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Birmingham Town Hall

Hi All,

50 years ago this week the town hall was the scene of a meeting which saw the formation of The National Viewers and Listeners Association. Mary Whitehouse was its main spokesperson and the aim was to put a stop to what they considered to be the violence and sex etc that was being broadcast. They argued that unless something was done about it the matters would only get worse. Mrs Whitehouse is now dead and I do not know if the Association still exists. But was Mary Whitehouse right? Are things worse than they were 50 years ago? Certainly it seems that most comedians cannot stand before an audience without uttering words that a few years ago would not have been tolerated.

Old Boy
 
Old Boy:

I was about to say that any attempt to respond to your question in this thread can only result in the thread going totally off topic, but Bernard beat me to it! Perhaps a new thread might be more productive?

Maurice
 
There is not much that you can say about the T.H. is there. 15 pages is a mystery. I am sure that a new thread along the line in question would bring out some lively comment though. Maybe there is one already.
 
sospiri said:
Old Boy:

I was about to say that any attempt to respond to your question in this thread can only result in the thread going totally off topic, but Bernard beat me to it! Perhaps a new thread might be more productive?

Maurice
Click to expand...
An excellent suggestion Maurice.
 
Hi Bernard
getting back on track regarding the TH; I have got a large picture of the hall ; with scaffold around it
from bottom to top and on the subject of the upper windows they was closed in they was little small windows above
and in a square shaped so they would never be able to open them
and it looks like there are two ladies standing right on the very corner of the building waiting for a bus or possible a taxi
and this is dated renovations at the town hall dated 16 august 1935
i do know in later years that those windows was taken out in around the 1950s and new ones in that openend out
they was there inthe early sixties when paul jones of m,annfred man made is film there
as i was there whatching like other public people was there they was filming him standing on the balcony
and we the crowd got filmed as we was surpose to be apart of the crowds of his followers that he was shouting down to
i do not remember the name of the film perhaps some one else can best wishes Alan Astonian
 
The film was Privilege, I didn't realise the Town Hall was used as I only read the book whilst on a caravan holiday.

Was it used in any other films?
rosie.
 
Hi Rosie
The only part they used was the out side parapet on the front of the town hall
They put some scenery up there and paul Jones of the Manfred man star leader had a big medallion around his neck
And in costume. And us the Joe public he was shouting down to us from the parapiit is lines
We was used as part of the film the producers was telling us to jump up and down and shout as loud as we could and we was to be looking up to paul
And we had to jump up and down they used scenes from around the city as well for the film parts
In it it did show parts of streets scenes Alan astonian,,,,
 
There are a couple of mentions earlier in this thread of the two workmen that died in 1834 whilst helping to build the town hall. A monument was raised in Birmingham Cathedrals Churchyard consisting of a broken column which is often used to depict a life cut short by tragedy.

I have always been intrigued by the column top (see picture) that resides in a flower bed at Cannon Hill park and wondered if there was a connection with the town hall. On reading this today I find that there is a connection, you will need to read tab 2 on the page.

https://www.cannonhillpeoplespark.net/discovery/discovery.html

Though I have to remark that I find it odd that there is some 57 years between the deaths of the two unfortunate workmen and the raising of their monument. Was there a previous monument or was it erected because Birmingham happened to have a couple of spare columns due to alterations.
 

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I was looking at the one in St. Philips, the Cathedral, the other day and it seemed very dingy just there and not like this one in Cannon Hill. So many people take a "short-cut" across where the grass used to be that it's just rough ground now. Was it really made from one which was "left over"?
rosie.

(I have just re-read parts of this thread and in #76 Ellbrown has put a beautiful photo and the explanation that it was intended for the Town Hall.)
 
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What an enjoyable site which has brought back many memories. Loved the Jazz Concerts of my misspent youth, The Dutch Swing College, Stan Kenton and Johnny Dankworth introducing us to his new and beautiful new vocalist Cleo Lane!
When I was back for a short visit to my hometown, in 2004, I was so saddened to see the Town Hall in such a dilapidated condition and was so glad to see it restored in its new glory.
The only down side I felt was Rupert and his overbearing and negative view of a building that many cities must envy. My advise to him would be to visit a builders supply company, buy some material to build a bridge, and "Get Over It!!".
I apologise for my rude comment but felt it justified.
 
# attachment 84722, looks so cosy, (on a social history comment) I did't realise that coffee was so widely drunk by the masse's at this period, and is the chap coming in the door recognizing a friend and has his thumb up, "so very English".
 
Hi Tim
Hi Tim and anybody else whom is into jazz as I am there is a band on the scene for the last few years now whom have made a name for themselves
They are called the swing commanders and they have a lady in there band as well
They travelled the breast of the country and appear in stourport country and western festival which is held in august every year
They entertain you and play brilliant jazz music and american style jazz. As well
Best wishes astonian,,,,,,
 
rosie said:
The film was Privilege, I didn't realise the Town Hall was used as I only read the book whilst on a caravan holiday.

Was it used in any other films?
rosie.
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.Hi All,

The final scene of the film 'Brassed Off' was shot in the Town Hall. It was the Brass Band competition and the Town Hall doubled for the Albert Hall. The film is well worth seeing if you have missed it

Old Boy
 
This book
https://theironroom.wordpress.com/2012/08/

claims that Birmingham Town Hall was the first great purpose-built concert hall in Britain. It also seems that the front elevation, envisaged 3 years prior to the Town Hall architectural competition, looked quite different to that which was finally chosen. Viv.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Hi Viv,

Thanks for that. Sounds like the author has done loads of research. Unfortunately I'll be in Italy on 16th September, so can't make the freebie do !!

Maurice
 
Hi Old Boy,

A very good film indeed. I've seen it several times and now have the DVD, and used to work with a guy (a brass band fanatic) who kinew many of the brass players. Sadly, Pete Postlethwaite is no longer with us.

Maurice
 
Vivienne14 said:
Found this postcard claiming to be an 18th century view up Hill Street.

View attachment 93357

If it was a sketch, I wonder if it was the model for this tile picture from the Woodman, Paradise Street, posted earlier on this thread by Phil.

View attachment 93358

Viv.
Click to expand...
The sketch and tile do look very similar. I thought that the Town Hall was opened in 1834 and therefore the sketch would be later than the 18th century. Very interesting sketch that combines a view of an almost rural street with the classical features of the Town Hall. Dave
 
You're right Dave. Of course, the postcard title should be "Birmingham Town Hall from Hill Street 19th Century", not 18th Century. All the same, I agree a great sketch. Viv.
 
Well if that is meant to be the Town Hall and that looks like a bridge over a railway [?], it certainly can't be the 18th Century! But the two pictures are very similar, Viv.

Maurice
 
Hi Maurice and viv
I would also like to say I agree with you those two picture look alike and that I have a book by. John marks
And its called. Birmingham on post cards they are old black and white post cards and the front cover of the book
It states. The city and suburbs in the 19 the century in over 300 illustrations
And at the beginning of the start to pages it as several pictures of the town hall but none of what Phil as put on also the queering of
The date when it was built and whom by and it was. Joseph Hanson built the town hall between 1834 and the statue of James watt
Was unveiled 1850 and removed in 1970 ,this particular post card as James watt along the side of the town hall and its also shows and states
That he was removed 1970 and whilst behind him is a public call box of the national telephone company. As I have said there is several of them but not what Phil's put up. I bought this book of post card many years ago the oriniginal cost brand new was f2 pounds ninetyfivepence
And I got it for 99 p
May I say its a good book packed with black and white pictures cards , and the auther is john marks an envoironmetal health officer
With the Birmingham city council and as collected post cards for twenty years
The interest originated as a side line to his collection of local history books but now its his hobby
He has approximately. 300 post card views within the present city boundary and parts of the collection. Have been exhibited
At Birmingham reference library and Birmingham library john as won awards for display at the British internationioa



Post card exhibition bipex each year from 1977 to 1980. Receiving best show award 1979
The Birmingham. Mail has used his cards as the basis of several special supplements
Born and bred he his married with 2 children and he at present working on a volume of social history portrayed on post. Cards
 
Book sounds interesting Alan and a great find. The printers of the postcard of the Hill Street view must have made an error when printing. Maybe they didn't think about the date of the Town Hall. The people in the picture don't look 18th century either. So think it must have been a printing error. Viv.
 
Hi viv,
I do not think they made an error because as you travelled through the book it covers a lot of subjects and areas of Birmingham
And also it also gives you the post cards of private company's of the tested years of Birmingham some are well k own company's and brewers
There are some of Joseph Chamberlain and also on each one it telsyou how many are in a set
The one ofchaberlin as a set of six and tells you of the name of the in divisional company that made them
Its a collection of variety companies
But I am trying to be breife but as I was just saying going through the book you get to page 61 you come to what is called novelty and fantasy
Cards so I think what Phil as found are a novelty cards but they most certainly not in this book
There is one with the town hall with a lake around it with yaughts sailing around it that comes under thefantasty cards
And the caption comes with it saying valentines flooded the main streets of Birmingham with water in 1905 resulting in a set of six cards
Titled if Birmingham were Venice
Viv its a great book chopper block ful l and in between the cards it tells you history of certain things about that particular area or the ompains and about certain
Town hals which in ever knew about like spark hill having its own town hall before being taking over by the Birmingham town hall
Viv I know its old but if any help to you the publishers are reflections of a bygone age 27 Walton drive key worth Nottingham tel 06077=4087
Best wishes viv Alan. Astonian,,,,,
 
Oh I see Alan. As you say, fantasy. So the artist might have been speculating about how the view would have looked if the older buildings had been left after the Town Hall had been built. Thanks for all the info. Viv.
 
I have a slightly different etching with some differences and less clear (thought it came fromthis forum but might be wrong). It is shown below and is labelled from where ever I got it as about 1880

Hill2520St2520abt252018802520n.JPG
 
Astonian said:
Hi Tim
Hi Tim and anybody else whom is into jazz as I am there is a band on the scene for the last few years now whom have made a name for themselves
They are called the swing commanders and they have a lady in there band as well
They travelled the breast of the country and appear in stourport country and western festival which is held in august every year
They entertain you and play brilliant jazz music and american style jazz. As well
Best wishes astonian,,,,,,
Click to expand...
Hi Astonian,
Sorry I missed this post and hope you didn't think me rude not to reply. Glad to hear there are still people putting out good music. Will see if I can pick them up thru you tube etc.
How is the Duchess recovering. Cheers Tim
 
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