See Birmingham by Post Card

[Stitcher]

Rupert, I know what you mean. I dont think anything made,built or produced today will have the same effect on future generations.

 

[Frothblower]

Two views of New Street from High Street. 1895 and 1971.
Again it looks very busy in the earlier photo.

Yes good old days, there I am sitting on the back of that beer wagon,that's how I got my name,"Frothblower"
not true of course, great photos though.

 

[Rupert]

Although we have seen King Edwards before, this 1895 photo of New Street shows an every day view of what it was like with the school still there amongst the then surrounding buildings. Great. That must be Worcester Street off to the left...another dissapearing act.

 

[Stitcher]

Rupert, I wonder how many Architecte and Builders involved in these old buildings thought or imagined we would be admiring their work all these years later. I taught my son to admire other peoples talents and skills. As a result of this he is a locksmith specialising in 'non destructive entry' he has to buy his tools from Germany because they are not availiable in this country. I said to him the other day "do you know what Ive got". He replied "no, but I bet its made from plastic". I think that sums up how most of us feel these days.
NEXT. Victoria Square, The Council House and Art Gallery. 1901 and again 1971. Again there seems to be more people around in the early shot.

 

[cherylh]

Thank you for the photo of the Old Leather Bottle, I've been looking for one for ages. My Great Great Grandfather ran it for awhile.
Cheryl

 

[Peter Walker]

Here are two more old pictures of Victoria Square, this time from the early 1880s, after the Council House had been opened but while horse trams could still run through between Hockley and Bournbrook. (They soon divided the line, Hockley and Handsworth cars terminating in Colmore Row; and Bournbrook cars reversing at the bottom of Suffolk Street Hill, much to the relief of the horses). The pics aren't brilliant, certainly not good enough for postcards, but they are an interesting record, I think.
Peter

 

[Rupert]

Peter, the one with the Temperance Hotel on is a magnificent photo. Wonderful subject and framing; I love it. It shows that there were a couple of street lamp design's. One the rounded type seen before and another, also beautiful, more straight sided one; maybe a precursor of the later type that we all knew. Photography could not have been easy in the early days but this picture takes ones breath away.

 

[motorman-mike]

Here is an interesting view of Lewis's and Bull Street. As it is unlikely new postcard views were produced during the Second World War, this has to be fairly soon after the war c.1946/7 from the horse drawn vehicles and a wartime utility bus to the right of the normal Corporation bus. Because of the light colour tinting it is hard to decide whether the utility bus is BCT in wartime 'Battleship' grey or a Midland Red.
Note the early big 'Cross Now' screens on the traffic light in the foreground. Was this traffic light for trams only?. It predates the 'Cross Now' pedestrian lights that I recall there in the 1950's.

 

[motorman-mike]

Colmore Row between World Wars I and II.

 

[Jayell]

Both those views were great Mike. I particularly loved the one of Lewis's as that is how I remember it as a child.

Judy

 

[motorman-mike]

Both those views were great Mike. I particularly loved the one of Lewis's as that is how I remember it as a child.

Judy

Thanks Judy, and probably, like me, wish it still was Lewis's there.
Mike

 

[GeorgieG]

Both those views were great Mike. I particularly loved the one of Lewis's as that is how I remember it as a child.

Judy

Me too... I would walk through Lewis's food hall!! to get to my Bus Stop by the Hospital... All those lovely huge slab cakes ... mouthwatering. Georgie

 

[Phil]

This is my favourite view of Lewis's.

Phil

 

[Jayell]

Another photo which brings back memories Phil.

Judy

 

[Lloyd]

Here is an interesting view of Lewis's and Bull Street. As it is unlikely new postcard views were produced during the Second World War, this has to be fairly soon after the war c.1946/7 from the horse drawn vehicles and a wartime utility bus to the right of the normal Corporation bus. Because of the light colour tinting it is hard to decide whether the utility bus is BCT in wartime 'Battleship' grey or a Midland Red.
Note the early big 'Cross Now' screens on the traffic light in the foreground. Was this traffic light for trams only?. It predates the 'Cross Now' pedestrian lights that I recall there in the 1950's.

It's a Midland Red, Mike, it has adverts. Birmingham buses, unlike the trams, didn't have adverts until the 50's by when all the wartime grey buses had been repainted blue and cream.

 

[motorman-mike]

Thanks for clearing that one up Lloyd. I got the old magnifying glass to it and reckon that advert is for BISTO as well!

 

[Lloyd]

Ah - Bisto!

 

[florence butler]

Hello Cherylh,

I have a few old unused pen and ink Christmas cards of the Old Leather Bottle. A lovely snowy c.17th Century scene with a horse and carriage waiting outside.... You are welcome to a copy for your gg/grandad's file.... Please IM me with your address if you are interested and I will post one off to you.... Florence

 

[motorman-mike]

Out to Hall Green again and quiet views along the Stratford Road by the Robin Hood Island and at the City Boundary. c.1950's/60's.

 

[jennyann]

Phil, I too like your favourite view of Lewis's. Looks like all roads led to that store. I loved the Food Hall as well. I counted twenty
roller blinds that had to be pulled out every day. Imagine having that job!

 

[motorman-mike]

Still on the Stratford Road, at Hall Green Parade heading towards the City. c.1960's

 

[motorman-mike]

Here is New Street but when? This card,appears not to have been posted. Not dated it looks 1930's/40's - could be either side of the Second World War.

 

[motorman-mike]

New Street, c.1950's

 

[jennyann]

Here are some photos taken yesterday by our friend Ian Jelf, Blue Badge Guide of the Rednal Tram Loop.

 

[chucka]

It is brilliant seeing all these images of old Brum, I have been facinated with some of them, one of the best threads on the site, "KEEP EM CUMIN" !!!

 

[The Baron]

Remember standing in a Q from their down to the AUSTIN WORKS just to get home after a bank holoday out as a kid, Bristol Road Tram ride top deck one of the best rides in Brum.

 

[Rupert]

If there was a case for saving any of the tram system, then perhaps that line was it. Much of it was seperated from the auto traffic and was scenic and the ride was an experience in itself. The only tram ride that comes to mind of similar content is the one along the front at Blackpool and I think that still exists. With the rolling stock that they had maybe there would have been enough spares for...well.. a long time anyway for just that route. I doubt that todays drivers would put up with driving in a standing position though.

 

[motorman-mike]

Spot the difference in Colmore Row. From the cars seen here only a short time can seperate these two views but during that time the bus shelters have changed!

 

[jennyann]

A couple of the buses we used to take into town...the 5a or 7 Portland Road from the Ridgeway or Witton, used to stop where those bus shelters were on Colmore Row. Great shots Mike. Might it have been the early 50's in the right hand shot and a bit later in the l950's the left hand shot? Don't know exact year though.

 

[jennyann]

Rupert and Baron:
I agree that it was one of the best tram rides in Brum back then. I have a friend who lives in Rednal close to the Reservoir and when I come back for a visit we traverse that route and as we go past the tree adorned central boulevard we always bemoan how wonderful it was to be "flying" along on one of the old trams going for a special day out at the Lickey's.

It's years since I went into Blackpool but I took my kids on the tram in 1985 when I took them to meet their Great Aunt who lived down the coast in Lytham St. Anne's.
It was a great experience. Yeah...Rupert...the Blackpool Trams live on. Here's a great site to see them. https://www.geocities.com/blackpool_trams/