Re Norman's Cycles. Didn't know bikes were re-enamelled (or even enamelled in the first place). The shop seems to have suffered bomb damage and subsequently repaired. So the empty site opposite was probably demolished due to war damage. Viv.
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Hockley Hill
- Thread starter Astoness
- Start date
As ever Mike and Lyn you have solved another little puzzle for which I am grateful. it was one of those places I can remember from childhood but forgot what the building looked like and whereabouts it was situated, but the main thing I have is the great memories of getting up very early on a sunday morning and being shushed as we got ready so as not to wake the others out into the quiet streets and help carry the tackle down to the bus to Howlets then the coach ride to the venue .Its amazing how one persons query brings back a flood of memories ,so thanks both and have a great Christmas edd
Great photo Lyn. Looks like the workshop was purpose-built with those large windows and beamed ceiling.
The man on the right was probably in the army WW2 (I think he's wearing his army WW2 beret). If so its good he came back from the war being able to continue in skilled work.
And what a sensible solution to altering workbench heights - piled wooden pallets. Wouldn't pass H&S standards today.
There were probably women working in this workshop too ie a couple of comfier chairs with cushions on the right.
Those industrial light fittings sell well today. They're sought after by modern restaurants to give that industrial loft - type look.
Can anyone identify the work they're doing? Nice interesting photo. Viv.
The man on the right was probably in the army WW2 (I think he's wearing his army WW2 beret). If so its good he came back from the war being able to continue in skilled work.
And what a sensible solution to altering workbench heights - piled wooden pallets. Wouldn't pass H&S standards today.
There were probably women working in this workshop too ie a couple of comfier chairs with cushions on the right.
Those industrial light fittings sell well today. They're sought after by modern restaurants to give that industrial loft - type look.
Can anyone identify the work they're doing? Nice interesting photo. Viv.
Radiorails
master brummie
Might well be a lathe that the gentleman on the right of the pic is using. The wooden 'pallets' that are on the floor are actually known as duckboards. Their principal use was on muddy or uneven floors and also had the advantage of allowing small items to usually fall through - or be kicked - through the slats as a safety precaution. They were sometimes used to increase a short persons height when working at a bench whilst standing. 
not to miss a chance work is going on at the min to rebuild crumbling wall on the right hand side of the brook at the villa st section..next to the fence is the maisonette where our dad lived ...red fire door open which is something i have never seen before...hard to believe that as a youngster ive looked through the gap in the red doors and after heavy rain the water level came at least three quarters of the way up the wall...my brother once climbed down the ladders to the bottom and walked along as far as he could go..i asked him why i was not invited along because i most certainly would have done it but he reckons by this time i had left the "gang" and was more interested in going roller skating...good job our mom knew nothing about this
work is going on at the min to rebuild crumbling wall on the right hand side of the brook at the villa st section..next to the fence is the maisonette where our dad lived ...red fire door open which is something i have never seen before...hard to believe that as a youngster ive looked through the gap in the red doors and after heavy rain the water level came at least three quarters of the way up the wall...my brother once climbed down the ladders to the bottom and walked along as far as he could go..i asked him why i was not invited along because i most certainly would have done it but he reckons by this time i had left the "gang" and was more interested in going roller skating...good job our mom knew nothing about this
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Key Hill Brian
Proud Brummie
Great shot - musnot to miss a chance
View attachment 110383 View attachment 110384 View attachment 110385
t be 51 years since I looked at that view!
in the past all i could do was point me camera through the gap in the red door..
Key Hill Brian
Proud Brummie
Hui Lyn
used to have a school friend who lived on the right just beyond the brook in a front house - Martin Inshaw - only child who's parents both worked - he had more toys and corgi cars than my entire family!
Sadly they moved about 1964-5 during the holidays and never left a forwarding address.
Often tried to climb up the wall and lookover the brook as we passed to/from his house - at 7 it was extremely deep, but very shallow water wise!
used to have a school friend who lived on the right just beyond the brook in a front house - Martin Inshaw - only child who's parents both worked - he had more toys and corgi cars than my entire family!
Sadly they moved about 1964-5 during the holidays and never left a forwarding address.
Often tried to climb up the wall and lookover the brook as we passed to/from his house - at 7 it was extremely deep, but very shallow water wise!
thanks mike i was chuffed to get such a good view...may go back down in a couple of days to see how they are getting on with the work..
yes bri water is shallow these days and so clear but like i said earlier i have seen the water rise right up during the 60s..i guess since then they have got on top of keeping the flow going during heavy rain falls..
yes bri water is shallow these days and so clear but like i said earlier i have seen the water rise right up during the 60s..i guess since then they have got on top of keeping the flow going during heavy rain falls..
DavidNarbett
New Member
I have been looking for this picture for 55 years! - I was born 28th Feb 1964 in the flat above the 'Good Cheer Cellars' - My parents ran the Off License - My 5 year old brother would sneak down in the night and help himself to the sweets. Thank you for posting this. xx
Williamstreeter
master brummie
Lynn I hear congestion charges apply to businesses on Hockley Hill since September last year £10.00 a day
hi david i see you have been a member for 4 years and i posted that photo of the brook cafe 3 years ago so i am so pleased you have found it and it means so much to you...its a great photo and i lived just round the corner..please feel free to save it
all the best
lyn
all the best
lyn
I think you will find that there are NO congestion charges anywhere in Birmingham at the present time !! it has been proposed that they be bought in, but that will not happen until 2020 .
Williamstreeter
master brummie
Well Bill I can only quote what I was told by a former customer that I spoke to last September 2018 , said the following week the lady and her brother would be subject to £10.00 per day just to get to their place of work premises being on Hockley Hill
Well Williamstreeter, it seems your former customer dont know what they are talking about, a little bit of investigation revealed the following info from The Birmingham Live site www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-city-centre-congestion-charge-14785035
Mr Kenneth Morris
New Member
the brook cafe..69/71 hockley hill dated 1954
mike could i have a map please showing where 69/71 was please..thank you mike..
Mr Kenneth Morris
New Member
Hello I'm unable view any photo's and having lived On Hockley Brook 6 Crescent Avenue I knew this area well.
hi kenneth we lost the photos on this thread due to photobucket taking them down but if you click on the below link it will take you to a much longer thread about hockley hill with loads of photos on it...if you are searching for other areas please use the search box top right of the main page...hope this helps
lyn
birminghamhistory.co.uk
lyn
Hockley Hill
the brook cafe..hockley hill dated 1954 pic courtesy of carl chinn
birminghamhistory.co.uk