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Castle Bromwich

Alberta said:
I have just reread this thread again and I wonder if either the Smithy or James Smith is why the section of the Chelmsley Wood estate that lies between the Birmingham road , Bacons End and Castle Bromwich is called Smithswood.
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I grew up in a house on the Chester Rd approx 1/2 mile before Bacons End and the wood behind our back garden was Smith's Wood. The farmer that owned it was a Mr Webb so I have no idea why it was called Smith's Wood.
 
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Hi,

I lived in Smithswood for 47 years, and Smith's Wood itself was split into two
by Windward Way when Chelmsley Wood Extension was built in the late 60's and
early 70's. The farm on the estate side of Windward Way was Burton's Farm, and the
local Junior and Infants School was named after it.

Kind regards
Dave
 
Vivienne14 said:
Another of the Bradford Arms. A time gone by - cyclists stop off for a drink amongst the chickens. Looks early 1900s. Viv.View attachment 149710
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This was my father's local (1940s -60s) where he met his friends every night. On our way back from Birmingham one day, my father got off the bus outside the Bradford and when I asked the reason why, my mother said he was going to his church. When we next passed the Bradford, I embarrassed her my announcing in a loud voice to all the passengers "Look mummy, there's daddy's church". Another story is when my father and his friend were late on Home Guard parade having spent too long in the Bradford. When the Sargeant asked why they were late, they replied that they were delayed by two men. "What are their names" he asked. "Mitchell & Butler" they replied.
 
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The first map all the buildings beyond the Coach & Horses appear on is 1916-1924 (not there 1904) and by 1937 the Coach & Horses has gone, replaced by a bigger building.
 
Hi Pete,I worked at Bacons End garage in the 60s moved away in 70s now in Australia. Just viewed photos of the area in Google earth ,what a change what used to be green fields open land now one massive housing estate. Sorry no pics only memories. Martin
 
Does anyone know where the last photo was taken ? "Top of" which hill? Somewhere on Bradford Road or the Green ? Looks like a small cluster of houses (well in the 1930s) which suggests to me it might be/have been near the Green, but could be completely wrong. The house looks mid/late Victorian.
 
The "house at the top of the hill" in a 1934 photograph of Castle Bromwich refers to the ancient
Castle Bromwich Tumulus, a historical mound of earth known locally as Pimple Hill or "The Giant's Pimple". This site originally featured a wooden watchtower as part of a medieval motte and bailey castle, not a substantial modern house.
the old chester rd that went past the church and doen to newport rd there was a house just like it op the church demolished around 69

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Old Chester Road in 1934:

  • Traffic and Infrastructure The narrow, old Chester Road was becoming unsuitable for the increasing volume of 1930s motor traffic. As a result, new bypass roads (Bradford Road and Newport Road) were constructed to route traffic away from the historic village center.
1764960425758.jpeg
 
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