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Wendy
Guest
Here is Emma and Arthur's house in Selbourn Road Handsworth.
Terry the boarded up house could be the Bulls Head and certainly looks like it. I need to do some more research.
Terry the boarded up house could be the Bulls Head and certainly looks like it. I need to do some more research.
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m.humphreys
master brummie
The boarded up house is the Bulls Head Wendy, trust me my wife will confirm this as she lived there and also worked for her mother behind the bar.
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Wendy
Guest
Thats good to know Mike. I think the family just took photo's on their last visit it's nice we know what the building was and have a photo!
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Wendy
Guest
Yes isn't it wonderful I have a couple of photo's of the inside as well. I don't know if it's still there. I know very little of the family but thanks to a distant relation on Ancestry I have loads of photos and some lovely family history.
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Wendy
Guest
I love these photo's of Arthur and Emma they are for the Mayors Fancy Dress Ball, I don't have a year as yet. The costumes are lovely but I suppose when you own a drapers the sky's the limit....lol
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Just down from Key Hill and turning left where the number bus used to stop, I had my first cup of coffee made from a bottle with a chicory taste but I cant remember the name of the coffee. I am someone on the forum will. Just up from there was a little grocers shop and then a grate shop. Again I cant remember the name of the grate shop but her daughter went to All Saints School in the early 50s and we used to play together sometimes.
m.humphreys
master brummie
Was it Camp coffee Carolina?
pollypops
master brummie
Wendy your family photos just keep getting better. How lovely to have pictures of them in fancy dress. Thier costumes are fabulous - but as you say if your family own a drapers shop and have plenty of money they would be. I wonder if there was a competition and if they won? Also it would be great to find out the year
Thanks for sharing the photos with us - I can't wait for the next ones!
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Wendy
Guest
Thanks Polly I only have the photo's through the generosity of my family. I can't believe how many I have now though!
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Wendy
Guest
A lovely advert for Norton's sent to me from Colin Giles he is such a lovely man. Birmingham Mail December 8th 1919
That's such an atmospheric ad Wendy. Gives a real sense of the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers (and some nice added historical info about the layout of the shop). Love the quote about Mr. Pickwick's attempt to dance - interesting that in 1919 Dickens was being used to promote the typical, old english festive spirit. Doubtless that worked for Norton's as the shop looks very prosperous with several units occupied along the road. And the windows are bulging with goods. Mr Norton must have had a very astute sense of business. Viv
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Wendy
Guest
Hello Viv yes I agree I have several adverts and a copied catolouge which I have found fascinating. I had no idea I had a connection to the shop. It is interesting in these adverts the shop is A.J.Norton my great grandfather's sister Emma Yates married Arthur James Norton who seemed to be the driving force. The family were quite large and Arthur's father died at the premises which is where he lived. Some family members I have found were accountants, secretaries, assistant in drapers etc so I assume it was a real family business. Here is another advert from the B'ham Mail 1920.
I think these adverts tell us a lot about the store's success. Obviously Mr Norton (or should I say Arthur, as he's family Wendy!) knew his market and the last advert seems to be appealing to customers much further afield. The helpful map makes sure potential customers are in no doubt as to how to reach his shop. I wondered if he thought he could persuade city shoppers to take the trip out to his shop? Despite being handy with a sewing needle, I had to look up a couple of the words. For those, like me, who are a bit hazy on 'nainsook' and 'long cloth':
"Long-cloth is a plain cotton cloth made in long pieces which in the early 1900s was used principally for underclothing. Nainsook was a fine, soft-finished white cotton fabric with a polish on one side and lighter in weight than long-cloth".
You have some smashing evidence of your family's business Wendy. I enjoy trying to work out the background to these adverts. Viv.
"Long-cloth is a plain cotton cloth made in long pieces which in the early 1900s was used principally for underclothing. Nainsook was a fine, soft-finished white cotton fabric with a polish on one side and lighter in weight than long-cloth".
You have some smashing evidence of your family's business Wendy. I enjoy trying to work out the background to these adverts. Viv.
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Wendy
Guest
I have lots of catalouge pictures that are lovely. I will scan and post some more.
Yes please Wendy!! Viv.
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Wendy
Guest
Charlie I think the coat would suit me well.. ha ha. Here are a couple more.
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Wendy
Guest
I think they must have sold hundreds of these gate leg tables. I remember many of my family and Michael's owning these.
Hi Josie. Had someone chalked something on the windowsill? Maybe " My name is ..... "? Viv.