Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
Thanks, scanned a few Negatives the wrong way round, hope they are the correct way, looks odd if not Dave
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Dudley Zoo
- Thread starter Shera
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Thanks, scanned a few Negatives the wrong way round, hope they are the correct way, looks odd if not Dave
Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
1963ADRIAN
proper brummie kid
Hi All
has anyone been to Dudley recently and seen how much work as been done by the management and staff then I would recommend a visit as the zoo is now moving forward at a very good pace.
What we should all remember is that the zoo is being held back by the lack of investment by English Heritage on the Tecton Buildings (these are now getting a fresh coat of paint in its original colour).
The chairlift is still standing and not in use but thier are plans to use it again soon. Many of the small outdated enclosures and cages have now been removed and replaced by new ones, the old ape house is now home to 2 pairs of Orang-utans (baby born 8 weeks ago) and the old walk through area as been refurbished into a great indoor area for the Orang-utans. Thier are many new species at the zoo these days some extremely rare in the wild and some we all love to see I have attached just a few of my many pictures of the species kept at the zoo these days hope you enjoy
has anyone been to Dudley recently and seen how much work as been done by the management and staff then I would recommend a visit as the zoo is now moving forward at a very good pace.
What we should all remember is that the zoo is being held back by the lack of investment by English Heritage on the Tecton Buildings (these are now getting a fresh coat of paint in its original colour).
The chairlift is still standing and not in use but thier are plans to use it again soon. Many of the small outdated enclosures and cages have now been removed and replaced by new ones, the old ape house is now home to 2 pairs of Orang-utans (baby born 8 weeks ago) and the old walk through area as been refurbished into a great indoor area for the Orang-utans. Thier are many new species at the zoo these days some extremely rare in the wild and some we all love to see I have attached just a few of my many pictures of the species kept at the zoo these days hope you enjoy
hi adrian and many thanks for your pics they are great...its lovely to hear that dudley zoo is now picking up pace in its efforts to bring it up to date....quite right too as this used to be a must visit for a lot of families when i was a kid and will hold memories for a lot of us....i beleive you are still on the lookout for any old pics of the zoo so please folks if you have any could you post them on here for adrian....
cheers
lyn
cheers
lyn
Adrian, are you still looking for old pics of Dudley Zoo. I was a keeper there from 1978 to 1984 and have hundreds of pictures from those years.
I have always meant to scan them all into the PC but will be quite a job. Were there any specific subjects you're interested in.
Cheers
AndyZoo
I have always meant to scan them all into the PC but will be quite a job. Were there any specific subjects you're interested in.
Cheers
AndyZoo
B
BernardR
Guest
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B
BernardR
Guest
Andy many of us would love to see those old photos as they will contain and trigger off many memories. I guess the choice is down to you as to which you place here as Adrian has not logged on since July 15th.
Hi Bernie.
I'll sort through and dig out a couple of dozen of the best ones and get them posted up. I have really fond memories of the zoo, my first real job, and it would be good to let the pictures get viewed rather than getting lost in a box in the attic. There should be some of when the BBC were filming 'One by One' there, great fun.
Probably take a week or two, but I will get some posted.
Cheers
AndyZoo
I'll sort through and dig out a couple of dozen of the best ones and get them posted up. I have really fond memories of the zoo, my first real job, and it would be good to let the pictures get viewed rather than getting lost in a box in the attic. There should be some of when the BBC were filming 'One by One' there, great fun.
Probably take a week or two, but I will get some posted.
Cheers
AndyZoo
1963ADRIAN
proper brummie kid
Hi Andy
I would love to see the collection if you could upload them it would be great or if not perhaps we could meet up and I could have a look at them
Regards
Adrian B63
I would love to see the collection if you could upload them it would be great or if not perhaps we could meet up and I could have a look at them
Regards
Adrian B63
I Am Nico
master brummie
I went to Dudley Zoo once with my friend and her sister, probably 50 yeas ago, she was sick in the car and all over me. I had an itchy tweed suit with short trousers. She had marmite sandwiches. I remember a castle ruin in the zoo I think. Geoffrey and Grace the giraffes, what a memory! Mum and dad couldn't afford the elephant ride either or the bactrian camel with 2 humps. The saddle was in between the humps. They had lots of barbary sheep, I gave one my ham batch It didn't occur to me sheep were vegetarian. Nico
1963ADRIAN
proper brummie kid
Hi Andy
That would be great and yes my interest is purely hobby and I love doing it, I have currently got a list of most of the species kept at the zoo since it opened so some of your pictures may help with this project as well because it's great to know which enclosure had what species in and when
Hope to meet up one day
Regards
Adrian
That would be great and yes my interest is purely hobby and I love doing it, I have currently got a list of most of the species kept at the zoo since it opened so some of your pictures may help with this project as well because it's great to know which enclosure had what species in and when
Hope to meet up one day
Regards
Adrian
Phil Price
master brummie
In the early 1950's I had an Aunt that lived in London and once a year she came to stay with us for a few days. I remember going to New Street station (the 'fine old building in Stephenson Street') and waiting at the top of the platform stairs for her to arrive. First sight of her I would run to her and say, Hello Auntie Elsie, can we go to Duggely Zoo? We used to go to the Zoo by bus from Bartley Green and it was always a 'proper' day out. I was always excited about going on the train
Happy memories
)
Happy memories
)
rosie
brummie
I've been trying to remember days out when I was little!
Dudley Zoo seemed like the other side of the world and seemed to take forever on the "Midland Red" from the King's Head. The main memory is waiting to go up into the Castle and someone dropped an icecream over the wall and it just missed me! I lingered too long by the lions and got a good telling off from Nan, I was fascinated at the huge bones they were being fed. We couldn't afford the Elephant Ride but I probably would have been seasick.
rosie.
Dudley Zoo seemed like the other side of the world and seemed to take forever on the "Midland Red" from the King's Head. The main memory is waiting to go up into the Castle and someone dropped an icecream over the wall and it just missed me! I lingered too long by the lions and got a good telling off from Nan, I was fascinated at the huge bones they were being fed. We couldn't afford the Elephant Ride but I probably would have been seasick.
rosie.
Hi Rosie
We used to travel on the old midland red bus from great Charles. Street Birmingham which was where the terminus used to be
And it was the b. 87 bus that came down from great Charles street coming through thr rough the parade which later became summer hill
In years later on after the demolition and slum clearance and through spring hill up the dudley red andsmethwick
And passing the old red cow. Pub that used to be very busy in those days ,does anybody know whether that red cow is still standing today
Always walked up through the old castle never took the chair lift always left it for my brothers and wait for them to come up
Same as going down I would run down I used to like the big huge rang atang ape he was fun to watch
Good old days Rosie growing up the old saying is men are little boys but not in my case but I do not think I would like to put the clock now
In this day ,
Best wishes Alan astonian,,,,,,
We used to travel on the old midland red bus from great Charles. Street Birmingham which was where the terminus used to be
And it was the b. 87 bus that came down from great Charles street coming through thr rough the parade which later became summer hill
In years later on after the demolition and slum clearance and through spring hill up the dudley red andsmethwick
And passing the old red cow. Pub that used to be very busy in those days ,does anybody know whether that red cow is still standing today
Always walked up through the old castle never took the chair lift always left it for my brothers and wait for them to come up
Same as going down I would run down I used to like the big huge rang atang ape he was fun to watch
Good old days Rosie growing up the old saying is men are little boys but not in my case but I do not think I would like to put the clock now
In this day ,
Best wishes Alan astonian,,,,,,
Radiorails
master brummie
I wonder when the B 87 (and presumably the other B routes 80 - 87) changed departure point from Edmund Street? On the couple of occasions I went to Dudley Zoo I took the 74 from Snow Hill as I had not previously done that route.
Hi Alan,
If my memory serves me correctly it was changed around the mid sixtys to early 70 when they moved them all to snow hill
In those days there was two bus routes to dudley zoo I always took the b 87 the old middle red as I thought it was straight run
To the zoo where as the 74 it done a detour found through hockly brook
There was a series of changed bus terminus,s there in fact also the 85.86 and another couple of busses all started to operate there many years ago out side the watch and jewlers shop and the coffee house next to the old snow hill station in those days even the old 95 bus route to down through
Hockley ingestion street lodge rd up heath street and terminated at the clock at the junction of northbrook. Street
And out side another little coffee shop what the drivers filled there jerry cans for tea and a fag there used to be a little chip shop there as well
These are the family of the frying pan chipie that are now around the corner of dudley road today facing my old local
The Lee bridge tavern the same family again today whom own it the frying own have just bought along side of the pan a Pitta shop
And also have just openened up a chicken shack shop in Sutton Coldfield area months ago
John the father of the family did buy one next to the BBC many years ago then refurbished it and sold it on and came back to dudley red
Chris ran a chippie next to the summer field park many years ago Chris he died and his son took over
And sold it off and now lives in a chippie bussines at sisefield rd kingsnorton. Best wishes astonian,,,,,,
If my memory serves me correctly it was changed around the mid sixtys to early 70 when they moved them all to snow hill
In those days there was two bus routes to dudley zoo I always took the b 87 the old middle red as I thought it was straight run
To the zoo where as the 74 it done a detour found through hockly brook
There was a series of changed bus terminus,s there in fact also the 85.86 and another couple of busses all started to operate there many years ago out side the watch and jewlers shop and the coffee house next to the old snow hill station in those days even the old 95 bus route to down through
Hockley ingestion street lodge rd up heath street and terminated at the clock at the junction of northbrook. Street
And out side another little coffee shop what the drivers filled there jerry cans for tea and a fag there used to be a little chip shop there as well
These are the family of the frying pan chipie that are now around the corner of dudley road today facing my old local
The Lee bridge tavern the same family again today whom own it the frying own have just bought along side of the pan a Pitta shop
And also have just openened up a chicken shack shop in Sutton Coldfield area months ago
John the father of the family did buy one next to the BBC many years ago then refurbished it and sold it on and came back to dudley red
Chris ran a chippie next to the summer field park many years ago Chris he died and his son took over
And sold it off and now lives in a chippie bussines at sisefield rd kingsnorton. Best wishes astonian,,,,,,
rosie
brummie
(Hi Alan, I don't want to go off topic but the Red Cow has been refurbished, have a look at the "Smethwick" thread.)
At the Zoo I remember going on the chair-lift and seeing animals below, I wasn't frightened of heights then. There was a train/roundabout for children too. I loved the monkeys but I gather they weren't very happy then.
rosie.
At the Zoo I remember going on the chair-lift and seeing animals below, I wasn't frightened of heights then. There was a train/roundabout for children too. I loved the monkeys but I gather they weren't very happy then.
rosie.
Hi Rosie
Many thanks for your reply I do not think you went off the topic it was I wanted to know whether or not it was still standing as I have not been that way for near on fifty years so I thought I would pop that question to anybody could tell ya or name it was still standing as in my hey day that was one of our drinking dens
But I was referreing to the zoo myself as I used to take my kids there many years later in life
And may I add my first adventure to that zoo was when I was in the junior school of steward street Ladywood when there was a Mrs Jones and a couple of teachers took us there for the day and we went on the b 87 bus passing the old.red. cow and later in my youth a couple of my old friends and unfortunelatey
As died but the other kid is still alive and kicking and of course myself trapped up to the cow at week ends
But still thanks again for answering my question best wishes astonian,,,,,,
Many thanks for your reply I do not think you went off the topic it was I wanted to know whether or not it was still standing as I have not been that way for near on fifty years so I thought I would pop that question to anybody could tell ya or name it was still standing as in my hey day that was one of our drinking dens
But I was referreing to the zoo myself as I used to take my kids there many years later in life
And may I add my first adventure to that zoo was when I was in the junior school of steward street Ladywood when there was a Mrs Jones and a couple of teachers took us there for the day and we went on the b 87 bus passing the old.red. cow and later in my youth a couple of my old friends and unfortunelatey
As died but the other kid is still alive and kicking and of course myself trapped up to the cow at week ends
But still thanks again for answering my question best wishes astonian,,,,,,
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Here's a short video about the return of the chairlift at Dudley Zoo a couple of years ago. Before the first chairlift in 1958 I remember the steep hill where it
is located was covered in trees and bushes. Haven't been for a few years but have happy memories both as a child and taking my own children for visits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFmyG8OahHI
is located was covered in trees and bushes. Haven't been for a few years but have happy memories both as a child and taking my own children for visits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFmyG8OahHI
Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
Visited the Zoo today after many many years, the chair lift was not working today, hoping for a few rides, will post some of the old buildings.
Attachments
farmerdave
master brummie
Thanks Dave. I haven't been to Dudley Zoo since the 1950s. Wasn't their slogan "There's lots to see and do when you come to Dudley Zoo"? Dave.
Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
Dave will have to pass on that,,,,,,
Attachments
When I visited the Black country museum a few weeks ago I asked what was happening to the left as you come out of the entrance into the museum. Apparently it is a new entrance for schoolchildren parties, but also will be used when they introduce a new joint ticket for normal visitors who want to visit both the zoo and the museum
Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
On Tipton Rd between the DZG and the BCM the land is under going building of a large car parking area, part of it is open.
next few of the old buildings
next few of the old buildings
Attachments
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Some photographs from a day with my then girlfriend,at Dudley Zoo, 1954.
I have never been back since, and no doubt everything has completely changed, especially the animal welfare.
Eddie
I have never been back since, and no doubt everything has completely changed, especially the animal welfare.
Eddie
Attachments
sospiri
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Eddie,
I loved Dudley Zoo when I was young and went many times with my parents, although to be honest, the Castle held my interest more than the animals. It was probably earlier than 1954 when I last visited as by May 1955 I was doing my National Service and I certainly didn't go after I got demobbed.
Maurice
I loved Dudley Zoo when I was young and went many times with my parents, although to be honest, the Castle held my interest more than the animals. It was probably earlier than 1954 when I last visited as by May 1955 I was doing my National Service and I certainly didn't go after I got demobbed.
Maurice
paul stacey
master brummie
I remember it just like that Eddie, though younger than you it was still the same in 1957, when I first went, great camera shots too. I was still going there on leave from the army, with my pal Alan Fisher from Hilltop, West Brom. Paul