Stechford Area

[Jason Ellis]

Brilliant photos bringing back so many early childhood memories. My parents Geoff and Audrey Ellis had the Fish and Chip shop at 159 Station Road where I was raised.
The bridge over the river Cole was one of my playgrounds. The newsagent next to the railway line was where I bought my comics. The view of Cartwright's Timber merchants next to the railway line is interesting. One of the cars on the left is a Bond three-wheeler. This particular one is not mine, but I did own one later!
The most evocative photo for me is the view of the railway station itself. I would see this on my way to Hudson House School in Victoria Road every morning. We didn't have school on Wednesday afternoons and my grandmother would take me on the train to see cartoons at the Jacey cinema in Birmingham. It was the era of the demise of steam and I used to be delighted if our train was steam-drawn and very disappointed if it was diesel-drawn.

 

[Jonob]

ha ha. It was Manor Rd. I think it was a Sunblest bakery. I remember the lovely smell from there as we used to walk to the baths round the corner.

It was a Co-op Bakery in Manor Rd, John.

 

[MWS]

This is/was The Green in Stechford c1925. But where exactly is/was it ? Viv.

View attachment 152609

Is it from Albert Road looking across at Stuart Road with Lyttleton Road to the left and Richmond Road to the right?

 

[mw0njm.]

ha ha. It was Manor Rd. I think it was a Sunblest bakery. I remember the lovely smell from there as we used to walk to the baths round the corner.

it was started coop then changed to
Allied Bakeries:

 

[Lumpammer]

Is it from Albert Road looking across at Stuart Road with Lyttleton Road to the left and Richmond Road to the right?

I think it is, but when was the war memorial installed?

 

[MWS]

Sorry, I don't know. Looked at a couple of sites but they don't seem to give a date.

Stechford WW1 Cross

Memorial type: Cross

www.iwm.org.uk

 

[littleprid]

Brilliant photos bringing back so many early childhood memories. My parents Geoff and Audrey Ellis had the Fish and Chip shop at 159 Station Road where I was raised.
The bridge over the river Cole was one of my playgrounds. The newsagent next to the railway line was where I bought my comics. The view of Cartwright's Timber merchants next to the railway line is interesting. One of the cars on the left is a Bond three-wheeler. This particular one is not mine, but I did own one later!
The most evocative photo for me is the view of the railway station itself. I would see this on my way to Hudson House School in Victoria Road every morning. We didn't have school on Wednesday afternoons and my grandmother would take me on the train to see cartoons at the Jacey cinema in Birmingham. It was the era of the demise of steam and I used to be delighted if our train was steam-drawn and very disappointed if it was diesel-drawn.

Hudson house school brings back memories my friend went there in the fifties

 

[Dave89]

flaxley rd TVI View attachment 152601 CB shop remember that place well

Hi Pete,

Me too, I think after CB he used to do TV aerials etc.
Note T and K brackets still on the wall!

Best 73
Dave

 

[Dave89]

Hudson house school brings back memories my friend went there in the fifties

Hi littleprid,

I went there too, between 1950 and 1954, very handy too, - I only
lived three doors away!
And what a great view of the railway both from the playground and our house.

By the way it was in Frederick Road.

Kind regards
Dave

 

[Jason Ellis]

Couldn't resist posting a Hudson House School photograph. From my age on it I would guess it is about 1963 to 1966. I know quite a few of the names on the photo if anybody is interested. Unfortunately I have had to scan it at low resolution to fit the BHF size limit.

 

[Jason Ellis]

Couldn't resist posting a Hudson House School photograph. From my age on it I would guess it is about 1963 to 1966. I know quite a few of the names on the photo if anybody is interested. Unfortunately I have had to scan it at low resolution to fit the BHF size limit.

I have also just spotted, looking at it again, that the railway signals of the Stechford stretch of the railway line into Birmingham are clearly visible in the background. If anybody would like to swap memories of Hudson House School, Stechford please fire away. I loved it. I only know of one single member of my alumni, I would like to discover more.

 

[FlaxleyGirl]

Is it from Albert Road looking across at Stuart Road with Lyttleton Road to the left and Richmond Road to the right?

I had also been wondering this. It looks like there is another road on the left behind the girls.
I remember there were a lot of horse chestnuts around Lyttleton Rd. (My brother broke his arm falling out of one! )

Is Corpus Christi School still there?

I've been really enjoying people's memories on here

 

[Josephine Thomas]

Like you, Flaxley Girl, I had a trek to school: the 14 to town, walk across town to Colmore Row then the 7 to St Paul's. At a time when school finished at 4, I was out from 7.30am - 5.30 pm from the age of 11. Who said, 'Those were the days' lol.

Me too Dido. I went from Lea village to St Paul.s. ..Same bus journey. And it was a long day ! Started at St Paul.s in 1950 .

 

[Josephine Thomas]

I had also been wondering this. It looks like there is another road on the left behind the girls.
I remember there were a lot of horse chestnuts around Lyttleton Rd. (My brother broke his arm falling out of one! )

Is Corpus Christi School still there?

I've been really enjoying people's memories on here

Yes Corpus Christi School is still there .The old Church Where I was married in 1963 was demolished and a new one built . I went to C C School from 1944 to 1950

 

[Dave89]

I have also just spotted, looking at it again, that the railway signals of the Stechford stretch of the railway line into Birmingham are clearly visible in the background. If anybody would like to swap memories of Hudson House School, Stechford please fire away. I loved it. I only know of one single member of my alumni, I would like to discover more.

Hi Jason,

You were obviously there quite a while after me. But I do remember the names of the teachers.
There was Miss Jacques who taught the very young kids in the House, the next teacher was
Miss Bixby, followed by Miss or was it Mrs Mansell, and for the eldest Mrs Patterson. There was also
a Miss Sims who I believe was related to the owners, but their name escapes me. Was it Mr and Mrs
Farmer? I wonder if any of them were still there when you attended.

Incidentally, I think the pole and attachments you can see behind the building is actually a telegraph pole.
There were signals at the end of the platforms, but would not have been visible in that picture.
The main signals were on the other side of Albert Road at the junction of the New St. and Aston Lines.

Kind regards
Dave

 

[FlaxleyGirl]

Yes Corpus Christi School is still there .The old Church Where I was married in 1963 was demolished and a new one built . I went to C C School from 1944 to 1950

I've got strong memories of the old wooden church and remember the new one being built. I'm guessing that was built around 1970.

My sister was married there in 1965 I think it was. I almost remember the smell in there and the benches with the slightly soft finish to them, the baptism font at the back and the choir area upstairs.

I remember being told off in mass for playing with my Man from Uncle cards that I'd collected from sweet cigarettes

 

[littleprid]

Hi littleprid,

I went there too, between 1950 and 1954, very handy too, - I only
lived three doors away!
And what a great view of the railway both from the playground and our house.

By the way it was in Frederick Road.

Kind regards
Dave

Sorry, I have only just picked this up. I did not go to Hudson House, it was my friend Stephanie Dodd - we are still friends over 70 years later!

 

[GEFF]

Can any one explain how a bench seat with Stechford written on the back top rail ended up on the railway station in
Betws-y-Coed North Wales ? Geff

 

[Lumpammer]

Can any one explain how a bench seat with Stechford written on the back top rail ended up on the railway station in
Betws-y-Coed North Wales ? Geff

By train?

 

[Dido]

Hope you enjoy and please let us know your stories, if it brings back any memories for you. Regards Stars

[/QUOTE in the above pic there was 3 shop on the corner of iron lane/station rd, next to parkinsons and was still there in 1980s i remember them
but in the pic above that they were not there. strainge

[/QUOTE]
Just thought I'd mention that when I drove this way today, the first time in a long time - I was shocked to find a dual carriageway and a couple of islands where these shops used to be! Progress, I guess!

 

[annemt]

@FlaxleyGirl I didn't go to CC - Our Lady's was my primary school. My much older brother got married at CC. Father Corcoran was the parish priest at that time; a giant of a man, at least to little me! The church at that time (mid 60s) was a wooden 'hut'. Mom and I often went to mass there if we'd missed the rare Sunday bus to the Mackadown. Great memories.

I also went to Our Lady’s from 1962 - 64 when I went to Byng Kenrick. When were you there? My Mom & Dad were married at Corpus Christie in 1947. I remember going to mass there as mas at Our Lady’s was held in Archbishop Williams’s school hall before the church was built. Do you remember Father Dinan & Father O’Connor at Our Lady’s?

 

[annemt]

moving on up the road a bit on the boarder os stechford and The Glebe.

Regards Stars

I grew up in Glebe Farm. Lived in Betley Grove off Bushbury Road. Many happy memories including the Co-Op Youth Club & Community Centre discos in the late 60s. It was a good place to live then.

 

[annemt]

Very sad about the Glebe church and surronding area , my late inlaws Mr & Mrs Wallbank where amounst the founders off that church , they would be hearbroken to see it now , i am glad they didnt live to see it . We where marrried ther in 1980 and as where my husband sister and brother before us , I lived in Elmore rd , my husband in Flaxley rd so all the above pictures where great memories for us , many thanks does anyone remmeber the wallbank family from flaxley rd , where well known in the baptist church .

I remember Mr & Mrs Wallbank. They were a lovely couple. I also knew their daughter Barbara. Her daughter was at school with mine.

 

[annemt]

Hi All
Just read through this thread and found it very interesting all though i didnt live there we used to use the swimming baths and i remember the area as shown it the photos its all changed now not for the better either but its the same for all areas that you used to frequent when we were younger.
Can any one tell me what was on the baths site before or was there an older baths.

phil

The baths were built on part of Manor Park. We were most miffed at first as we used to go tobogganing down the hills in winter but then we loved the baths once they were opened. You could get a good sun tan round the lido. We also used to climb over the fence on our way home from The Swan or The Bull (Coventry Road) & go swimming in the lido on HOT Summer nights!

 

[annemt]

I remember a Derek Proctor - think he was a friend of a friend. Also, believe he had a younger sister but can't think of a name to fit. I seem to remember she had thick, dark hair but may be wrong. I lived in Gillscroft Road, Church Lane end.

Does anyone remember the Co-op club at the Glebe on a Tuesday and Friday? I spent many a happy time there.
Lovely photos, thank you

I used to go to the Co-Op youth club from about 1967 - 69. It was run by Gordon Colley & his wife (I can’t remember her name). We had great times there. Also went to the Community Centre discos.

 

[Dido]

I also went to Our Lady’s from 1962 - 64 when I went to Byng Kenrick. When were you there? My Mom & Dad were married at Corpus Christie in 1947. I remember going to mass there as mas at Our Lady’s was held in Archbishop Williams’s school hall before the church was built. Do you remember Father Dinan & Father O’Connor at Our Lady’s?

Annemt - I was there until 1968 then went to St Paul's so a couple of years behind you. I remember both those priests. Looking back, we were terrified of them. Fr Dinan used to come into class every Monday to check who'd been to mass. After a show of hands he'd pick on individuals with fast fired questions like, "tell me who were the altar boys", "What hymn ended the mass?" trying to catch people out. There was a young priest who came for a couple of years called Fr McFarlane who was lovely. He really wanted to engage with us rather than scare us to death! My mom was in the Catholic Mothers at the school. They were very involved with the new church and I remember going with my mom to the ceremony of, "digging of the sod"; the foundations being laid. Not sure what year that would've been but I too went to A W for mass; did my communion and confirmation there, pre church.

 

[Dido]

I used to go to the Co-Op youth club from about 1967 - 69. It was run by Gordon Colley & his wife (I can’t remember her name). We had great times there. Also went to the Community Centre discos.

I did too! I was a Pathfinder at around that time. Gordon's wife was formerly Jean Sutton; she had younger twin sisters who also used to come to 'Club'. Did you ever go to Losehill hall in Derbyshire, with the group? It was my first 'holiday' and I absolutely loved it.

 

[annemt]

Annemt - I was there until 1968 then went to St Paul's so a couple of years behind you. I remember both those priests. Looking back, we were terrified of them. Fr Dinan used to come into class every Monday to check who'd been to mass. After a show of hands he'd pick on individuals with fast fired questions like, "tell me who were the altar boys", "What hymn ended the mass?" trying to catch people out. There was a young priest who came for a couple of years called Fr McFarlane who was lovely. He really wanted to engage with us rather than scare us to death! My mom was in the Catholic Mothers at the school. They were very involved with the new church and I remember going with my mom to the ceremony of, "digging of the sod"; the foundations being laid. Not sure what year that would've been but I too went to A W for mass; did my communion and confirmation there, pre church.

I'd forgotten about Fr McFarlane. He was very nice. Also did my communion & confirmation at AW. Do you remember Delina Lappin? She was at OL about the same time as you. The was also Frankie Lunney, (Martin)? Manning, Gérard Bergin & someone Phipps. Also Mary Reagan whose Mom was scary! I remember her having a go at Mr Murray on day. Some of their older siblings were in my class. Mr Meegan was our teacher & Mr Murray was Head.

 

[Dido]

I'd forgotten about Fr McFarlane. He was very nice. Also did my communion & confirmation at AW. Do you remember Delina Lappin? She was at OL about the same time as you. The was also Frankie Lunney, (Martin)? Manning, Gérard Bergin & someone Phipps. Also Mary Reagan whose Mom was scary! I remember her having a go at Mr Murray on day. Some of their older siblings were in my class. Mr Meegan was our teacher & Mr Murray was Head.

Yes I remember Delina -very slight and blonde, I think she had an older sister. Don't remember Frankie or Gerard. Martin Manning was in my class as was Mr Murray's son, Dermot. I can't place Mr Meegan but after Murray left, Mr Keegan became the Head and was our teacher. His daughter, Moira was in our class. The Phipps brothers (Gary?) mom was friends with my mom, as was Mrs Reagan - she lived near the Glebe so we often travelled in on the 14 together. Mary had an older brother Micky, who also helped out at the Co-op club. We thought he was gorgeous!

 

[annemt]

You remember the same people as I do. I couldn't remember whether it was Meegan or Keegan but he did go on to be Head. He had a glass eye and it fell out one day when we were doing sports so we were all scrabbling round to find it! Delina's sister Larraine & I were great friends. She had another 2 sisters & a brother. Gary Phipps had a brother named Stephen who became a proper Mod as he got older. I'd forgotten about Dermot Murray. Mickey Reagan broke a lot of hearts & was always getting into some sort of trouble! (That's why Mrs Reagan had a go at Mr Murray - one of many times.) He worked at Alcan with my Dad for a while. They lived on Swancote Road. Where about did you live & what was your surname? I lived in Betley Grove off Bushbury Road. My Mom worked at the Co-Op greengrocers for a few years. Other names that I remember are Mary & Janet Davies who had an older brother Phillip (?), Susan (Killeen)? Her Mom had a clothes shop called "Susan's" in Lea Village, Bernard O'Brien. I think Glen Nicholls was there about the same time as you. Glen's sister Janette & I are still very good friends. She now lives in Australia.