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Book: 96 years a Brummie by Tom Golding

davidfowler

davidfowler

Exiled Brummie
I've just got a book from my uncle, "96 Years a Brummie" by Tom Golding. It's a record of events during his mother's life (Rose Stevens b July 18th 1889).
Although it's not a "glossy" book it's fascinating. From her early days in Greet through the early years of the 19c it includes loads of observations and anecdotes.
Thoroughly recommended, it's produced by Visual Peach Print Management, B'ham. ISBN 0.9516418.0.8, not sure if it's still in print.
Here's a couple of photos. The horse buses one is in 1893 and the fare to and from Balsall Heath was a "penny all the way". Sorry if they have already been posted.
 
David
I am so pleased you have discovered this absolute gem of a book. I have a copy given to me by my mother, it was given to her by the author, Tom Golding after they got chatting and he realised our family came from Greet.
This book is fascinating, the memories and detail are wonderful, and it is a must have book if you come from Greet or Sparkhill. On page 13, she recalls a pub in Albion road called the “New Inn”. This is the house I grew up in, it was no longer a working pub but still retained a lot of pub features, like three pianos, and a huge advertisement for Ansell’s Sparkling Ales painted on the outside wall.
I took the book with me the last time I visited Greet, I retraced some of the walks she describes, and was over the moon to find that the house she was born in (203 Percy road) in the year 1889 still stands. As I stood outside, I could not help be touched by the passage of time, and hoped that she would be pleased that her memories are still alive and touch people nearly 120 years after her birth.
Regards
Paul
 
Firstly David it is not Christmas yet. Secondly lovely photo's and thirdly John where is the bookshop you're talking about exactly please. Fourthly Alf leave him alone he's fed up enough as it is cos Xmas ain't here yet. Jean.
 
Brownhills High Street opposite the precinct not open Mondays I have had a few books to do with Birmingham
 
Thanks John I will get him indoors to come with me and maybe have fish and chips at the little cafe my neighbours always on about. Jean.
 
No problem David. Just waiting for the corgi [gas man] to come and disconect our fire chimney sweep in the morning then next week the real mess starts. Brickwork ready for our log burner. We have the log burner but are waiting for someone in the family a builder to do the main work as he is brilliant. Better the devil you know. We have an open fire in the front and my son has lent us his calor fire from his garage also we have two alagen heaters so we won't freeze I hope. Going to get a hot drink down me know. Sorry a bit off topic. Jean.
 
If you can get hold of a copy of a book called '96 years a brummie' sorry cant remember the author, but someon on this forum is bound to know who she was, theres probably a copy in Small Heath Library, theres a lot of descripion and memories of the area and the buildings. even mention of a lost well in Heath Mill La, behind the Crown if I remember right.
 
Hi Fatfingers

I havent read the book but it was written by Tom Golding and Published in 1986

Phil
 
pmc1947 said:
Hi Fatfingers

I havent read the book but it was written by Tom Golding and Published in 1986

Phil
Click to expand...

Pretty sure it was written by his mother, and edited by him. lost my copy years ago, its a good read, for anybody interested in small heath/greet history.
 
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