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Camden Drive And Camden Grove
- Thread starter dznee
- Start date
W
Wendy
Guest
I am afraid there is nothing of Camden Drive there now. We went on a walk some time ago and forum member Charlie gave us a rough idea where it was. Her grandparents lived there and are mentioned in Kathleen's book.
Thanks for replying Wendy, Oh well, I realy didnt expect Camden Drive to still be on the map after all this time. Its still very interesting to learn about and to visit,maybe we could contact Carl Chinn and see if he could help with photos of that era for Feature in the paper,we could do it as a Remberance to Katie.
I did start to trace her family tree but it was confusing as her sister Liza was shown as a lot younger than her and her brother. She states that they are older and the whole ralationship revolves around this.
Anyway I ran out of free credit for the 1911 census then so left it.
I did love her mom though, what a fiesty women.
Anyway I ran out of free credit for the 1911 census then so left it.
I did love her mom though, what a fiesty women.
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
I'm off on holiday shortly, but maybe we could organise something when I get back towards the end of the month?
About 10 years ago I read Kathleens Dayus’s book “Her People” loved it, and always wanted to visit the place, It was about a year ago I bought a copy, and thought one day I will go and see if anything of Camden Drive, however small, was still there.
So , at the beginning of May this year my husband and I headed for Hockley.
We did have a map of the area, I started off at Ludgate Hill, and headed down towards St Pauls Church, then along Charlotte Street to Newhall Hill.
Then into Legge Lane; I was delighted to see so many place names still there.
Then I arrived into Camden Drive, I felt such an attachment to the place. We spent a few hours looking around what was left, obviously none of the backs to backs are still there , and the factories that are there are in ruins, but it didn’t matter to me I was there.
On my next visit I found Camden Grove, I was so pleased with what I had found to be left. To me it was the bones and the soul of the place.
I called into the Information Desk in Chamberlain Square to ask if anyone was going to photograph or film the area before it disappeared for ever, ( which I was told by a workman would be in about four weeks, ) The woman at the desk said ‘not much point as there is nothing left’. I was really taken aback with the comment. So what have I taken some 300 photographs of then?
Since then we have returned six times from Coventry to research more of the people who lived there, to say that there is nothing left is an insult to this whole area. The place was not only the workshop of this Country but most of the world as well.
I really feel it is a true crime that more recognition not given to these people.
If anyone would like to take a look around of what’s left I would be more than pleased to show them, but from what I was told time may be short.
This is a photograph of Camden Grove last week
So , at the beginning of May this year my husband and I headed for Hockley.
We did have a map of the area, I started off at Ludgate Hill, and headed down towards St Pauls Church, then along Charlotte Street to Newhall Hill.
Then into Legge Lane; I was delighted to see so many place names still there.
Then I arrived into Camden Drive, I felt such an attachment to the place. We spent a few hours looking around what was left, obviously none of the backs to backs are still there , and the factories that are there are in ruins, but it didn’t matter to me I was there.
On my next visit I found Camden Grove, I was so pleased with what I had found to be left. To me it was the bones and the soul of the place.
I called into the Information Desk in Chamberlain Square to ask if anyone was going to photograph or film the area before it disappeared for ever, ( which I was told by a workman would be in about four weeks, ) The woman at the desk said ‘not much point as there is nothing left’. I was really taken aback with the comment. So what have I taken some 300 photographs of then?
Since then we have returned six times from Coventry to research more of the people who lived there, to say that there is nothing left is an insult to this whole area. The place was not only the workshop of this Country but most of the world as well.
I really feel it is a true crime that more recognition not given to these people.
If anyone would like to take a look around of what’s left I would be more than pleased to show them, but from what I was told time may be short.
This is a photograph of Camden Grove last week
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
The photograph shows Camden Drive - sometimes called Camden Grove (!) dtayler. Kathleen Dayus lived in one of the courts where the railing are in your photo, they went off at right angles there.
My family (the Chapmans, mentioned in the book) lived in the next court, so I researched the area well and also spoke to Kathleen, she was good friends with my mum and her two sisters.
What a shame you got an answer like that from the woman on the desk - especially since they've gone to the trouble and expense of making an area of Albion Street into Kathleen Dayus Square!
Must try and get back there before the workmen appear then, thanks for the tip!
Edit to add: Anyone who doesn't know the area and would like to walk round, please send me an pm and we'll try and fix a time/date.
My family (the Chapmans, mentioned in the book) lived in the next court, so I researched the area well and also spoke to Kathleen, she was good friends with my mum and her two sisters.
What a shame you got an answer like that from the woman on the desk - especially since they've gone to the trouble and expense of making an area of Albion Street into Kathleen Dayus Square!
Must try and get back there before the workmen appear then, thanks for the tip!
Edit to add: Anyone who doesn't know the area and would like to walk round, please send me an pm and we'll try and fix a time/date.
W
Wendy
Guest
I think that's a great idea Charlie. I have read and devoured Kathleen's books. I well remember our walk in the area a few years ago in which you pointed out where the courts were. This was a walk I will never forget, I hope we can do it again before it all disappears. How lucky are we here on the forum to have the people who actually knew these places. Let's sort a date out!!
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Thanks Wendy. Hoookay .. I can make Tuesday of next week. Give me a couple of days notice and I'll meet anyone who's interested either at the entrance to the JQ station in Vyse Street or Dayus Square - whichever you prefer - at about 12.30pm
Let me know if you want to come (or I shall go another time). Might even manage a drinkie-pooh and sarnie at the Jewellers .. no .. will CERTAINLY manage that!
Charlie
Let me know if you want to come (or I shall go another time). Might even manage a drinkie-pooh and sarnie at the Jewellers .. no .. will CERTAINLY manage that!
Charlie
W
Wendy
Guest
I can't make the 4th if thats the date you mean, 
(
(
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Oh I'm so sorry! My husband has to go into hospital for a small operation and yesterday accepted a cancellation for Tuesday (of all the days!) That was the only day I had free next week but I shall be on "hand holding" duties on Tuesday (coz he's a bloke)!
Can maybe make Saturday 8th though Liz. (and anyone else interested), if that's any good?
Again .. really sorry - but some other time before the bulldozers move in if you can't make Saturday?
Can maybe make Saturday 8th though Liz. (and anyone else interested), if that's any good?
Again .. really sorry - but some other time before the bulldozers move in if you can't make Saturday?
Shortie
master brummie
Charlie - I have a birth certificate of one of my family from Cheltenham who came to Birmingham for four years during the 1850's, and the birth place is Camden Grove. I was curious as I knew of Camden Drive but not the Grove. They are not the same place, Camden Grove is the bit down the side of the old National School, Camden Drive is along the bottom. I found this out from the 1880's map in the library. I can scan it in for you if you like. Shortie
Charlie
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Thanks Shortie - I found this out as well. They seem to have renamed the whole road Camden Drive though, heaven knows why!
My family came from the Camden Grove section, as did Kathleen Dayus. I remember visiting a house there once when I was very young and recalled the name of the people living there (Horace Tuckey). They were neighbours of my family from way back and it was one of the few houses not bombed out. This must have been around 1949 when I was eight, but it's funny how some names and places stick in the mind and some are gone in a flash (mostly the latter in my case these days)!!!
My family came from the Camden Grove section, as did Kathleen Dayus. I remember visiting a house there once when I was very young and recalled the name of the people living there (Horace Tuckey). They were neighbours of my family from way back and it was one of the few houses not bombed out. This must have been around 1949 when I was eight, but it's funny how some names and places stick in the mind and some are gone in a flash (mostly the latter in my case these days)!!!
Shortie
master brummie
Well Charlie, perhaps the fact that the streets were one off the other, made it difficult for not just the average man, but postal deliveries, etc, so I can understand why it did change, even if not officially (not checked any new maps). Key Hill Cemetery was not called that, it was just what the locals called it, and it eventually changed, so that's probably what happened with the street names. I also took a photo of the cobbles there, but don't know where my photo is, so I have saved the one from here - it's odd to think (and rather marvellous really) that my 2 x gt grandparents, James and Ann Dunford actually walked on those same stones (always presuming of course that they were not put there much later). I read Kathleen Dayus's books when they first came out, and although I did remember some places I did not remember it was Camden Grove where she was living. It makes paying a visit more meaningful I feel. What I would like to know now is as my James Dunford was a plasterer, what did he plaster in the JQ that is still standing? I doubt it I will ever find out, he was in Birmingham by 1854 and was back in Cheltenham by 1857. Two birth certificates give me the dates, and caused much excitement, sad person that I am.
