I was born but the factory is shown at the back of our house ... really spooky to see it all from the air!

Hi David - glad you found it!! You have to check all photos from surrounding areas - sometimes the squares are in the wrong place - others are from a lower height so you can see far more detail. I recommend a large beer (or 3) and plenty of patience - there are some absolute belters on this site but you have to find them!
If you fancy a wonder, try Lucas Gt King St, Tyburn Rd, M&B Brewery Cape Hill, Hockey Station / goods yard and New St Station area - all have some stunning photos. Its interesting to compare views from pre and post war - you can then see where the bombs hit. Further afield, Walsall Town Centre, Stratford on Avon and tracing the "bumble hole" line across the Black Country are good too.

 

[David7]

If you fancy a wonder, try Lucas Gt King St,

Coincidentally, my Gt Aunt Mirry worked in munitions at Joseph Lucas where she received a clock after 25 years of service. I don't know the name of the road but it was in Sparkhill. I attach a photo circa 1945-50 around about the time she worked there plus photos of her retirement presentation gifts

 

[Vivienne14]

Hanging in there, before demolition. You have to wonder what happened to te older residents.

 

[Radiorails]

I suggest that they went to the new tower blocks or adjacent town over-spill areas Vivienne.

 

[David7]

Good scanned newspaper clippings, it is a pity they aren't higher resolution because it is difficult to read the text.

Edited to add that from what I can make out in the photo with all the cats, the cats are all strays that belonged to people that had left the area; I have a copy of that photo but previously thought all the cats belonged to the lady in the photo, this throws a completely different light on the photo. I recall that my mother had our cat 'Blackie' put down because she said it wouldn't settle in our new house and would just try to find it's way back to Ladywood. I was really upset about it at the time and since appreciate that it isn't true. Interestingly, our village was partially flooded during Storm Frank and the residents of flooded houses had to vacate their houses for up to a year or more while they were refurbished. During that period we had lots of stray cats visiting our house which is on a hill and was not flooded. I think we fed five strays during that time and eventually they all disappeared, two died.

From what I recall, younger families moved away first and houses were not re-rented but boarded up. In my case my Grandfather died there and my Gran went to live her daughter. We tried to convince my great Aunt to come and live with us in our new house at Great Barr but she refused and just wanted to stay where she was born as did many of the older folk and she eventually died in her house which was boarded up and not re-let.

What was once a thriving community where everyone knew each other turned into a neighbourhood of creeping isolation and deprivation for the older folk that remained amongst boarded up and demolished houses. When a block was empty it was demolished and the environment became equivalent to an apocalyptic disaster. It was just a matter of time waiting for the older 'remainers' to die and my father said most died prematurely from 'broken hearts' at the destruction of their community.

The families had come through the trauma of two world wars and were eventually defeated by their own government because they lived in houses without an indoor kitchen, bath and toilet. I recall my Father saying that ironically, the Council now wanted to do something Hitler's bombers had failed to do and that it is a funny life, all just a big giggle to enjoy when and where you can because you never know what is waiting for you at the dawn of a new day.

 

[Astoness]

Good scanned newspaper clippings, it is a pity they aren't higher resolution because it is difficult to read the text.

From what I recall, younger families moved away first and houses were not re-rented but boarded up. In my case my Grandfather died there and my Gran went to live her daughter. We tried to convince my great Aunt to come and live with us in our new house at Great Barr but she refused and just wanted to stay where she was born as did many of the older folk and she eventually died in her house which was boarded up and not re-let.

What was once a thriving community where everyone knew each other turned into a neighbourhood of creeping isolation and deprivation for the older folk that remained amongst boarded up and demolished houses. When a block was empty it was demolished and the environment became equivalent to an apocalyptic disaster. It was just a matter of time waiting for the older 'remainers' to die and my father said most died prematurely from 'broken hearts' at the destruction of their community.

The families had come through the trauma of two world wars and were eventually defeated by their own government because they lived in houses without an indoor kitchen, bath and toilet. I recall my Father saying that ironically, the Council now wanted to do something Hitler's bombers had failed to do and that it is a funny life, all just a big giggle to enjoy when and where you can because you never know what is waiting for you at the dawn of a new day.

david after you clicked on the images did you then click on the little spy glass top right...should then enlarge

lyn

 

[David7]

Yes Lyn but the text is blurred, I even copied and pasted into my graphics program and enlarged further but it is still blurred

 

[Astoness]

Yes Lyn but the text is blurred, I even copied and pasted into my graphics program and enlarged further but it is still blurred

ok david...maybe viv could repost them a bit larger i agree the txt is a bit on the small side

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Is this text any better ? Still not great, but I originally only scanned the whole page, I usually scan in sections.

 

[David7]

Yes that's better, as you say still not great but I can make out more of the text.

 

[Lily_Mae]

Where would Sheepcote Street have been in 1840 please? I know Mill street fed onto Nelson Street in 1837 (One of my way backs was born there) but her brother was born in 1840 at Sheepcote Street. It looks as it Mill street later became part Grosvenor Street West, which led onto Nelson Street in 1837 but in later maps (1885 and 1933) this now looks like Sheepcote Street. Hence my confusion

I'm just trying to get my bearings. If anyone can confirm this would be great.

 

[David7]

Where would Sheepcote Street have been in 1840 please? I know Mill street fed onto Nelson Street in 1837 (One of my way backs was born there) but her brother was born in 1840 at Sheepcote Street. It looks as it Mill street later became part Grosvenor Street West, which led onto Nelson Street in 1837 but in later maps (1885 and 1933) this now looks like Sheepcote Street. Hence my confusion

I'm just trying to get my bearings. If anyone can confirm this would be great.

I attach a map 1840-1890 showing Sheepcote Street marked with a red dot, Nelson Street yellow and Sheepcote Lane blue. I don't recall a Mill Street but here is a link to the map I am referring to if it is of any help.

Georeferenced Maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland

 

[MWS]

I think you answered your own question. As Birmingham expanded a lot of streets were renamed. In 1830s there were 2 streets that became Sheepcote St - Crown St and Nelson St. To add to the confusion there is also a Sheepcote Lane and by the 1880s there is a Nelson St West running parallel to Sheepcote Lane...

 

[David7]

Remarkable maps, so Crown Street / Nelson Street became Sheepcote Street and Nelson Street probably got reallocated north of it's original location when they built the back to backs.

 

[Lily_Mae]

I think you answered your own question. As Birmingham expanded a lot of streets were renamed. In 1830s there were 2 streets that became Sheepcote St - Crown St and Nelson St. To add to the confusion there is also a Sheepcote Lane and by the 1880s there is a Nelson St West running parallel to Sheepcote Lane...

View attachment 190597 View attachment 190598 View attachment 190599

Looks that way. On this journey I also found where Fordrough Shreet (and Wharf Street) which later disappeared. Very Useful foray into maps. Very useful source is the following which has a 1837 ish map which seems to predate some of the back to back builds to the south. No idea of the date, but I can date it to at least 1837 as thats when an ancestor of mine was born in Mill Street. Bread street is on there which was around in 1863 as another relative died there, and so was Fordrough street where my Gt Gt Gt grandfather died is also there which is long gone but fed directly into Severn Street. Very useful map indeed.

Birmingham

Maps by J. Rapkin. This edition with the town plans. Date estimated. This copy has the complete Index/Gazetteer, as issued. This edition has a second title page for the index gazetteer. Maps are hand colored with outline color, and bound in a separate volume from the Index/Gazetteer.

www.davidrumsey.com

 

[Lily_Mae]

I attach a map 1840-1890 showing Sheepcote Street marked with a red dot, Nelson Street yellow and Sheepcote Lane blue. I don't recall a Mill Street but here is a link to the map I am referring to if it is of any help.

Georeferenced Maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland

Mill street became the upper part of Grosvenor street west which then fed into what became Sheepcote Street.

 

[David7]

My wife sent me a link to a post in The British Institute of IELTS & Overseas Education Facebook page where someone has posted a photo of a young ballerina Lorraine Williams, photographed in what looks like a drying yard somewhere in Ladywood taken in 1968, although that date seems a bit late and I suspect it could be earlier. I attach a photo of her.

https://www.facebook.com/TBILforIELTSandForeignLanguagesPreparation

I must confess that I have not heard of her but I left Ladywood in 1957. Here is what is written about her and the photographer Janet Mendelsohn:

"In 1968, photographer Janet Mendelsohn captured an unforgettable image of a young ballerina in Ladywood, Birmingham. With its quiet grace and charm, this photo became an iconic snapshot of a community in an era of significant social change. Years later, nearly five decades after it was taken, the “ballerina girl” was identified as Lorraine Williams. Reflecting on her childhood in a local newspaper, Lorraine shared, “I would live those days again—they were the best days.” Her ballet pose has since symbolized resilience and elegance in a neighbourhood adapting to the evolving culture of the 1960s.

Mendelsohn’s photograph was part of a larger project documenting daily life in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods, particularly Ladywood and Balsall Heath. Her work shines a light on Birmingham’s rich working-class communities, capturing the authenticity of everyday life. Lorraine’s photograph is one of Mendelsohn’s most cherished images, providing a window into a world where art, identity, and community beautifully connected. Against the backdrop of Birmingham’s industrial history, Mendelsohn documented a mix of cultures and lifestyles that reflected the city’s ever-evolving identity.

Today, Lorraine Williams still lives near her childhood neighbourhood, a testament to her deep-rooted connection to Ladywood. Mendelsohn’s photograph not only preserves a personal memory but also showcases the resilience and strength of Ladywood’s community. This iconic image lives on, a nostalgic symbol for locals and an inspiring piece of Birmingham’s cultural tapestry. Through Mendelsohn’s lens, Birmingham’s legacy endures, bridging generations with photos that inspire pride, community, and an appreciation for the beauty found in everyday life."

David

 

[mikejee]

Cannot comment about this photo, but most of Mendelsohn's photos were Balsall Heath, not Ladywood, though presumably Lorraine had the correct area when interviewed

 

[Astoness]

My wife sent me a link to a post in The British Institute of IELTS & Overseas Education Facebook page where someone has posted a photo of a young ballerina Lorraine Williams, photographed in what looks like a drying yard somewhere in Ladywood taken in 1968, although that date seems a bit late and I suspect it could be earlier. I attach a photo of her.

https://www.facebook.com/TBILforIELTSandForeignLanguagesPreparation

I must confess that I have not heard of her but I left Ladywood in 1957. Here is what is written about her and the photographer Janet Mendelsohn:

"In 1968, photographer Janet Mendelsohn captured an unforgettable image of a young ballerina in Ladywood, Birmingham. With its quiet grace and charm, this photo became an iconic snapshot of a community in an era of significant social change. Years later, nearly five decades after it was taken, the “ballerina girl” was identified as Lorraine Williams. Reflecting on her childhood in a local newspaper, Lorraine shared, “I would live those days again—they were the best days.” Her ballet pose has since symbolized resilience and elegance in a neighbourhood adapting to the evolving culture of the 1960s.

Mendelsohn’s photograph was part of a larger project documenting daily life in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods, particularly Ladywood and Balsall Heath. Her work shines a light on Birmingham’s rich working-class communities, capturing the authenticity of everyday life. Lorraine’s photograph is one of Mendelsohn’s most cherished images, providing a window into a world where art, identity, and community beautifully connected. Against the backdrop of Birmingham’s industrial history, Mendelsohn documented a mix of cultures and lifestyles that reflected the city’s ever-evolving identity.

Today, Lorraine Williams still lives near her childhood neighbourhood, a testament to her deep-rooted connection to Ladywood. Mendelsohn’s photograph not only preserves a personal memory but also showcases the resilience and strength of Ladywood’s community. This iconic image lives on, a nostalgic symbol for locals and an inspiring piece of Birmingham’s cultural tapestry. Through Mendelsohn’s lens, Birmingham’s legacy endures, bridging generations with photos that inspire pride, community, and an appreciation for the beauty found in everyday life."

David

its a wonderful image

lyn

 

[David7]

Cannot comment about this photo, but most of Mendelsohn's photos were Balsall Heath, not Ladywood, though presumably Lorraine had the correct area when interviewed

Yes Balsall Heath was mentioned so after reading your comment I did a bit of Googling and found an earlier link to Birmingham Post page which states that they think the photo was taken in Varna Road, Balsall Heath. What should I do, should I delete my post?

I recall hearing about Varna Road, it had a reputation for a red light district

 

[Pedrocut]

Great picture, thanks for posting.

 

[David7]

Great picture, thanks for posting.

It looks like it could have been taken in Balsall Heath and not Ladywood. Birmingham Post started a search to identify the girl. There is more information here

'Ballerina girl' photographer speaks to Birmingham Mail - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage

Girl in picture found after appeal by regional newspaper

www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk

and here

Ballerina Girl - how the Mail and Birmingham Royal Ballet made her dream come true

Almost 50 years after THAT picture, she goes her first ballet

www.birminghammail.co.uk

David