Balsall Heath.

[Stew87]

Hello Dave, Love the idea of being given coal instead of grapes and the like, as you say a lot more useful.
Good to know Ronnie Barber is still going he must be well into his 80's, my sister Jeanne who was in his time frame is 83 and living in Andover where she has recently moved in a total care home. She sounds very happy there when I phone, thank goodness for Skype!!
So you fancied Jill Crook, only knew her as a very young girl,

Hi Tim and Dave, Stumbled into this thread while having a bit of a poke around for Tillingham Street references. Killing myself laughing....I'm Jill's son! It's been lovely to read a few notes about my family on here. I've spotted a few bits but going to have a thorough read through shortly!

 

[tim eborn]

Hi Tim and Dave, Stumbled into this thread while having a bit of a poke around for Tillingham Street references. Killing myself laughing....I'm Jill's son! It's been lovely to read a few notes about my family on here. I've spotted a few bits but going to have a thorough read through shortly!

Hi , Stew, well that was a surprise to say the least.Welcome to the club. Look forward to seeing what you can add. Cheers Tim

 

[brummiesearch]

I really have no knowledge of the family much before about 1958/59 when I was about 5.
I think I need find if other members of the Dunn have memories or records of the family. Snag is,I am the eldest so their memories are probably worse than mine.
Funny how a small thing can trigger an interest. Never really thought about the family history until I found this thread.
The investigation begins.

Again thank you for your help,very much appreciated.

NoddKD

It Appears the Dunn Family Was My Familys Neighbors on Wrentham St accroding to the census. Bernard, Walter & Christine Dunn? 41 Wrentham St.. Let me know.. Im Looking for info on Reeves Next Door.. If you have any.

 

[NoddKD]

It Appears the Dunn Family Was My Familys Neighbors on Wrentham St accroding to the census. Bernard, Walter & Christine Dunn? 41 Wrentham St.. Let me know.. Im Looking for info on Reeves Next Door.. If you have any.

Sorry I have only scant information about my own heritage in Balsall Heath. I am trying to find more info from my cousins. I believe they may have some family records from the time our parents/Grandparents lived in Wrentham St.
If I find anything that may be of interest to you I will pass it on.

Nodd K-D

 

[Alexander Rawlins]

Hi , Stew, well that was a surprise to say the least.Welcome to the club. Look forward to seeing what you can add. Cheers Tim

Hello Stew, Tim. Just wondering if either of you recall Horace Harward and his daughter Dorothy, who lived at 40 Tillingham Street? Dorothy was a cousin of mine. Her grandparents had first moved into number 40 in 1907. Horace was a secret communist and used to correspond regularly with contacts in the USSR.

 

[tim eborn]

Hello Stew, Tim. Just wondering if either of you recall Horace Harward and his daughter Dorothy, who lived at 40 Tillingham Street? Dorothy was a cousin of mine. Her grandparents had first moved into number 40 in 1907. Horace was a secret communist and used to correspond regularly with contacts in the USSR.

Sorry I'm unable to help. I've done a mental walk up and down the street but no faces come to mind, nor do I see a Red Flag where I guesstimate no 40 to be.
Seems if they weren't relative to my age group they just didn't count. Maybe Stew can do better. Cheers Tim.

 

[AndrewC]

Catherine, Your post mentioned my cousins Mary & Denise Henn. I'm Gillian Henn. Do you remember my grandfather who ran the greengrocer's shop in Clevedon Road with my uncle Dennis. I found a picture of Clevedon Road which shows Dennis outside the shop getting into his car but I'm not sure if I can post it because of copyright. Do you remember Pamela Bates who also lived in Cheddar Road?

Jill

Wow, what a blast from the past!!! My name is Andrew Callaghan and our family returned to Ireland in 1965, when I was 10. We lived around the corner from the Henn's and I remember well, Mary and Denise. I think Denise wore glasses and she was probably the younger of the girls if my memory serves me correctly, (It WAS 55 years ago, ha). I remember that Mr Henn had a beautiful car. I think it was a Hillman something or other. It was cream and tan coloured. A few doors away from them lived (name removed). He was about a year older than me. In 2015 I met his daughter in Dublin by an absolutely amazing coincidence. She told me that he too was then living in Dublin, but she hadn't seen him in a while. I didn't ask about that. It'll be fascinating if you see this, as I see your post is from 2008.

 

[Vivien kelly]

How great to read your memories of Balsall Heath Robert. I lived in Longmore Street (I'm sure you remember where this is) and used to frequent the Luxor often. We used to go to the Saturday morning kids show and a couple of evenings as well. I loved Betty Grable and Betty Hutton films. My best friend was Betty Grable and I was Betty Hutton when we played out the next day. My grandfather had Henn's greengrocers in Clevedon Road. You were lucky to have an entrance to your cellar for the coal. We had it left outside our only door and had to cart it in bucket by bucket to the inside coal hole. We had one downstairs room, one bedroom on top of that and an attic on top of that. Damp wasn't the word!! We had just the one cold water tap. But our mom always had a roaring fire in the cold weather and our dinner on the table and made it cosy for us. I too remember the outside loos. Bloody cold in the snowy weather but, as you say, useful for catching up on the news! And we had a brew house for washing (laundry that is). Bet you played footie on the black patch in Calthorpe Park. Chris is thinking of the Triangle Cinema in her post (or the flea pit as it was known locally) - that was in Gooch Street wasn't it? Thank you Robert for your post. Jill.

II

 

[annieshake]

I have a whole lot of pic's of that area, because as I said I lived in Dymoke St. As there would be too many to put on this thread, if any of you would like some copies IM me your email Addy and I will send them to you.

Here's an example
Our Church St Albans and Dad's local The Prince of Wales
View attachment 119142 View attachment 119143

Emily St another of Dad's locals and Our Park Highgate and the Rowton House
View attachment 119144 View attachment 119145


Pom

Hello. Great photos. Am I right in thinking the last one - with the Rowton House in the background - was taken in Highgate Park? Have you got any of River Street or Sherbourne Road please

 

[ade]

Hi Phill
Thanks for the info, yes The Beehive changed in the 8o's to The Pig and Whistle and a few years back changed to the Catherine O'Donovan. I have no idea why a pub would be changed to this name, quite odd for a pub name. Plus my nan was Catherine O'Donovan and lived down Gooch Street, we are wondering whether the pub name has anything to do with her, dont really know how i would look into this further. A trip to the central library is in order i think. I will post any interesting fingings on here for your perusal.

I worked opposite this pub for 22 years, when it was the beehive the guy I worked with Frank Carter, his mom and dad owned it. The reason it eventually was called the Catherine O Donovan, was the lady who owned the pub was called Catherine Donovan, when it became a free house she changed the name to the current one

 

[mikejee]

Some memories of Balsall Heath pre-WW2

 

[terrygray]

Roger Bourne

I do remember you, I've a photo of all of us, Doug Golding (didn't know he had been electrocuted), Carol Summerfield, Linda Masters, Lynn Ralph, Terry Grey (my first boyfried!!), Louisa Crook, Tony Macareve, and many more. 1947 for me too, I retired last year, August, so can't believe it is coming up to 12 months.

Chris (Jobbins)

Terry Gray

Christina,
I look at this site from time to time just to relive the old days in St Martins flats.. I remember you, Carol Summerfield, Douglas Golding ( it was his brother that had been electrocuted } And Roger Bourne. I have fond memories of those days.
I also remember that most of came from households that had very low incomes with not a penny to spare but our parents always made sure that we were fed and kept safe and warm ( the coal hole and Slaters coal yard ).

You mention that you have a photo of us all, is it possible you could post it on the forum? I would love to see it.
Many thanks for the memories.

Best regards,

Terry.

 

[JDisney]

Mr Gray, Is your memory exceptional or are you like me getting forgetful of all the friends you had and where are they now.?
John Disney
jjdisney.com

 

[terrygray]

Mr Gray, Is your memory exceptional or are you like me getting forgetful of all the friends you had and where are they now.?
John Disney
jjdisney.com

Mr Gray, Is your memory exceptional or are you like me getting forgetful of all the friends you had and where are they now.?
John Disney
jjdisney.com

Hello John,
Nice to hear from you. The answer to your question is that I have very strong memories of some of the people from the old days of St Martins, you, your brother Michael, your sister and mom and dad. The last time I saw Michael was on Bristol street about 1990. He was with a colleague and looked a very professional police officer.
I often visit the site of the old flats to have a walk around the streets, Voughton, Dymoke, Angelina, Leopold. I have to say that when I do the term 'the good old days' always springs to mind.

Regards.
Terry.

 

[JDisney]

Hello John,
Nice to hear from you. The answer to your question is that I have very strong memories of some of the people from the old days of St Martins, you, your brother Michael, your sister and mom and dad. The last time I saw Michael was on Bristol street about 1990. He was with a colleague and looked a very professional police officer.
I often visit the site of the old flats to have a walk around the streets, Voughton, Dymoke, Angelina, Leopold. I have to say that when I do the term 'the good old days' always springs to mind.

Regards.
Terry.

Happy days Terry, most of em through a haze of alchohol, even falling into the arms of a police officer pi***ed as a proverbial newt!! My email is john.disney1@btinternet.com it would be good to catch up after all this time. Or 07941351995.

 

[Jim McGuire]

It’s great reading all the memories; it takes me back to my time as a nipper running around Balsall Heath. I was born at 145 Mary St, Dad had a still in the cellar for his homebrew whisky, he also ran the Lyttelton Arms on Balsall Heath Road opposite the Co-op; mom had a hairdresser by next to the bank on Balsall Heath Road and Cox Street.

Living in the pub in the 60’s I remember standing on a crate and pulling a pint, the pub football team played in blue, my first drink of pale ale aged 8yrs, shove halfpenny, loads of Aunties who worked around Princess Rd and Alexander Rd, Monks butchers, Chapman's Demolition yard, Tatting, mock western town, the traveler eviction from the ground below Mount Pleasant school, the Apollo 10 capsule in Calthorpe Park, paddling in the Rea, and for a time we also moved in with Old man Mr. Courtney in the off-license next to Monks Butchers.

I could write more, but I’m here to ask for your help, but not for myself. I work on Long Lost Family’s, reuniting absent parents, fostered and adopted children, in particular, specializing in cases from the 50 and 60s era.

Currently, I am working on a case to reunite three children and their mother. This case resonates with me from my time running around the street of Balsall Heath.

In 1955 two boys, one aged 2 yrs the other 6 wks old, were separated from their older sister and placed into care. They were eventually fostered and raised in a home in the Gooch Street area of Balsall Heath.

During my work, I discovered the boys’ Grandmother had taken in and raised their sister; there was not enough room for the boys at their Grandmother's house. I believe the pressure on the mother to place the boys into care lead to a row and a rift between the children’s Mother and her Mother.

Once the boys were in care the mother left, all contact was lost; she was never heard from since 1955. The family said there were whispers from people of seeing her working in the Rag Market or a supermarket on the Coventry Road or on the street around Cheddar Road; one person believed she married someone from the Caribbean and may have another child, a girl.

The case was to reunite the children and if possible their mother, recently after 65 years the youngest boy was reunited with his older sister; they both live in Birmingham and within a stone's throw of Balsall Heath. The one person who is missing from this is their mother.

Joan Jones was born in Small Heath in 1930 and may have lived in the Gooch St/ Pershore Street/Ladywood area. The last known address for Joan is from 1955 Bankes Road, Small Heath. Joan may have even changed her name to Grandparent's Hawkins or Turner in a bid to hide her identity; she may have been in trouble with the police?

If Joan is alive today she would be 90 years, I know it is a long shot, but I hope someone on the forum may have heard of something, a tale/story or someone called Joan Jones who lived in the Balsall Heath after the mid-50s, 60s or 70s.

 

[paulinehorton]

Hello,
does anyone have a street map showing Winifred Grove which I believe was if Wenman Street ?
sorry if I have not posted this in the correct site, Pauline.

 

[RobT]

Hello,
does anyone have a street map showing Winifred Grove which I believe was if Wenman Street ?
sorry if I have not posted this in the correct site, Pauline.

Our great Mikejee wrote here on BHF on March 28th 2012

Have looked at the electoral rolls, adn the large scale maps, but haven't found any terraces on the west side that are not listed in post 21, except for St augustine terrace, which was a bit different, as it was on the road. Have coloured terraces as below
On west side:
Turquoise St Augustine place
Red Mount Terrace
Blue Pearson Place
Green Winifred Grove (see also lower map centre left)

On east Side:
Green Brighton Terrace
Blue Dudley Place
Red Hartland Place
Turquoise Islington Terrace
Orange Hamden Place (not Wenman St actually but close)

 

[Peter Hood]

Re: Balsall Heath. HICK ST

hi sandra i have just found this site see my name im the ken elliott you have in your list

I remember Kenny Eliott he went to St Albans school also Barry Ansell .Barry Chalk,Peter Green,Terry Timmins ,Joey Higginsthere was an outdoor on the corner of Hick St and Highgate St,and it was owend by Mr & Mrs Frost also in the street was Tommy & Bobby Hill who had a fruit& veg stall in the Bull Ring
market,and Rodney Brook, thats about it for now i hope you remember some of these names Best Regards Kenny

 

[terrygray]

Roger Bourne

I do remember you, I've a photo of all of us, Doug Golding (didn't know he had been electrocuted), Carol Summerfield, Linda Masters, Lynn Ralph, Terry Grey (my first boyfried!!), Louisa Crook, Tony Macareve, and many more. 1947 for me too, I retired last year, August, so can't believe it is coming up to 12 months.

Chris (Jobbins)

Christina,
Terry Gray here, I visit this site on a regular basis just to relive the old days at St Martins and St Albans. I would love to see the photo you mention.

All the best Terry.

 

[Astoness]

hi terry christina has not been on here since 2015 so hopefully she may pick up your message and you are not to late to connect with her

lyn

 

[Morturn]

A couple more off social media. Balsall Heath Road and Longmore Street and Balsall Heath Road Post Office

 

[Taxi Tom]

Hi,we lived in runcorn rd twice late 60s and mid 70s,first time was number 74,then 6 may ave off runcorn rd. my mom and dad were Vicky and Ted baxter,and my sister was Penny,dont supose anyone has any photos of runcorn rd.?

Runcorn Road .. we lived at 48 Runcorn road , 3 houses before bridge from Moseley Rd from 1963 onwards until demolition in 70's
our family name was Tighe 4 brothers and 4 sisters
went to St Johns school Mary St , and/or Clifton Road Junior
remember the Asian people making blue quilled anoraks in front room of houses day and night

 

[Chloejay2000]

my grandad lived in studley street thomas stokes do you anything about his family

Debbie stokes , are you still looking for John Stokes family? I am john stokes sons girlfriend and he has been looking for his dads family for a while

Would be great to connect the dots !

 

[Covroad]

Runcorn Road .. we lived at 48 Runcorn road , 3 houses before bridge from Moseley Rd from 1963 onwards until demolition in 70's
our family name was Tighe 4 brothers and 4 sisters
went to St Johns school Mary St , and/or Clifton Road Junior
remember the Asian people making blue quilled anoraks in front room of houses day and night

I was born in Balsall Heath, flat 237a Moseley Road the property is no longer there
my most vivid memory was going past the swimming baths and looking down the grills and see water rushing around .

 

[mw0njm.]

terrible conditons how sad.
puts her children to bed in the winter, Balsall Heath 1968

 

[EDDIE.]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Iris Matthews, I lived at 1/36 Hope Street for the period of 1938 - 1960 I lived with my mother Mrs Maud Matthews and my twin sister Irene Matthews. We lived in a back to back house, toilets outside, brewhouse for the washing. We had a cellar where the coal was chucked down from the sacks. My mother was always in the pubs mainly Baltic, the Star, the Duke and the Dolphin in Vaughton Street, just off Gooch Street.
I attended Hope street School (mixed) from infants to seniors, i remember the following teachers Mr Marshall, Miss Clark (who slapped my face for talking, when I wasn't) I remember the Rose family, the Jay family.
I worked as a Saturday girl at Dantes hairdressers, sweeping the floor and making tea.
Does anyone remember Box's little shop, where we used to go for sweets, opposite Hope Street School? The coal yard?
In Gooch street I remember the cooked meat shop called Jeavons's where my mum used to get Hodge and chicklings and we used to get a whole suckling pig for Christmas. I remember getting free scratchings from Kench's fish and chip shop (best chip shop in Balsall Heath) and going to the Triangle, the Luxor, the Mosely picture house, the Alambra and visiting Dr Mc Gregor from Conybere Street.
I was really thrilled to see this forum as I now live in Coventry but have returned to the area only to find EVERYTHING has gone. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the photographs and would be grateful to see more and would love to talk to anyone who may remember me or my family and remind me of past memories (i am so excited when things come back remembering Hope Street)
Kind Regards
Iris

 

[Peter Hood]

Hello Iris the pub in Belgrave Rd by Frank Street was The Electric Tavern do you remember it There was a Bus stop outside for The inner circle 8 stopped there

 

[SteveBhx]

Hello Iris the pub in Belgrave Rd by Frank Street was The Electric Tavern do you remember it There was a Bus stop outside for The inner circle 8 stopped there

Just going to post this and when I searched for the name to see if I had posted before this message came up - thought the picture may help.

 

[BrummieGeoff]

This painting by Samuel Wright dated 1799 shows the house of Henry Homer that once stood on the Moseley Road in Balsall Heath .... where Lime Grove is now located. The Homer's ran a tannery business in Balsall Heath, and also later in Yardley. Henry died in 1802, and is commemorated in Moseley Church. More information is available in the Balsall Heath Local History Society Gazette from April 2020.
The attached 1833 map shows the house location (and it also shows another Homer property on the Moseley Road opposite Balsall Heath Road).
It seems likely that Homer Street - on the opposite side of Moseley Road - was named after the Homer family.