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OLD AND NEW PHOTOGRAPHS

SteveBhx said:
Moving further up Key Hill now a few of the old buildings opposite the Cemetery, love the symmetry of the first building but notice as there is a slope the nearest end has a small round window , The taller building next to it also has some age with the metal framed windows.

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The taller building is the Gem Building. I knew it well as it used to be the home of M.Y. Darts and I used to work there at weekends when I was much much younger - sweeping up, dying feathers for dart flights and even turning a few darts on the lathes. All of these buildings still exist by the way.
 
Mark Tooze said:
Hi Steve - is this the College Arms - corner of College Rd and Hawthorn Rd Perry Common?
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Hiya Mark, the pub you're thinking of on the corner of College Rd & Hawthorn Road was the crossways, however this could well be the college arms which was a good mile or so further on headed towards Oscot college, (as a 15 year old lad I used to go to that pub on a Sunday morning for half a mild 10d. Things were a little less strict in those days)
 
Hyland cadet 6 72-73 said:
Hiya Mark, the pub you're thinking of on the corner of College Rd & Hawthorn Road was the crossways, however this could well be the college arms which was a good mile or so further on headed towards Oscot college, (as a 15 year old lad I used to go to that pub on a Sunday morning for half a mild 10d. Things were a little less strict in those days)
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The College Arms
had a Top lounge with a well stocked jukebox
always no 1 choice when on a first date
 
Hyland cadet 6 72-73 said:
1971 I think, still at school, I used to go there quite often. Saw a group called 'brewers droop'. Mark Knophler was the lead guitarist. I used to go in my school uniform
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The Crown Hotel has its own thread. We hope it can be saved, but it is on the corner of Station St which is under threat of redevelopment. It would make a great music venue - good to know Mark Knopfler played there. Still closed at the moment.

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Bit further along we have the Witton Arms, fine symmetrical building large central door, slight extension with additional roof line either side and then another couple of doors, nice freestanding pub sign and an Austin Allegro park on the frontage. See also the size of the satellite dish on the right hand side - probably run off a fire stick these days!!

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We then paid a visit to Aston Hall where there was a historic vehicle Rally

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I am not sure on types so happy to be advised and I will add the information
 
We now move to the Old Smithy - corner of Winson Green Road and Norman Street, taken August 1991, slightly different as this is a Banks's pub, made in the mock Tudor style but perhaps overdone with too many black beams? Leaded windows and an angled roof line with plenty of eaves. 20230110195704_01.jpg
 
Next we have the front of the former Barker and Allen building on Dudley Road , constructed on 1897 ( I think thats what it says) , and on its last legs I imagine - and has every architectural style going from fine brickwork to large arch entrances to small arch window, and the front door has a fan light with columns and pedestals, and the usual fly posting.

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We now have the former Birmingham Arms corner of Dudley Road and Heath Street South, shame that this has happened to such a large building on the main road into Birmingham, already boarded up on the ground floor, but still has the globes and the pub sign , nicely propositioned three storey building - now long gone and the location unrecognisable - and Heath Street South a shadow of its former self.

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We are still on Dudley Road with what is described as a row of house - they seem to be clinging onto life although the nearest is starting to lose its roof, and I am not sure if the middle property is still in use, looking better than those around it.
The forth building from the left has some writing on the frontage which looks like CAFE (?) and again the propertys have become covered in fly posting
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SteveBhx said:
Next we have the front of the former Barker and Allen building on Dudley Road , constructed on 1897 ( I think thats what it says) , and on its last legs I imagine - and has every architectural style going from fine brickwork to large arch entrances to small arch window, and the front door has a fan light with columns and pedestals, and the usual fly posting.

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The Forum has a thread for Baker & Allen…

K

Thread 'Barker and Allen'

My Grandad use to work at Barker and Allen. I am not sure exactly when...i do know that he died in 1964.
The story goes that whilst working there he saved the life of a fellow worker; who he pushed out of the way of a lorry approaching the weighbridge, he in turn fell backwards and broke his spine.
Is there any chance of any factory records or newspaper reports being around still, so I can find out more.
Any information regarding this would be great.
:)
Thank you
 
If you look into the distance on the previous picture you can see this building " The Duke of Edinburgh", with the corner entrance as well a a couple of others large square windows and a fine display of bunting. the two floors above still have their sash windows and the blank corner panel. You can see the slope of the road to the side. Also not the person walking along reading the newspaper ( be on his phone hese days).

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