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Stitcher. re the photo of Marks & Spencer c.1940 I presume High Street, city centre, was it bombed during the war, as I have a recollection around the 1950s of a temporary building for M & S on that site.
 
Sylvia, I am not at all sure about that. I do have some pictures of the City Center showing a lot of bomb damaged sites but I cant remember if this shop is one of them. I will have a look over next couple of days and if I find anything I will post it. If you do not see another post from me on this particular shop it means I didnt find anything.
Trevor.
 
Sylvia, I think the new M&S store in the High Street was completed in 1957-8, but I can't remember whether the old building had been bombed, although it's highly likely it would have been damaged. I remember it was completed about the same time as that jagged building which is now Barclays Bank,corner of New St and Bennetts Hill. Although I was trained to be a modernist architect, I thought the classical feel of Marks building looked much happier, as it still does today.
Stitch, Sorry to be difficult, but I'm fairly sure that that excellent picture was of St Bartholomew's, 500 yards closer to Town, the road in front being named Masshouse Lane (moreorless site of Masshouse Circus).
St James Duddeston. The church has quite an interesting history - it was formerly a mansion belonging to Dr John Ash, founder of the General Hospital, who later sold his estate to John Brooke, an attorney, in 1787, who developed that land and more as the Ashsted (later Ashted) estate.
There are not many pictures of St James' church, but quite a few St Bartholomew's - but your photo is an excellent one of its time, I've not seen it before. Thank you.
Peter
 
Peter, based on the fact that I have not got a clue about what you said, I checked the picture and it does say 'St James's, Barrack St. Duddeston' around 193o. I would not be surprised if the picture is wrong because on at least two other occasions I have had the same sort of discrepancy pointed out to me. One that springs to mind was was about a bus picture that said it was in Hockly Garage when in fact it was at Tyburn Rd Works.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Trevor.
 
The two churches must have been very similar because in plan view St James seems to be like this picture. Is there not another photo on the Nechells Thread.
 
With the sad demise of Woolworths here is a 1950's view of the Bull Ring with Woollies down on the right.
Nice to see this thread still going from strength to strength - thank you to all who keep it going so well.
Mike
 

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Peter

I have to tell you that unless every book I have ever read concerning Nechells, and that the memory I call to mind about the wreckage of St James Church that I passed each day on the way to school is wrong.

Then Stitcher is right when he says, the photo he posted is of St James the Lesser and not St Bartholomew's Digbeth. Here is a photo of that Church as you will see there is a great difference.

Phil
 

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Frothy, whenever a picture appears that I recognise a thought goes through my mind. I never fail to think 'HAPPY DAYS'.
 
Bit before my time this one of New St. about 1920
 

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A very quiet looking Colmore Row about 1938.
 

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I reckon that 1920 picture is nearer 1910..Infact it was taken in 1905. Look closely at the horse in the left foreground...well that's Spearmint who went on to win the Epsom Derby the following year...
 
Beamish, if that were true Loyd would have known, and if Lloyd didnt spot it Alf would have. I dont beleive you Beamish, at least I dont think I believe you, are you having me on?
 
Mosely Village in the early 1870s and again some years later when it was accepted as a suburb of Birmingham.
 

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sylviasayers said:
Stitcher. re the photo of Marks & Spencer c.1940 I presume High Street, city centre, was it bombed during the war, as I have a recollection around the 1950s of a temporary building for M & S on that site.
Click to expand...

sylviasayers,
I have come across this photo which is the 1930's Marks & Spencers in High Street that was destroyed by a bomb in 1941, so Stitchers photo [#734] would be a postwar replacement that was then replaced by the present day store.
Mike
 

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The Digbeth Institute in this picture became Digbeth Civic Hall.
 

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That's the htebgid etutitsni, isn't it Stitch! Nice picture of a mart coming out of aer teerts!
 
Lloyd, is someone getting at you because thats how my speech goes when I am bullied. I can let you have the name of my tablets.
 
I thought that Lloyd, but then I thought why would someone have done that so I thought it must me.
 
Stitcher said:
The Digbeth Institute in this picture became Digbeth Civic Hall.
Click to expand...
Spent many a happy night there listening to the Campbells' folk group. Am I right in thinking they're Mom & Dad to Ali - UB40?
Stitcher, I'm always amazed at the extent of your collection of pics. Your wife must have to climb over PCs and books to get to the door! Still long may you reign.
 
Another good picture Stitcher! I used to go to the Midland Jazz Club which was held at the Digbeth Institute - in late 1950's.

Judy
 
David, I aquired them through becoming a tourist guide when I was a cab owner-driver. People like Alf and Lloyd really know about these places but I only have the pictures. My big regret is that I never took photos as I went through life.
 
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