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High Street Erdington

A postcard of Erdington Village.

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Erdington High Street again before the trams were diverted away from it.

Replacement image - may vary from original.

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Hi Kev: A theory re the photo. I would say that it was the junction of Wilton Road and High Street. I was familiar with those shops from the 1940's until they were pulled down. Why do I say Wilton Road at this part of Erdington? In this day and age Wilton Road only exists on the other side of the by-pass. Up until 1938 when the Erdington bypass was put through, Wilton Road extended through to the junction of High Street more or less opposite the Public Library.
 
This thread has got the tears rolling down my cheeks, I feel like a right wuzz. Spent the first 21 years of my life in Erdington, on the junction of Short Heath and Streetly Roads, not far from the 65 bus terminus, and my memories of the High St include.

Meeting my first real girlfriend at Woolies where she worked on Saturdays, my mom and dad taking me to see the Man from Laramie at the Picture House, The POP Inn cafe in one of the side roads. Queuing up to see, I think it was The Kinks, at Mothers (The Carlton) and they didn't turn up. The Army and Navy Store, The Milk bar, Stanley James, where I got my posh school scarf, The Roebuck, walking down to Spring Lane playing fields for evening cricket matches and Saturday football matches, the baths and library, The Swan where the Brew XI was to perfection, The Palace. I'm sure I can think of many more
 
Hello Jennyann

All your memories seem to be my memories. I attended Erdington Parish regularly on Sundays also. Three times, childrens' church, 11 o'oclock service (sitting in the front row on the right and Mrs Tonks front row on the left, Sunday school, and Evening Service. I went to Discoverers on a Thursday evening. I was also a bellringer. I am talking about the 1950's. We also used to say we are going up the village shopping. We had a happy childhood in Erdington. However the place has changed and the High St. is no longer what you would call a Village. St. Barnabas was burned down about 2 yrs ago. It is still waiting to be rebuilt. The outside is much the same but the inside has been gutted. It will never be the same, the ideas for rebuilding are to my mind not good. They intend to put some sort of a metal roof and not slate it looks disgusting. The regular parishioners going back to the 1950's are not at all happy with the new regime.
 
Hi Fentham: I was in Erdington High several times in October and November last year.I have a friend Margaret who lives in Wilton Road and we had two great lunches together at the Charlie Hall pub.Margaret has lived in Erdington all her life and she knows everyone at the old Barnabas Market where she took me to introduce me around. What a memory jolt that place is. It's the one place that hasn't changed over the years. Everyone is so friendly.

I still can't get over the fact that Woolworth's is gone and coming out of Barnabas market you always knew it was there. The B&M store is not the same even though they sell Pick n Mix sweets. The one old shop I could recognise in the High Street is Thornton's. It used to be called Thornton's Chocolate Cabin years ago.

I am very sorry to hear about St.Barnabas. My friend told me that work had come to a standstill. Hopefully,they will get
it sorted about the roof and make some progress. The Church House upstairs where Discoverer's was sometimes held
is still there and Hazel's the Funeral Directors hasn't changed just the owners.
Did you attend Fentham Girls School? Which year's did you attend Erdington Parish.? Miss Tonks was my Sunday School teacher at one point. I think she lived in South Road
 
Frothy, it's great to see that bloke is still up his ladder at the Sign place after all these years. Did you offer him a drink for taking his picture??? LOL
 
Great photos Frothy. What a beautiful day. We had one like this yesterday...today it's raining. I love the man on the ladder Motorman Mike. I always look for him when I either walk by or go by on the bus. One thing in Erdington that hasn't changed. I have never been in the Cross Keys...I can't believe it really. Frothy,I do hope some progress is being made on St.Barnabas. I see that photo is taken from Church Lane car park.

The fountain looks shut off.My friend Margaret who lives very locally told me that the fountain had had soap suds poured into it for the maximum bubble bath effect. Not surprised really. Thanks for posting.
 
Re: Erdington High St. Photo Request

Last Xmas did anyone see the signwriter as Father Xmas, I missed it if it was covered Dave
 
I too have fond memories of Erdington High St even though i was only six when the family left Erdington.
My late mum,grandmother and gran off course go much much further back than i ever could.
Mum used to play the piano at the carlton ballroom for many years.......Her brother Les Freedman had his own dancebands in the area.
Nan worked and drank at the Acorn and Roebuck in the forties and fifties.
Mum once "inadvertantly" left me in my pram outside Woolworths and walked home to South Rd before remembering.....(mmmmthat was her story! lol}
Mr Hazel was a family friend and i still have the invoivces of my grandfathers funeral at the parish church in 1941.
Mum .went to the National school.....
I was christened at the parish church on Easter Sunday 1951.
Not long before leaving the U K i went to "Mothers" where i saw Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac when they were a Blues band and John Mayalls Bluesbreakers.
Not just a High St.....Its my heritage.
 
Erdington High Street was my old teenage stamping ground in the min 60's. I recall a coffee bar in a side road called the Pop Inn and also the Monday evening Youth Club in the rooms over the Co-Op. There was also a posh gents' outfitters which supplied school uniforms.
I have to say I met my first serious and long term girlfriend in Erdington High Street (sigh).
 
Hi Christopher: The only "posh" gents outfitters in Erdington High Street was Stanley James which was basically underneath Burton's
the Tailors next to George Mason's.
 
Thank you Jennyann. My parents were almost reduced to penury in that outfitters buying my school uniform and all the bits that went with it (gym kit, woodwork apron etc.). It was the only shop that stocked the uniform so I think there may have been a little profiteering.
 
jennyann said:
Hi Kevkonk: Do you think your friend meant the Erdington Market on Barnabas Road? They used to have wrestling matches there in the mid 1950's. Don't know much more about this though.
Click to expand...

More than likely


Christopher,' the woodwork apron ', that phrase just made me smile, I had forgotten about that, took me back a bit........
 
Hi Folks;

It;s a great picture of Erdington High Street, But I think this picture is at the other end of High Street I think it is where Six ways is to-day the Queens Head pub/hotel has been rebuilt and the last time I was in Birmingham was burnt out shell.

If you look at the over tramcar wires they appear to sweep round from Birmingham and not terminate as they would have done at the other end of Erdington

Wood End Rd. is to left and Sutton New Rd and Reservoir Rd.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ray
 
Frothblower said:
Just found this photo of Erdington High street.
Is it the village green side?
Click to expand...

Well I can make out Hazels (presumeably the funeral directors) on the right and something Hotel on the right closer to the camera (Swan Hotel maybe), still looking hard but can't be sure which end it is!
 
Hazels funeral directors was next to the ally which lead to Mother's night club in the 1970's. My sister worked at Foxy Lady boutique in the 1980's which was a couple of doors down from Hazels. I would agree this is the six ways end.
 
Ian
I have taken the liberty of lightening two of your cards
Mike

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