• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Courtyards and yards of brum

Great thread. My Mum was born in a rat infested back-to-back at Hermon Row, off Tomey Rd in Greet. All gone now but I recently found an old map showing where it used to be. My Grandfather spent way too much time at the Wagon & Horses, just recently closed, round the corner on the Warwick Rd. Did anyone else see the Chris Upton piece the Beeb did some time ago on the subject of back-to-back living?
The BCT & NT restored a couple of back-to-back houses on Inge St. Not surprisingly the restorations were a lot nicer than the reality portrayed in the images Lyn posted. Tough times and tough people!

IMG_3474.jpg
 
Last edited:
hi urtrino i like that saying....tough times tough people...the restored court 11 back to backs at hurst st/inge street are well worth a visit minus the rats of course lol...the tour guides leave you in no doubt just how harsh living conditions were...ive been 4 times now the last time was last chirstmas for the carols in the courtyard..really enjoyed it and birmingham is so lucky to have the houses still in situ..


lyn
 
Just spent about an hour reading posts in this forum and it is amazing! I have ancestors who lived in Hawkes Street, Greenway Street, Cooksey Road, Arthur Street and Bolton Road from about 1880 to 1935 and I have learnt so much about how the living conditions must of been for them. What amazes me is they look so clean, people seemed to take pride in what they had back then not like now where everyone expects so much more. Thank you so much for the contributions and hopefully you'll like mine. This is, I believe my Great Great Great Uncle Harry Bown, he was born in 3 Laburnum Terrace Hawkes Street, Small Heath. Not sure if the photo was taken there but I hope you like it all the same.


Harry Bown.jpg
 
what a lovely picture, old wooden tubs you couldnt let dry out, dollies and the old mangle, had my fingers pinched in them a few times
luckily mom always took off the tension
 
hi bernie oxford terrace and primrose place are new to me hope you dont mind if i save them...the one of hanley st has always been one of my favourites but i think it got lost due to the hacking so thanks for re posting it...such a typical scene of the day...

lyn
 
thanks bernie..i reckon i must have posted at least 4000 pics before we lost them all..most i have saved but some not and i am slowly trying to get them back on here again..always good to see new ones though

cheers

lyn
 
I came across this picture on the computer the other day,the caption read Betty Burden,Shopgirl Birmingham 1951.
I wonder if anyone recognises either of the subjects?
 

Attachments

  • IMG.jpg
    IMG.jpg
    1,005.5 KB · Views: 176
what a delightful pic moss so if any of betty burdens rellies are out there we would love to hear from lyn
 
They're coming back very slowly Lyn I keep them then I can't remember where they were from and you don't want to keep duplicating them but there are some really good pics on here now even after the hacking , probably hundreds still missing though .Bernie
 
berniew said:
They're coming back very slowly Lyn I keep them then I can't remember where they were from and you don't want to keep duplicating them but there are some really good pics on here now even after the hacking , probably hundreds still missing though .Bernie
Click to expand...

same thing here bernie its just not always possable to recall where we have posted every single one before the hacking but i always think its better to duplicate than to not have them at all...hoping to get a few more of mine on next week..

lyn
 
ahh so thats what its all about richie..smashing pic of betty and her friend...if only we knew what street or road it was taken in...

thanks richie
 
Hi Lyn, heres a few pics that I had taken a couple months before we left 3 back of 62 Malvern hill road in Nechells
the date on the back of the photos says may 1971.
Lyn the foundations of these building are now under the back gardens of your sisters neighbours.

img094.jpgThe Entry to the yard

img098.jpgOur old house (Alfred Cottages) built 1853

img100.jpgLooking across the yard towards Long Acre (the new building inbetween the old houses was a ford car dealers)

img102.jpgThe yard is marked in yellow.

Lyn I do have a few more to post on when I can find them.
 
hi pud...what great photos they are little gems..how i wish i had had the forethought to take pics of my house in villa st before we left...would love to see the rest when you find them...just one thing pud my sisters house stands on the spot where the white horse pub was on the corner of longacre and holborn hill its right on the corner...

lyn
 
Last edited:
ffrank said:
I was born in villa st down the yard between firmins and the rag and bone place
Click to expand...

hi frank there is a thread for villa st with a few photos on it...i lived at 118 from 1958 to 1972 would love to see any pics that you may have of the street

lyn
 
my years were 1937 to 1941, so there are no pictures all I have is two memories of playing with my sister and the Hammonds and Pardons shop
 
Richie said:
Betty Burden was the subject name for a photo-journalist study of life in five years' after post-War Birmingham by the celebrated photographer Bert Hardy, a selection of his most famous shots form an exhibition on right now in London at The Photographer's Gallery.

Here's Betty 'going shopping'. The exact location not listed in the portfolio

https://www.corbisimages.com/stock-...055956/friends-walking-home-from-work?popup=1
Click to expand...


Thanks for that, I will try and pop in to see the exhibition (though I generally avoid the Oxford Street area, it's always SO busy!)
 
near St Georges shool Hockley.jpgNot really a courtyard and not an address either caption says by St Georges school Hockley St Georges Place ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top