• 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

Hockley Hill

dont forget the link on post 39 sparks...have to agree i cant see anyone taking it on now expect for the pigeons that live in there...saw 3 dead ones on the ground as well...to be perfectly honest this area (and i walk around it a lot) is a shadow of its former self in more ways than one...feel ashamed to say that i could not go and live there now...

lyn
 
Hi Mike: Looks like quite a collection of photos of the derelict Palladium Cinema in Hockley. Thanks for posting them.
I think the building should be demolished...it all looks so dangerous to be still standing. You would need bucketfuls of
money for a restoration of this building.
 
Lyn heres a picture of the same location of 1906 not sure if the Benyon arms pub is on the right hand side?, a cable tram is making its way to Handsworth.


Hockley hill.jpg
 
thanks pud the benyon arms is out of shot actually no that could be it on the right as half of it was in farm st....i should have a pic of it somewhere...will hunt it out if you would like me to post it just say but you may already have it..

lyn
 
Last edited:
Lyn, I don't know the area that well sorry, I do not have a pic of the Benyon arms pub as it is part of that location so why not post it on for us all to see thanks.
 
ok pud here it is...fraid i cant seperate them so you get 4 for the price of one lol..

lyn
 
oops dont know what happened there will try via photobucket

img007-1_zps760ef419.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hockley Hill shops 1900.jpgDon' know if this is the right place or if the've been posted before but fond a few old pics of Hockley and surrounds this is captioned Hockley Hill shops 1909
 
berniew said:
View attachment 85732Don' know if this is the right place or if the've been posted before but fond a few old pics of Hockley and surrounds this is captioned Hockley Hill shops 1909
Click to expand...

Still there Lyn. Not often you can say that! The second shop along has gone through a few changes, probably to bring the three Harry Smith shops into line with each other, but it's all more or less recognisable today. Looks like Harry started out with the third shop, then took over the other two in time. How amazing that the old 'Established 1824' sign is still there on the third building. Even the steps into that shop are still the same. Your b/w photo would have been just before the Gem building was built (built 4 years later in1913) which would appear just out of shot to the right of your buildings. Such a contrast in architectural styles too. Viv.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366057526.790884.jpg
 
hi bernie ive got all of those pics except for the one on post 54 which is amazing...the one on post 55 is also great as its a much better one than i have...thanks also for posting the tower st rec ground as i had lost it..

hi viv..quite right the building on the corner of hockley hill/key hill is still there...took pics of it last week at the same time as i was photographing the tress pub which is just a little way up...many thanks again bernie...keep em coming

lyn
 
Great pictures Bernie! I loved those. I have seen a picture of the High Pavement before but not that photo which is such a good one. And I've never seen the 1909 one of Hockley Hill shops. St George's Rectory (#55) looks familiar to me - I wonder if it was there in the 1940s/50s as I'm sure I walked passed that house or one similar to it many times when I worked in that area. Mind you it might have been houses on Soho Hill that I'm thinking of.

Judy
 
Sorry Bernie I attributed your photos to Lyn. Great photos. Especially like St. George's Rectory. Anyone know if it was next to the church? Viv
 
Hi both I can't be of much help as I didn't know the area well but the blurb with the rectory said it was a short distance from the church in Great Hampton Row , I'm sure you will find Mikes map much more informative Bernie
 
Thanks Mike and Bernie (yes I know, old joke on here!). Having a 'dense' day today and just can't make anything out on the map. Maybe it was demolished before Mike's map. Viv.
 
Jayell said:
Great pictures Bernie! I loved those. I have seen a picture of the High Pavement before but not that photo which is such a good one. And I've never seen the 1909 one of Hockley Hill shops. St George's Rectory (#55) looks familiar to me - I wonder if it was there in the 1940s/50s as I'm sure I walked passed that house or one similar to it many times when I worked in that area. Mind you it might have been houses on Soho Hill that I'm thinking of.

Judy
Click to expand...

hi judy just skipping back to your post...mom and dad married at st georges in 1950 and i think the church was demolished in 1960 but im just wondering if they would have needed to go to the rectory to set up their marriage...another question to ask dad when i visit him..

lyn
 
Lyn - It's a possibility your Mom and Dad went to the Rectory to arrange their marriage isn't it? Would be interesting to hear what your Dad has to say.

Judy
 
Last edited:
St. George's church looks like a pretty grand affair. Bill Dargue's site here https://ahistoryofbirminghamchurche...st-martin-in-the-bull-ring/st-george-hockley/

has a lot of info about the church. First known as St. George's in the Fields - yes hard to believe now - was demolished in 1961. And yes Bernie, you were right it was on Great Hampton Row (and Tower Street). Viv.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366190227.502145.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1366190239.095784.jpg Images from 'A history of Brmingham Churches ' website link above. Viv.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Still there Lyn. Not often you can say that! The second shop along has gone through a few changes, probably to bring the three Harry Smith shops into line with each other, but it's all more or less recognisable today. Looks like Harry started out with the third shop, then took over the other two in time. How amazing that the old 'Established 1824' sign is still there on the third building. Even the steps into that shop are still the same. Your b/w photo would have been just before the Gem building was built (built 4 years later in1913) which would appear just out of shot to the right of your buildings. Such a contrast in architectural styles too. Viv.
View attachment 85738
Click to expand...


viv i did a little street view last night and just to confirm my thoughts that the 3rd building was still there i took a trip down to hockley hill today armed with a map..camera and copies of the 2 photos that bernie posted and took some pics and as we thought the 2nd building in the old pic has gone and been replaced but all 3 are still in the hands of the smith family..popped inside the shop and spoke to a very nice lady who was a smith before she married and she allowed me to take pics of the inside of the shop..there was also 2 pics hanging up of harry smith himself.not sure how they will turn out though...also just to confirm that the location of the old pic of the high pavement is smack on where hockley hill post office now stands...will get back later or tomorrow with a few piccies..i also find it wonderful that harry smiths are still in business considering that boultons soho manufactory was still funtional for a good few years after harry started his business.i wonder if they knew each other..nearly forgot to say that we are only 2 buildings short of being able to knit those two pics together to make a continuous shot looking down from key hill corner..i was also shown another cracking pic taken outside the orignal shop showing workers standing outside..it also shows a lady standing on the step of the 2nd building (no longer there) looking on...i have quite a bit to put together but will post all the pics as soon as i can

judy i shall be seeing dad on friday..

lyn
 
Last edited:
That's incredible Lyn. I'ts amazing it's still the original 1824 family business! It's not far off 200 years. Really interested to see your pics. And you've added some great additional info to this thread. Viv.
 
Lyn - take a copy of the Rectory photo with you on Friday. I will be very interested to hear what he says.

Judy
 
Hockley Hill house of Dr Levi Line in1901.jpgThis is the last of the pics taken of Hockley Hill maybe your missing link but it's a long shot was the house of a Dr Levi Lines in 1901
 
There are a couple of picture of Hockley Hill which was originally put on the thread 'Hockley' not too long ago. The above picture I put on as 141 Hockley Hill which may help in putting together any links.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top