Don’t know where exactly in Hall Green this was, but it looks like the shop is part of a 1930s parade of shops. Maybe someone remembers the shop. Was it the end of WW2? Viv.
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Colledges Hall Green
- Thread starter Vivienne14
- Start date
Radiorails
master brummie
I am pretty sure this was Baldwins Lane, Hall Green. The shops are still there but changed since I last saw them in the early 1950's. I remember the name and bought items there - sometimes as an errand or for my own use.
The victory was probably 1945 (VE) but may be VJ in 1946.
The victory was probably 1945 (VE) but may be VJ in 1946.
Radiorails
master brummie
I notice from Google that there is, second in from the far end Newborough Chemists. There was a chemists shop there when I remember the area. Newborough Road is to the left of the white van in Janice's photo. I gather the extended bus route goes down Newborough Road to regain Stratford Road . The tudor looking place was an electrical shop, also in the block was a hardware/garden shop, Wrensons and around the middle a Post Office.
Radiorails
master brummie
Some of those names changed in later years, as so often they do. 288 changed around 1952 becoming more of a garden supplies. The chemist, in the 50's. like most privately own businesses, always had the letters MPS after their name.
Radiorails
master brummie
The mention of a butcher, at 266, reminded me of the butchers shop there. During the war and after, with rationing, there was often a queue there. Two incidents come to mind. One was a woman - a former nurse I was told - who often fainted when in slow moving queues. To a young person it was a little alarming when it happened. With a form of acerbity, reserved only for the young, it was said that she was a witch. This was supported in their views in that she rode a bicycle with a basket on the handlebars. Often seen in this basket was her black cat!! Actually I did get to know her better, she was a very kind person and I sometimes did small gardening work for her - for peanuts (money wise), cake and tea. The cake and tea was the principal interest - still is. 
One another occasion, concerning the butchers, was the finding of a white meat ration card at the top of Acheson Road (Hall Green end). The address to whom it belonged was on it so I took it to the house. This, in addition to the grateful thanks from the lady, earned me the princely sum of 6d. To a schoolboy, in 1947 or thereabouts, that was good money. 
One another occasion, concerning the butchers, was the finding of a white meat ration card at the top of Acheson Road (Hall Green end). The address to whom it belonged was on it so I took it to the house. This, in addition to the grateful thanks from the lady, earned me the princely sum of 6d. To a schoolboy, in 1947 or thereabouts, that was good money.
Enjoyed reading your memories of the parade of shops Alan. Viv.
Radiorails
master brummie
That is the fascinating thing, ladies, that the memories, once triggered, are quite vivid as age increases. Now! what on earth was I looking for just now!
sospiri
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
That's it, Alan, you need the trigger. That unlocks that little bit of sleeping memory that you haven't used for donkey's years. After three weeks without internet access, I was amazed at what I found in the old backups sitting in my 3Tb disk. I found details of a branch of my late wife's family that someone had sent me in 2009 and that I had never got around to adding to my database. (Done now)
And although I had met Pete Vicary, the pianist at the Midland Jazz Club in the 1950s, on a couple of occasions, trad jazz is not really my cup of tea, but I found that a second cousin on my father's side was actually married to Pete. I would never have got around to finding all this stuff but for the internet going down.
However, I am still trying to get to the pots of gold that have been sitting at the ends of some of our recent rainbows. The end of one appeared to be in our friend Zac's garden - I bet he's dug it up by now.
Maurice
And although I had met Pete Vicary, the pianist at the Midland Jazz Club in the 1950s, on a couple of occasions, trad jazz is not really my cup of tea, but I found that a second cousin on my father's side was actually married to Pete. I would never have got around to finding all this stuff but for the internet going down.
However, I am still trying to get to the pots of gold that have been sitting at the ends of some of our recent rainbows. The end of one appeared to be in our friend Zac's garden - I bet he's dug it up by now.
Maurice
This was Colledges (in 1953?). Must have expanded the business. Viv.
Radiorails
master brummie
Yes 1953 Vivienne, note the coronation decorations.
Sten Thomas
knowlegable brummie
I lived in Arkley Road quite near to Pitmaston Road School where I went from 1942 to 1952. In those days they bussed chidren from the Baldwin Pub (*) to the school and back every day, and the fare was an "a'penny". I knew a chap named Michael Bithell who lived in Gracemere Crescent and sometimes I'd go on the bus after school with him to play - followed by the inevitable very long walk home.
All the kids "played up" on the bus and were rather rowdy. I remember once someone told the conductor he had a puncture, and when he got off to have a look, someone rang the bell, and the bus drove off without him!
It all seems so very long ago - like yesterday!!
All the kids "played up" on the bus and were rather rowdy. I remember once someone told the conductor he had a puncture, and when he got off to have a look, someone rang the bell, and the bus drove off without him!
It all seems so very long ago - like yesterday!!