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The Birmingham Fortnight

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christopher short

Birmingham Post
Hope this thread will unearth the memories. The annual 2 weeks in the summer, when almost all the factories shut down and Birmingham was off on holiday. Lots could not afford to go away, but many will have fond (or otherwise) memories of lugging the suitcases onto the bus and from there to Digbeth Coach Station (change at Cheltenham for us) or to New Street and Snow Hill. Wooly costumes, Brownie 127's. The photographers on the front - take your picture for 2/6d and sent it in the post - some hopes ! Sandwiches on the beach, do you recall that tomatoes tasted differently when they had been wrapped up for a couple of hours.
My Father reckoned that you could buy a copy of The Evening Despatch in Weston before it hit the streets in Birmingham.
 
christopher short said:
Hope this thread will unearth the memories. The annual 2 weeks in the summer, when almost all the factories shut down and Birmingham was off on holiday. Lots could not afford to go away, but many will have fond (or otherwise) memories of lugging the suitcases onto the bus and from there to Digbeth Coach Station (change at Cheltenham for us) or to New Street and Snow Hill. Wooly costumes, Brownie 127's. The photographers on the front - take your picture for 2/6d and sent it in the post - some hopes ! Sandwiches on the beach, do you recall that tomatoes tasted differently when they had been wrapped up for a couple of hours.
My Father reckoned that you could buy a copy of The Evening Despatch in Weston before it hit the streets in Birmingham.
Click to expand...

How did he know ?

Was Westward Ho for us, dont remember it all that well.
Used to wait for the old man to get back from the pub, then all on the bus, Snow Hill with the glass roof, all night on the packed train, singsongs, sharing flasks of tea and sandwiches with complete strangers who always seemed friendly (probably all p1ssed come to think of it)

Had to change trains, not sure if it was Barnstable or Bideford. Arrived mid afternoon.

These days, 2 or 3 hours in the car. But not as much fun !!
 
The Evening Despatch would most likely have been the edition that hit the Birmingham streets at Midday.
 
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