Image kindly supplied by Ian Broad.
A nice diversion here from the relentless tide of bad news – old friend of the blog Ian Broad has been in touch to say that he’s using his current downtime to undertake a rather interesting photo history project – he’s trying to take modern pictures from the same angle as well known historic images.
Jill Manchester did this with great success a few years ago in Walsall Wood.
Ian has previously supplied lots of material for the blog. including an eternally popular 1982 Shire Oak School leaver group photo outside the Royal Oak pub in Shire Oak and lots about the history of Ian’s family shop Tom’s Cabin, a fixture of Brownhills for many years throughout the 1980s.
It’s always good to hear from old friends!
I shan’t identify locations, I’ll let readers work them out…
Ian wrote:
Image kindly supplied by Ian Broad.
Hi Bob,
Hope you and yours are well.
I’ve been using some old pics during my cycle rides (from your blog) to create 100 yrs apart pics.
It’s hard to capture the angles exactly as the iPhone is quite a wide angle lens.
I’ve also noticed that most old pics were taken from the middle of the road! Not too much of a problem to do that at the moment with such little traffic about.
As a cyclist I’ve also tried to find pics with bikes in them and then put mine in the same place. I’ve got quite a few more to do yet. The old Crossed Keys pub pic at Heath Hayes / Hednesford is one I want to get next.
Hope you like the pics.
Thanks to Ian for another great post and very thought provoking set of images, and if you have any views on this wonderful work, please do comment here or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.
Image kindly supplied by Ian Broad.
RSS - Posts
What a super project, hope you will do more.
great pics keep up the good work. I`m an old SOGS pupil started 1969. I will have a look through some photos and post a few. I lived on the smallholding before the flats were built and went to Brownhills infant school. Stay safe.
Hi Ian, I think that picture is the top end of willing road, brownhills west, ,
I lived in that area for many years with my family a few doors fdow from the crown pub.in the 1950’s .on the opposite side of the road was the back entrance to Norton pool, and often we would stand on the bridge to watch trains.its lovely to see your pictures ..
Happy memories . Sandi
Hi Ian, you wouldn’t remember us but we were friends of your parents June and Tom. We visited your bungalow in shire oak a few times. Also we had carpets and curtains from their shop in brownhills. We visited your mum and dad when they moved up north. We would love to hear any news of your parents.
Hello! Yes of course I remember you all very fondly. I spent a lot of time with Russell as a child (skateboarding/guitar) and Leslie used to ‘babysit’ me and Jonathan. I hope you’re both well and your extended family too. My Mum and Dad have had some serious health issues but are doing ok at the moment. I’ve knocked your door a couple of times over the years to say ‘hello’ but you must have been out or maybe in the garden. If you want to text me I can send you my mums number if you like. My number is 07815 911827.
Love to Gordon and the family. Ian x
best wishes for prodgect i compiled a series of 14 pictures some years ago i think you will find them at cannock library when we com out ofisolation
Hednesford Rd/Chapel St. Heath Hayes
The Monkey, Hednesford Rd. Brownhills
Market Street, Hednesford.
The doorway to the Monkey/Old Wilkin was like going up a flight of steep stairs. Could have been why the posts and railings were along the kerb to prevent unsteady leavers heading straight into the road.
Fascinating old photographs.
Hi ianit’s great you remember us. We’re both in our eightiesx and we mov d to a bungalow in the village. It would be good to catch up with june. And tom
the old fellow with the bowler hat was the husband of mrs jones the post mistress who when asked for another name for fivewayes created heath hayes in the early 1900s
Pingback: When poor Pollie had toothache… | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: A hundred years apart: A lucky escape for a lorry driver and a ride to the Castles | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: Copy of A hundred years apart: Up the junction | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: A hundred years apart: Way out west of here… | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog