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horsencart
master brummie
This is view from the old Bull Ring the Rag Alley can be seen to the left of the photo, the shop on the corner is still open the photo was taken the old fashion way with film I have no idea what year I took the photo https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofar...bH4-dQi4oe-dQicde-dQiSgv-dQoY3L-dQibgc-dQoDeW
This is the new Rag alley being built https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofar...2SE-dQpryq-dLqUDk-dNmg7n-dNmhNg-dNmjmM-dNmiGH
This is the new Rag alley being built https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofar...2SE-dQpryq-dLqUDk-dNmg7n-dNmhNg-dNmjmM-dNmiGH
Annie Murray
master brummie
Thanks for your reply Rosie. I am thinking of the first re building. A couple who I spoke to who worked there in the 50s on wards could remember moving into the bus station but did not say exactly when. I think it was when a lot of the rebuilding of the Bull Ring was going on in the early '60s.
As a "rock chick" teenager in the late seventies/early eighties I can remember saving up my first few months wages so I could buy an afghan coat from the Oasis. I was so pleased when I'd saved enough to buy it but my enthusiasm soon waned when noone would sit next to me on the number 17 bus because of the smell. To make matters worse, I also bought a leather saddle bag to go with it, which only made matters worse. To this day, that smell always reminds me of the Oasis and the Rag Market.
Hi Rosie
I think I may be getting a little confused here on these pictures regarding the actual rag alley
The street as changed a lot but that big Abestios building that was the original I recall
From early years in my mind as never been changed lt,s always on the same plot of land since it was ever built
The road as been widened habit wider,
And inside it as never been changed the walk ways are as wide as they have been but more tables
Are crammed in and the isles are more crammed packed and Narrow than ever
Same exits all around and the main entrance with the same. Retailers at the exits as I was there
In twenty years so I do not think it had been rebuilt I found it chases I soon got out of it quickly
And my old Dutch ESS did not like it either, we was.led around the town for the first time in twenty years
And I must admitted a lot of changes as been done and a lot of the big names have gone
We came up by train to New street station I was expecting some think spectacular but I have to say
I was totally disappointed with the city we walked up to the council house
And sat on by the fountain for a while I could see the old library half demoed down
But the old Dutch ESS was tired and we could not walk to the other side owing to the
Walk ways closed during the demo so we made our way back to the station
Where we could smell and see resturuants and bars by the dozens
But on our way back we followed the tram tracked around to snow hill and we thought we would try it out
There was not many people using it so we got on and we met an old couple from Anditon street Ladywood
We had a conversation between us about the old Ladywood but we got off at news street
But image to say I found it very buzzing and noisy and the pushing and barging of people
Within that city I do not think for one moment I could ever go back to the city nor ever live back in brum
I really appreciate the slower pace of life back here in Worcestershire city where we do not get this bargeing
Of people whom are rude with no manners banging in front of you and say sorry
May be its my age I do not know but I will never come back to the city centre again to live
I said to my old Dutch ESS I will never come back and tottly disillusioned with it
The only the I found was good and nice about the city was its tram service ,when we arrived
We seen some one nearly mowed down by a tram but the pedestrian never waited for the red stop
Sign to wait until it had gone bye she had a push chair with child it it which nearly got mowed over
But also we never seen a Dustin bin on the street but what I did see and like was there was a cleaning person
Riding on the tram and every stop she would look and sweep as people got off and on again with the tram and also News street station had a lot of guides on and around the station looking smart and well mannered
With there P R Business in helping people like my old Dutch ESS and myself even tourist
And people needing help to find there way around and assisting with the automatic ticket machines
Good old British rail they have came up trumps the British railway staff want commending
For the great service they are running best wishes Alan,, Astonian,,,,,
I think I may be getting a little confused here on these pictures regarding the actual rag alley
The street as changed a lot but that big Abestios building that was the original I recall
From early years in my mind as never been changed lt,s always on the same plot of land since it was ever built
The road as been widened habit wider,
And inside it as never been changed the walk ways are as wide as they have been but more tables
Are crammed in and the isles are more crammed packed and Narrow than ever
Same exits all around and the main entrance with the same. Retailers at the exits as I was there
In twenty years so I do not think it had been rebuilt I found it chases I soon got out of it quickly
And my old Dutch ESS did not like it either, we was.led around the town for the first time in twenty years
And I must admitted a lot of changes as been done and a lot of the big names have gone
We came up by train to New street station I was expecting some think spectacular but I have to say
I was totally disappointed with the city we walked up to the council house
And sat on by the fountain for a while I could see the old library half demoed down
But the old Dutch ESS was tired and we could not walk to the other side owing to the
Walk ways closed during the demo so we made our way back to the station
Where we could smell and see resturuants and bars by the dozens
But on our way back we followed the tram tracked around to snow hill and we thought we would try it out
There was not many people using it so we got on and we met an old couple from Anditon street Ladywood
We had a conversation between us about the old Ladywood but we got off at news street
But image to say I found it very buzzing and noisy and the pushing and barging of people
Within that city I do not think for one moment I could ever go back to the city nor ever live back in brum
I really appreciate the slower pace of life back here in Worcestershire city where we do not get this bargeing
Of people whom are rude with no manners banging in front of you and say sorry
May be its my age I do not know but I will never come back to the city centre again to live
I said to my old Dutch ESS I will never come back and tottly disillusioned with it
The only the I found was good and nice about the city was its tram service ,when we arrived
We seen some one nearly mowed down by a tram but the pedestrian never waited for the red stop
Sign to wait until it had gone bye she had a push chair with child it it which nearly got mowed over
But also we never seen a Dustin bin on the street but what I did see and like was there was a cleaning person
Riding on the tram and every stop she would look and sweep as people got off and on again with the tram and also News street station had a lot of guides on and around the station looking smart and well mannered
With there P R Business in helping people like my old Dutch ESS and myself even tourist
And people needing help to find there way around and assisting with the automatic ticket machines
Good old British rail they have came up trumps the British railway staff want commending
For the great service they are running best wishes Alan,, Astonian,,,,,
The Rag Market. Not sure of the date but it must be about 1960s. Viv.
Note - this image has been proved to be Sheffield Rag Market see post #87.
Note - this image has been proved to be Sheffield Rag Market see post #87.
Mickymoo
master brummie
Sorry,this isn't Birmingham,it's Sheffield Market.
Mickymoo
master brummie
It looks like this now..
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Barmybrummy
proper brummie kid
It says Dixon on both road signs top right corner so must be the same place at different times.
Mickymoo
master brummie
It's Sheffield,my daughter lives close by there...
Lady Penelope
master brummie
Hi Viv, been browsing this thread as I also love the Raggy. We used to belong to a drama group and got lots of props etc. from here (and material). I've been sorting out my photos, many years' worth, and found this one the other day. My fur coat was my Mom's, 1930's, not from the market so slightly off-thread. I thought I looked wonderful but I suspect there was more than a touch of Flanagan & Allen! And Yes, it is Parker with me (minus beard) together with our little girl, Jenna, who is now 45! Sorry it's not a very good pic.
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Lady Penelope
master brummie
Sorry, forgot to say that the above post refers to #4 on this thread. Long time ago when you posted it.
Thanks Mickymoo - photo was marked as Birmingham. Thanks for clearing that up.
Love the photo Lady P. Your fur coat was a slightly lighter colour to mine. But then there wasn't much choice at the market! I too thought it was great. Nice a warm waiting for buses etc. Viv.
Love the photo Lady P. Your fur coat was a slightly lighter colour to mine. But then there wasn't much choice at the market! I too thought it was great. Nice a warm waiting for buses etc. Viv.
Robert Ensor (bob)
master brummie
Speaking to my pop yesterday he tells me a friend who has a stall in rag Ally was told they have 2 years then it's done no more ally
guilbert53
master brummie
This whole area around there is being redeveloped.
The huge Wholesale Market on Upper Dean street has moved to another site and all the buildings on that site have already been demolished (see photo below).
As part of this development the existing Indoor market and Rag market will be demolished (I believe they are going to rebuild an indoor market as part of the new development). I think the outdoor market will also be moved to another site.
This is a HUGE development (the old Wholesale Market site was massive) and is likely to take about 15 years.
The development is going to be called Smithfield and you can read a bit about the plans for the area here:
New images released of £1.5 billion Birmingham Smithfield regeneration project
New images showing what the £1.5 billion Birmingham Smithfield regeneration project will look like have been revealed after Australian firm Lendlease was announced as the developer.
Here is a map of the area to be redeveloped.
The existing Indoor Market, Rag market, and outdoor market are all at the top of the area bordered in red (inside
the red border).
Photo of the Wholesale Market site taken a few weeks ago
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rosie
brummie
Thank you Guilbert, I'm "gobsmacked"!! I had no idea this was gong to happen, it was only developed around 2001/2 (?).
I had seen the area left by the wholesale market but this is a shock.
Whilst they were building this replacement Rag Market the old Midland Red bus station was used, and now there won't be one at all. I spent many happy times in the original Market, more Birmingham History lost.
rosie.
I had seen the area left by the wholesale market but this is a shock.
Whilst they were building this replacement Rag Market the old Midland Red bus station was used, and now there won't be one at all. I spent many happy times in the original Market, more Birmingham History lost.
rosie.
rosie there will be no work on the market site until a further excavation has been done as the old moat lies beneath it....link below to a thread which may interest you as ell brown has posted some good photos i am also posting the link to the old moat thread which show some great photos from when it was last excavated just before the market was built
birminghamhistory.co.uk
birminghamhistory.co.uk
Demolition of Wholesale Market
Headed down Dean Street after getting of a bus on Upper Dean Street and saw this view of a No Entry sign. There is a view of Selfridges I've seen from the bus, but the visibility out of the no 35 window wasn't too good after the rain. Was dry by the time I got to the city centre, later rain...
birminghamhistory.co.uk
The Moat - Moat Row & Moat Lane
This is a picture of Moat Lane By Birmingham artist Colin Gabbidon...
birminghamhistory.co.uk
rosie
brummie
Thank you for those links lyn, I don't know how I've missed mention of this new development. I suppose it's silly to be unsettled by all these changes. I'm a stick-in-the-mud!
(I bought a book about the excavations of St. Martin's it was expensive but worth it)
I hope you are feeling better now, and getting stronger.
rosie.
(I bought a book about the excavations of St. Martin's it was expensive but worth it)
I hope you are feeling better now, and getting stronger.
rosie.
happy to help rosie and if you think you are a stick in the mud im a double one lol...yes thank you i feel i am getting a little stronger by the day and my walking is getting better..still not overdoing it though...yet again i must say that this forum and its good members is getting me through another difficult time so thanks guys
lyn x
lyn x
PhilAvalon
Brummie babby
I remember the China pottery auctions on a Saturday at the Rag market. Lots of shouting, banging of the auctioneer’s hammer, tea cups and saucers laid out on long wooden tables, and me in awe of all that was going on. Must have been 8-9 years old. More great memories of my early childhood.
I used to love going to the Rag Market on Saturdays with my best friend. My auntie Rene had a second hand clothes stall and we used to buy old handbags, old fur coats and I still have a pair of yellow clip earrings that I bought from one of the stalls. It was a great place to have a good rummage!
Radiorails
master brummie
So car boot sales are, it appears, another re-invention of the wheel. 
At least in the rag market you would be in the warm and dry and what better than a short walk into town afterwards - maybe lunch at Woolworth or a nearby pub. Sounds a better deal to me.
At least in the rag market you would be in the warm and dry and what better than a short walk into town afterwards - maybe lunch at Woolworth or a nearby pub. Sounds a better deal to me.
The old and new (1957) Market. First two photos are of the pre-1957 Rag Market. Viv.
I remember rag market. My parents had a stall there near the crockery man. I used to go in the 50’s and 60’s. I loved helping out on the stall. They had a second hand clothes stall. It was freezing in the winter and my father used to light a paraffin stove to keep warm. I loved the atmosphere and the fabulous people.
paul stacey
master brummie
They certainly were Bay, I remember going many times,