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Great pictures Topsy. This would be the same side of the road as the houses I'm interested in - and not so very far from # 247. I seem to remember the car sales place - looks quite familiar. If so it must have still been there into the late 1950s or early 1960s. I'm going to be sending all the pics off to my aunt who remembers PB as a village, see if it sparks off any memories. Viv.
caralina, yes he was a speedway rider for the Birmingham Brummies way back in the 50's at Perry Barr, he was known as 'Tiger' Hart, quite a good rider. He later set up an Insurance company called Hart Insurance, I had my car insured with him once. Eric
I Believe it was just past where the Library used to be. According to what i read adjacent to the house were two coach houses that were rented out to Phil Tiger Hart who was the captain of The speedway.
I remember the speedway very well, used to there of a saturday night as a family. My mom won a prize one year as the best supporter and Ivor Davies presented it to her. It was a set of pyrex dishes.
Topsy, Lyn found the Rectory at 213 and the Birchfield Hotel at 253, so Phil Harts must be in between them if it is 225. Maybe it wasn't Phil Harts that I remember but it was definitely a car place.
Lynne.
It's funny how a photo like the one in #177 brings back memories, I must have looked at his place many times from the top deck of a bus. The photo shows a nice collection of 'oldish' cars. I also remember watching him race as 'Tiger Hart', at the 'dirt track'.
That's it Oldmohawk, I too think that's why I remember it, the view from the bus. I think I'd have regularly passed it to go to Enid Goodwin's Dance School. In fact I might even have got off the bus very near to here to cross the road. It must have been a little further down from the Odeon, would that be about right? Viv.
Here is 293 Birchfield Road. It's the Birmingham Municiple Bank (now Lloyds TSB). Pictures were taken at the opening in 1927. I remember the Municiple Bank books. They had that key logo on the front. There's a key hanging as a sign above the ground floor windows in the exterior view. Viv.
Lynne, a girl from my school "Lozells" lived in Calder Tower, I think her parents emigrated to Australia in the 60s. If i remember correctly her name was Barbara Philips.
Vivienne, what a smashing picture of the kids with Santa.
Topsy, we were only on the first floor in Calder Tower so didnt really know the neighbours so I dont remember your friend. Those flats were lovely at first but went downhill fast, maybe thats why your friends parents emigrated. I left there in 1966 when I got married.
The old Phil Hart Motors place is still there, opposite Holford Drive. I think it's still a second-hand car garage.
Phil Hart Insurances started on Newtown Row, I believe. The last branch as far as I'm aware was near the junction of Queslett Road and Aldridge Road. I can remember insuring my Mini, 3rd Party Fire & Theft for about £4.10.0 in 1967.
Stood at that bus stop many, many times totally unaware of the hoo ha over merging the stops! Wonder why the 33 was a Service Extra - for the officials? Think you can just make out Perry Barr Odeon above the single decker. Viv.
Viv
If the bus was specially for the council officials, then they must have brought their kids, as there seem to be chilfdren looking out of the front left on the top deck
See what you mean Mike. And there seems to be an inspector by the bus shelter talking to the bus driver. The photo was probably taken at this angle by the photographer standing on the subway wall. That piece of land to the right between the Crown & Cushion and the subway has been empty for a very long time. Still seems to be empty on Streetview. Viv.
I sent this photo to my aunt to see if she remembers these cottages. She thinks they were behind the old Crown & Cushion. She also sent me a lovely picture of the old police station. It's pre-1908 but have no idea why the ladies are posing outside the building. The new police stationin Canterbury Road replaced this one. Viv.