Solihull Online would like to hear your memories of growing up in Solihull during the 40's. If you would like to add to this page, we would love to hear from you. Click on the links below to view memories of that period 1930's | 1940's | 1950's | 1960's | 1970's | 1980's | 1990's This page was last updated on 14 April 2008

Posted Monday, April 14, 2008
Just a quick message for Tim Eborn. I read you memories about your cousin Michael and the cottage by the canal. I have tried twice to send you an e-mail with some details and a photo of the canal. I have been unable to contact you using the address that is listed with your posting. The message keeps getting sent back to me saying unable to deliver. perhaps you could send me an e-mail direct just to see if the address is correct. 
Richard Shuttleworth

Posted Monday, March 31, 2008
Greetings from Down Under!
Found this site by accident and was about to give it away when I came across the name of my cousin Michael Humber. His mother was my Aunt Bella whose maiden name was Hadnett. She was the second daughter of William Joseph and Edith(?) Hadnett of 5 Cornyx Lane. My mother was Ellen Louise , Nelly, there was an older brother Robert, better known in the motor cycle world as British Bob Hadnett and a younger sister Daisy.  Nelly and Bella were always in a state of contest and Mom told me that she had chosen my names to be Michael Sean, however Bella was premature with her son and gave him my names to spite her. His birthday is I believe the 19th of July whereas mine is the 20th, so if he is still alive we shall both be 70 this year.  Not being fond of either of these names I am somewhat grateful to my Aunt.
I was born and bred in Sparkbrook so it was quite a trip by Midland Red to visit my grandparents in Cornyx Lane and then move down to the Humber family at their cottage by the canal.  Coming from the city it was a bit of a wonderland to me.  My parents dug up a sycamore tree from the canal bank and replanted it in the garden of their house at 7, Tillingham street Sparkbrook. The houses and even the street have gone but I believe the tree is still there, this was when my sister was in her pushchair and I a glint in my fathers eye.
My sister Jeannette Ann married a Terry Day from Shirley. I had friends Terry and Michael Docker at Bentley Heath and my Mother and I were both employed by Tom Whitecross who bought his house in Shirley for 325 pounds in the 1930's using his Naval severence pay as a deposit.
As it is late at night I will finish. If there is any response in the near future I can add a few more details. If not I will know that like me you are past history. Cheers
Tim Eborn

Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2008
With ref to Lorraine Webber,s letter James and  Annie Reynolds lived at no 4 mill lane as lived at no 6 mill lane [ronnie west] with my mom Bess, and dad Ron,  James and Annie had a grandson live with them who had a wonderful singing voice and sang at the chapel on the corner of drury lane.        
Ron West

Hi David, Yes Shelagh did go to the Arden school of dancing as did my Mom & Dad (Anne & Jack Hassall) My Dad was quite well known in and around Solihull he was quite a character. He used to work for Noel Hull Butchers in the high street for many years then went to work for Tustins on Warwick Road. He was also in the NFS (National Fire Service) during the war. I do remember the war years even though I was very young, we had a table top air raid shelter in the front room and can remember going in it, I also remember one dark night when they were bombing Coventry being on my hands and knees looking between my Dads legs at the glow of red in the sky over Hampton Coppice you could also see parachutists coming down silhouetted against the glow in the sky my Dad said they were Germans. We had the Germans working in the fields at the end of our road, there was one I made friends with and he made me toys he carved from wood and at the other end of the road were the WAFS and one of them made me a scottie dog from one of their grey blankets. So many memories. Well that's all for now and look forward tom your views. I have read your letters in fact I have read nearly all the letters.
Regards, Jan Davies (nee Hassall)

Posted Monday, March 10, 2008
Hello Jan, I read your message with great interest. I lived in Damson Lane until 1956. Went to school at Coppice Road through the war years and was in the same class  with your sister Shelagh. I am very sorry to hear she died 12 years ago. I think she also used to go dancing at the Arden School of Dancing the same time as me.  If you look at the 1930s and 40s column, you will see other messages from me with some information in them that you should find interesting. You may also remember my brothers Brian and Paul. Look forward to being in contact 
David Collett

Posted Monday, March 10, 2008
Jan Davies nee Hassall here it seems I forgot to put my email address on my previous posting.  Have just looked on the 1950 site and saw Pauline Rhodes I remember you well you lived almost opposite the gap through into the fields to the playing area if my memory serves me right. Enjoying reading this site so many names I remember the only trouble is in my mind you all look so young ha ha. Hope to hear from you.
Jan Davies

Posted Monday, March 3, 2008
I have just gone down memory lane on this site, Richard Shuttleworth I remember very well and your dog Jasper, Marion was my friend as was Maureen Woodland and Pat Harris, Roberts sister, I remember the Gregories, Donalds mom was great friends with my mom and his sisters were friends of my sister Shelagh, there were the Carrick twins who also used to play with us. I believe Joan Cleaver was friendly with Shelagh my sister, there were the Thorntons and Ginger (forgotten surname) and Dicky Bird, my memories have been set on fire reading all these memories as I remember so many of them also. If anyone would like to make contact with me I would love to exchange memories and love to know what happened to Manion Shuttleworth.My sister Shelagh went to live in California many years ago and sadly died 12 years ago, there were many Hassall's around that area but all contact with any of them was lost. I live in Shropshire now and have visited Solihull about 18 months ago and did not recognise the centre at all but was relieved to see Damson Lane and part of Coppice Road was the same, I lived at 35 Coppice Road, and after I first married I lived at 22 opposite my parents. I remember so well how Jasper used to take Mrs Shuttleworth a walk he would pull her at such speed down the road she would flash past I also remember your  dad Eric he was quite a character and a brilliant machanic. He certainly kept Bill Webbs taxis going. Duttons pond had something to do with Mr Dutton who originally had Duttons Farm which was all altered when the old house was knocked down and it was changed to Whar Hall Farm which has now been developed, the original house it was said had priest holes in the chimneys connected to either the Church or Monastery that was by the Church at Elmdon, so there were some tunnels between them so I believe. Those days were magic and we did have a great childhood. Does anyone remember during the war a light aircraft crashing into a tree on Damson Lane near to the entry to Fordrove Farm it caused quite a stir at the time. Well I will watch this site now for more news and updates its so good to hear all these familiar names again.
Jan Davies (Hassall)

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I lived in dagnall road acocks green between 1939 - 1948 any pictures or memories would be so welcomed cannot seem to find much in the archives
The Williams family
 
Posted Monday, December 10, 2007
Hello Valda.  This is Bernice Kuwitzky (nee Hughes) I was happy to hear that you remembered my sister Beverly and myself.  I live in Fullerton, California and have done for 40 years now. My how the time has raced by.   I have been in contact with an old school chum. Pam Steadman. She took the time to go to Shirley and take pictures of our home on Dunard Rd.  It is very much the same except there is no front lawn or wall left.  The owners have made it a parking space for their cars. Which of course is necessary. When we lived there, there weren't too many cars on the road. Tacoma WA. where Amanda lives is up the west coast from me above Oregan which is where my son Roger and family lives.  If you want to chat some more Valda, email me at the address below.  Have a Happy Christmas. Best Wishes
Bernice Kuwitzky

Posted Monday, December 3, 2007
Hello everyone who knew my sister Christine Macquay. I am her younger sister Valda and I still live in Delrene Road, my sister Brenda lives in Warwick and Amanda, Christines daughter lives in Tacome on the west coast of USA. I can remember Bernice and Bev Hughes and your mum.  Edith Hall used to tell us about you we miss her in our neighbourhood. I remember Shirley Bowen too-Christines friend. Istill see Pauline Goodall and Ann Mitchell. I remember being taken toShirley Park in the pramby Christine and John Pheasey. I remember Princess Margaret visiting Shirley I think it was to open the Odeon picture house and the opening of Woolworths.  It was good to hear from you all, I hope to hear more.
Valda Tomlinson nee Macquay

Posted Monday, November 26, 2007
Hello Amanda I just read your message  saying your the daughter of Christine McQuay.  My goodness what a small world this really is.
My name is Bernice Hughes and we lived near your mom and aunties on Dunard road they were on Delrene road. Christine and Brenda were a bit older than me but I remember them. Valda was the youngest and may not remember me but I'm sure Brenda has some memories of our family. They lived next door to a family named the Hodsons, Leon and Lindy were the children's names.  A lady that lived across from your mom named Edith Hall came to visit us in California a few years ago it was lovely to see her. sadly she has now passed away.
Are you living in the states Amanda?  I seem to remember hearing Christine had moved there . We moved to Toronto Canada. in 1953. that was my mom and dad Amy and George Hughes along with my sister Beverly. Then in 1956 I married a Canadian fellow, we have two sons. In 1968 we moved to California. and have been here ever since I have only been home to Shirley once in all those years. I will be 70 next year and hope to go back for a visit one more time.
I'm sorry I don't have any vivid memories of your mom.
We did have a street party the day the war ended and we had tables and chairs in the road in front of your moms house. The mothers treated us kids to sandwiches and cakes. then we had races and fancy dress parades to celebrate the war being over.
Ask your auntie Brenda if she remembers us?
We were a bit younger than her but I'm sure she would remember something about us, other kids in the neighbourhood were Ann Wasall, Ian Gosling, Sheila Saunders. Lots more but can't remember them. There was a taxi service I believe owned by a Mr Waterfield on the corner of Dunard Rd and Delrene. These are old memories Amanda, but it is a bit of history about where your mom once lived. It was lovely going back in time. write to me when you have time and tell me about your life and where your mom lived in the USA.
Best regards
Bernice Kuwitzky (nee Hughes)

Posted Monday, November 19, 2007
Hello all, I am the daughter of Christine McQuay. Sadly she passed away in 1990 of cancer. Brenda and Valda are my aunties. Valda still resides in Shirley and Brenda in Warwick. Have visited your lovely country a few times and heading back next summer. please share any stories you have of my mom or aunties.
Amanda Kendall

Posted Monday, November 12, 2007
My mother lived in Fox Hollies Road until 1950.   Her father owned three butcher shops, one at 309 Fox Hollies Road. His name was James William Bourne and he died in 1948.   They lived above the shop.  Mum (Marj Bourne) and her brother Ray Bourne, and their mother Lilian Bourne all moved to New Zealand in 1950 and Mum still lives in NZ and is now 92.   Does anyone remember them?
Rae Thomas

Posted Monday, October 8, 2007
Hello Shirley Bates. Your name is familiar but can't quite place you.  My name is Bernice Hughes; my sister Beverly.   We both attended Sharmans Cross and Haslucks Green School.  You mentioned Christine, Brenda and Valda McQuay who were neighbours of ours. We lived on Dunard Road and they were on Delrene Road.  We moved to Canada in 1953 after which we married Canadians  and moved to USA.  Bev is in upstate New York (Grand Island) and I am in California.
I remember the Shirley Parade.  Bev and I were in it for many years. Mom and dad would dress us up in costumes like Robin Hood and Maid Marian or the Quality Street Kids.  I was always the boy. Hmmmm.  Anyway we had a lot of fun.
The Circus coming to Shirley was always exciting. It was on the corner of Stratford Road and Haslucks Green Road.
Do you remember the air raid shelter that was on Delrene Road? It was a cement block building and us kids could run in there if there was an air raid warning while we were either coming or going to school.
I have lots of happy memories of growing up in Shirley.  My heart is always there. In spite of the bombs.
If anyone remembers us, I'd love to hear from you.
Bernice Kuwitzky (nee Hughes)

Posted Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Hi Lorraine, My mother and I have just seen your query about The Nest. We lived at 57 Damson Lane for some years and being a local person my mother knows the area very well, having lived at Rose Cottage for many years which was on Wherrets Well Lane.  In answer to your query, The Nest was a few hundred yards further down on the left towards Lugtrout Lane.  The Nest was demolished in the late 60's and my Mother thinks she has photo of it which if so I would be happy to scan and email to you.  Further more my Mother knew your Father as they both attended Lode Heath School at the same time.  Feel free to contact me if you feel I can help at all.  
Stuart Mason

Posted Tuesday, October 2, 2007
During World War II I lived at Olton and attended Sharmans Cross School in Solihull before going to Bordesley Green Junior Technical College with my best friend Gordon White whose father owned a big grocery shop on the Warwick Road at Olton and had many customers in Olton and Solihull. He served us well during the war when food was short and was very well known to all of us. My childhood sweetheart in 1943 was Beryl Patricia Hemming of Greswold House Beechnut Lane Solihull and we spent many wonderful hours at the Solihull Lido which has long since made way for new housing. Her family owned the Solihull Brick Works at Blythe Brook Cottages which later closed and gave way to high rise flats. Does anyone remember Beryl and her sister Jeanne they attended the RC primary school in Kineton Green Road at Olton in 1943. Beryl married Claude Charles Walsh in 1956 and he retired from a senior post at the Rover Car Works in Lode Lane. During the 1940s I was a choir boy at St Margarets Church and spent many hours blowing the manual organ for the organist On leaving school I served an apprenticeship with the GEC Ltd at Witton and travelled to work on the GWR railway which then had 4 tracks in use and express trains used to pass through on their way to Paddington. We used to spend many happy hours in the  Solihull Cinema and the Olton Cinema. Birmingham City buses used to stop at the city boundary and the Midland Red took us into Solihull. We remember the nights in 1941 when Nazi bombers let go their bombs over our house and landed in Tyseley looking for the BSA factory. I would love to hear from any old friends who knew us. I am now retired and live in Cornwall and am 81 years of age. Love and Best Wishes to all.
Roy Stanley BA.IEng.MIET

Posted Monday, June 25, 2007
Looking for John Davies who has written letters on this page, anyone who knows of his whereabouts now please contact me as i wish to contact him regarding my family thank you.
Grace Roberts

Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2007
My fondest memory of my childhood born 1939 I used to be lifted out of bed and put into a table shelter in Harborne Park Road Birmingham. We used to go to the cinema the Royalty Harborne and had to wait and show our Identity cards I spent many happy childhood days at High Street
primary school Mr Stanton was the headmaster and we had plays to act in and watch for a whole week loved that school.
Sheila Orton

Posted Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Lorraine I remember a Frank Webber who used to live on Damson Lane on the corner of Fordrove lane/road, he would be about 77/78 now whether it is your father or just a coincidence I don't know but you were born the same year as my daughter, she was born in Brook House Solihull. I cannot recall a house of the name you mentioned but I will contact a friend who still lives in Elmdon Heath she may know and I will post any information on here.
Regards.
Joan (CLEAVER)Cutler

Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Hi my name is Lorraine Webber I was born in Solihull 1955. My father Frank lived with his mother (Hariet Reynolds) and grandparents (James and Annie Reynolds) first at number 6 Mill Lane and my great aunt Lucy Reynolds later Barnes, lived at 24 Mill, my grandmother moved to 59 Damson Lane. Lucy Barnes was a Matron at Solihull Hospital for many years. Please can anyone tell me the location of a house called "The Nest" in Elmdon Heath.
Lorraine Greenwood

Posted Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:09:39
Richard Shuttleworth I am hoping you will read this ,I have replied to your email and I am not sure whether or not you have received my reply.
Last week out of the blue I had a call from a very old friend from school Margaret Amor (maiden name) and we are regularly in touch by phone now and it has been really great reminiscing. Margaret also put me in touch with another school friend Gillian Bragg (maiden name) also Stella Wallace who used to work above the Rima in Mill lane Solihull with my sister Mavis and worked in tailoring.
Some few weeks ago I had to have a new hard drive and unfortunately I lost all of my email addresses so if, Derek Musty, Michael Goodwin, Dot and Graham Roberts, Michael Britt,Margot Hollyer nee Cassidy,David Collett, Doug Bastock, John Davies, and anyone else who remembers me from the old days I would be more than pleased to hear from you.
Some months ago I had another lovely surprise when Dave Berry contacted me ,his Mum was my manageress when I first went to the Co-op confectionary on the corner of Mill lane and High street in 1946.
Dave very kindly gave me an old photograph of other staff members from the grocery and greengrocery departments next door to the confectionery shop, one name I remember was Rosie Reynolds who used to live in Alston road.
I still live in Cornwall where we have been since 1974 and Tony and I have been married for over fifty three years now, we usually come *home* once a year and so many changes everywhere, I remember when we would know all the shopkeepers personally as we called it a village back then, I still have very fond memories of the older times and often wish changes didn't have to happen, but then I have to realise we cannot turn the clock back only in our memories.
Joan (CLEAVER)Cutler

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
I lived on Cranmore Boulevard during the 40s, and remember that the walls of the SU factory were camouflaged to look like the front of the houses on our street. I think I remember one bomb landing in the factory, and three landing around us!  
David Thornell

Posted Monday, March 26, 2007
As a very young child I lived in Robin Hood Camp in Olton. I have many clear  memories of the place and of some of the people who lived there. My mother kept in touch for a while with the Wilkinson family after we left, I also remember the Browns, Lydia Brown was a Glaswegian and their children were Norman and Marilyn. The Coopers were our next door neighbours in the camp; Mrs Cooper was a German woman who was very kind to me and my sisters. We were re-housed in Northfield in 1953 after my sister Ann nearly died of pneumonia. I read the letter by Mrs. Boshoff above and I am sure that her father must have been our doctor as he was a Dr.Coleman. It is very difficult to find anything about the camp on the net and I would be glad to hear from anyone who remembers the place.
Alan Terry

Posted Monday, March 26, 2007
My Mother was born in Solihull in 1931 and has been telling me of her childhood in Solihull. She lived in Hay Lane with her family, named Harborne.The family had lived in Solihull for generations and had a tomb in the grounds of St. Alpheges. Her sister, Rosemary has a friend called Muriel Stelfox who lived on a farm nearby but went on to own a pig farm in Catherine-de-Barnes and ended up moving to Canada. My mother's grandmother had a farm in Widney Lane, she was a Willoughby.
My mother tells me that the family went on to live in Ullverly Green Road but their house burnt down one night while they were away, evidently because of mice chewing through electric cables. She has many memories of cycling the lanes, of apple picking, of adventures and misadventures.
Kathryn Wakeman

Posted Monday, March 26, 2007
I wonder if anyone knows of a Doris Eileen Matthews who living in Bickenhill in the late 1930's early 1940's? She worked in a bridge farm cafe - does anyone have any recollection of such a place? Also does anyone know of the Ivanoe Nursing Home in Acocks Green?
Becky Parsons

Posted Monday, February 12, 2007
Interesting to see several comments by Mike Britt.  He must be a couple of years or so younger than me.  I was at Mill Lane Boys School around 1938-40 when it was closed. It became a British Restaurant. (Beans on toast 4d!) I remember one of my teachers was Mr.Mickleton. In 1938 we had a talk by someone from Cadburys. We had to write an essay about the talk - I won first prize - 10 two ounce bars of Cadbury's chocolate!  After Mill Lane School closed I went to Park Road School (now St. Alphege). My teachers there were Mrs.Antrobus, and the following year Mrs.Fitter.  Music was taught by Dr.O'Feely the St. Alphege choir master & organist.  While in Mrs.Antrobus class the school was bombed and we had a couple of weeks off. In Mrs.Fitter's year three of us won scholarships to Solihull School, John Stitche, Joe Fortey and myself. I left Solihull School in 1946, am now retired and still live in the area.
Bill James

Posted Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Josie Hunt I was at Coppice road school around 1938 before going to Lode Lane in September 1939 about a week after the war started.  I would be pleased to answer any of your questions from what I remember although I cannot recall the name of Worrall.
Joan (Cleaver) Cutler

Posted Monday, December 11, 2006
Walter Gustave Noel Singleton (b1893) + wife Ethel Ellen, Solihull
Walter Gustave Noel Singleton's wife Ethel Ellen Eastaff born1890 in Luton, they married in 1915 and had a daughter Mabel E Singleton born 1920 Edmonton. Ethel Ellen Singleton died 1988 Registration Malvern, Worcestershire. Would anyone have any information on this family. Thank you,
Reg Singleton
PS They may have lived at 36 Gotham Road, South Yardley, Nr Solihull.  This could have been the address of the hardware shop.  I'm informed a Walter Singleton may have lived there in the early 1940's?

Posted Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Hello, I am from coppice junior school I dont have eny memories as I am in year six I was wondering if eny of you went to coppice junior school and could come on tomorow because we are having a grand parents tea party and my gran can't remeber the war please I need some one to come so because everyone eles is bringing there grand parents thank you Josie Hunt (my mum used to be Jane Worral)
Josie Hunt

Hello, i havn't got any memories as i was not alive in the war but i just wondered whether anyone else went to coppice school as i go there now and we are studying WW2. Also we are going to look in some of your log books. How exciting! have you got any more info about the war?
Christina

I lived at 610 Streetsbrook Road, from around 1946, I attended Sharmans Junior School, then on to Sharmans Cross High School, from my bedroom window I could watch the trains, and used to wave a white hanky at the passengers. My father was a fireman. As a child I remember going to the sweet shop called Bon Bons with a ration book. My name then was Megan Packman, and I was foster out to this family.
Megan Mountford

blimey...Miss Askey at Greswolde, (Miss Hoggit at Lode Lane infants prior to Greswolde was something else - slapped me behind the knees once - oh heaven)Coopers sweet shop, scrumping for apples down Damson Lane, falling in the canal alongside Rover, fishing at Ravenshore....
takes yer back donit....Lived in Elms Close in the 50's...Hutchinsons, Browns, Vasey's, Hills, Threadgills,Cartwrights,Bostons, Giffords, Sheldons...and many many more...playing marlies on the green....
Alan Blunn (then) Buckley now

I remember Laddie your dog if you lived in Alston Rd next door to the Conway family he used to follow us to Hampton Coppice Woods when we went bluebell picking.Ialso remember the bombing of Alston RD and Cornyx Lane.I can vaguely recall a photo of the children being taken as they were demoloshing the air raid shelters but do not have one myself.I am not sure whether it was one of the Fox;s family who took it.
Grace Roberts (Buxton)

Reference Noel Lawrence's  memory of the bombing. I was one of the bombed, we lived on Cornyx Lane and I do not remember any whip round for glasses! Actually the myopic bomb aimer was looking for the Rover  Company which was manufacturing armaments then. Does anyone have any photos of the children of Cornyx Lane and Alston Road taken in front of the air-raid shelter before it was demolished? If anyone remember me, and our little dog Laddie who used to sit beside the gate waiting for children to go to school He frequently attended Assembly before being escorted home by a willing chaperone.
Margot Hollyer nee Cassidy

I went to Coppice Rd School in 1941.I remember Mrs Mathews she was a lovely teacher. I think there was a Mrs Hunt also who used to rap your knuckles with a ruler. I recently visited and found my name on the register along with my cousins John Eden anyone know what became of him. I went on to Load Heath School leaving in 1951.I lived in Alston Rd and remember Margaret Pickles Doreen Barrett, Gill Wilkes, The Oaks, Larges, Conways, Bennetts to name just a few I often wonder what happened to them all.
Grace Roberts(buxton)

I don't know Graham Roberts but Dot Harding does ring a bell. Did Dot live in Redlands Close? The Dot I remember had a sister - Audrey and her brother was Brian. I have lost touch with Brian in recent years since he moved from London Ontario to Hamilton Ontario.
Trevor Jones

Although I lived in Hall Green I spent a lot of time in Shirley.A member of the 72nd Boys Brigade at the Babtist church, I meet my wife in the Odean in 1956. Many Happy Memories
Derek Stevens

Good to hear that Michael Britt is still alive and kicking in Oz. Can you give me David's contact information?
Gerald Cassidy

To Peter Fletcher 1940 memories
I was very interested to see that you went to the dancing schools of Janet Krauth and Albert simpson. You were a little before my time, I went in the 1950s, but you may remember my Parents who went there in the 40s Norman and Lily Collett, best wishes
David Collett

Although I lived in monkspath, I spent Most of my time in solihull. Big events were the Ardon school of dancing, with Albert Simpson and the lovely Janet Krauth. All this from 1942 to 1946, plus the Shirley youth club. Folks I remember were Alan Young, Gordon White, Evelyn Wells, Bob Murrel, (son of the landlord at the George and Dragon) Ah! Those were the days, dancing on the green in Solihull park to Joe Loss's band.
Peter Fletcher

Shirley Sports Lido 1943

WWII group photograph shows a group of 4 ladies outside Shirley Lido in Sansome Road (working for Forward Engraving Co, I think). Second from left is my mother Dorothy (Dor, or Dorrie) Bowen. Does anyone recognise anyone else?
Peter Bowen

Too late now! Does anyone have knowledge of Brookhouse it may have been a mother and baby home.  I was born their in 1948 on nov 6th. I stayed their for 13 days then went for adoption. I'm now looking up my family history, funny thing i went their on day release in the 6os from solihull college  when doing a nursery nurse course, I just thought then I was born here but never gave it anymore thought. I now discovered all my mums hospital birth details are destroyed after 18 yrs too late now.  Looking forward to hearing anything no matter how small the message
Ann Broad

Shirley Lido 1940's
My mother Dorothy Bowen worked at Shirley Lido in Sansome Road opposite the flour mill around 1943/44. She never told us what her job was but she said the pool was boarded over to use the space as a printing works. Does anyone have any info on the employees or the wartime jobs in Shirley Lido.
Peter Bowen

In 1942 I started as an apprentice at the S.U. Carburettor Co. which at that time had moved from Adderley Park B'ham to Highlands road Shirley. I believe that the factory in Highlands Rd. was originally The Co-op furniture factory. S.U. were producing carburettors for the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine which among others, also powered the Spitfire. I was 16 years old at that time and worked a 48. hour week. From 8am to 7pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 5pm on Friday, with an hour for lunch each day. My pay when I started was 27shillings & sixpence a week. The factory was closed on Saturdays because, with a mainly female workforce and shops not open on Sundays, it was necessary to allow time for shopping. Under 18's were not allowed to work on Sundays. It was a very happy factory with 'Music while you work' broadcast twice a day, half an hour morning and afternoon. There was the S.U. dance band which played during the lunch hour. Worker's Playtime was broadcast from the factory on one notable occasion. I have many happy memories of my time spent there.
Bert Jones (Albert L.)

I am sure I remember Dora Coton from my school days at St Alphege C of E school.  Did she live in New Road Solihull and was her Dad called Wally and worked on the Midlands Electricity Board.
Joan(Cleaver)Cutler

Hello Shirley, I also remember Shirley Carnival, Donkey Races, the Fair arriving on the corner of Haslucks Green Rd, the Circus with live animals. On a Saturday night dancing to a live Band at the Barracks. Headmistress M/S Jones walking the corridors of Sharmans Cross like a Galleon in full sail, no running girls, M/S Whitworth in the inevitable Blue Shorts and Black Pumps, M/S James in Tweed Suit. Going Potatoe Picking.  I also remember Pauline Goodall, Christine MacQuay who unfortunately is no longer with us , but I do keep in touch with her sisters Brenda & Valda, also Vera Edgar who occasionally sees Pat Ferns and Barbara Gardener.
Ann North nee Mitchell

Shirley Carnival 1950s. Such happy times on Shirley Park.  Jean Dempsey was Queen one year. Jean left for America in 1950s married and settled there.  JEAN lived in Hall Green, Birmingham. Happy memories of Sharmans Cross School with PAULINE GOODALL and CHRISTINE MACKAY. Met my husband John James Bates of Skelcher Road,Shirley.
Shirley Bates nee Bowen

I remember Dora Coton. She went to St Alphege School (which in those days was called Park Road C of E) look forward to seeing her comments
Michael Britt

Although I'm a child of the 70's, my mother, Dora Mason (nee Coton) was very interested to read all the memories and recollections from people who remember 1940's Solihull.  I have asked her to write a response down so I can post it on this site, as there are many names that she recognizes and can relate to.
A great site, keep up the good work.
Stuart Mason

Dear Jean, I was unable to contact you on that e-mail address of jeber@klerksdorp.com, I also went to Acocks Green Convent from 1943 to 1948.  Your name sounds familiar.  Do you remember Miss O'Driscoll head mistress, and the nuns St St Clare and St Veronica, who used to pinch you if you did not eat your dinner?  Some of the girls I remember Gillian Trimble, Barbra Ducrow, Jean Fairbrother, Stephanie Morton, Pauline Deacon.  Pauline and I have been friends in all that time.  I married a New Zealander and have lived in NZ for over 40 years.  If you write back, remind me of some of the girls you remember.  Would love to hear from you.
Cheers Diana Mentor (nee Harris)

I remember how it used to be going the chippy for our chips curry and rice good times good food
Lauren Hampton

I have many memories, some now rather vague, of life in 'The Old Solihull'. Born in 1942 I went to St Alphage School and remember Miss Fitter, Hiss Hufton and Miss Tompson 'her of the Ruler across the knuckles', outside toilets in all weathers, school dinners with chocolate concrete and pink custard. Peggs cycle shop, Roberts shoe repairs, Horace Bragg the butcher, The white cat cafe, Boss Polden 's paper shop, the watch repairers on Warwick Road opposite the magistrates court next to masons garage, Douro wines, Fred Barnes motor cycle shop and the record shop above the electrical shop opposite. Rima cake shop and just up the road the sweet shop where you got a glass of pop for tuppence. The cinema with its tired seats and the sweet shop next door, Owens ironmongers with its amazing display of stock and smell of paraffin, the Manor House windows piled high with books, The elderley 'workhouse residents who chased us lads off when we went conkering  in the lane between the hospital and the British Legion. The fire station in Streetsbrook Road with an accommodation block in a nissan hut sited in the rear garden of the house opposite and then there's the old house with massive thick walls  set within an orchard on the corner of Streetsbrook Road and Broad Oaks Road which was bulldozed by a Birmingham developer whose explanation was that it was swaying in the wind on a stormy night, got fined a small amount then developed the site with several modern homes which stand there today. I now live in retirement in southern France but the memories come flooding back. 
Peter Hughes

I was born at no 6 Mill lane in 1941 my grandparents also lived in the lane no 14 the mabbotts,  i remember the school over the the rd which was a britsh restaurant (fish and chips on fri) the Rima teashop was opp, cotons the builders with (uncle) claude mr cotten the sweet shop when dad wanted his cigs we went round the back to get them so nobody would see, Roberts the shoe shop they also kept pigeons, Davies's the bakers was at the top of the lane, kept there carts at the back of brian halls house up the drive( he's about the same age as me last I heard he worked in the council house) John ward also lived in the lane by the taxi people fosters I believe, at our end there was a grocers on the corner on the warwick rd satchwells also a bakers where we used to get freshly baked bread, opp,, THE Tanyard, (should have been kept as prosperity as it was unique thro the entry a yard with all the houses facing, the garage, the slaughter yard opp the end of the lane, sylvesters the old stuff as we called it the greengrocers, McFisheries fresh fish oh yes there was a n outdoor/wine shop by the paper shop as kids we used to snaffle the empty bottles and take them into the shop to get money back 1penny a bottle.I went to St Alphage school some of the teachers the 2 miss Appletons, miss Thomson (ruler across the back of the hand if you misbehaved) the lovely miss Hufton, mrs Fitter. My dad was the local window cleaner, my uncle Dave was the lamp lighter (lit the gas street lights round the village,I could go on recalling some names Peggs, jasper hall youngs the barbers, the coop the seed shop opp mill lane in the high street and many more Drury lane Touchwood hall which we said was haunted (but we were kids) ps Bramwells was the papershop on warwick rd. and as I was christened in the church I believe I can call myself as on old silhillian?      
Ronnie West

Hi, Does anybody remember the "Francis Way" mother and baby home? It was a catholic Home in Bentley Heath, Knowle. Please reply if you do, I would like a picture of it.
Kathleen

How much was a cup of coke?? in 1940s? Please tell me. I am writing a story about it.
Writter

I well remember celebrating VE night at the Greville Arms, playing the the air raid shelter in Alston Road, the snow of 1947 and the queue for sweets when rationing ended. We also used to play both football and cricket in the road, using the gates as wickets. First day at nursery school at Lode Heath and the camps bed we had for our afternoon sleep and especially Miss Appleby. Best friends in Alston road, Billy Bloomer, Tony Hatcliffe, John Benfield, Tony (Bony) Bennett. Good days. 
Martin Crump

My mum lived on a farm called meadow farm in meeting house lane in Balsall Common her name was Margaret Reeves would be grateful if anyone who remembers her could get in touch
Julie Prestidge

I don't have any memories of Solihull as i was born in Nottingham ! I would however like to ask if any one has memories of Warwick Road . I am trying to locate "Tanyard" and any memories of a butcher called White. I have a postcard of Warwick road dated 1912. Its taken looking down the road towards a big church. Immediately on the right is the Sadlers Arms across the way a shop called "Chinn" and further down on a corner is a shop called "Whittington" . There is the possibility of a police station or at least a policeman nearby. I am happy to send a copy to anyone who would like one but don't all shout at once! Also have one of Copt Heath Avenue from the same year
Colin Notman

Sorry I don't have any memories to contribute - but I do have a mystery I am trying to solve ! My grandparents lived on Rangoon Road (30 something) in the late 1940's. My grandmother was Gladys (known as Gwen) Kelly (married name Garrod) and I believe she lived with her mother and sister Shirley. Unfortunately my grandmother died 17th August 1947. My father , Peter (who would have been 18 months old), was taken away to live with his fathers family. We know nothing about my grandmothers family, The Kellys, and no record of where she was buried or what happened to her mother or sister.  Does anyone have any clues ?
Helen Talbot

I lived at 14, Witley Avenue and remember Mrs Hunt and her son Jimmy, very well. Jimmy was a couple of years older than me. So you can imagine my surprise when I read the letter from Joseph Y Powell, Houston Texas. We left Solihull in 1949, and I am now living in Canada, so I don't know what happened to the Hunt family. I remember the truck delivering the American soldiers down Witley Avenue, and we also had a soldier billeted on us. His name was Art Barnett, and I think he came from Brooklyn. He was a lot of fun, and used to have a great time riding my mothers sit up and beg bicycle, to "Chow", at great speed I might add. He used to try to teach me to play "boogie" on our piano, and thoroughly enjoyed talking and joking with my father. I have often wondered what happened to Art.
My grandfather Thomas Scott was the Police Superintendent for Solihull in the 1920s or 30s, I think. After he retired he was elected to the Council, and I remember my mother taking me with her when she delivered election pamphlets to the houses on Bunkers Hill. Thanks for encouraging this trip down memory lane. If Mr Powell has an email address that you can send me I would like to contact him, as he might be able to tell me if he knew what happened to Art Barnett.
Sheila Phillips (nee Thake)

David Turton here... I was born in October 1938 at Blythe House, Blythe Way. I first attended Windylow preschool (I think it was in a house at the end of Blythe Way) and then went on to the 'big' school of Windylow on Warwick Rd. I later attended Cedarhurst for a couple of terms before moving to Devon in 1946 and then Australia in 1950 where I still live! My father Frank worked for Sir Charles Hyde (the proprietor of the Birmingham Post) between the wars and joined the navy in 1941.
I can remember being wheeled out to see the VE victory parade when I was recovering from scarlet fever (I'd been isolated in Catherine de Barnes). I've been told that I was one of the first people to ever receive penicillin when the local doctors obtained help from the American doctors in the army hospital.
While father was away my mother had my aunt and their mother living with us. One night they had been to see the film of The Hound of the Baskervilles and walking home in the dark down one of the cinder paths were scared witless when a dog behind the fence suddenly starting howling!
One of my sister's teachers (an Irish lass) was very dramatically removed from the school one day by two men in a big black car. Apparently she had been asking the kids for the whereabouts of their fathers - a spy? Or just being friendly!?
We were able to take a brief holiday in Llandudno in 1944 where I had my 'spy' incident. I heard the landlady talking in Welsh on the phone and rushed up the street until a found a policeman to tell what I'd discovered...
The landlady was not amused, but, fortunately the policeman was and even commended me for my zeal!
Best wishes from Brisbane to all in leafy Warwickshire...
David Turton

First visit to this site excellent. I know quite a lot of you from Solihull how you might ask well my name is Graham Roberts & I went to Park Road School in the war years born in 1934, we lived in Mill Lane I have two brothers one now lives in Canada. I married Dot Harding she had two sisters & one brother.
Graham Roberts

Does anyone remember the Redlands Road Social Club which was formed during the war. I remember we used to put on concerts, one of which was at the time of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Price Phillip, my friend Christine was the Prince and I was the Princess, as there was so little material about our costumes were all made of crepe paper - has anyone any photos of that time? One of the ladies in Redlands (I think it was Mrs Johnson) ran a library in her house where anyone could go to borrow books. I also remember Mrs Johnson's daughter having a lung complaint and they had a building put up in the garden so that she could sleep outside - as children we all considered this to be very strange.
Mary Foster (Duddy)

I have just read Roger Keight's reference to the Silhill Wanderers tour of Norfolk in 1952. I seem to remember that we played 13 games in 10 days and ended up with a record of "played 13 lost 13"! I can still see Bernard Davies storming off after yet another defeat. I have been living in Adelaide since 1968 and it is great to hear of people that I haven't seen for 50 years.
Bob Rutter

I went to both Sharman's Cross junior and later senior school. I was in Greswold house, and left school in 1942.Ilived in Arnold Rd Shirley. My School pals where Geoff Shaw, Wilf Reeves, Alec Franklin, Betty Tonks, Wenda Key, we used to ride our bikes to the Lido swimming pool in the summer months, I cant just recall where that was exactly at, but we used to head off down Olton Rd, it was quite a ride. I can remember sat morning at the Odeon, and bike trips to Stratford on Avon, which meant ice cream at Henley in Arden. I had an older brother John, we both worked at Sam James bicycle shop next to the Plume of Feathers hotel in Shirley, we worked there until we both enlisted in the Navy. Does any one remember.
Tony Bebb

Walking to Solihull Park from Shirley to fly my Frog Interceptor model plane and climbing the trees to retrieve it. Going out with a girl whose parents owned the Fish and Chip shop- hoping for a free supper. Lazing in the hot Summer sun at the Swimming Pool admiring all the 'Scenery' Halcyon days indeed.
Colin Sedgwick

During the war my parents & I used to spend every night in Earlswood at Lady Lane Farm with the Jones family who ran the farm. It was considered safer to move to the Country we lived in Blossomfield Rd Solihull. I now live in Stratford upon Avon.
Gillian McWilliam nee Penzer

Does anyone remember the Arnold family?
I am Janet now married to Leslie Price but was Janet Arnold. There is 13 of us and all still alive and kicking. 5 of us are now living in Australia but the rest all still live around Solihull / Shirley area. During my childhood we lived for a time in ladbrook hall as tenant farmers down Penn lane, Earlswood. My granny, Granny Bennett lived down Rushbrook lane, next to the Bubbs and the Rawbone familes. We all went to school at Tamworth in Arden, which is just the same apart from some extra buildings on the end. We then moved to Avon road in Shirley.
Janet Price

We lived in Mill lane, Leslie and Gerald Price, Parents- James and Enda.
My uncle, Sydney Roberts owned a cobblers shop in Mill lane.
There were 12 cottages in the lane, the Mabbets, the Bells, the Jones family and Sonny Lock who kept the paper shop. Does anyone remember anything else about the Roberts family?
Leslie Price

Letter From America
Whist nothing to do with growing up in Solihull, this email from Joyce Yvonne Pelt is a joy to read and shows the changing times on both side of the Atlantic.

I was born Sept. 14, 1945 in Seattle, Washington. I do remember both 1948 and 1949 and I loved the small town where I spent my childhood, Algona, Washington. I loved seeing Mt. Rainer from our yard nearly everyday and listening to the radio. The Lone Ranger and the Nelson family were my favourite radio programs. My grandparents raised me and I loved going for rides in PaPa's new 1949 Studebaker, the speed limit on the highway was 45 miles per hour and everyone drove much slower in those days so one could enjoy the scenery. We bought milk, eggs, and vegetables from the small local farms in the Algona, Auburn Washington area of King County. A gallon of milk sold for 25 cents. Macaroni and cheese was made from real cheese and butter and most food tasted better. The 5 cent ice cream cones were much better than the very expensive cones of today. Times were simple and most people could be trusted. Things were build to last and girls looked like girls and took pride in their grooming and neat dressing.
I enjoyed being a girl and I remember men being very polite to my grandmother and opening doors for her and giving her seats on the city bus. It was a great time to be alive and air felt better and water was clean, and clear. We cut our own Christmas trees in those days and we didn't need a permit to do so. Life seemed fuller and more natural back then. There were no McDonalds but lost of ma and pa cafes. I miss hearing the operator say "number please". Also we sang real Christmas songs in school and Christmas was more religious and less materialistic. It just felt better and warmer then.
Joyce Yvonne Van Pelt

Thanks John Davis you clearly have a retentive memory, however I have to tell you Joan Cleaver was right about Dewhursts. Harpers was two shops further up, both of you omitted Tays Butchers, Freeman Hardy and Willis Boot Shop, and of course the famous Jasper Hall, Chemist which incidentally had been there for two generations. I remember on my way to choir practice buying cough sweets (to allay the rationing of sweets) from Jasper, what a nice man he was. Further down the road you omitted to mention Sharps Grocery and on the other side of the road Coxhills cake shop. There was also a toy shop on that side of the road run by Miss Bancroft (the name escapes me) not Poulters which was further up the High Street. Further down was Paynes Shoe repair shop.. memories. As I remember more I will let you all know. Hey got it, the toy shop was Deebanks, it was so old and Georgian, but we took it for granted then. And of course there was Harrison Thompson undertakers in the little lane behind the High Street opposite the Masons Arms. Thanks all for your forbearance, as I get more recall I will come back again.. Best Wishes to all from Wagga Wagga NSW..
Michael Britt

Re Joan Cleavers last entry, I think if my memory serves me right that the shop next to Rotheram's was Harpers not Dewhurst's, they used to make fantastic sausage. There was also a Wrensons, George Masons and International stores all grocers, and of cause dear old Woolworths all on the High Street, then their was Pattersons in Poplar Road, who made great fish cakes.
There was also a Fish and Chip shop just near to MacFisheries. Can you recall that, and the sweet and tobacconists next to the cinema, I think the manager of the cinema was a Mr Freeman. Can't think of any more at the moment.
John Davies

I have just read Dave Thornell's letter, and like Michael Britt, it brought back a lot of memories. I wonder if Dave remembers Silhill Wanderers and the tour of Norfolk in 1952 with people such as Dave Brettell, Rod Challis, John Kemp, Don Morris, Bob Rutter, Stan Snook, Ken Stanley, Mick Taylor, Brian Turner, Nigel Vaughan and Pat Worrall? I wonder where they all are now? I too was in Pole House and with regards the teachers names, I think I can add one or two more, Mr.Ansell and Mr.Fisher (maths), Mr.Morgan (geography), Bernard Davies (English), George Birtles (history), Mr.Johnson (woodwork) and Mr.Morle (cadets).
Roger Keight

How many of us remember the lines we had to write if we misbehaved in class? One time about 1942 we had a Miss Greenhill? who used to take Domestic Science as it was called then, this particular time we girls were having sewing lessons and I was playing about with my thimble and making it *plop*on the end of my finger, who is making that awful noise said miss Greenhill? (Greenaway) When I owned up I was given 500 lines writing *Silence is Golden* do you think that is why I have never liked sewing.
I remember when we used to have the dances at the village hall in Catney we were about 16 or 17 and it was a grand meeting place for the youngsters, this was about 1946.I remember Lewis's bakery on the corner, the Boat pub, Walker's tea rooms where both my sister and I held our wedding receptions, Mavis's was on June 6th 1953, and mine was on March 6th 1954.
A few more memories of the shops I remember on Solihull High St in the 40's.
Starting from the parish church, there was a house on the corner followed by a small stationers then the two Blizzard sisters who sold greengrocery, a pub whose name escapes me, a butchers, next door to him was Napier's seed merchants (how well I remember having to go there to buy fowl mash that Mum used to mix with all the potato peelings to feed the chickens, )up above the seed shop was the hairdressers, then the Solihull laundry, then the Solihull garage, Bancroft's who sold household things, sheets, clothing etc, then Coxhill's cake shop next to the Tanyard with a few cottages, then another butcher.
On the opposite side of the road, the main Post office, Midlands Electricity Board, cross over the end of Poplar road there was Winfield's the chemist, Rotherham's newsagents, I think Dewhurst's the butcher, the Maypole grocers, where I was always fascinated watching the assistant with the butter pats creating various designs, Mr Doubleday the Dentist, Timothy Whites, Le Fleuriste, George Mason another grocer, Owen's hardware shop, Capon's another shop who sold all household linens etc, Peg's cycle shop where my Father bought me my first bicycle, a Raleigh with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed gear change, that was in 1944 to enable me to get to my first job with the Birmingham Co-operative society. On the corner of Mill Lane was Davis's Bakery on the next corner was the Co-op Confectionery (the queues for bread and cakes used to stretch way down Mill Lane), then the Co-op Greengrocery with the open front and still more queues but if you had a green ration book you could always go to the front of the queue), Co-op Butchers, Co-op grocery, Lotus and Delta shoe shop, Wimbush's cake shop ,then came a tobacconist and next door to that the Solihull Picture House where three of us used to go to the Saturday matinee for a shilling, on the next corner of Drury Lane was The White Cat cafe ,almost opposite the church is the George Hotel, so ends my memory tour of Solihull High Street ,my apologies if I have missed any shops out, but I have gone back to the 1939----1940's.
If Anyone out there remembers us I would love to have your news We lived on Damson Lane and I have very fond memories of the area.
Joan Cleaver ( now Cutler) 

My name is David Collett, born 1933.
Lived in Damson Lane until 1956 with my family including Brian and Paul my brothers. Went to Coppice Road School during the war and remember the barrage balloon site next to the school. One day a balloon caught fire in the air and showered the school and playground with burning rubber. An airman told us to "stay in doors." Had happy times in Hampton Coppice and fishing in Duttons pond. I delivered meat on a bike with a basket for Leo Herraty throughout Solihull and Damson Lane and also delivered groceries for Johnsons Shop.
I went to Lode Heath School and left in December 1948. I started ballroom dancing at the Arden school in Solihull run by the wonderful Albert Simpson a great teacher who could also provide super party nights. Most dances were at the George Hotel. Met my wife Patricia (nee Hoare) at the Friday night dance which was held at the WI Hut where Beatties now stands. Great times. We eventually moved here to Milton Keynes. Still come back to good old Solihull and did some Christmas shopping last December. I Look forward to hearing from anyone.
David Collett

How well I remember Coppice Road school, I lived on Damson Lane, after attending the school in Elmdon park (just up from Elmdon Churchyard) I spent a short time at Coppice Road, before starting at Lode Heath in 1939 about a week after the second world war started, firstly in the juniors then in the seniors until I left in July 1944. I remember Donald Gregory very well, his two sisters and I were, great friends (lost touch over the years). Is this the same John Davies who lived on Damson Lane? if so we lived almost opposite you. Going back to Elmdon Park school Does anyone remember the road sweeper, we used to pass him every day on the way to school, also the time when a boy of about 12 drowned in the big lake on the right side going towards the Church, he had been skating on the lake when the ice gave way.
Another tragedy I remember was when Tommy Pickles fell in the canal and his Mum went in after him she too was drowned, they lived in the house right beside the canal.
When the war was on I remember the air raid shelters, usually about six or seven houses apart this was when you could see the gas cylinder from our house before any buildings were put there. many is the time My sisters and I have queued for coke at the gas works. Does anyone remember Lewis's Bakery who then delivered by horse and cart as did the coalman when the horses couldn't make it because of the heavy snow we fetched it from the end of Damson Lane on a sledge, (the same sledge was also used for sledging down Elmdon downs, opposite the row of cottages beside Elmdon Park school) nothing left of the cottages or school now only wonderful memories. If anyone does remember me I would love to hear from you, I have so much to tell it will have to keep until another time.
Joan (CLEAVER)

I started working for the Birmingham Co-operative Society in July 1944, the first branch was at Olton Boulevard, we had some good times despite the rationing. Those were the days when you weighed all the sugar, butter, lard, dried fruit etc by hand, the big cases of eggs and if one or two were broken, the smell plus the bluebottles left a lot to be desired. Also the big cheeses 56lb pounders with a muslin cloth around, we had to roll them along the warehouse floor to get the muslin off, the customers used to take them home wash them thoroughly and use for dishcloths, the butter often came in a large round barrel. If the weather was on the warm side it would be too soft to weigh up in 2oz measures. Those days used to have their funny sides, like a time when the cashier was in her office and the money cups we used to send up for change (halfpennies, farthings, threepenny bits, sixpences) we youngsters put a sheep's eye in the cup and sent it up to her) we had a good laugh over that. We had just the Manager and charge hand then most of the boys were on national service. Mr Davis and I used to cycle home together he lived in Wherrets Well Lane Elmdon Heath, I lived on Damson Lane, the blackouts were often a problem and if there was a fog as well you had difficulty finding your way. I remember one foggy night in particular when we were coming off Warwick Road into Seven Star road (long before any development) you couldn't see a thing I would call ,where are you Mr Davis would reply trying to get out of this ditch, remember you were only allowed to have a small slit in the headlamp and there were no street lamps.
I transferred to the branch on the Coventry Road opposite the Wheatsheaf for a short spell before moving to the branch on Solihull High St where I stayed until I got married in 1954......................More to follow.
Joan(CLEAVER)Cutler.

I went to the Convent, St Bernard's Road Olton from 1940 to 1945 as a boarder.
I would love to hear from anyone who was there at that time. We slept in the cellar during the Air Raids. I have lived in Canada since 1955 but have fond memories of Olton, the sisters, many of whom spoke French, and my friends, particularly Phillipa Russon Bayliss.
Clare Hayden
 

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In the late 40's I went for a time to Knowle C of E School in Kenilworth Road.
I can picture many of the faces but can only remember two names George Fletcher who's father I believe ran transport and Chas Chamberlain who lived in Wilson Road at the time. I got on well with Chas and have often wondered how he has got on since school days. I was only at the school for about a year as we left Solihull during that period. If my memory serves me right the head was a Mr Wilkes or Wilcox I'm not sure which. Can remember going into church next door and going to another school for woodwork on a Sheldon's coach driven by Bert, I think we went to Balsall Common school for this. Good memories of good days.
John Davies

Being Auditioned at Sharmans Cross Senior school for the Church Choir in Solihull under Dr Richard Wassal (5 bob for Weddings and half a crown for funerals). Sadly it all ended when my voice broke. My first sort of Romance with Margaret Wilby and Pat Dandy. Summer holidays in the park flying my Frog Interceptor and the big splashes we made in the swimming pool. Happy and carefree days, when the sun always seemed to be shining, except when we went potato picking!
Colin Sedgwick

I read John Davies's comments and remember the milkman's horse. I must have started Coppice Road School just as John left. As a 5 year old that horse looked HUGE. I also remember the Munford's and Michael Humber. If my memory serves me well, Michael used to go around the local houses taking orders for the damsons that used to grow in great quantities in the cottage garden. John, in case you don't know, Donald Gregory never moved very far and still lives in Damson Lane. A bit further down from the entrance to Coppice Rd, but on the opposite side of the road. I am still in touch with Robert Harris, we grew up together but lost touch for about 30 years but met up again this year.
Richard Shuttleworth

I lived on Cranmore Boulevard in Shirley from 1937-1953.
I remember the following: The advent of bread rationing when I was unable to buy a sugar bun for a ha'penny; a burning barrage balloon drifting in the sky over Shirley; the orange glow in the sky from the direction of Coventry; the aircraft fuselage sections being towed down the street from the Carrs factory to the CWS factory; bomb damage on nearby houses and fields; nights spent under the stairs until the all clear sounded; buckets of sand outside the back door; collecting shrapnel; the street party on VE Day, Saturday mornings at the Odeon; seeing the Cossack Troupe perform at the Shirley Race Track; being a choirboy at St. James C of E; scrumping; getting all scratched up collecting blackberries or hazelnuts; train spotting from the pathway alongside the track at Solihull Station; Wolf Cub pack meetings at the Vicarage; Biggles books from the Shirley Library; Pole House at Solihull School; hating those cross country runs to Ravenshaw; cycling to Stratford and Warwick; heroes Merrick, Green, Jennings, Harris, Duckhouse, Mitchell, Stewart, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle and Edwards; teachers Mrs Boulevant, Mr Cooper, Mr King Reynolds, "Bladder"; friends John Hudson, Ian Cutler, Dave Orchard, Derrick Hancock, Jill Sempers, Pat Ebdon, Jill lloyd, Deidre Trenchard; table tennis and dancing at a youth centre by School Road, burying my mother at St. James'; leaving it all and emigrating to the USA. My kids and grandkids think I had a wonderful and exciting growing up, and I did!  I am now retired and spend my time as an amateur genealogist and family historian. If anyone has any photos of the WW II damage in Shirley I would love to see them.
David Thornell

Great reading David Thornell's letter brought back memories. I think we were in the same form at Solihull School. I have some recollections. I live in Sydney Australia but visit United States at least three times a year. Many of David's friends were also friends of mine, Oh so long ago.
Michael Britt

Taking train numbers along the track by Solihull Station with the spikes on the fence designed to stop an assault by Northern savages.. They were so sharp.. Being disappointed when the Express trains went so fast that you couldn't read there numbers. Never mind there was always the Solihull shunter, and guess what its number was 2296..and it wasn't even a tank class! I was on Solihull Station when wounded soldiers were coming back from the D day landings a hot summers day. What a great summer 1944 was. Mr Burdett who was assistant Station master said to me. "Michael this is no place for you." Some wore bright blue suits with red ties, others were on stretchers. Sad days.. but we took it in our stride - no trauma counselling in those days.
Michael Britt

Richard Shuttleworths memories are very vivid to me as I went to Coppice Road school from 1942 till 1948. I helped the Wacaden milkman Alf Hughes who delivered to Coppice Road we had a horse and cart the horse was a dapple grey mare called Dolly. I lived in Heath Road up until they modernised the houses then we had to move.
I can remember Robert Harris and also a boy called Donald Gregory who lived in Coppice Road, my pals were John Fleetwood who lived in Heath Gardens, Colin Mumford, and Michael Humber he lived in the canal cottages of Damson Lane. I also delivered papers for Mr Walker on his carrier bike. We had a football team called Elmdon Rovers and played on the field by the canal.
John Davies

Elmdon C of E School
I attended the school that used to stand in the corner of Elmdon Park - during air raids we had to run to the cellar in the old Rectory and stand around a mountain of grain until the "all clear" siren sounded. We had to walk through "the woods" to school, no school dinners but potatoes baked under the 2 open fires - other days the Moms would arrive with a dish of chips wrapped in a cloth to keep them warm. The playground was the original front garden of the terraced cottage from which the schoolroom had been built but we were allowed to play on the vast expanse of Elmdon Park that started at the school gate. The school only had two classrooms and catered for children from 3 to 11 years old. The toilet arrangements were extremely primitive and consisted of two chemical toilets together with a single shallow brown sink and one cold water tap for the entire school. I must have left the school about 1943? and moved on to Hatchford Brook. Anyone else out there who attended the school, please get in touch.
Michael Goodwin

My mother left school and worked at the Gas Board in Solihull in the 1940s.
I think the offices were in Mill lane or Drury lane, way before Mell Square was even thought about. I think that the photo was taken at the Carnival in September 1943.

The float was Gas Board sponsored and was called "Gypsies and Tramps"
The photo was taken by C A Joiner based at 20, Drury Lane.
The photo states the names of those taking part as (left to right):
The tramp on the far left with a long beard is Mr Wright... I have a feeling that he was one of the personalities of the "Village" at that time.
Mrs Walker - under the head scarf
Mrs Cotton - on the trailer looking to her left.
Mr Hogg - he looks a real villain in the centre with the crumpled top hat on.
Miss Bradley - "my mom" - she was blackened up. Probably not politically correct these days! She was about 17 we think.
Mr Wicker - with cap on standing on the trailer
Mr Sadler - looking like Fagen out of Oliver twist. I also think that he was one of the personalities of the time.
Martin Nicholls. Edinburgh.

Thelma Taylor's reminiscences of Chaplefields school brought back many memories. I was there in the War years from 1940-45 and remember the scrambles to get into the air-raid shelter (next to the big pile of coke in the front playground) and the barrage balloon on the heath behind the school. Mr. Neville was a stern but fatherly headmaster and I think he was gentler to many of us because his daughter (was her name Peggy?) was a student with us. My earliest teacher was Miss Williams and my later class teacher and mentor was Miss Rogers, a fiery redhead who could freeze you with a look. Although we all hated the religion classes, we were taught a beautiful, harmonized rendition of the hymn "The Lord is My Shepherd." When we graduated to Lode Heath the music teacher (Mr. King?) was at the piano in the Hall and asked us what songs we'd learned at Chaplefields. A few of us broke into the hymn, in full descant, and suddenly there were several teachers, including Mrs. Schenkle, Miss Partridge, Mr. Fathers, and Mrs. Johnson, standing in the doorways listening to us in amazement. The hymn became an instant hit and we Chaplefields kids felt like early pop stars. They include included names like Robert Lamb, David Gray, David Stacey, John Mills, and Barry Sheldon.  We must have been the "hams" of the class because we appeared also in a class production of Hansel and Gretel before a large audience of dutiful parents. Also like Thelma, I lived in Sheldon (Wellsford Avenue). I now live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada and would enjoy hearing from anyone from my era who remembers Chaplefields and Lode Heath as fondly as I do. Also, take a look at the class photo (circa 1949) in the Lode Heath 1940's section to see if you recognize anyone.
Fred Billings

I attended Chapelfields School during and after the War. I stated in the infants and then went into the juniors and then on to Lode Heath. My older sisters and younger sister also went to Chapelfields School. I remember while in the juniors many male teachers coming back after the war. Mr Neville was headmaster while I was there. When at Lode Heath in the second year we were given the chance to be the first pupils at the opening of the new Lyndon School. Many decided to leave but most of us decided to stay at Lode Heath. While at Lode Heath we were on the Council Steps when Princess Margaret came when Solihull was made a Borough. I have very happy memories of Chapelfields, on one occasion running down Lyndon Road when the sirens went and German plane was flying around.
My feet never touched the ground my sisters held me so tight. We lived in Sheldon. I have so many memories of those years.
Thelma Taylor

During the war I lived with my parents in Blossomfield Rd. Because it was considered safer to live in the country, every evening we used to drive to Earlswood and stay the night at a farm in Lady Lane, I think it was called Lady Lane Farm. As the war progressed I was sent to live with my Grandparents in Wales & my parents stayed at the farm. The people running the farm at that time were Jimmy & Annie Jones. I now live in Stratford on Avon
Gillian McWilliam

Early one morning during February 1944 the U.S. Army dropped me off at 20 Witley Avenue  to be billeted there for several months in the home of a lovely lady, Doris M. Hunt, her husband and small son. I probably spent my best weeks of the war with her and the other people of Solihull. Was just wondering who or what is at that address now or if it still exists. Or my favourite Pub which was across from the church and I think was called the King George if memory serves me right.
Joseph Y. Powell, Houston, Texas USA
Thank you Joseph. The present occupiers have no knowledge of Mrs Hunt. Does anyone know of the families whereabouts?

During the war smoke screens were lit to help to black out Birmingham and the North Midlands. This depended on the way the wind was blowing. The oil containers were placed in lines about ten yards apart. The smoke and fumes caused a lot of problems and the soot got everywhere. No matter how hard we tried the smoke and soot got into the house. Before we had cleaned up from one night’s operation came the same thing the next night.
Bill Gilbert

Does anyone remember the British restaurant? It was in either Mill Lane or Drury Lane? I wasn't the 'done thing' to go out to eat then, just after the war! Also the Galloway family - they used to live in one of those roads - Mr Galloway worked for the Coal Board, there were two sons, David and?
Kay Rhodes (nee Pountney)

The British Restaurant was in Mill Lane, in the old Mill Lane boys School which later became the Church Hall for St Alphege Church. I knew it well Kay, in fact as a pupil at St Alphege Church School I used to go there each day for lunch, to be charitable the food was simply atrocious and I was put off Toad in the Hole, Prunes and Custard and Bread and butter pudding for ever.. so there was no fear of anyone going there for a Cordon Bleau meal ! Yes I remember David Gallaway he was also a pupil at St Alphege ( in those days it was known as Park Road C of E Elementary School). Let me know if I can be of further assistance. I was born in Drury Lane in 1934 and was for many years a chorister at St Alphege Church. I attended Solihull School between 1945 and 1951.
Mike Britt

1940-1948.The Saw Mills next to St. Margaret's C of E School, Olton, were called Quaife and Lillie. They had a cricket bat made for W.G. Grace in a display cabinet. I had my first hockey stick and tennis racket from there and my big sister Pam had a complete set of full sized cricket stumps and bat from there.
The air raid shelter was in the cellars of our school, in an air raid, we went down and sat on the piles of coke. I was in class 5, (we were the babies - 5&6 year olds and we had to go to a cellar underneath our very big class room.
Pam and Angela, my two big sisters were in another shelter the other end of the school: I didn't like that, I wanted to be with them. When we were down there we used to sing. I remember there was one girl with a lovely voice who sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling". Does anybody remember doing Country Dancing in the front playground? People used to stop and watch. My partner was Sally Reeve. What about the Garden Fetes at Mereside, St. Bernard's Road? Girls in the top class, Class one did their dancing and the boys did a PT display.
The Talent in the marquee in the bottom field. Robin Oakley won one year saying the poem "There was an Old Lady who swallowed a fly".
Mr. Shaw was the Headmaster. He had red hair and he used to cane the boys. Then Miss Gopsill, Mrs. Phillips, Miss Taylor, Miss Taylor2 and Miss Wiseman. The size of the classes would have had the Unions out, if it was now...45 was the normal number. It was a brilliant school. The range of subjects that we had was huge, we had time for chess and draughts clubs, Bird and Tree competition's, writing letters to sailors in H.M.S. Birmingham....knitting Pink Vests!! which I thought were for the sailors. I must stop, I'm becoming a bore on my favourite subject... Olton of my Childhood.
Mary(Dyche) Davis


I feel very privileged to have been born and raised in Elmdon Heath, not because we had a lot of money, far from it. The memories that will always remain are of living in what was in the 1940s and 50s still a quite rural area.
I was born and lived in Coppice Rd, and from the time I could toddle I would be exploring the fields and copses that were all around, a freedom that most of today's children only read about in storybooks. The earliest memory I have is of playing with my best mate Robert Harris who also lived in Coppice Road. Being carried around the fields that were at the bottom of the Road in the large pocket, of a heavy leather apron that was being worn by a German prisoner of war.
We nick named this man "Curly Knob" because of his blond curly hair. I guess this must have been around 1946, because most of the Germans were repatriated in 1947.
As we grew older Robert Harris and I would venture further afield, into Hampton coppice itself, alas now mostly under tarmac and houses.


Elmdon Heath Boys On A Hay Cart 1949-50 St. Stephens Church Centre Now Stands On This Spot In Coppice Rd  My Sister Marion With My Mom In The Front Garden Of 17 Coppice Rd Aug 1940 Note Barrage Balloon In Right Hand Corner Elmdon Heath Children Photograph Taken In 1949 - 50 On The Playing Field Of Elmdon Heath Junior School Coppice Rd.

We found "Duttons pond", why it was called this I have no idea, but in years to come we would spend countless hours and days fishing there. My Grandfather was what they called a "Lengthman", what today you would call a road sweeper. But in 40s and early 50s he would "layer" hedges, dig ditches and do all sorts of tasks to make the lanes neat and tidy.
His name was Walter Bennett and he lived in Alston Rd. After he retired, I would get his two wheeled hand cart, and walk round the lanes following the routes taken by the horse drawn milk floats, that came from the Wacaden dairy in Yew Tree Lane. I used to earn a few pennies pocket money collecting horse manure for his garden. The cart was used a lot during the winter for getting coke from the gas works, most of the children who lived in Elmdon Heath made a visit to the gas works at some time. Most of the summer was spent either in Hampton Coppice or Solihull Lido where I learned to swim.
Most Saturdays we would go to the Solihull picture house for the children's afternoon matinee. For as long as I can remember, a Mr Freeman was the manager. We used to be given the bus fare, but we cheated and walked through the "cinder path" that ran from Elmdon Heath into Solihull. We would spend the bus fare on sweets at "the chocolate box" a little sweet shop that used to be just about where Beatties is now.
Richard Shuttleworth

I grew up in Shirley in the 40s. Remember St. James C of E school, now demolished, and buying 'Cayli' in paper, the swings in Shirley Park, the Vicarage fete etc. Like this site, found it today. Also remember the rag and bone man coming round with his horse and cart and playing in the road - not much traffic then!
Rosemary Knutsen (neé Kite)

If you read this site again Rosemary I seem to remember the name?
I was Avis Glendinnning remember all the things you mention - where did you go to school?? Do you remember Mrs Meakin's shop where we bought the 'Cayli' in paper??? I remember riding my bike all around the 'ups and downs' this is now a huge housing estate near Bills woods. Would love to hear from you if my name sounds familiar
Avis Ainsworth


I lived in Fabian Crescent as a youngster and used to run errands to the nearest shop - Meakins. I remember the sweet jars labelled 'Old Betty Plant'. I went to St James Infants and then St James Junior school. Learnt to dance at the Shirley Institute, was in the choir at St James Church. I lived in Shirley from 1941 to 1978.
Frank Bunce

Hi Frank Bunce!
I remember you - you were either in my class at St James, or my brother's class (Richard Kite). Happy memories of the junior school - I was in Shirley recently, having a look round, and going down memory lane with my sister. We lived in Burman Road from 1939-1955.
Cheers Rosemary Kite, now in Norway

I remember riding my bike to Tudor Grange Grammar school every weekday morning (plus the odd Saturday morning for being a naughty boy) and feeling the flush of enlightenment and well being as I crossed the Warwick Road.
My father worked at the Rover for ever. My grandfather, Harry Lawrence, was a Chief Superintendent in the Warwickshire Constabulary and was stationed in Solihull. I was a proud first time owner of a house in the then new Damsonwood estate.
I believe Elmdon Heath has some historical interest in that the Germans didn't like the fact that we were the proud owners of a smelly Gas Works which they vainly tried to bomb, strategically taking out several homes in and around Cornyx Lane and Alston Road instead.
My father reminded me that in an effort to save the area from such dreadful aim the local populace all chipped in and bought a pair of specs for the obviously needy Luftwaffe pilot involved. Accompanying this visual aid was a whip round collection which raised the princely sum of 4 pounds fifteen shillings and seven pence and an updated map marked clearly with directional arrows indicating the exact location of the aforesaid Gas Works.
Later at the Nuremberg trials it was revealed that the true target was in fact the Greville Arms pub on Damson Lane. The German High Command believed that taking out such an important target might so demoralize the locals that the war would be won.
Noel Lawrence

I came across the website, and the visit has taken me back many years.
I used to live at number 2 St Bernard's Rd. Olton, which was knocked down some years ago to widen Warwick Rd I believe. There used to be quite a crowd of us who attended Evensong at St Margaret's Church opposite our house, and also belonged to The Good Companions group - does it still exist I wonder?

Before this we lived at Brook Lane House, Gospel Lane. Our family was the first to live in that house where my father established a medical practise. In those days, the house had a large garden back & front, and was surrounded by fields and open land. When I last visited the area just over four years ago, I found the area entirely built up, and our house a health centre surrounded by an iron pole fence! I was pleased to see that although the garden has gone, an oak tree which used to be in our front garden has been preserved on the outside pavement.
I went to school at Acocks Green Convent which has long since disappeared.
Many friends from those days still live in an around Solihull, some of whom I am still in touch with. I shall be in England again in a month's time, I still miss it very much although I have lived in South Africa for many years. If anyone sees this who may remember me from those days. I should love to hear from them.
Jean Colman (that was!) - Jean Boshoff jeber@klerksdorp.com


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