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Birmingham Town Hall

Thanks Mike and Jennyann. Looks like the building on the right in Mike's photo #126 is the one which would have been cleared behind the hoardings in db's 1970s photo #114. It's fairly unlikely I suppose, that the building that then went up in the 70s in it's place has since been demolished (although not impossible). So Ell's streetview of this spot (post #112) must still be the 1970s building. Just looks very new. Viv.
 
If you go back to Google Street view Viv, you will noticed the two plaques on No 1 Victoria Square. The one on the right says "This stone was laid on Thursday 12th April 1983 by Councillor B V Smith, West Midlands County Council". (it looks like 1963 but it can't be that as the WMCC lasted from 1974-86)

I've not got any direct photos of this building, but I've got this (during the beginning of 2009's Frankfurt Christmas Market)


The Helter Skelter slide in Victoria Square - Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market by ell brown, on Flickr
 
I see what you mean Ell, it does say 1983 WMCC. So I expect the site may have been empty for a few years before One Victoria Square was built. Viv.
 
There's this in Pevsner

On the S, first a plain block by Watkins Gray Woodgate International, 1983-5. The corner attempts an oriel, nicknamed 'the Chieftain tank' by a former chair of the City Planning Committee.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Dek and Carolina - sorry will try posting soon when I can work out the probem. Now you'll just need to exercise patience to find out which one I went to!! :devilish::devilish: Viv.
 
Think I'll try one at a time! The first of a series of pictures showing events at the Town Hall through time.Viv

Firstly the 1846 music festival
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Secondly an 1849 soiree showing specimens of papier mache, silver plate, electro plate and glass on a display in the centre of the floor. Professor Faraday gave a brief address on the electric light illustrated using Mr Gasslot's enormous battery of 100 plates. Mr Stimpson played the organ.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1328877935.456634.jpg
 
Next, June 1858 Queen's visit - arrival at the Town Hall

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1328878033.762553.jpg

And the luncheon room for HRH's
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Now we have a bit of a riot: 1924 Police clearing a charging crowd of Pro-Boars outside the Town Hall during the speech of Lloyd George MP. Stones and rocks were thrown through the windows hitting people insude tge Hall. Some 400 -500 police were involved. One person died and many people were injured.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1328878275.019789.jpg
 
And finally the first show I went to at the Town Hall in 1972. Only 60p, bloomin' good value! Viv.

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Hi Keegs. Incredible It's impossible to see Bowie once, you have to see him again and again! He's a showman and for me his music's stood the test of time. Saw many others there too, memorable ones being Captain Beefhart - quite wacky, seem to remember a ballerina prancing about the stage (!) and Beefhart in an amazing cape. And Pink Floyd too. Oh and Rod Stewart, another value for money entertainer. Good times. Viv.
 
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In 1901 Lloyd George was not the favourite of many Birmingham people and his appearance at The Town Hall quickly led to mayhem and the politician
had to don a policemans uniform to aid his escape.
 
I don't know about you stitcher but I recon the bloke in the bowler behind the newspaper vendor was" i'm who killed that bloke" on the advertising, using a bit of Lancashire "By eck 'e' looks a rum un".
paul
 
I don't know whether it was the photography in those days but a number of individuals give that impression on old photos.
 
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In 1939 our magnificent Town Hall did not look so regal with the sand-bags for protection.
 
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I have put this on the Town Hall thread because it is advertising a charity Bash at the building. I hope I am orrect in assuming it means Birmingham Town Hall. The link for me was that we had a Lord Mayor W. Saunders in 1930-31. Can anyone explain the two small swastikas??
 
The Swastika is a ancient sysmbol and it is only its adoption by the Nazis that has cause the stigmatisation of it. I believe that the first National Savings Stamps issued bu the Post Office during WWI had a large swastika on them. Have a look at the Wikipedia page for Swastika.
 
Thats interesting, I have only ever aquainted the symbol with natzism. I never realised it was used by others as well.
 
It is seen on a lot of buildings in India. My friend was horrified to see it on a wall around a church untill I explained it was an ancient symbol.
 
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