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Bull Ring 1960s - 1980s

Talking of the bullring market. anyone remember"Louie the Jew."He was thrown out of the market for hitting an annoying customer on the head with a hammer. I worked with Louie as a barrow boy in the 60s. After work on saturday we would put the fruit and veg in the lock up and head to the Grapes for a drink. My money was no good there for as soon as i was introduced as Olives boy everyone would want to buy me a drink.My family had shops all around birmingham centre for many years including one at 11 Darwin st, one on Sandy lane and one in Derritend. if anyone has pics of the old Darwin st i would love to see them
 
Both these bring on memories for me Stitcher, how many times did I used to look at the florecent " TIMES FURNITURE" sign from the top deck of the bus on the way into town, and I went every year with Dad and my sister Marilyn to the Bull ring Christmas market, very happy memories.
paul
 
Hello again Paul, similar memories for me too, although I never went around the Bull ring on the bus I do remember looking at the lit-up Times name from Barr Beacon when I was up there some evenings with my m/cycle. I can quite honestly say that I have no fond memories of the city centre since they altered the traffic flow and built the terrible slug building.
 
hi there
the last time i seen a topless man swollowining the big sword down into his stomache was at the share holders pub ; by barton street
on park lane aston ; during the year of 1961 and he had an assitant whom lay on a bed of nails bear breasted and on his back ;
he also swolloed a big long gold chain with a medalion on it full lengh inside
did any of you ever see such a feat ; being done
astonian;;
 
All they have in the Birmingham History Galleries with the old bull on it, is this black and white photo on a canvas

 
Great story Alan, I only remember going into the "Matador", once or twice, it was't on my regular run, nice to know you were the "Gov" there once. regards.paul.
 
A 1967 publicity shot taken at night time in the Bullring for the MGB GT. I would say the uniformed doorman helping the lady out of the car would be guiding her to ... well ..... nowhere. Don't think there was anything in particular along that stretch of road except a turning into the Bullring carpark perhaps? Was it Smallbrook Queensway?Viv.

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Vivienne, your 1967 photo at post at #531 was taken on the Ringway near to the entrance to the Mayfair Suite. So perhaps they were heading for there?
 
Ha,ha! I'm sure you have immense style and sophistication Phil. Funny how the photo is trying to portray very 'with it' 1960s young people, in the Bullring, jumping out of the MG outside the Mayfair Suite ..... but somehow looking back it all seems a bit ... well ..... naff I suppose! Of course we're so much more cultured and above all that now ..... mmmm. Viv.
 
Be interesting to hear about any memories forum members have of the opening day. I don't really remember its opening. Although I was old enough to remember it, I have no recollection. When I went to town, I wouldn't go specifically to browse around the Bullring. It wasn't until I was a bit older that my friends and I would go there (not with parents) but simply to cut through it to go to Silver Blades Ice Rink. Then in the late 60's it would be to visit only specific things like the rag market for vintage clothes, or to the Chinese restaurant - whose name I've forgotten - or to the stall that sold lovely suede boots under the ramp in the outdoor market. Trying to pinpoint what the Bullring really meant to me, but am struggling a bit with that. I think it seemed a bit soulless at times, a place you passed through. Viv.
 
My Mom worked at the Times furnishing nearby and i can remember her manager carrying me down the fire escape of the Times to see the Queen, that's all i remember!. The Best part of the Bull Ring for me was the indoor market, i think it had a better atmosphere than the new one now.The bridge link which still exists i liked because of the views of the Rotunda, i'm fond of the Rotunda as it always greeted you home if you'd been away and arrived at either Digbeth or New Street. I'm glad it was listed and saved, it's Brum to me...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...Rotunda-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html
 
brumgum said:
My Mom worked at the Times furnishing nearby and i can remember her manager carrying me down the fire escape of the Times to see the Queen, that's all i remember!. The Best part of the Bull Ring for me was the indoor market, i think it had a better atmosphere than the new one now.The bridge link which still exists i liked because of the views of the Rotunda, i'm fond of the Rotunda as it always greeted you home if you'd been away and arrived at either Digbeth or New Street. I'm glad it was listed and saved, it's Brum to me...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...Rotunda-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html
Click to expand...

Brumgum I also worked at Times 1964/1966
 
Vivienne, do you recognise them from these photos?
 

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Thanks Richie and Horsencart. Hadn't clicked that the bricks encased the Nelson statue.Thought it was a very large plinth and Nelson had gone walkies as he seems to have done several times! And love it or hate it, the Bullring looks so forlorn in the photos of its last days. So many of us can relate to the 1960s Bullring in some way or other. This photo shows the girders being put in place for the 150ft bridge that joined the two parts of the Bullring across the inner ring road. Also a picture showing the full span of the bridge. Interesting to see the old Market Hall in the distance in the first one. Viv.

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brumgum said:
Ditto to all of that but sadly we're well used to such acts of vandalism in this City, you might like to see this corner of the Birmingham it's history it's people exhibition in the museum as they did manage to save a flag from the old Bull Ring of that same design..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghammag/8102685330/lightbox/
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Flag looks in good nick. Must have been a special occasion flag, not one that was on the flagpole in all weathers!! Thanks Brumgum. Viv.
 
Great article jennyann, thanks for sharing it. Some great photos in the gallery, especially the older ones.
 
Dunno about a function room but the pub sticks in my mind as the place I wound up in on my first shopping trip with my, later-to-be, wife. In fact it was the ONLY place I went while she rambled round the shops!
 
Hi Paul, you might like this. Two police officers on the beat in 1960s Bull Ring. Viv.
 

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