He was my dentist too
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Birchfield Road Perry Barr
- Thread starter debi
- Start date
brummy-lad
master brummie
I was born in the Porchester Arms and moved to the Star Hotel in 1962 with my family at the age of 2 and lived there till it was demolished. The landlord was Sidny Chilton
hi m chilton and welcome...which porchester arms would that be...think i only know of the one at the top of porchester st if it is that pub we have 2 or 3 photos of it on the porchester street thread
lyn
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oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Birchfield Road Nostalgia …
The road was the main route into town from where I lived and old forum pics bring back many memories. I first travelled as a young child on Midland Red Front Entrance Double Deck buses ... there's one behind the tram.
From Perry Barr we often travelled on a number 6 tram into town. Trams stood in the middle of the road at the terminus and we had to walk out to them dodging traffic. The ride was always exciting as they rattled along - bells ringing - electric motors humming - and open balconies which kids liked ...
The Luftwaffe bombed Brum in November 1940 and the corner of Mansfield Road took a hit which stopped the trams going into town that day!
I went to both cinemas on Birchfield Road ... the slightly posh Odeon and the not so posh Birchfield Picture House.
To combat the severity of rationing in ww2, British Restaurants were opened to sell basic meals at reasonable prices off-ration. I was taken into one next to the Birchfield Cinema The building was still there in 1959 as a restaurant..
Aged ten, I cycled into town on my junior bike and fell off as I was leaving Birchfield Road at Six Ways when my front wheel went in the tram tracks. It was a tricky crossing with traffic from six directions and no traffic lights. I was a bit shaken so sat on those bank steps before walking my bike back home.
I sometimes walked the length of Birchfield Road on the way home from school when thick fog stopped some buses and the trams were full. Simulated pic below shows how it looked! We called them 'peasouper' fogs ... but thankfully we don't get them these days !
In my late teens I bought a motor scooter and could thread my way through monster traffic jams at Aston Lane and Trinity Road.
On the day they opened the Perry Barr underpass in April 1962 I rode my motor scooter through it twice ... just for fun.
In 1964 I bought a green Hillman Imp car and sped through the underpass only to be sat in the traffic jam towards Trinity Road.
Eventually they built the Walsall Road flyover allowing me to speed over outbound traffic turning into Aldridge Road and later the Trinity Road flyover was built and I could speed the whole length of Birchfield Road hardly noticing it. Times were good for car owners!
There was a lot of visible concrete in Birchfield Road ....
The road was the main route into town from where I lived and old forum pics bring back many memories. I first travelled as a young child on Midland Red Front Entrance Double Deck buses ... there's one behind the tram.
From Perry Barr we often travelled on a number 6 tram into town. Trams stood in the middle of the road at the terminus and we had to walk out to them dodging traffic. The ride was always exciting as they rattled along - bells ringing - electric motors humming - and open balconies which kids liked ...
The Luftwaffe bombed Brum in November 1940 and the corner of Mansfield Road took a hit which stopped the trams going into town that day!
I went to both cinemas on Birchfield Road ... the slightly posh Odeon and the not so posh Birchfield Picture House.
To combat the severity of rationing in ww2, British Restaurants were opened to sell basic meals at reasonable prices off-ration. I was taken into one next to the Birchfield Cinema The building was still there in 1959 as a restaurant..
Aged ten, I cycled into town on my junior bike and fell off as I was leaving Birchfield Road at Six Ways when my front wheel went in the tram tracks. It was a tricky crossing with traffic from six directions and no traffic lights. I was a bit shaken so sat on those bank steps before walking my bike back home.
I sometimes walked the length of Birchfield Road on the way home from school when thick fog stopped some buses and the trams were full. Simulated pic below shows how it looked! We called them 'peasouper' fogs ... but thankfully we don't get them these days !
In my late teens I bought a motor scooter and could thread my way through monster traffic jams at Aston Lane and Trinity Road.
On the day they opened the Perry Barr underpass in April 1962 I rode my motor scooter through it twice ... just for fun.
In 1964 I bought a green Hillman Imp car and sped through the underpass only to be sat in the traffic jam towards Trinity Road.
Eventually they built the Walsall Road flyover allowing me to speed over outbound traffic turning into Aldridge Road and later the Trinity Road flyover was built and I could speed the whole length of Birchfield Road hardly noticing it. Times were good for car owners!
There was a lot of visible concrete in Birchfield Road ....
Atmospheric write up OM. Enjoyed that. Thanks. Viv.
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
The No 6 tram service closure in 1949 and there is a nice pic of one taken 10 years earlier in the Electric Trams Thread in post#257. A post #528 from 'Radiorails' gives more detail about the closure.
Electric Trams
June 1941 is the date of the photo of car 404, in post 509, which entered service 1912 and was withdrawn 1949. It had a roof as built. The 37 route was named Cannon Hill and this trams will make its way back to the city following the city bound one way loop system, which was not common in...
birminghamhistory.co.uk
Eric Gibson
Gone but not forgotten
A lot of my memories there too we used to come on the 29 bus to Perry Bar then catch the 6 tram to Six Ways to visit our grandparents in Barton's Bank and Aunt Ada in Victoria Road.
I might have mentioned before my younger brother Gordon demolished some of the brickwork with his car on the underpass while the bricklayers were still working on it.
I might have mentioned before my younger brother Gordon demolished some of the brickwork with his car on the underpass while the bricklayers were still working on it.
Richard Dye
master brummie
Great memories oldMohaw, I traveled in your footsteps many times. Heath fold Rd to Trinity to Birchfield and on to Brooke Tool across from the Speedway. First on my bike and then on my motorcycle. And yes I did get my front wheel of my bike stuck in the tram tracks at six ways twice until I smartened up!Birchfield Road Nostalgia …
The road was the main route into town from where I lived and old forum pics bring back many memories. I first travelled as a young child on Midland Red Front Entrance Double Deck buses ... there's one behind the tram.
View attachment 159049
From Perry Barr we often travelled on a number 6 tram into town. Trams stood in the middle of the road at the terminus and we had to walk out to them dodging traffic. The ride was always exciting as they rattled along - bells ringing - electric motors humming - and open balconies which kids liked ...
View attachment 159050
The Luftwaffe bombed Brum in November 1940 and the corner of Mansfield Road took a hit which stopped the trams going into town that day!
View attachment 159051
I went to both cinemas on Birchfield Road ... the slightly posh Odeon and the not so posh Birchfield Picture House.
View attachment 159052
View attachment 159053
To combat the severity of rationing in ww2, British Restaurants were opened to sell basic meals at reasonable prices off-ration. I was taken into one next to the Birchfield Cinema The building was still there in 1959 as a restaurant..
View attachment 159054
View attachment 159055
Aged ten, I cycled into town on my junior bike and fell off as I was leaving Birchfield Road at Six Ways when my front wheel went in the tram tracks. It was a tricky crossing with traffic from six directions and no traffic lights. I was a bit shaken so sat on those bank steps before walking my bike back home.
View attachment 159056
I sometimes walked the length of Birchfield Road on the way home from school when thick fog stopped some buses and the trams were full. Simulated pic below shows how it looked! We called them 'peasouper' fogs ... but thankfully we don't get them these days !
View attachment 159059
In my late teens I bought a motor scooter and could thread my way through monster traffic jams at Aston Lane and Trinity Road.
View attachment 159061
View attachment 159060
On the day they opened the Perry Barr underpass in April 1962 I rode my motor scooter through it twice ... just for fun.
View attachment 159062
In 1964 I bought a green Hillman Imp car and sped through the underpass only to be sat in the traffic jam towards Trinity Road.
View attachment 159063
Eventually they built the Walsall Road flyover allowing me to speed over outbound traffic turning into Aldridge Road and later the Trinity Road flyover was built and I could speed the whole length of Birchfield Road hardly noticing it. Times were good for car owners!
View attachment 159064
View attachment 159065
There was a lot of visible concrete in Birchfield Road ....
Thanks for sharing.......
JeannetteM
master brummie
Amazing photos, so much to look at. Bought back many memories of my bus travels from Great Barr into the City Centre. Fantastic, thank you oldMohawk. There looks to be more traffic and road congestion then! Jen.Birchfield Road Nostalgia …
The road was the main route into town from where I lived and old forum pics bring back many memories. I first travelled as a young child on Midland Red Front Entrance Double Deck buses ... there's one behind the tram.
View attachment 159049
From Perry Barr we often travelled on a number 6 tram into town. Trams stood in the middle of the road at the terminus and we had to walk out to them dodging traffic. The ride was always exciting as they rattled along - bells ringing - electric motors humming - and open balconies which kids liked ...
View attachment 159050
The Luftwaffe bombed Brum in November 1940 and the corner of Mansfield Road took a hit which stopped the trams going into town that day!
View attachment 159051
I went to both cinemas on Birchfield Road ... the slightly posh Odeon and the not so posh Birchfield Picture House.
View attachment 159052
View attachment 159053
To combat the severity of rationing in ww2, British Restaurants were opened to sell basic meals at reasonable prices off-ration. I was taken into one next to the Birchfield Cinema The building was still there in 1959 as a restaurant..
View attachment 159054
View attachment 159055
Aged ten, I cycled into town on my junior bike and fell off as I was leaving Birchfield Road at Six Ways when my front wheel went in the tram tracks. It was a tricky crossing with traffic from six directions and no traffic lights. I was a bit shaken so sat on those bank steps before walking my bike back home.
View attachment 159056
I sometimes walked the length of Birchfield Road on the way home from school when thick fog stopped some buses and the trams were full. Simulated pic below shows how it looked! We called them 'peasouper' fogs ... but thankfully we don't get them these days !
View attachment 159059
In my late teens I bought a motor scooter and could thread my way through monster traffic jams at Aston Lane and Trinity Road.
View attachment 159061
View attachment 159060
On the day they opened the Perry Barr underpass in April 1962 I rode my motor scooter through it twice ... just for fun.
View attachment 159062
In 1964 I bought a green Hillman Imp car and sped through the underpass only to be sat in the traffic jam towards Trinity Road.
View attachment 159063
Eventually they built the Walsall Road flyover allowing me to speed over outbound traffic turning into Aldridge Road and later the Trinity Road flyover was built and I could speed the whole length of Birchfield Road hardly noticing it. Times were good for car owners!
View attachment 159064
View attachment 159065
There was a lot of visible concrete in Birchfield Road ....
Bob Davis
Bob Davis
Thanks OM what a fantastic photo montage, brought back a few memorie, Odeon for the films one or two weeks after they had been in the City Centre Cinemas, Birchfield (like the Star, (Slade Road), the Picture House (Erdington) and countless other non-posh cinemas, scattered throughout the city suburbs. Do you remember the cinema listings in the evening Mail, looking at what was on elsewhere and working out if you could get there and back in the evening. Found some interesting cinemas that way. Caugh up with a lot of old films as well, particularly on a Sunday. In the school holiday 0f 1948, at the age of 12 did a tour of the remaining tram routes, including riding No 6 on the 6 route in the open front. Sometimes went to town via 107/113 from Oscott College, cost more, but different buses of course. Front wheel in the tram tracks on a wet day, this group of pictures have brought back memories. I am trying to remember if at any time during the early forties when we were going to see a relative who lived above Perry Barr and used the Midland Red because it was quicker than 5a to Witton, 11 to Perry Barr and then another bus that I cannot remember, if the Midland Red (old BHAs) were in the pre war Red, Cream and Silver roof or not. Anyone got a date when the livery changed? \but got a few goosebumps today.
\bob
\bob
Phil Cross
New Member
I worked there, Whitehead Road and studied for an HNC In Elect. Eng. 1968/69. I've searched the Webb for any mention of it or any pictures and can't find anything, it's as though it never existed. There was also an annex at Berners Street, it was an old church building. Do you have any info or advise where I can look further. I know it was knocked down for new housing in 80's?
Rob1abb
Boys' Brigade Brummie
I found these pictures.
Attachments
Richard Dye
master brummie
Welcome to the Forum Phil, a great place enjoy! I did the same at Handsworth Tech a few years ahead of you only ME!
Phil Cross
New Member
Rob, Thank you very much for your reply and the wonderful pictures. Where did you find them?
Thanks again,
Phil
Rob1abb
Boys' Brigade Brummie
On this great site, probably. 'Astoness' is the source of many 'lost' views of buildings from our past.
Not sure where the Whitehead Rd picture came from, but from Berners St thread: https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/berners-street-lozells.38603/page-4 #62
Not sure where the Whitehead Rd picture came from, but from Berners St thread: https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/berners-street-lozells.38603/page-4 #62
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Round the corner from the Odeon in Canterbury Road?
Richard Dye
master brummie
I think so!
Details are here of the police station https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/canterbury-road-police-station.48328/
Iv
Iv
I loved that library. I was about 8 or 9 when my mum took me to sign up so that I could take up to 4 library books out. I remember being given 4 beige coloured small cardboard wallets with my name on to enable me to borrow books. I remember the inside of the library almost step by step, from the outside, up the steps, through a hallway with a flagstone floor to a couple of swing doors. The centre part was was where the librarians worked and sorted the books, and stamped them in and out. I remember everything seemed a green emulsion colour, including large oil filled radiators. The childrens part was to the left hand side as you came in - I spent quite a few years there, before I had the pleasure of taking out grown up novels. The library had a smell of all of its' own. I spent many a happy hour there over a decade, from 1972-1983. I remember the library as a very happy place and I was always excited to go there. Lovely memories.
Lloyd
master brummie
A busy post WW2 photo of car 17 heading north on Birchfield Road. The buildings in the background still exist (Nos 438/40/42) but where the tram is would now be part of the Perry Barr underpass. The former Birchfield Road tram depot is hidden by the bus in front of the tram, and although that building still exists it is now only accessible from its former rear entrance in Leslie Road. The sole pedestrian is crossing Willmore Road.
A #31 (?) tram outside Birchfield Cinema and Library. You can see the old Barclays Bank (extreme left) on the corner of Aston Lane. Dated 1949. Viv
Could a very kind Mod please merge this thread with an existing one here please
Many thanks Viv.
Birchfield Road Perry Barr
A seasonal view of Holy Trinity Church looking towards Birchfield Road. Sorry no date, but a lovely scene. Viv.
birminghamhistory.co.uk
Many thanks Viv.
Lloyd
master brummie
An enthusiasts' tour near the end of the Birchfield Road tram routes' operation.
Radiorails
master brummie
Lloyd has mentioned that this was an enthusiastic special. The tram has been given a route number 3, but this was discontinued in 1939. An enthusiast joke I expect. The livery is post war.
Incidentally tram route 31 was from Edmund Street to Soho, it was abandoned also in 1939 and replaced by bus route B83.
Lloyd
master brummie
Numbers (and destinations) of already replaced routes still remained on the blinds although the particular displays were no longer used. The blinds were specific to individual depots, with only a few on all blinds such as Football Special, Rednal and doubtless a couple of others. Rednal because on bank holidays the Bristol Road service to the Lickeys was so intense that trams had to be borrowed from other depots (than Selly Oak) to operate the extras.
RobT
Acemeccanoman
Again outside Birchfield Library, but a little earlier in time, was there a Ansells pub or outdoor opposite library, and why has it got the wrong destination plate for Perry Barr?
