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Temples of Relief

  • Thread starter Thread starter glaciermint
  • Start date Start date
Hi Glaziermint: Yes, those "Temples of Relief" were strictly for men and women were not even in the equation regarding drinking in pubs and the consequences of imbibing a lot of liquid. I seem to remember that women went to the Ladies if they were in a pub in the evening and afterwards it was difficult to say the least. Nowhere was open back then. No MacDonalds and Petrol stations, etc.

In the day time things were different regarding ladies loos. All little girls of my era...growing up postwar were taken to different types of toilets and our Moms knew where they all were....Lewis's, Grey's and restaurants also
the underground loos that were around back then. We learned to read the signs "Wash and Brush Up" usually 2d if I remember and tip the lady in charge of cleaning who would have an expectant look on her face re getting a tip. We got used to queuing and having pennies available. On holidays we went to the communal toilets on whatever seafront or attraction and passed through the tall turnstiles where very often there
was another queue. Women used to "hold the door" for the next user so we wouldn't have to pay. It was always nice to see that happening after a bit of a wait.

After I worked at New Street Station I would go there before catching the bus home after dancing because I knew where all the Ladies loos were.
You had to be very careful about going into the main Brum hotels late in the evening to use their facilities. The front desk staff would give you
a stare as if you were up to no good.

I remember using public loos on Six Ways, Erdington for several years
as a schoolgirl until they closed them. I remember there was one cubicle there that didn't have a penny slot just a lock.
 
Hi PMC1947: I can remember those evening trips out of town on the coach.
We often used to go on the Stockland Coaches in the summer. The Mystery Tours were great. I can remember the country lane "special stops" on occasion. We always had a great time and after people had a few drinks
everyone would have a sing song and then a whip round for the driver.
Not many people had cars in those days and it was much safer than today
in that respect. Just a jolly walk back home, ten minutes at the most. Happy memories of those days.
 
Here's another with a big clue in it this time. Any takers?

Bob
 
Here's a pic I took way back in 1976.
Underneath the viaducts in Digbeth, but sadly can't remember precisely where.
I think it's Milk St but could be Trent or Floodgate St.
Anyone know if it's still there?
Guess the "228" plaque is British Rail and refers to the arch number.
 

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Nice one Longshen. There certainly seems to have been a plethora of these urinals on the streets leading off from Digbeth/Deritend. If that bridge number is still in situ it will poinpoint it nicely.

If I can build up a big enough picture of where these Victorian urinals are or were it might be possible to summise why they were put in a particular location e.g. near to a pub or factories.

Bob
 
That one of yours glaciermint, has Curzon Street Station in the background, with the columns to the left facing New Canal Street, so it has to be in Banbury Street.
There were certainly a lot in the Digbeth back streets, but that was a residential and industrial area at the time they were erected. Perhaps the council fathers were trying to stop people using the gutters?
 
You could me near the mark there Lloyd.

And you're right on the mark with Banbury St, opposite side of the road to the boxing pub 'Cauliflower Ear' at the time of pic - now reverted to the old Eagle & Tun name

Bob
 
I have to smile to meself every time I go along Bradford Street. At the bottom of the hill on the Rea Street side was a brickbuilt Gents much used by busmen and much missed by them when it was closed down. With no roof it was cleansed only when it rained in its latter years. Whilst availing myself of this luxury facility I often wondered if it drained straight in to the River Rea underneath.. It was also overlooked by windows from the factory next door which was a bit off putting! Still there now, it's part of International Stock with a door on it (never had one as a toilet) and a sign now proclaims it to be the "Security Office" and thats what makes me smile.
 
Quite right too Pomgolian. Liked your Old Square pic, here's another from about the same time with a lady in need striding towards the appropriate place!
 

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Here's a couple more of the underground's

One at the bull ring before it was hidden from view by telephone boxes, and one at Dale End / High St.

Phil.

CityBullringFromStMartins.jpg
CityDaleEnd1953.jpg
 
Mike, re. where did the liquid go? In the 50s buses going up Winson Green Road stopped for a driver break. I can't remember if there was a Bundy clock but there was certainly a urinal which was well used by driver and conductor. It was on the edge of the canal bridge just past the prison. What a convenient canal!

Bob
 
Pomgolian,
I used to see the Mecca every weekday when I used to use the 14 or 55 bus from here when I lived at Alum Rock. Never went inside though. Did go in the Kings Hall Market a time or two and those toilets more than a time or two. I once forgot my key and was locked out of my digs after a late duty on the Red buses so decided I might spend the night down there for a penny. (I had walked back to the City from Alum Rock to kill some time - wouldn't attempt that nowadays). Just bolted the door when there was a loud banging on the door, accompanied by "Everybody out". It was the police turfing out vagrants. I sauntered off casually past them and finished the night sleeping in the boiler room at Digbeth Bus Garage where the night duty inspector took pity on me. Should have gone there in the first place but it's all part of life's rich pattern..
Mike
 
The underground toilets don't have to be as bad as we probably remember them. In 2003 I was in Hull and had need to use the underground urinal in the centre of the City early on a Sunday morning. An attendant stood at the entrance and I as I was coming out I passed comment on how clean the toilets were. He was obviously up for a chat and told me that the toilet was used by all sorts and had featured in books and films as well by tramps, gays and druggies. He said when someone came in to use it for its proper purpose it was like a breath of fresh air!

He then said that just round the corner was another one known as King Billy's bog which only opens on Sunday mornings for checking and cleaning but if I wanted to see what a classic Victorian toilet looked like I should pop round. My wife was less than keen on my new found interest in men's urinals but the attendant seemed so enthusiastic I felt I owed it to him to visit. Well, you would have been happy to eat your dinner there. The mosaic floor sparkled, the tiled walls shone and the pipework gleamed.

I hasten to add that my interest lies in the Victorian design and
architecture, not toilets. (honestly officer!)
 
Glaciermint....They don't make them like that anymore. Thanks for posting
those pics. Great that they are in such good condition and are being preserved.
 
Here’s a little story about an underground toilet, I know it’s off thread again. One Saturday night in the 60’s we ran two girls home to Worcester we had met at a night club in Birmingham. As it was about 4.a.m. when we finally dropped them off we decided to get our heads down in the car for a couple of hours before heading back to Brum.

On waking about 7 a.m. we headed the nearest toilets for a wash and brush up. The nearest one was at the head of Bridge Street. After availing ourselves of the facilities and giving the attendant a generous tip. We asked the attendant where was the nearest café we could get some breakfast at and his reply was “you are joking aren’t you” (it was a Sunday in 1965)

He next words were “if you are hungry I can do you something”. Smiling to ourselves we agreed, he cooked us one of the best mixed grills I have ever eaten. We left there thanking him profusely as he would not accept a penny in payment.

Sadly that underground toilet has gone the same way as many of its ilk, but I can never visit Worcester or think about the city without smiling and recalling how I ate a full English breakfast in a public convenience there.

Phil
 
Alf

So right, but I prefer to think of it as a reminder of how helpful and generous people used to be.

Phil
 
And to think I was only joking when I said earlier you'd have been happy to eat your dinner in there. A good story Phil and I doubt anyone will top it - but you never know!
 
One for the ladies

Had a skim through the net to see if I could find any info. McFarlane's who made the Jewellery Quarter urinal also made this one - so its not a male preserve after all (mind you I think my wife would have to be pretty desperate to use it. I think the surrounding bushes would be more of an attraction and she's not keen on that!))

Bob
 
That was a lovely story Phil.

Bob do you know where this celubrious toilet is!
 

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