Rhyme and reason

While service is operating on reduced power, I thought I’d share this curious mystery. Over the new year period, a Brownhills history group was created on Facebook, and it’s proved to be very interesting indeed. I’m normally wary of such groups,  but the moderators and creators of this one have been ready to attribute photos and have a positive, open attitude, which is very refreshing. They are nice folk running a decent group.

Last week, Facebook member Jim Simpson posted the poem below in the group, and I was taken by it; there’s a lot in there, and it was clearly written by someone with an excellent recall of Brownhills history. I asked Jim if he’d written it, and it turns out he’d found a copy of the work in his Father in Law’s effects, and doesn’t know where it originated.

So, in a nutshell, over to you lot. Who wrote this, where did it originate? Someone out there must know – I suspect Brian Stringer may know if he’s passing. Is it accurate? Does it ring any bells for anyone?

There is one clue I can see in the verse – it mentions both Brownhills Market, which didn’t commence until the early 1970s, and it also refers to Caters Electrical, which closed sometime around 2000.

My compliments to the writer, and to Jim, for sharing it; I really would like to attribute this if possible. If you know anything, or have anything to add, please comment here, or mail me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers!

A Walk Down High Street Brownhills.

Brownhills High Street where have you gone?
Your family shops that character shone
Once like a book with a story to tell
Right from the top with its Council House bell
To some it was known as the three face liar

But to Jack Tabberer and ‘oss it was the call of a fire
The feet of Jack and his steed day touch the ground
To the council yard they would both fly
Their fire fighting duties to deploy

On Lichfield Road corner stood the cake shop of Brewes
With grace and finesse and fine pastries to choose
Jack worked in the bakery from dawn to three
And still had time for his duties with the A.R.P.

For a hat that had style and hair tempting bliss
The shop of Miss Bagnall was one not to miss
Bacon, fresh coffee and grocery so super
They were the fine stock of dear old Tim Cooper

John White’s best leather and shoes of renown
Were sold by Gregorys, top shop of town
Then there was Joss of Harding fame
Moleskin or corduroy, he knew the outfitting game

Jessops a chemist was there for the sick
From yer toos to yer yed he knowed how yer ticked
He could mix up a bottle or meck yer sum sarv
Pull out a bad tooth or the odd corn could carve

Birches and Bladons, Ethel and Frank Poynton too
Richards and Denning, Poxons meat you could chew
Remember the cook shop with it’s nose tempting smell
Beef dripping sandwiches, roast pork as well

The post office had its place of family name
For heritage of management carried Sid Lloyd’s name
Now across the road of old Church Hill
Where Timmy Johnson his shop did fill

Stood Robinsons butchers and Mason’s flowers
Jellymans bike shop for your pedalling hours
Ken Sadler would suit you from head to tail
Teadale for fish with fresh sea scale

Freda King sold shoes her dad mended soles
The next shop put oak boxes down six foot earth holes
Yes when life’s span sadly came to an end
The Woodhouse family their service would lend

Fashion came next of Bradbury fame
Brother George and his sisters were top of the strain
Rogers fruit shop with character shone
For the best in greengrocery he was the one

Remember the chip shop of dear Mrs Daft,
Chippin’ and frying to her was a craft
Talking of craft Jack Princep was good
Ironmongery and toys he was also a craftsman with wood

Diamonds or gold Jones and Bird knew the trade
And then Mr Dean with the sweets his shop displayed
Now on Brickiln corner where Caters shop stands
Was once Fletchers clothes shop with styles oh so grand

Down to the bottom to a white cold dream
For everyone relished Selwyn Smith’s ice cream
We have walked a long way so lets take a rest
At the old Anchor Bridge for beer at its best

Feeling better? Lets make our way back
Our first memory call is of the wheel and the jack
For coach travel memories never to fail
Were Glider tours run by old Dun and Hale

For fireworks, comics, newspapers or sweets
Young taffy Roberts could always compete
Rag and bone Skarrat had a field for a thrill
Each time Pat Collins with his fairground did fill

May Bevan for hair care Masie Cockran too
Medicine at Poxons was real good for you
When flying pigeons or feeding pigs
At Cockrans seed shop you could rely on old Syd

If short of money and down on the rocks
You could always pawn things with Big Florrie Cox
Davies and Tomlinson more shops for you
And then Simpsons old palace for pictures to view

Now perhaps you were posh and owned a motor car
There was no need to worry Barkers would see you go far
Yes even old High Street could your needs entertain
There was also the Regent with Jack Turner to reign

Pountney for sweets, Gwilliam for clothes
Fresh meat from Haines, James greengrocery and Roe’s
The toys of May Bevan, Salt’s chips made your lips smack
And we must not forget the hair styles of Tommy the Black

The chapels of Wesley and Mount Zion too
But you only drank ale from pubs one and two
I’m sorry, I forgot – of pubs there were three
The Warreners Inn and the top of the tree

For I mentioned the Anchor earlier on
But for brewery beer there was only one
The Station Hotel of Roberts family fame
For real good brewed beer they were best in the game

Well we have walked up and down the old Monkey Run
It’s seen hard times and tears and yet had some fun
So lets rest for a while on the old market site
Once covered with stalls on saturday night

And full of nostalgia for High Street of old
Thank god for our memories more precious than gold.