-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Tommy Letton fish seller
- Thread starter mikejee
- Start date
In 2017, the Birmingham Mail gave the location for the photo of "The Old Wholesale Market." No date was given for the photo.
Last edited:
Think it's 'Cornercroft' - a group of companies. The 'ACE' works were at Kitts Green. See red dots, sorry pic is a bit hazy
A Sparks
master brummie
Yes!
I had just made a guess at that and searched for Cornercroft Ace Works, seems like their main address was in Coventry, I wondered if they had a branch in Birmingham but couldn't see anything.
Perhaps the Cornercroft advert could be seen from the Birmingham/Coventry/London train route ?
Wonder if someone could let us have a map showing the old wholesale market please ? I'd say the photo is dated about late 1950s. Thanks.
I wonder if the building (left) with 'Conference Room To Let' is a pub.
I wonder if the building (left) with 'Conference Room To Let' is a pub.
Last edited:
Assuming it's the same Tommy Letton, fish vendor, he had a street in Cardiff named after him ! Maybe some searches might reveal if its the same person. Maybe he moved to Cardiff and continued supplying fish. And he would have been getting on in years when he passed away in 1992.
Of course he may not have lived in Brum, but travelled to the market from Wales, perhaps ? Or is the photo somewhere else, not Brum ? (Although that seems odd, but not impossible, if it was from the Birmingham Mail Archives and marked specifically as the Old Wholesale Market ).
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Of course he may not have lived in Brum, but travelled to the market from Wales, perhaps ? Or is the photo somewhere else, not Brum ? (Although that seems odd, but not impossible, if it was from the Birmingham Mail Archives and marked specifically as the Old Wholesale Market ).
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Last edited:
sometimes mike i just get a feel for where a photo was taken and when i first saw it i did wonder if it was a birmingham photo..
lyn
Last edited:
Here he is working at Christina Street, Cardiff Bay in the 1960s - established 1923. Definitely looks like the same man. He worked there for a long time.
This quote from Facebook Tommy the Fish, Uncle Tom or just Tommy Letton has a plaque dedicated to him on the underpass from Bute Street to 'Letton Road'. Born in 1901 he spent 40 of his 84 years selling fish from a barrow around Tiger Bay. In an interview with the BBC, Tommy said that the people of the area were 'Honest as the day
This quote from Facebook Tommy the Fish, Uncle Tom or just Tommy Letton has a plaque dedicated to him on the underpass from Bute Street to 'Letton Road'. Born in 1901 he spent 40 of his 84 years selling fish from a barrow around Tiger Bay. In an interview with the BBC, Tommy said that the people of the area were 'Honest as the day
So it's unlikely that he worked around Birmingham Market. That, of course, doesn't rule out him visiting Brum especially given his 'fame'. The photo could have been a promotional photo. (Could that have been why he's wearing a white armband?)
The lack of identification after everyone's efforts, however, suggests it's less likely that it's Brum.
Been interesting to explore the photo - and beyond !
The lack of identification after everyone's efforts, however, suggests it's less likely that it's Brum.
Been interesting to explore the photo - and beyond !
Last edited:
pjmburns
master brummie
Isn't it likely the whte armband was his street trader's licence?
Could well be Janice. If so, is the style/type of band specific to a particular local authority ?