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OLD BIRMINGHAM PHOTOS FROM STEVEBHx

Probably a sunday. No shops open then. It must have been 1960 I would think, or perhaps 1959. Woolworths were open in the 1962 Kellys, which would refer to 1961, but nothing there in the 1961 edition, which refer to 1960.
 
Finally the saddest sight, unfortunately the end for many of the buildings we see in old images, strange to see the colour of the walls and the grate hanging in the air, some roofs missing and the out houses knocked down but rest of the walls standing. Very much work in progress if the man with the pickaxe is anything to go by, as usual no year or location.
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This makes me think about the lives of the generations who lived in the properties. Who climbed up those hanging stairs? Did they only light the bedroom fire when someone was ill?
 
Finally the road sign on the wall says Ashted but which one I don't know, a few boarded up properties but the window cleaners are at the end of the street so still a bit of life. Quite imposing three storey houses, love the doorway and how there is a false window above the door. Interesting that there are two lamps together at the bottom of the road but nothing further up and a fine selection of chimney pots as you go down the road.
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I love this photo Steve. It is Ashted Row. Again a stones throw from Gopsal Street. Dr Tighe and Dr Gemmell had their surgery there. They may have even lived there but from memory not too sure. I can still see Dr Gemmell with his black bag, which he carried on his home visits. He wasn't too tall but had a strong Scottish accent. The Ashted cinema may have been opposite but again not too sure. Thank you.
 
This makes me think about the lives of the generations who lived in the properties. Who climbed up those hanging stairs? Did they only light the bedroom fire when someone was ill?
most likely tinpot...that and maybe when moms gave birth at home..my mom had 5 of her 6 at home...

lyn
 
Finally the saddest sight, unfortunately the end for many of the buildings we see in old images, strange to see the colour of the walls and the grate hanging in the air, some roofs missing and the out houses knocked down but rest of the walls standing. Very much work in progress if the man with the pickaxe is anything to go by, as usual no year or location.
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Thanks for the photos over the last couple of weeks Steve, they are wonderful. More tugging at the heart strings. Regards,
 
So this is 1991, while not so old as many of the pictures I have posted, this one of Spaghetti Junction has still changed a lot in the local area. Many of the buildings in the foreground have changed to modern units and the athletic track is no longer there. Many of the open spaces have also been built on .


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This is an interesting contrast to the picture above , taken much later we are looking from Star City towards Spaghetti Junction, and all the empty space you could see in the distance above have now gone, the athletics track has disappeared and the industrial building in the foreground above have been replaced.

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This an interesting picture of 293 Harborne Lane in 1971, I didn't realise there were dairy farmers in Harborne or is it just showing what the sign maker could do? In the foreground is one of the hangers for the boundary signs between wards, and in the background is an interesting pump - petrol perhaps. Also see the interesting skylight and the old style metal dustbins.

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Nice picture of 1108 Warwick Road in 1970, Paynes shoe repairs with a bicycle propped up outside. Interesting shop next door with a Haig Whiskey sign and a neon advertising Wines from the wood. Shops with little bay windows upstairs and small attic windows. There also seems to be the remains of an advert hoarding - bit like a magic picture the more you stare at the bricks I am sure words appear !!

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This an interesting picture of 293 Harborne Lane in 1971, I didn't realise there were dairy farmers in Harborne or is it just showing what the sign maker could do? In the foreground is one of the hangers for the boundary signs between wards, and in the background is an interesting pump - petrol perhaps. Also see the interesting skylight and the old style metal dustbins.

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Judging by the shape of the building on the left I think this is the place today. By the time of this photo it looks as if the premises had been taken over by the sign writers but I think it might have been a farm outlet earlier as I found this entry in 1969 phone book
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This an interesting picture of 293 Harborne Lane in 1971, I didn't realise there were dairy farmers in Harborne or is it just showing what the sign maker could do? In the foreground is one of the hangers for the boundary signs between wards, and in the background is an interesting pump - petrol perhaps. Also see the interesting skylight and the old style metal dustbins.

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I think it is a demonstration of their wares. The only entry around then for A.J.Fellows is:
Fellows A. J. butcher, 145a Stratford rd 11. 021-772 2678
 
Nice picture of 1108 Warwick Road in 1970, Paynes shoe repairs with a bicycle propped up outside. Interesting shop next door with a Haig Whiskey sign and a neon advertising Wines from the wood. Shops with little bay windows upstairs and small attic windows. There also seems to be the remains of an advert hoarding - bit like a magic picture the more you stare at the bricks I am sure words appear !!

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All these have gone. Boots chemist is at 1104 on the corner of Station Road Acocks Green.
1960s map shows the sloping shop (Paynes - I assume) on the corner of Station Road
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Finally a bit of historic colour The Marquis of Lorne in Cecil Street, fantastic selection of leaded glass in the pub, and the little dome with the flagpole. Red car on the left , Ansells delivery lorry on the right and a trolley of crates just leaving. Can I also draw attention to the little square lamp and the no waiting sign.


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Next we have one of those non descript pictures - this is Brookvale Road in 1983 the building on the left is the junction with Birch Road, car park has a variety of cars and even two Allegros!!

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Taken from the Car Park of the Yew Tree, with River Tame on the far side of the road.
Thanks Pedro that made my life easier. I can't get into the car park from Streetview so this is the best I could do.
 

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Finally a bit of historic colour The Marquis of Lorne in Cecil Street, fantastic selection of leaded glass in the pub, and the little dome with the flagpole. Red car on the left , Ansells delivery lorry on the right and a trolley of crates just leaving. Can I also draw attention to the little square lamp and the no waiting sign.


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The junction of Cecil Street and Newtown Row today is very different. I had to use and old map to be sure I was in the right place
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Finally a bit of historic colour The Marquis of Lorne in Cecil Street, fantastic selection of leaded glass in the pub, and the little dome with the flagpole. Red car on the left , Ansells delivery lorry on the right and a trolley of crates just leaving. Can I also draw attention to the little square lamp and the no waiting sign.


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a lovely strong building like that gone....all for a patch of grass

 
Nice picture of 1108 Warwick Road in 1970, Paynes shoe repairs with a bicycle propped up outside. Interesting shop next door with a Haig Whiskey sign and a neon advertising Wines from the wood. Shops with little bay windows upstairs and small attic windows. There also seems to be the remains of an advert hoarding - bit like a magic picture the more you stare at the bricks I am sure words appear !!

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Another view in 1970

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Also looking the other way i.e. Station Road towards the Green shops in 1934!

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What a great photo which is so evocative of the 'village' as it was known then. The fact that there were tree on the island and so few cars around tells you much about how things have changed. The shops on the right were demolished in, I recall, 1973 to down to allow the building of the dreadful new shopping centre that is still there. Some great old style famility owned outlets that were sadly missed. By the way, The Payne's was a wooden temporary structure erected on the site of the 'picture house' on the corner which, apparently, only showed 'movies' and, when films with sound were introduced, was regarded as too small and replaced by the Warwick Bowl (cinema upstairs and bowling alley on ground floor).

I lived on Station Road with my parents in 1970, the end of which is just visible in this picture, and had only recently become a one way street. It used to be quite amusing to see how animated some used to get when a car turned off the Warwick Road into it.

We moved to Hall Green in 1971 but I have some very happy memories of living in 'The Green' as many people used to refer to Acocks Green.
 
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