• 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

Film Stars

L

loisand

master brummie
I never knew that Anne Heywood was a person born in Birmingham. Apparently she was born in Handsworth in 1931, and educated at Fentham Road Secondary Modern School, Erdington. She started of her work days as being a cinema usherette and beauty queen. real name was Violet Pretty.
:flower: :cat:
 
She lived on Marsh Hill and I was in the same class as her Brother nice lad at Hastings Road Perry Common :)
 
Violet Pretty lived in Bleak Hill Road, Erdington close to Witton Lakes Park. She attended the same school as myself, Fentham Secondary School for Girls but not while I was in attendance. In 2004 I was on the organizing committee for the Centenary Reunion to celebrate the founding of the school in 1904. The school was changed to Jaffray School in the late 1970's.

Since Violet Pretty was one of our most famous pupils, the committee decided to contact her at her home in Beverly Hills, California, where she is retired from acting but does a great deal of art work. She answered a letter sent to her by the Committee with a long telephone call to the main organizer of the reunion in Birmingham which was a great surprise. She had been invited to the reunion and at one point thought she could make it since she was planning a visit to Birmingham around the same time as the reunion was to be held. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and she was unable to attend.

There is a lady in Erdington who contacted my friend Margaret Rowe, main organizer of our Centennial Reunion and told her that she had a very large collection of photographs, letters and memorabilia of Ann Heywood (Violet Pretty) even a full size oil painting that she had painted of Ann bearing out the fact that she was very popular during her film career.

Violet wrote an exceptional letter to be read out at the Reunion which was held on April l8th, 2004 at Sutton Town Hall. She attributed much in her life to what she had learned at Fentham School and the letter was well received by the 375 ex-pupils and staff of Fentham School who attended the reunion.

She is a very gracious lady who has not forgotten her roots.

https://aghs.virtualbrum.co.uk/stmarys/aheywood.htm
 
jennyann said:
Violet Pretty lived in Bleak Hill Road, Erdington close to Witton Lakes Park. She attended the same school as myself, Fentham Secondary School for Girls but not while I was in attendance. In 2004 I was on the organizing committee for the Centenary Reunion to celebrate the founding of the school in 1904. The school was changed to Jaffray School in the late 1970's.

Since Violet Pretty was one of our most famous pupils, the committee decided to contact her at her home in Beverly Hills, California, where she is retired from acting but does a great deal of art work. She answered a letter sent to her by the Committee with a long telephone call to the main organizer of the reunion in Birmingham which was a great surprise. She had been invited to the reunion and at one point thought she could make it since she was planning a visit to Birmingham around the same time as the reunion was to be held. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and she was unable to attend.

There is a lady in Erdington who contacted my friend Margaret Rowe, main organizer of our Centennial Reunion and told her that she had a very large collection of photographs, letters and memorabilia of Ann Heywood (Violet Pretty) even a full size oil painting that she had painted of Ann bearing out the fact that she was very popular during her film career.

Violet wrote an exceptional letter to be read out at the Reunion which was held on April l8th, 2004 at Sutton Town Hall. She attributed much in her life to what she had learned at Fentham School and the letter was well received by the 375 ex-pupils and staff of Fentham School who attended the reunion.

She is a very gracious lady who has not forgotten her roots.

https://aghs.virtualbrum.co.uk/stmarys/aheywood.htm
Click to expand...

This is the new link: https://aghs.jimdo.com/the-actress-anne-heywood-born-violet-joan-pretty/
Could you please put me in touch with the lady from Erdington who has the memorabilia. There is an aacademic in the U.S.A who is writing her biography.

Mike
 
Welcome to the forum Mike. That's excellent news. Can I suggest you send a 'Private Message' to jennyann ? (See grey bar at the top of the page). Viv.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top