I used to live in Debenham Crescent which leads to Clements Rd. Me and my mate Keith used to score the Marlboro cricket club which we accessed at the side of Winnie's shop on Clements Rd, not the Stoney Lane entrance. From an earlier post I was one of the only males allowed into the Carmelite convent in Church Road as I was an alter server with the priest for mass and benediction. Only one nun was allowed to speak. They always served us a great breakfast afterwards. I was also the local paper boy delivering along Blakesley Rd past Blakesley Hall across Stonely Lane to Church Road. My sister was married at Yardley old Church. My local football team Yardley Ametures used to train at Hobmore Rd school. When I was older we used to go to Sunday disco at the rear of the Yewtree pub called the Sabbath. Another haunt was Bloomers club in the Swan center. Opposite was the s shaped building that the Council sold the land to Bryants the builders for their new. HQ but they moved to Solihull and it was used as offices. Mom used to buy some of her furniture from Russell's. I was there from 1960 to 1978 when I got married and moved on. Regards David.
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Church Road, Yardley.
- Thread starter ALB10N
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devonjim
master brummie
In late 1950's you would have found me in the Marlboro score box. Didn't know there was access from Clements Road.
Hi Devonjim, there was Jowits paper shop, Winnie's grocery shop and I think a small salon with a side gate which was always locked. Winnie's son knew we watched the cricket so let us through to the back which was virtually open to the pitch and pavilion with the timber score box at the far end of the pavilion. We were asked one summer if we would like to score the match as the usual person was unavailable. This would have been circa 1966/67. Regards David.
BRIANZORRO
Brummie babby
kat
Ex Brummie
Thanks Brian for your input on the subject of my Grandfathers Cycle shop, always interested in anything that people on the forum remember of him. Thanks for posting this. Hope you enjoy the forum. Thanks Again.
Over the years, members have mentioned the Shrubbery which was on the corner of Croft Road and Church Road, Yardley. In the 1950’s shops were built on Church Road and the entrance of the house was on Newcroft Grove. In 1984, my partner and I bought the premise, which was fairly derelict with a tree growing out of one of the chimneys, and transformed it into my company’s offices. We preserved as much as we could including the staircase and Victorian cast iron fireplaces. The company was founded in 1981 in the very early days of small computers and this year we celebrate our 40th anniversary. I went there today and notice that the house is mentioned on the plate outside the Weatherspoon pub. As you see, the paintwork has deteriorated over the past twelve months butwhen we are back to ‘normal times’ this will be rectified. I attach some photos.
Attachments
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suemalings
master brummie
Thanks so much for the photos. Although I don't live in Birmingham now, my mother in law lives just over the road from you (number 2). You probably know of her. Unfortunately she does not have a computer (and I don't have a colour printer) so I can't show her the photos, although we have not seen her for over 12 months. She was 92 this year and has lived in Yardley for most of her life, being in Newcroft Grove since the houses were built around 1959-60. I will tell her you have sent them and maybe one day she will be able to see them. I have been researching Yardley, her family and the Shrubbery for a number of years now. She remembers the two sister's who lived there.
Hi Sue. Thank you for your comments. I remember I was in my office a few years ago and I saw a lady taking a photo from the front gate. I went down to find out what she was doing and ,there was a lovely old couple on the front doorstep being photographed. The lady said she was born in the house many years ago and her daughter was taking the photos. I invited them in and it was wonderful to see she recognised a lot of the inside that we had renovated but not destroyed. She told me that the bottom office on the left was her grandmother’s bedroom and said about the other rooms.
I am in the office next Wednesday, 14th. If your mother in law is willing and can climb the stairs, I am quite happy to show her inside and let her reminisce. I should be free about 3 in the afternoon. If you are interested, Send me an email me on jp@zen.co.uk
suemalings
master brummie
I need help trying to find ANY info. on The Shrubbery. I have the census returns for 1861 and 1881, also the 1911 census for the Shubbery Cottages which were alongside in Church Road (where the shops are now) But I cannot find any other census returns. Unfortunately I do not have names of people who would have lived there in 1871, 1891, 1901so I have been going through the whole census for Church Road, Yardley. This is a bit difficult as we know that the pages sometimes do not follow the whole road. For instance one census sheet I found for Church Road suddenly changed to a completely different road before I go to where I think The Shrubbery should have been. I would really like to know who owned the house or who built it and when.
Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
pjmburns
master brummie
1901 Edward Eadon is listed at The Shrubbery. Born 1846 - if you can't find him post again and let me know.
suemalings
master brummie
I found Edward on the 1901 census, Martin Billing on the 1861 and Jacob Rowlands on the 1881. But I now have to find the others if I can. I had seen a couple of the photo's before too. The recent photo taken from the air must have been taken a long time ago, as I can see mother-in-laws house and garden quite clearly, also next doors too and they are quite different. I have been emailed a photo of Church Road taken about 1935 (we think). Just trying to find the best way to attach it to a message.
suemalings
master brummie
suemalings
master brummie
The picture I just posted is of Church Road, Yardley almost at the junction of Yew Tree Lane. (I think) before the shops in Church Road were built on the garden of The Shrubbery You can see the Shrubbery roof and also in front, the Shrubbery Cottages. I am sure the bus stop is still there in the same place.
Not sure when this photo was taken but we think it was sometime in the 1930's. I am going to see if I can find Harris the tobacconist (on the left). The shop on the right has a sign that says Boot Repairs, no name though.
Not sure when this photo was taken but we think it was sometime in the 1930's. I am going to see if I can find Harris the tobacconist (on the left). The shop on the right has a sign that says Boot Repairs, no name though.
Thomas Davis is still there in the Shrubbery in the 1924 edition, which is listed directly after (no number) Yardley Transport services at no 150. In the 1932 edition Thomas Davis is listed as at no 150 . So did Thomas Davis move next door, or is no 150 actually The Shrubbery , with Yardley Transport Services being at the same address
pjmburns
master brummie
1925, 1930, 1939 and 1945 e rolls list (including Shrubbery cottages out of interest). NB not all of the Davis children appear on all the registers.
1950 e roll still has Rosanna listed at 150 but by 1955 Shrubbery Cottages have gone and there is a different name at 150.
1950 e roll still has Rosanna listed at 150 but by 1955 Shrubbery Cottages have gone and there is a different name at 150.
pjmburns
master brummie
I am not sure if you
1903, 1904 and 1905 Henry Charles Sellers is listed as living at The Shrubbery
1908 is Edgar Frank Atkin
1912 and 1913 Jesse Arnold is listed there.
1899 William Edwards at The Shrubberies
I am not sure if you want info between the censuses but
1903, 1904 and 1905 Henry Charles Sellers is listed as living at The Shrubbery
1908 is Edgar Frank Atkin
1912 and 1913 Jesse Arnold is listed there.
1899 William Edwards at The Shrubberies
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suemalings
master brummie
All this info is great. I still can't get any further back that the 1881 census but that's OK at the moment. I am just interested in the house itself so having the names of residents over the years will fill in a few gaps. Still would like to know who actually owned it when it was built, so I shall keep looking (along with everyone else!!)
Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
Some more stuff to ponder...
MAPLELEHURST and SCONE COTTAGE
Maplehurst was a complete mystery to me, despite living in Church Road for the last 49 years. It was where the shops and houses are, opposite the Bank and School Buildings at the Yew Tree ….and in those days (1920s) next to Scone Cottage right on the corner opposite the present Clumsy Swan Pub. I only noticed it on a map when researching this post, so, a query to Debbie at South Yardley Library turned up the following, which she found off the Birmingham History Forum, some 5 years ago…
http://www.birminghamforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3081.253
“Have been looking at Scone cottage and Maplehurst, Church Rd. 1891 Maplehurst 134 Church Rd. Walter Coleman aged 53 house agent. 135 Church Rd.
“I have had a look in my editions of Kelly's Directories and can tell you that in 1901 Church Rd wasn't numbered. However by 1913 it was partially numbered and from Coventry Rd the north side of Church Rd was numbered from 1 to 87.
Then comes the part you are interested in, No 87 was Walter Thomas Webb shopkeeper, then un-numbered James H Woodcock Chimney sweep, then the Mission Congregational chapel, then Walter Coleman Maplehurst, then John Edward Mills nurseryman, Scone Cottage on the corner of Flavells Lane (which is now Hobmoor Rd).”
“Many thanks for your help. I am still wondering why on the 1891 census site Maplehurst is numbered 134 Church Rd. and Scone Cottage is down as 135 Church Rd. Another bit of information I found was that the Shrubbery we have spoken about before is down in 1891 numbered No185 Church Rd. lived in by Frederick Augustas Bird, wine merchant.”
“Thanks so much for that map showing Maplehurst. Indeed, it is next door to Scone Cottage! Or was. Seems to have gone since I couldn't see it on google-earth.”
Walter Coleman lived in Scone Cottage for some years, including 1871 and 1881, and seems to have built Maplehurst after 1888, when an old map of the area doesn't show Maplehurst and 1891 when he was living there. Maybe it was a Nurseryman's cottage some time before 1871?”
MAPLELEHURST and SCONE COTTAGE
Maplehurst was a complete mystery to me, despite living in Church Road for the last 49 years. It was where the shops and houses are, opposite the Bank and School Buildings at the Yew Tree ….and in those days (1920s) next to Scone Cottage right on the corner opposite the present Clumsy Swan Pub. I only noticed it on a map when researching this post, so, a query to Debbie at South Yardley Library turned up the following, which she found off the Birmingham History Forum, some 5 years ago…
http://www.birminghamforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3081.253
“Have been looking at Scone cottage and Maplehurst, Church Rd. 1891 Maplehurst 134 Church Rd. Walter Coleman aged 53 house agent. 135 Church Rd.
“I have had a look in my editions of Kelly's Directories and can tell you that in 1901 Church Rd wasn't numbered. However by 1913 it was partially numbered and from Coventry Rd the north side of Church Rd was numbered from 1 to 87.
Then comes the part you are interested in, No 87 was Walter Thomas Webb shopkeeper, then un-numbered James H Woodcock Chimney sweep, then the Mission Congregational chapel, then Walter Coleman Maplehurst, then John Edward Mills nurseryman, Scone Cottage on the corner of Flavells Lane (which is now Hobmoor Rd).”
“Many thanks for your help. I am still wondering why on the 1891 census site Maplehurst is numbered 134 Church Rd. and Scone Cottage is down as 135 Church Rd. Another bit of information I found was that the Shrubbery we have spoken about before is down in 1891 numbered No185 Church Rd. lived in by Frederick Augustas Bird, wine merchant.”
“Thanks so much for that map showing Maplehurst. Indeed, it is next door to Scone Cottage! Or was. Seems to have gone since I couldn't see it on google-earth.”
Walter Coleman lived in Scone Cottage for some years, including 1871 and 1881, and seems to have built Maplehurst after 1888, when an old map of the area doesn't show Maplehurst and 1891 when he was living there. Maybe it was a Nurseryman's cottage some time before 1871?”
pjmburns
master brummie
185 on the 1891 census is the schedule number not the house number. So it is house number 185 in that section of the census.
Similarly for the numbers 134 and 135