One of the things about compiling the weekly old pictures post that irritates is that there are some really interesting old images floating about that you just can’t fit into a post. One or two-offs that don’t really fit in with themed articles. Misfits and misshapes. There are so many of these to feature now that I’ve decided to just wing it and post a group of unrelated images, because otherwise, I feel they’ll never be posted.
As always I thank the authors and originators of these pictures. Please support local history books when you get the chance.
It’s hard to remember the Terrace as being anything other than a restaurant, but if you look at it today, it’s not hard to see its origins. I love the name ‘Motrestant’, were there any more about, or was this a one off? Image taken from ‘Memories of old Brownhills’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.
Although not that old – the author states that it was mid-90’s – this rainy shot of the High Street shows much has changed. The shops on the right have all now gone, replaced by the new block containing Wilkinson. How many remember CK electronics, and their discount seconhand TV’s and videos? I also remember the bubble gum dispenser outside Poxons butchers, on the left of shot. Image posted on Facebook in the ‘Brownhills’ group by Robert Gough.
Don’t know much about these, and I invite comments. Would these be where the recently demolished maisonettes were? Image from ‘Memories of Old Brownhills’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.
This image accompanies the one above. I’m interested in the lady – is Dorothy still about? I just love the dog. A fantastic, unusual domestic scene. Image taken from ‘Memories of old Brownhills’ by Clarice Mayo & Geoff Harrington.
This is a good image. I’m having chronological problems here. Clearly early middle eighties, it shows the new island, apparently functional but still under construction, yet the sign doesn’t show a turning for Silver Street, so it must predate Hillards (currently Tesco) being developed – I thought it all happened at the same time. Note the taxi office on the left, and what I believe to be the end window of the Station Hotel, lost under the Aldi development soon after. Image posted on Facebook by Robert Gough in the ‘Brownhills’ group.
Ah, the mill. I was talking about this building to someone just the other day – we kids from Brownhills used to go up there and hang out in the old building. Does anyone know anything about it or have recollections of those days? Image taken from ‘Around Pelsall and Brownhills in old photographs’ by David F. Vodden.
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If the pictures of the old cottages are the ones that were on the High St/ Ogley Rd junction opposite the defunkt Macdonalds,when we moved to Brownhills we had one of the new maisonettes and i remember old houses in front of us. We were number 255a so i assume the cottage was 255.
Hi John
Is the same who lived in Wessex Close by Kim Farley and worked for Claridges ? If not I’m sorry.
Julia
No! My wife just asked me the same question! HI Julia, I am the John BIshop you asked about however I have never registered or posted here.I never knew I had a namesake there either.
I remember going to the old Mill house as a young girl. My mother was and still is a member of Brownhills Townswomen’s Guild and they used to practice at the House for the choir and Drama group. Mrs Parsley and her elderly mother lived there and it was a lovely big house.
Mrs Parsley later married Mr Burton of Stonnall who owned Burtons farm.
Julia,
i am researching willett from brownhills area can we talk ? my e mail address is s.cronin@internet.vodafone.com.mt THANK YOU.
Keith.
I remember playing in one of the large derelict buildings at the grove pit although I think it may have been the one directly behind the canal basins this would have been around the 1989 – 1991 period.
On another note but related to local industrial history I made an interesting discovery a few years ago in an overgrown area of the Slough a small brick arch which I believe is a 19th century lime kiln there were a number lime kilns dotted around that area c1870s-80s. This is probably the only surviving evidence Google earth coordinates are
52°38’34.37″N
1°57’24.53″W
Hi there everyone. Regarding the miners island and the NEW ROAD. When we received the paperwork regarding the new road, if my memory serves it said that this was an option the council recommended for the by-pass provide car parking off the High Street and that the High Street would become traffic free. The store (Hillyards/Tesco) was not part of that original plane, However i think that they (The Council) had sort of put buildings in some places to show what could be achieved if The people accepted the plan. Thing is I cannot remember how many years before it actually happened. It was a few years before I left Brownhills around 1976.
Just a thought, as I was about to end! I think that there may have been a smaller option which went from the Square round the back of Caters along the back of the shops up to the bridge into Lichfield road.
The picture with the MG Metro in front of the new island would have been taken sometime in 1986 which is when the new island was constructed to replace the traffic lights next to the council building.
I remember the terrace like that and the old car that had a rolls royce front on it always parked up outside the front of the garage
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re your enuiry jan 3 15 on the cafe stonall there were two one was on the right hand side going from shire oak toward birmingham it was opposite the entrance to what i bekieve is a gravel pil it was a wartering hole for local workers electric gas council etc also at this spot was a blue bell wood a mecca in spring the other cafe was further down on the left ibelieve it is now a petrol station the terraces in newtown a 5 was the garage for caylip smith his coaches were housed in alarg curragated building the coaches along with hopleys and harpers took factory workers to birmingham kynocks being one onthe subject of brownhils industry past we must not forget the chemical land mark of the lame brothers it could be seen for miles if a child had a cough an old saying was tek im or her up the chemmy were they cun breath tar fuems gud for their lungs jack north the gate man mr james and ruston drovevthe steam driven wagon happy days god bless from aer reg
Very interesting comments great site – Wonder if my Brother Geoff drops in
Where is teh gorgeous Kim Farley now ?
Mike Dowen
I remember Tom Jones , and red Rolls pulling up at the Garage on the A5 , to eat and refill I guess, and coming out with his manager with a Brass Coal Scuttle on his head after lunch!
I worked at the garage in the mid 60’s with Harold Chance , Mr and Mrs Pilsberry owned it then , I met lots of famous people ,when they did the duel carriageway the profits went down and did not go on for long before it was closed .
Hello Brenda. I also worked for Mr & Mrs Pilsberry, I was trained at the Motrestant on the Watling, then was tranfered to the petrol station on a461 at the bottom of Shire Oak, I can remember Mr Chance also john Cooper and a girl in the cafe who served me my free dinner pie chips and peas, can’t remember her name; she was slim with long hair and would be the same age as me (16) this would be 1970. I believe she worked at the forward garage in Brownhills before going to the Motrestant, also remember Mr Pilsberry had a white E type jag.