• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Porchester Street

In the late 50's my mother and father lived in Porchester Street in a flat in what I assume was the Porchester Arms. (was there another Pub on the street?) Their names were Beryl and Raymond Baugh.

I'm looking for info regarding when the pub was 'converted' for use and any photos. Plus anyone who remembers my parents. My Aunt and Uncle also lived there Fred and Joan.

My mother and father moved to Amblecote Ave in 1959 and I was born in 61'. I remember visiting another Aunt and Uncle who also lived in the Porchester arms for a while Betty & Ray. I remember the outside loo across the yard and big blue wooden gates.

Any info or memories greatly welcomed. Thanks in advance.
 
hi..may i ask what makes you think your parents lived in the porchester arms pub...as far as i am aware (but i could be wrong) it was always a pub up until it was demolished late 60s or 70s...

have you put in porchester street in the search box as we already have a long thread for porchester st which includes photos of the pub and of the street..later on i will get your post moved to the porchester st thread where you may get more response to your enquiry

all the best

lyn
 
Last edited:
Hi..... My parents often talked about living on Porchester Street in the late 50's before they bought their first house. They said it used to be a pub. The only pub I can find reference to on Porchester st is the Porchester arms. I also know that my moms sister and dads brother also lived there. Also my moms sister and her partner, so I am sure they lived in a former public house.

I have read through some of the thread you mention. If you can move the post it would be appreciated. Eager to find out more.

Regards
David
 
david i have taken a look on ancestry at the online electoral rolls and i cant find your parents living together anywhere in 1955...i have found a joseph...kathleen..florence...frederick and raymond G baugh all living at 92 dormington road perry barr in 1955 ?? when did your parents marry....?? ancestry only go up to 1955 with their e rolls but maybe other members who have access to other sites could check the 1960 e rolls for you

lyn
 
Hi, They married in 1959. I had another chat with my mum this afternoon and showed her a picture of the Porchester Arms and she said, that was where they lived. They lived on the first floor and her sister and hubby on the ground floor. You can't see the gates into the yard as the access is from the back.
They moved into the house she lives in now in 1960.
The house in Dormington rd is still there in the same condition and in the house opposite they still grow Chrysanthemums every year in the front garden.
Dad also lived at 26 Fentham Road after he came out of the Army.

Mum also talks of her older sister who sub let a flat in the Arms.

Regards
David
 
I've just checked the electoral register and time my parents lived there is not shown ie it shows 57' and then 62' so misses the time they lived there. However her sister betty is shown as living in Porchester street in 65' at number 59 which is one of the flats, and who I just remember visiting.
 
In the 1910 Kellys no 59 is listed as Mrs Sarah Hodgetts, beer retailer. this could be either a beerhouse (pub) or just an off licence, but the 1901 census lists it as a pub. It seems to have disappeared by the 1912 edition. Below is a map showing no 59 in red.

map c 1950 showing 59 Portchester St.jpg
 
Thanks that's really interesting. Are there any photos around that you know of?

When I asked mum what the name of the place she lived in she said the Porchester at the corner of Clifford/Porchester.

I know each flat was numbered, as you would expect. I'll ask more questions of my other aunties as they are all still around.

I've been told about the pub/flats since I was a kid, with dad wheeling his Motorbike through the gates into the yard.

I see the logic that it could be the place you have suggested, plus it's a corner building....but the memories don't match from several separate memories. If you have any other thoughts........

Regards
David
 
The Porchester Arms was on the corner of Porchester Street and Clifford Street, and existed from at least 1878. it belonged to Holt Brewery Co. in 1908. It was still hanging on in 1961.
 
sorry empty just seen your post how wonderful for you to get such good photos of the porchester and as you said you can even see your dads name above the door...makes it all worth while me posting my photos..surprised you have not seen them before though as they have been on the forum for at least 2 years...better late than never :)

lyn
 
Thanks for the info, looks like I have the wrong corner. I'll have another chat with mum. I did visit my Aunt just before Christmas and chatted about old times, as you do, and she talked about Porchester street. She mentioned living in a flat in a former pub and at one point she said it used to be called "the Old Mill" now I dismissed this as a false memory but based on the info above it seems I need to ask a few more questions.
 
I thought the Porchester Arms was on the corner of Porchester Street and Summer Lane. I vaguely remember playing darts there in the mid-1960's. As far as I recall, Porchester Street ran from Summer Lane to Clifford Street, but in later years was shortened by a park and no longer reaches Clifford Street. Unless there were two pubs called the Porchester Arms....
 
mikejee said:
The 1891 census confirms that no 59 was the Old Mill Inn

View attachment 140168
Click to expand...

brilliant mike thanks...that now confirms that the converted pub that davids parents lived in was the old mill inn and not the porchester arms...as this pub disappeared very early on its doubtful we will find a photo of it...the only chance is if a photo turns up of it after it was converted into flats..shame really as i do have a photo showing the old outdoor that was on the next corner up from the old mill :rolleyes:


hi G no porchester arms on summer lane as far as i know

lyn

ly
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the help in solving the mystery.

I spoke to my mum again this morning and rephrased a few questions. She said Furnace lane was directly opposite the flats. She also said that it was originally converted to house Irish workers during the war, munitions workers.

All in all 3 couples in my family lived in those flats and it enabled each of them to save for deposits on their first house. They all have interesting and humorous stories of their time. The cellar was huge with steep steps to access it, of course my dad fell down them.

I'm hoping one of my aunts who lived there has some photos, if they do I'll post them.

Once again many thanks.

Best regards
David
 
mikejee said:
In the 1910 Kellys no 59 is listed as Mrs Sarah Hodgetts, beer retailer. this could be either a beerhouse (pub) or just an off licence, but the 1901 census lists it as a pub. It seems to have disappeared by the 1912 edition. Below is a map showing no 59 in red.

View attachment 140164
Click to expand...
On an other note...this map must be post WW2 as you can see the bomb peck on Paddington St, with lavs in the middle of the yard and the brewhouses to the left. I lived just below them in the lower SW corner 4/52. The map brings back many memories to me...The button factory at the bottom of Furnace Lane where my cousin was a charge hand. Actually, opposite #59 was a green grocers.
Dave A
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top