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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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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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The last images in this roll ( number 55 for those who like to keep track) are all covered by the description " The pulling down of the last old houses standing in and around Rocky Lane, Stretton Street, Holland Street and Chester Street Aston again in August 1991, as I am not sure of locations I will post the pictures separately with a description and will add locations as and when provided.

So first picture and part of the " inner city " redevelopment - making the areas better !! This fine row of terraced houses has has already had some of the ground floor windows boarded up a careful look will see the stepped roof lines as the terrace goes up the road.

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Pedrocut said:
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
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Following on from the message this picture shows what was left of the site.
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Unfortunately it doesn't take long for vandalism to take over, the building on the left seems to have had the front door forced - windows have been broken too. I wonder how long Doreen had a shop here? next door has the wire window covers and the corner shop has the Silk Cut window adverts. Just worked out that the wooden posts are for the hoarding surrounding the site to be fixed too - the end is near.

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On this image it seems that a property has been demolished to make an access to the rear of the properties, nothing wrong with these house apart from been old, ground floor windows have been wired up, others have been boarded and yet others have yet to be boarded up. Note the brickwork along the window sill line and the higher line that goes around the windows.

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Another sad image although we know this is on Stretton Street, this is the previously mentioned corner shop with the Silk Cut window advert, windows are broken, side door forced and (although not recently) the road sign has been removed. I love the shaped ends to the fascia and you can just see the shaping of the columns, on the right is the brick arch over the window frame.

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Here the demolition has started - what was the rear of the properties is now a sea of bricks as they work down the road removing the single storey rear ( outhouse / WC ?). Not sure what has happened to the middle property as it seems to be missing some bricks half way up the wall.

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Everyone has gone, street light is still there and all it needs is tumbleweed !!, and yet there are still some features to note - If you notice above the door of the first building on the right there is a slight bow with a centerpiece - now look above the first floor window we see the same design, and all the small bay windows I assume to add that little bit of room to the terraces. The stedd roof line is also there unless these are the same house and we are just looking down the road (?)

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