Hello folks – I’m still getting better and gradually catching up with things, so on this grey Bank Holiday Monday, I thought it would be a good time to share some more of the remarkable images shared with David Evans by old friend of the blog, John Bird recording Brownhills houses marked for slum clearance in the 50s or 60s.

On reverse, ‘Front of 110,112 113, 114 High St B ( Doody ) and in pencil Sunderlands fish shop, Mrs Barber, Toffy Roberts’ – a remarkable image kindly supplied by John Bird.

Today it’s the turn of the upper High Street, and some real gems – including the house that was the original Wheatsheaf pub before the one we all remember was built on Ogley Square following it’s own slum clearance in the 30s.

Of course, the second Wheatsheaf has now been carried to dust, too – a real reminder that time marches on.

Other familiar names noted here will be Toffee Roberts, Tuckleys and Craddocks.

On reverse, ‘Back of 110 and 112 High St B (Doody)’ – a remarkable image kindly supplied by John Bird.

While I have been indisposed in recent months, David Evans has been beavering away on project with old friend of the blog and town elder John Bird: John has often sent me stuff to post here on a range of matters, both personally and in his capacity with the Royal British Legion, but what he’s given David to sort out is rather special: It’s a large collection of images of Brownhills housing due for postwar clearance.

On Reverse, ‘Front of 114 (part) High St (Doody) 116 and 118 High St (J and B Cox) and in pencil Wheatsheaf G Barbers’ – a remarkable image kindly supplied by John Bird.

So, without further ado, I’ll share the nextbatch of houses, from High Street – all now lost, I think, but I could be wrong. They are fascinating. I’ll hand over to David Evans to explain:

Hello Bob

Quite recently I received an amazing phone call. Mr John Bird, who is very well known locally for his fine work in the British Legion, invited me to see some photos he was sorting out.

An amazing collection of photos was presented to me. Mr. Bird had worked as Clearance Officer with Walsall Council some years ago and saw these photos that were put to be shredded. He was allowed to take them, so saving the history that they represent and document.

The images date back to the time of Brownhills Urban District Council and are original official photos, each measuring 21cm x 12cm and show properties that were due to be demolished. They also have the locations written in the same handwriting, and some have additional notes. They are a treasure in themselves, especially for the additional information on the reverse of the photos.

I would like to thank Mr John Bird for offering them and the history for us all to appreciate

kind regards
David

It’s so good to share mostly unpublished photos of a bit of Brownhills many will remember, but has long since gone. My thanks to John Bird for his immense generosity and to David, for scanning and documenting every image. Thanks so much to both gentlemen.

On reverse, ‘Back of 114 (Doody) and 116 ( J and B Cox) High St B’ – a remarkable image kindly supplied by John Bird.

If you have any observations or memories, please do get in touch. Comment on this post preferably, or email me on BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com – or tug my coat wherever you may find me on social media.

It’s good to be back.

On reverse, ‘Front of 122,124 and 126 High St (exors of Pool, c/o R Craddock)’ in pencil, ‘Gate to Poole’s Bakery, Tuckleys later coal merchant’ – a remarkable image kindly supplied by John Bird.