Hobs Moat - Solihull

[Nicholas]

I know it's outside the Brum area, but I was just wondering whether anyone had any details / experience about / of this site......

Pardon me for being oh-so predictable - but I'm mainly interested in any 'peculiar' stories associated with this area??? (I've already checked the net and found loads of historical data and so on).

Anyone help please?

Regards,

Nick
www.westmidlandsghostclub.com

 

[bartman1958]

Hobs Moat

Nicholas

I know you are probably requesting information into someything more than what I am going to say but Hobs Moat to me means something quite different.

I refer to Hobs Moat Road and specifically the Cresta Club where I used to go and see some marvellous acts. Gene Pitney palyed there many times together with many other fantastic entertainers of the day.

How sad that we have lost some of these more intimate venues where we could get really close to the stars. I don't begrudge the ice skating that goes on there because at least the place is still going and proving entertainment to the community

 

[The Baron]

Hi Andy P, I REMEMBER LOOKING ON AS EACH STAGE OF THE CRESTA ICE RINK CAME INTO BEING. Mr Allen the builder (also the owner of the ALTRINGHAM RINK IN MANCHESTER) used the same biulding layout.The club on the top of the rink would not have been what it was with out the ice rink.
My interest in the building of the rink was a new home for the ice hockey team I played for at that time THE BIRMINGHAM BARONS (Later to become THE SOLIHULL BARONS) We had been without a rink to play in after the closure of the old birmingham rink at Summer Hill ,although we had been give practice sessions at the old Windsor Bearwood which had the ice plant from Summer Hill fitted into the stalls & stage area ( not a safe shape for the game of hockey).
So as I say the ice rink helped you have all those good nights out!
HAPPY HAPPY DAYS
ASTON

 

[Jane Weaver]

I remember Hobs Moat Road before it was encompassed within the Solihull boundary and was still Sheldon Birmingham. I moved there before the shops or any ice rink etc was built. In the early 50's there was just a few houses and fields. One memory I have is of the actual moat site which I now believe is a monument site. In the 50's it was a favourite playground for kids on bikes and it seemed a real challenge to young uns to ride from the centre, down and up the sides of the moat. I also remember going to school at Ulverley infants and juniors by short cutting through the surrounding woods on my own, probably not recommended these days!

 

[Morturn]

I know it's outside the Brum area, but I was just wondering whether anyone had any details / experience about / of this site......

Pardon me for being oh-so predictable - but I'm mainly interested in any 'peculiar' stories associated with this area??? (I've already checked the net and found loads of historical data and so on).

Anyone help please?

Regards,

Nick
www.westmidlandsghostclub.com

I understand that Hobbs Moat is in fact the site of a medieval moated manor. The person who I believe to be most knowledgeable about Hobbs Moat is the archaeologist James Debney.

James grew up near to this site, so held a long standing fascination with the place, and as a young budding school boy archaeologist, wrote an article for the local press.

About twenty years ago, he was the director of the team that undertook an extensive excavation of the site and produced a very detailed report. About ten years ago I worked with him at this site, and two others with the Birmingham area, undertaking geophysical surveys on the remains of these old medieval moated manors.

James Debney is an extremely friendly and interesting person, so am sure would be more that happy to help, please PM me and ill give you some contact details.

 

[PaulE]

Hi Nick

The Solihull Heritage Forum has a section dedicated to Hobbs Moat - it might be worth asking there.

https://solihullheritage.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=hobs

Paul