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Church Road, Yardley.
- Thread starter ALB10N
- Start date
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
pjmburns
master brummie
1851 Church Road does not seem to exist but:
The Causeway Yardley has an entry for The Shrubbery for
Thos D Clare (or Clure) and family + servants. Wife, 2 daughters and 1 son +2 visitors + 2 sisters in law + 3 servants
A lack of maps online of early date means I can't prove or disprove whether Causeway and Church Road are the same place or, indeed the same house.
That last comment goes for all of the records. The original could have been rebuilt with the same name.
The Causeway Yardley has an entry for The Shrubbery for
Thos D Clare (or Clure) and family + servants. Wife, 2 daughters and 1 son +2 visitors + 2 sisters in law + 3 servants
A lack of maps online of early date means I can't prove or disprove whether Causeway and Church Road are the same place or, indeed the same house.
That last comment goes for all of the records. The original could have been rebuilt with the same name.
Last edited:
suemalings
master brummie
I read that Martin Billings was in The Shrubbery in 1858. Also I have seen The Causeway too so I think that was the name before Church Road. I suppose it was originally just a dirt track. The original village would have been up where the Church is now with just a few cottages along the road down to the Yew Tree. I know that the Flavell family owned a lot of land around the Yew Tree so that is another name I need to look at.
I know that there was water somewhere around the Yew Tree and I think there may have been some sort of stream in front of what is now the bank. The roadway there was going to be a continuation of Hob Moor Road but I am not sure why it never happened. It goes into a small car park now in front of the block of flats.
suemalings
master brummie
My next query is - Does anyone know where The Limes in Church Road was situated?
I have looked at both the 1901 and 1911 census and The Limes is entered next door to the Ring of Bells. I thought that maybe The Limes was what became the Carmelite Monastery (this was in between the old and the "new" Ring o' Bells) but I have found that was originally The Grange. Checking the 1901 again, it also shows The Swifts & Gilderbrook, I am thinking that all these houses were in the old Village or at least going up Church Road (towards the old village, but I have no idea really.
I have looked at both the 1901 and 1911 census and The Limes is entered next door to the Ring of Bells. I thought that maybe The Limes was what became the Carmelite Monastery (this was in between the old and the "new" Ring o' Bells) but I have found that was originally The Grange. Checking the 1901 again, it also shows The Swifts & Gilderbrook, I am thinking that all these houses were in the old Village or at least going up Church Road (towards the old village, but I have no idea really.
suemalings
master brummie
I realise now that the old Ringers was not where I thought it was, but was in the car park of the "new" pub.
devonjim
master brummie
Barrows? the road opposite is Barrows Lane wonder if there is any connection?
suemalings
master brummie
The Grange (which became the Carmelite Monastery) was next door to the Old Ring O' Bells. The new Ringers was build behind the old one and then the old one demolished to make way for the car park of the new pub, This was in the mid 1930's but surely there would not have been the need for such a large car park at that time. So I cannot see how the Limes could have been in between the pub and the Grange, unless The Limes was a smaller house than I think it may have been. But then on the 1911 census it states that there were 11 rooms, so it must have been a reasonable size. What I really need is a photo of the old Ring of Bells showing next door as I bet the house was there. All those photos I have seen just seem to show the pub itself. Looking back on the Ring o' Bells forum I have found a photo and there is wall between the pub and the Grange so that must be where the Limes was situated.
Sue, regarding The Shrubbery; my memory of it in its original state is hazy as I was but an infant prior to the Yew Tree shopping centre being developed, but I think I remember that the front garden of the Shrubbery had very tall, mature trees along the front edge of it so you could hardly see the house from Church road and it had a lowish wall - 2-3 feet, that I was lifted up onto and helped to walk along the top. It had a sense of mystery about it. I am sure that your mother-in-law Margaret would remember much better than I can. Next time you speak to her would it be possible to ask if I right or am I completely imagining it please!?
suemalings
master brummie
Susan
Haven't seen mother n law for just over 18 months now but will be speaking tonight so I will mention the wall. I am sure I put a picture of it on the forum before the shops were built in the garden along Church Road.
Meanwhile does anyone remember Sister Petra? She was the only nun who was allowed out of the Carmelite Monastery. She used to walk down Church Road to the shops, pushing a wooden barrow.
Regarding The Shrubbery, I don't know if researchers have seen this already?: https://aghs.jimdofree.com/lists-from-the-1847-schedule/
It is a Tithe map of the area and the house and cottages (four houses and gardens) are clearly shown on it as well as a small path in the vicinity of Croft road. It also mentions the owners and occupants. An interesting web site which also shows old photos of Yardley.
It is a Tithe map of the area and the house and cottages (four houses and gardens) are clearly shown on it as well as a small path in the vicinity of Croft road. It also mentions the owners and occupants. An interesting web site which also shows old photos of Yardley.
suemalings
master brummie
It is annoying that I cannot open anything, I keep getting error messages!
Crikeymickey
New Member
Hello,
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
Just joined the forum.I live in Auckland NZ but was born in wash lane and raised in a prefab in Holder road School was Bierton Rd .After getting married in 66 we lived in Flora rd for 9 years. Fond memories were visiting the flea pit (The Delph)and the Tiv picture houses.I also on weekends and holidays help the delivery men at Hardings Bakery .Always went for the horse and carts there was a few still around then.I look forward to reading your posts and reliving some of those times.
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
I lived on Moat Lane across from the church and rec centre we used to play tennis in the field across the street. Have fond memories of Harding bakery and a slice of fresh bread The Tiv on Sats snoggin with my bird in the back Flash Gordon snd movitone news
devonjim
master brummie
Welcome! I often marvel how much people's paths cross. I have a friend who now lives in Omokoroa, not a million miles from you, who lived by the Beaufort. A great uncle worked at Wash Lane fire station, my gran had Harding's bread delivered by horse and cart, she lived in Tyseley. I was in Life Boys in Moat Lane and often went to the Tivoli and Adelphi.
Country Road
knowlegable brummie
Nice to hear from someone who went to Bierton Rd School, I lived in the Ring so not far from the school, girls on one side boys on the other, my friend lived in Wash Lane so knew it well, I remember going to the Tivoli and asking an older male to get us in to see an X film, I think it was the Mummy. More than a few went to Bierton who lived in the Ring, small world. Do you remember the pre fabs on Hobmoor Rd past wash lane going up the hill.
I knew Martin Dawkins back in the 60’s
suemalings
master brummie
I remember the name but am not sure I ever met him. He was the son of Hilary and Des Dawkins. Des was mother in laws brother.
I lived near Yardley Old Church for nearly 40 years. I remember Glynn Vaughan having the antique shop (far right) and the barbers? If my memory serves me well the two businesses had doors (at an angle) that almost faced each other. We lived with my parents and grandparents and Glynn was a regular visitor to our home - my grandmother used to sell him antiques and jewellery when times were tough. My brothers had their hair cut at the barbers and after my mother ruined my hair with a dodgy 1970s perm, Glynn gave me a punky crew cut - I’m not sure he’d ever cut a girls hair before. I loved it but my father was horrified.
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
Billy Haden had a barbers shop on top of Church rd before the Swan in the 1940s 1950s
suemalings
master brummie
There is another thread on Church Road. Mother in Law has lived just around the corner for most of her life. I lived in Wroxton Road and remember My Vaughn (and his daughter). MIL's brother still lives in Church Road and has been there for most of his life too (he is late 80's now)
suemalings
master brummie
The photo is of the newsagent's that was run by my mother-in-laws father. She lived above the shop in the flat. The car that is parked outside belonged to MIL's sister in law.