Solihull Online would like to hear your memories of growing up in Solihull during the 70'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 08 May 2008

Posted Thursday, May 8, 2008
The best years of my life was in Solihull in the 70s. Used to drink in the ship and masons then moved down to the Golden lion, there was a big crowd of us who went everywhere together. Me and my best mate Mandy Young dancing to Slade, Showwaddy Waddy and all the groups of the time. I was in love with David Cassidy and now at the age of 52 I still am!! We also used to go the Greville and Acres and celebrated the Silver Jubilee at the Acres, what a day that was, to have the pubs open all day was just fantastic.  I now live in Bournemouth and have done since 1979 but still visit Solihull on a regular basis and still see a lot of my old mates from way back then.  We all have a bond that is very special because of all the wonderful times we had round and about in Solihull.  If anyone remembers me please get in touch.  I would also like to hear from anyone that used to go down the rink around the time of 1969 to 1972, I used to go down there every night with my mate Christine McCarthy and a few others.  I would love to know what happened to a guy called Roy Chambers who was at the rink most nights, I know he moved to Cumbria with his parents in the early seventies but I did see him back in Solihull one day but not sure if he lives there now.
Ann Goostry

Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hi all, I am looking for photographs, memories, memorabilia or any other support from people who worked at or have connections with Wilsdens' on Lode Lane in Solihull. Renewal Christian Centre which is situated on the former site are building a new Family Centre which will have in the reception area a huge mural - 3m x 16m depicting the history of Wilsdens' as a lasting tribute, ensuring that the history of the site is not lost or forgotten. As you can imagine, this is no mean feat, requiring lots of material and money. Please contact myself - Janet Church or Barbara Carstairs at Renewal on 0121 711 7300 or e mail Janet Church if you are able to help. Look forward to hearing from you all!!!   
Janet Church

Posted Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Hi, I have just found this great site and was wondering if anybody remembers The Hole In The Wall Fish & Chip Shop and the sweetshop owned by Mr Tombs.  I have just spoken to my Parent's and the The Hole In The Wall Fish & Chip Shop was owned by my Great Uncle and Aunt Tom & Jessie Wright do you remember them at all and would you have any old photos i could have a copy of as i am doing my family tree and this would really be great to include .
Rory Fisher

Posted Monday,  April 21, 2008
I remember Green Lane youth Club near Shirley Station.  In about 1974 I used to go.  I can remember I had a new dress to wear and I purchased it froma  shop in B'ham called 2007 and in the 70's it seemed spaceage.  Can anyone remember the shop? Near M/Spencers.  I can also remember a place called The Sandies. And the burger bar in Shirley near to the sweet shop on the Stratford Road.  I also went to the Colebrook pub as my boyfriend's Mom and Dad used to run it.  Happy memories in the 70's.
Gail Somerville

Posted Monday,  April 14, 2008
Wow, lot's of memories flooding back.  Don't know if anyone remembers me, don't really think in my youth I was that noticeable! I've changed. My dad was the chief inspector of Solihull. I was living there between 1969 - 1976 I think. I had a paper route and I can recall all of us kids stealing chocolate and cigarettes when the owner looked away....i think he knew though. Loved my time hanging at the Malt (sneaking in the back door). had a motorbike but dressed like I owned a scooter. I do remember the nights club down Stratford Road and the Rugby club. Used to hang out with Steve Thompson, Ali Brighton and someone else whom name eludes me at this time but i remember we would listen to records at his home. Worked at the Halifax Building Society in Solihull and dated Helen Rogers and Judith Hale befoe moving to London in 1976. I remember driving across Solihull park (by the athletic club, duck pond) with about 10 people in my car and being stopped by the police but they let us off because of my dad. Been living in California since 1982. Would love to hear more stuff and perhaps e-mail people that remember me. Solihull really was a great place as a teenager!
Steve Ferris

Posted Monday,  April 14, 2008
Went to lighthall school from 1972 to 1977 can remember going to the barn dancing and hobbs moat ice rink and shirley cinema where on a saturday morning they had dance competitions can remember james padgett from peterbrook school coming along with me do you remember sharing my sandwiches with me when i could never finish them after my mom made them you always enjoyed them jimmy
Gail Somerville

Posted Monday,  March 31, 2008
Anyone remember Chilcote School early to mid seventies? Headmaster Mr Davies (very strict, loved his music) Mrs Warrilow, Mr Spedding and the lovely Ms Santos.
Michael Hughes

Posted Monday, March 17, 2008
I lived in Solihull from 1969 to 1973 before my parents moved us out to Australia. I am now married with 3 boys of my own and I live in Sydney.
I went to Chapel Fields then to Lyndon for 1st year only. I remember playing in the park in wagon lane, scrumping with my neighbours, Garry Heeley mainly, and my best friends at the time were Nicholas East and Stuart Cooper. I also knocked around with Paul Johnson, Graeme Pearson and Tony Brown. I have been back twice only but still have fond memories of places like Hobbs Moat woods on the bikes, the ice rink and going into Solihull to the baths.
Ken Sorge

Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Hi - I was at Lode Heath from 1974 until 1979. Best mates were Stephen Lewis, Keith Whitehouse and Ste Butcher. I remember the crazy long summer nights in the mid seventies - messing around down ´´the cut´´, jubilee park and up at Elmdon. I left Olton in the early eighties to live in Lancaster and then Manchester, where I stayed for some twenty years. I still visit Solihull a couple of times a year as I have family there and I´m still in touch with Ste Lewis. But my visits are less frequent now as I live in Sunny Madrid! I recognise some of the names on the blog, though surprisingly in all the years I visited I never bumped into anyone I knew at Lode Heath. Solihull was a great place to grow up - as a lot of contributors say, free of crime and nice and local. I must say though the last few times I came back it seemed less friendly, more edgy - the big city blues maybe? cheers
Simon Talbot   

Posted Monday, February 11, 2008
Hi Val, was reading your memories and thought these are also MY memories and realised I was with you most of the time sharing these same experiences, along with my brother Neil (Bernie) and sister Sheryl (the Batchelors). Fabulous stories to tell but remembering those friends we lost. Lots of love 
Julie Batchelor (any more reunions)

Posted Monday, January 28, 2008
Wow where to start i moved to Corley Close in Shirley when it was first built remember the club on green lane hung out with people like Gary Bennett, Mickey Ward, Danny Southhall and best friend Peter Bennett just to name a few {we thought we were so cool back then}. attended mill lodge then went to light hall and moved to Canada. It would be great to hear from anyone ...
Shane Willis

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I remember the Hole in the Wall Chip Shop and i think the Sweet Shop referred to may have been owned by Mr Tombs! There's no sweetshop there now. That seems rather sad. I lived in Olton Road and hence ended up at Sharman's Cross after leaving Haslucks Green. Mr Smith used to allow her birds to fly around the class room. Mr Richmond came to Hospital with me in the Ambulance when i was run over outside of the school. She used to teach us french (that has come in useful) and i remember her as being very kind. In the early 90s i visited Haslucks Green School and was welcomed in, speaking to the children about 'the old days!' It seemed a happy place.  I recall an underground den in one of the fields just over the fence from the playing fields and the old air raid shelter. The orchard was a great place. I was always in there. I'm sure there was suposedly a Pet Cemetery in there.  Although i have travelled far & wide i often visit Shirley for Breakfast at the current Coffee Roaster on Sunday Mornings and reminice. Recently took a walk around Stanton Road and tried to remember the old fields. Sometimes this makes me sad.  I live all over Solihull. Spent a short time at Ulverly Green Junior, live in a prefab near the Rover and so on. But it is Shirley i remember being happiest in.
Brian Darby

Posted Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Oh heck, I had to laugh out loud at some of the entries, wonderful memories!  I lived in Stanton Road in Shirley from 1963 - 1981, my parents are still there!
My earliest memory is making friends with the 'girl next door' 'Tracey' and we are still friends to this day. I remember one Christmas when we really had snow and some, Tracey and I were playing out in the Haslucks Green Junior school football field with some others and my Dad started a small snowball, that became a huge snowball and then a snowman! It was there for long after the snow had melted.
Most of us who lived in Stanton Road used to play in that football field when the school was not open and on the 'Green Hill' which used to be at the very end of Stanton road. (Flattened in the late 1970's by Solihull Council for 'safety reasons'.)
I also remember playing in the 'forbidden orchard' off the playground at Haslucks Green , until someone started the rumour that it was haunted!
I remember the sports ground which was in an enclosed square field between Stanton, Sandyhill and Skeltcher roads, it had a disused pavilion which we used to play in... again when no-one was using the sports ground! This has since been built on and is Glascote Close.
My first school was Streetsbrook Infants and I remember how long the path seemed to be into the playground and how huge the silver climbing frame seemed too. The hall and its tiles with rabbits and kittens on!  Mr 'Mac' the kind caretaker and Miss Appleby the headmistress.  Mrs Burton and Miss James, Mrs Tye, Miss Nelms, Mrs Frith and Mrs Charlish - oh and scary Mrs Payne the dinner lady who would not let you leave a scrap! The Christmas parties when we all had to look out of the window and see Santa's sleigh, this was 'red and white lights' in the sky which we never worked out how they did!  Planes I guess!
Then Haslucks Green Junior and yes we all dreaded getting it wrong 'Please Mr sweet may I have my Fox'! I remember Miss Williams, Mrs Carey, Miss Campbell and both Mrs Vaughans, Mr Parker and Mr Underhill and the animal loving Mrs Smith, the drama teacher Miss Whitehouse and Mr Morris. Also Mrs Richmond who taught French and we had art lessons and watched black and white TV programmes in 'her room'. Then the secretary who used to play the piano until the blond Mrs Vaughan arrived, it seemed like she was playing at the wrong speed!
Sharmans Cross senior, oh so many memories! Mrs Beales was the headmistress and I remember so many teachers, too many to recall here. One in particular Mr Pearson who reserved a small plimsole for the girls hidings should he ever need to use it!
Back to Shirley memories, does anyone recall the 'Hole in the Wall' fish and chip shop at the top of Stanton Road, queues for miles on a Friday night! & The dairy next door where we used to go and scrounge 'watch out there's a Humphrey about' stickers!
Saturday morning pictures, the birth place of the 'Hi-Bri' dancers! Anyone remember them?
The Bon Bon's sugar mice and red liquorice boot laces! I also remember the 'Cabin' sweet shop off Haslucks Green road, crammed full of toys and sweets.
I remember every August having to be dragged into 'Shoefayre' to buy my Clarks lace up shoes ready for the new school year in the September, sorry Mum I used to sneak my 'best shoes' to school when I could! How ironic that years later I had my first Saturday job there!
I remember the cafe next to Woolworths, my Mum used to work there for a while and knew the people who owned it and the flat upstairs.
Then my last Saturday job whilst at Solihull College was at Woolies.  I remember the wooden floors and old sweet counter with the 'sit up and beg till', the record counter was everyone's favourite to work on and the light bulbs or gardening the least!
Does anyone remember Blakemore's sweet shop, it used to be open late, (a novelty then!) in the service road off Olton road leading round to Jacey Road. Jars upon jars of everything, no wonder if was open late, it took ages to decide!
The smell of new cut wood always reminds me of the old timber and builders yard that used to be where the 'Hall Green' end of the Stratford road 'Tesco', is now. My Dad used to take me with him if he wanted to buy wood etc. and then spend most of his time telling me to be careful and not to touch anything!
I feel sad that Shirley seems to have lost its atmosphere now, the red route and railings in front of the shops has been partly responsible for this, still memories are great eh!?
Jaci Rogers nee White

Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Just stumbled on this site, couldn't believe how many bells were rung by the comments, I lived in Mayswood Road from 59 up till 84, and the names are still in my head Brian Anckorn (and his sister Sandra), Steve Shephard, Thomas Archer, The Whites (Arlescote Road), The Cleveleys, Russel Hollick, Wendy Lomas. Used to go to the Harvester and then in to Solihull (Captains Locker, Wine Bar for Happy Hours on Saturday, Snooty Fox (Anyone remember Paul The Blonde German!!, sadly passed away now but anyone who knew him would remember Sunday dinnertimes!. Saddlers Arms (crap decor but the best pint of Bass around!!), jumping in the fountains in Mell Square. Just a few that spring to mind.
Kevin

Posted Monday, July 16, 2007
Cycling through Solihull town centre in the dead of night with my mate Steve Gillett in the early 80s and going up the multi storie carpark and seeing for miles then wizzing back down again to ride around the fountain in mell square. great being a teenager back then.
Dave Livesey

Posted Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Hi to Sarah Williams, only just found the site and saw your message to get in touch! Send me an email if you pick this up
Richard Peevor

Posted Monday, June 4, 2007
Hey davey posted jan 22nd 2007,  you remember the rio grande friday nights at yardley. You mentioned Tony Craig spilling beer on his records often during his gig. I was one who spilled my pint all over his deck one Friday just before he started his gig (I was actually shoved by a drunken bint behind me) that's my story anyway. that was the first time I met Tony properly and I thought he was going to flatten me, thank god he'd seen what happened. All his decks went belly up and the evening was cancelled. However the crowd had a whipround to get some cash to help Tony sort out his equipment, They collected over £40.00 which was a lot then. It turned out when he tried out his gear the next morning it worked fine, just needed drying out!!!!!  So he thanked me for getting a nice bonus for the night. We were good friends and beer buddies for the next 15 or so years, anymore rio grande memories or old punters from Friday nights 1977 to 1981 get in touch......
Malcolm Hay

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
I remember the Orchard at Haslucks Green School. Used to have a 'Secret Passage' from there through the fields at the edge of the school leading to a large ditch that ran along the back of the big ugly Concrete Building on the the corner of Hasluck's Green & Stratford Roads (CEGB or something like that). Revisited Shirley recently and will be going to the Donkey Derby. Can't believe that is still going! Will i still be able to grab a Donkey & enter a race?
mentions...never forgot that. Oh and "Please can i have my sweet Mr Fox?" for doing well in Spelling!!
Brian Darby

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
I was wondering if anybody who used to skate at solihull ice rink and remembers a coach called maggie might remember her surname. i ask this because there is a coach there at the moment called maggie, my coach in fact. It might be good to know something about when she was less of a slave driver.
Sarah Pritchard

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
Oh my gosh I was getting goosebumps reading some of the memories. I remember Hobs Moate youth club, the icerink on Friday nights, the cresta club on Saturday mornings (i remember Alvin Stardust performed there one time).  One of my fondest memories was the hot summer of 76 sitting on the grass at the front of Lyndon High School (I lived on Daylesford Rd) late at night telling ghost stories and frightening the life out of each other. I was a mad punk rocker and used to watch a band perform in one of the classrooms in Lyndon, had a crush on all of them i thought they were so cool. I went to St Peters RC from 75-80 and loved it, on our last day of school we threw eggs at each other and wrote on each others uniforms, it was class thought we were so cool walking up the high st to the bus covered in writing. Is it my imagination or did summers seem to be longer and hotter then.  Lost count of all the crushes I had on different boys, but eventually married the love of my life in 1990 in Ireland where i now live with My husband and Son and three very large and hairy German Shepherds. Would love to know if anyone I know still lives in Daylesford Rd (I lived at 21)
Adrienne Nuttall (nee Farr)

Posted Monday, April 2, 2007
Hi, I remember the cinema on the High Street in Solihull. I believe it has now been demolished. Upstairs there was a landing area with old sofas before you went into the circle. Jaws/That'll be the Day/The Sting.  With hindsight it was a dump but it had character!
Steve

Posted Monday, March 26, 2007
I remember being a teenager hanging out in Solihull, the disco at the civic hall, sitting at the fountain in Mell square on Saturday afternoons, spending my pocket money on clothes at Van Allen. As a treat we used to go to the Lido in the park on hot summer days although the water was always freezing!We used to go to the cinema in High st too! I can also remember going to a couple of open air disco's in 1978 which were at the Rugby clubs and a BRMB dj did the show. Happy days!
Jacqui

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Have some great memories of solihull from the late seventies and early eighties, lived in meriden back then but spent most evenings and sunday lunchtimes in the snooty. met ana in there, she was the most beautiful girl in the world!
Brian

Posted Monday, March 19, 2007
I remember going to the Lido in Brueton park. It was real fun. The Cinema on Stratford Road, Shirley, with the indian restaurant next to it. The aroma could be smelt as soon as you entered Shirley. The police station is still there, but it is closed to the public now. Who'd have thought it. A whole day could be spent in Tudor Grange park without getting board. The junior discos were wicked, i thought i looked so cool in my crinkle dress. lol.
Hayley Gooch

Posted Monday, March 12, 2007
I work at sainsbury's in Solihull and we are trying to find out the history of the store. Can anyone remember the date the store opened at its current site and does anyone have any fond memories to share?
Leanne

Posted Monday, March 12, 2007
Long hot summer holidays at the Lido in Malvern Park.
Jane

Posted Monday, January 22, 2007
Hey I remember the Rio!  The Rio Grande.  The best Friday night out ever!!  Lots of birds and lots of beer.  (And lots of blokes if you were a bird!)  A really good time.  That was the time and place to be a teenager. Even if Tony Craig (DJ) did spill his beer on the records from time to time and play too much Van Halen....
Anyone remeber the HUGGGGEEEEEE snowball fight one Xmas eve?  And didn't the DJ on Sunday nearly gas the place once with his new fangled dry ice machine?  And didnt it used to finish sometimes with Parisian Walkways by Gary Moore and lots of people dancing drunkenly to it?  Oh if only we could go back and do it all just once more....
Davey

Posted Monday, January 22, 2007
Subject: 1970's - Mark Henshaw
NOW THEN........
I'd like to leave a message for Mark Henshaw from Cornwall who posted some 1970 memories on your website. He wanted to know where his old friend Paul Kelly was living. He's an old family friend & I recall buying some of his old 45's when he 'retired ' from the music scene during the early 1980's to concentrate on his printing business & more importantly his family but we too have lost touch. He may still be living in the Minworth/Walmley area on the Birmingham/Sutton Coldfield borders close to the Asda Hypermarket .Unfortunately I no longer have the address but I did see him out shopping in Sutton Coldfield with his family from a distance wearing his Blues (BCFC)Top !  His Mum & Dad were lovely people & I have some happy chilhood memories. Unbeknown to Paul he inspired me at the time to become a DJ & I also followed his footsteps by DJ'ing @ THE SWAN in 1984.  I hope information helps you find him.  Good luck.  Regards
Terry Toman alias Terry Dean
P.S.  I used to go to Bloomers in 1975 at weekends but I was too drunk to remember the jocks although I do remember seeing Mungo Jerry on his own with his big afro hair & his Noddy Holder(Slade) sideburns wearing a tatty Afgan coat!

Posted Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Memories of Solihull 60s and 70s
Early 60s - Born and brought up in Knightsbridge Road, I remember my 'uncle' Reg's farm in Olton Hollow (where Masons Way is now), he also used to cut my hair at the Barbers Shop in Olton Hollow. I think one of the Applejacks had a connection there, but that might be my memory playing tricks!  The Slide in Jubilee Park seemed massive, rubbing buttered paper on the steel work made it faster than the Cresta run! The 'Parkey' had a uniform and his own little hut. Later the Concrete tunnels were built, which looking back were pretty smelly and dangerous. St Margarets School in Richmond Road was relatively new in the early sixties and I remember collecting stamps at sixpence each to raise money for bricks to complete the new Dining hall. I spent a few years at the old St Margarets School which has long been demolished. This was sandwiched between the canal bridge and railway Bridge in Richmond Road. Catching the 174 from Castle Lane into Acocks Green was usually the highlight of a Saturday morning, until that is, Mell Square came along and Solihull was transformed from a single High Street into a shopping town centre. You could easily park the car outside of Sainsburys in Mell Square before being dragged along to do the friday night 'big shop' !
Early Seventies - The Monastry Disco in St Bernards Road and the St Margarets Church Youth club. Hanging around Olton Station, we thought we were the hardest gang around, unless we got wind that the 'Brookies' were coming up from Hatchford Brook, and we would swiftly disappear down to the Golden Arrow pub in hope that we would get served to a brown and mild before being asked our ages. No drugs, no crime, just good clean fun. But that was 33 years ago!
Malc

Posted Monday, January 1, 2007
Does anyone remember the old St James school in School Rd Shirley with the conker tree in the playground? I think it must have closed in 1964/5 and we all went to the new school in Halifax Rd. Mr Davies was the headmaster. Would love to hear from anyone that knew me from that time.
Kevin Stolz

Posted  Monday, December 4, 2006
I could not believe my eyes when I saw Paul Judd's ( Spud to his friends) name posted here. Spud, Kingshurst Comp is now the CTC where my son has just left  to go on to university.  Thanks for the Dinner when we were in NZ. When are you coming home so Hilary and me can repay the compliment? I would love to hear from you. Cheers
Mark Clemson (Clem)

Posted Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Elizabethan rooms on a Saturday morning with just one glass of coke(really annoyed the owners!) or maybe Beatties coffee lounge.  Very flared trousers + platform boots - I was never able to get that catwalk look!  Had to get into that 'X' rated film at Shirley cinema so smoked a cigarette- I got it in but how stupid
Mary

Posted Monday, October 30, 2006
Does anyone remember the Friday night Discos at Hatchford Brook youth centre? In about 1971/2 it was THE place to go. I seem to remember the disco started at 8.00pm but you had to be queueing by 7.00 or you didn't get in..... i was one of the DJs (Mark Anthony). Went on from there to the Dizzy heights of fame DJing at the Swan Yardley and Even Bloomers nightclub. Anyone know whereabouts of my fellow Swan DJ Paul Kelly? Me? living in Cornwall since 1980, would love to hear from any old mates.
Mark Henshaw

Posted Monday, October 23, 2006
Everybody at that time had an image, Punks, skins, mods, rockers, teds, etc etc .
Going to the fair to fight the other groups, or at the very least get legged by one of them.  Cheswick green was an idylic place to grow up, dens , fires, nudie books over the mount and winning pomagne at the village fete when we were 14 drinking it and puking on the green. Happy days
Paul M

Posted Thursday, August 31, 2006
I grew up in Solihull in the 1960s and 70s and it was a great place to be. I remember Mell Square with the fountains before it was pedestrianised, a venue for my sister and her friends every Saturday afternoon, whatever the weather. The annual carnival/faire in Tudor Grange Park every July with the sickly-sweet smells of the candy floss and toffee apples, the bright flashing lights and the loud noise of the speakers blaring out Glam Rock music to screams from people on the Dodgems and other rides. I can remember one year (in the mid 1970s) during the afternoon show in the main grass arena there was a bloke who was supposed to be shot from a cannon into a large net but for some reason his cannon wasn't working so instead he blew himself up in what looked like a giant haystack (he survived by the way)!
Between 1971 and 1976 I went to Tudor Grange Grammar School. Some of my closest mates there were Richard Delaney, Mark Burns, Andy King, Richard Pugh (who died tragically young in 1987) and James Holden. I can also remember cycling on my five-speed racing bike (in those days five gears were considered a lot!) all the way from where we lived in Shirley to buy cassette tapes, such as "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John, from the Music Department on the first floor of WH Smiths in Solihull. Embarrassingly, the first single I ever bought, from that shop, was "Crazy Horses" by the Osmonds. We all make mistakes! Later on I frequented most of the Solihull pubs with my mates, periodically going to Scandalls Night Club above the Snooty Fox, which for some reason we called the Snooty Rabbit. In the late 70s and early 80s the venue every Sunday evening was the Cock Horse in Rowington (just past the Boot at Lapworth, out in the countryside towards Warwick). The reason? A band headed by Malcolm Jiminez on guitar called "The Maggots". They used to attract a devoted following until they split due to Malcolm emigrating to Australia in 1987.
It would be marvellous to be able to build a time machine and go back to see if things then really were as great as my memories make them out to be. However, until Dr Who turns up, all the comments on this website provide a good alternative.
Steve Foster

Posted Tuesday, July 25, 2006
I was there when the Queen was in Chelmsley Wood in 1971, she never went again, I also went to Kingshurst school, you can find it on the Friends Reunited website, I used to enjoy going to Solihull Ice Rink as well, it was all disco records playing there then though.
Richard Thompson

Posted Monday, July 10, 2006
Hiya, message from paul posted may 2006 ref rio grande suite yew tree pub yardley.  Happy memories ,i was a friday night regular at the rock disco. Resident dj tony craig,i used to hang out with tony and a guy named hugh marnell we would do various gigs with tony around birmingham in the late 70's. The regular yew tree rio crowd on fridays included big dave, wendy the dancer who mesmerised every bloke each week with her gyrations.whoo!! Dave and charlie the bouncers on the door. Charlie really nice guy looked more like a bad tony christie lookalike singer, and dave who had a glass eye and was rather intimidating. Can't remember most of the names who hung out at the rio on fridays, but always remember arriving with tony craig and hughie early friday evenings, set up the equipment and over to the yew tree fish bar for a load of chips and pies. Back to the rio and huge beer orders and straight into the back to feast!. Then first record of the evening was always paranoid/sabbath,ok a trifle predictable. Always ended with i cant stop loving you/ray charles(just to clear the place quickly). Often wondered if ever has been any rio grande reunions from friday rock discos in late 70's?? Please someone let me know if there are any, Simpler times eh?
Malcolm Hay

Posted Monday, June 19, 2006
I've just found this site and read with interest the piece by Jase. I too used to "play" over at Berry Hall during the 70's and into the 80's and hadn't been over there for many years. We spent many hours in the cellars and climbing the lift shaft to see the dead pigeons in the water tank. Imagining what the mosaic floor looked like in all its glory without the rubble on top. Well, on Whit holiday Monday, I went for a walk over the fields from Solihull by pass and found the remains of the Hall.  The greenhouse walls are still standing but the rest has been completely demolished and nature is claiming it back. Although it does look like the farm is using the land to some extent, as the water tank is now being used for fires. Long may this special place stay in my memory.
Paul

Posted Monday, May 22, 2006
The 70's....my teenage years. Happy days. Afgan coats, flared jeans, embroidered coats, long hair and great rock music. My first ever taste of a rock disco was at the Yew Tree Rio Grande Suite in Yardley. Sabbath Rock on Sunday. We had pink membership cards. There was a crowd of us used to go every week Debbie, Alison, Julia and myself Karen. Also a few of the lads from school, Rich Hudson, Rich Hancock, Dave Parfitt to name a few. I met who is to become my husband there.. teenage romance that has lasted 27 years with a 25 year break. Oh happy days!!! Sadly it is now a Co op supermarket car park.
Karen Ivison

Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The 154 bus running down Blossomfield Road into Solihull,
Jane

Posted Monday, April 3, 2006
I remember going over the fields, where langley school is now, we called it the second fields, the first field was at the back of our house in gospel lane, we had such a great time, free as a bird, played for hours outside,t hen later when I left school, my friends and I went to solihull ice rink, nearly every night, we made lots of friends, I used to go with, terry watkins, ann goostry, chris skidmore,d iane brain, I remember the dj,mallcom, who I know has died now, such a lovely fella, we loved the place, we then went on to the lyndon pub, but thats another story, ha
Christine

Posted Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Went to St James's J & I 70 to 74 then went to Malvern Hall in Solihull 74 to 79 - Mum & Dad thought that Light Hall was too rough!!! I remember hanging round with Mark Gibbs when I was in junior school and playing on the embankment by the station. 43 now and it all seems soooo long ago!! Anyone remember me? Unusual surname...
Chris Wyeth

Posted Monday, February 27, 2006
I keep reading here about the Queens Jubilee Year (1977). My story was that a few weeks before the event I had brewed some beer for the first time but hadn't really had a taste of it. The day before the street party, School Road, all the guys got together to plan the chain of activities, like putting up decorations, deciding where we were going to have the 'side shows', etc. It was becoming a dry argument so I asked if anyone would like to try my beer. Not many hands were raised so of I went and got me a pint and brought it back to the garage meeting place. After a few sups someone asked what it was like? I handed over the half empty glass and that was the end of my beer tasting! Everybody wanted a glass! I was too busy running across the road to get more glasses and refills that I never truly got to enjoy my homebrew. By the time the meeting ended I had missed most of the decision making and finished up next day just winging it trying to keep up with everybody.
The day the Queen arrived in Shirley we had to go to Manchester to see the Australian Consulate and see if we were eligible to emigrate. When we got there we looked at the paperwork again and realised that it should have been the next day we were supposed to go to Manchester. Ah well, we got to Aus anyway and I had seen the Queen a few times before.
Norm

Posted Monday, February 27, 2006
Hey Nikki, Phil and Matthew, if you are still reading this page then email me and we can talk about old times.
BTW the firies didn't chuck water down until we were awake and I put the coffee table I built (sqare mtr) in front of the fireplace to stop the water coming in on us.
Norm

Posted Monday, February 20, 2006
I am at the other end of the world now but still have fond memories of Solihull Ice Rink.I remember when it first opened I was there the first night. I used to go most nights and joined the Ice Hockey club. I met my wife there and 35 years later still together.
Gerry Skipper

Posted Monday, February 13, 2006
I was probably in the ice show that one of your skaters 'talks' about with Robin Cousins.
I skated at Solihull from about1971 -1974 with Debbie Cotterill and Sally Washinghton amongst others.
We all had a fab time I think ...long time ago so maybe time has clouded judgement but we worked hard and I look back at those two girls in particular with lots of love.
I loved my time in Solihull although I went to school in Sutton Coldfield and my mum drove the miles to the rink every day at least once ....and back. My parents gave up a lot but they weren't on their own.
I look back and realise that I was probably quite a good skater .....you just don't realise it at the time.
That said there were a lot of great skaters too - it was such a good time.
Susie Harrison nee Bamber

Posted Monday, November 7, 2005
My name is Lynda Cowell and I'm a television researcher for a company called Shine Television. I am currently working on a new 5-part series about the 1970s and am looking for home movie footage of the era. We're specifically looking for family scenes: parties, holidays, that kind of thing and film owners who wouldn't mind being on TV talking about it. If you think you can help, please let me know or give me a call on 0207 985 7639
Lynda Cowell

Posted Monday, November 7, 2005
Just found this site, Crikey, lots of memories flooding back, fun nights at Hobs Moat Youth Club, occasionally Hatchford Brook (when I was allowed to go there by parents), Many a summers night spent at various Parks with school friends, Elmdon Park, Jubilee Park, Wagon Lane Dells, I remember the Co-op shop by Daylesford school with Green shield stamps, one day 'borrowing' a book from parents and spending the lot on sweets, Anyone remember the Chemist Shop in Lyndon Road? Nostalgia is a wonderful thing.
Debi Heeley

Posted Friday, November 4, 2005
I stumbled across this website and have enjoyed reading the memories of the 70's and 80's. Then I got to Steve Byrnes who lived in 37 St Bernards Road 35 years ago. My family moved into to 37 St Bernards Road Olton in 1975 - and are still there today! The Monkey Puzzle tree is still there Steve - and still reputed to be the second biggest in Britain. I remember the Silver Jubilee celebrations at Olton and West Warwicks Cricket Club - and then rushing into Solihull to get a glimpse of the Queen, and then running down New Road to see her again on the Warwick Road.
Tony Morton

Posted Tuesday, October 4, 2005
To Rick Spicer - Yes I do remember the Ring of Bells fire. I didn't know that it started from a car driven by Frank Lewis! thanks for that snippet. I can well imagine they weren't happy, or indeed anyone else. After that Ring of Bells became a Volvo dealership though didn't it? so probably ended up better off in the long run. I remember my family always used to drive Ford's until then and afterwards switched to Leyland (there was a dealer in Knowle), which meant our cortina was swapped for a Maxi, then a succession of the worst cars in history - Princess, Maestro and so on. So the Ring of Bells fire was a personal disaster for us too!!!!!
John Moorcroft

Posted Sunday, September 18, 2005
The 70's for me meant the big school Lyndon, I was always playing cricket, either down the gully (behind Pierce Ave), over the Tip or at Chapel Fields school. We used to jump over the fence to get in, used a waste basket as stumps( always put it back). Moved onto playing for Warwick Colts, but it was never as much fun. We never bothered with all the clubs just cricket for us lot. After school in the late 70's we found the fun got better in The Lincoln Poacher, had many a fun evening in there, as you got older you moved into the snug, never did get old enough to go in the bar of a night. Still pop back over there to see my mom in Pierce Ave, so much has changed in the area, don't think we could do what we did then now.
John Kitchen

Posted Monday, September 5, 2005
Hi I grew up in Kingshurst in the 70's.  I remember Sundays when  John the sweet van would hoot his horn we would all run in and shout the sweet vans here.  it was quite handy as there were no shops open like they are today. oh memories.
Maxine

Posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Solihull what a place in the seventies, born and breed there, my nan was the matron of the old hermitage, and as a family we all attended lode heath high. Spent many a night at the old sills disco's and the civic, along with Paul Hicken, Dave Pratt, George Fewester my self John Cattermole, enjoyed lots of fond moments, rushing to the fair in Tudor grange park, when it was a park, times outside Dave Hills house when he lived in Brueton Ave. And Andy Rabone at Tudor grange baths, Bri Shermans mum used to serve the best toast in the cafe, after swimming, hanging out, then at the new library cafe and down the locker, and the civic, not to mention the old Greville Arms on a Friday with all the gang. But Solihull for me back then was a fantastic place to live, unfortunately time moves on, and myself well 12000 miles away in the sunshine.
John Cattermole

Posted Monday, July 18, 2005
My memories of Solihull in the 60's and 70's:
The Queen opening the Civic Hall in Solihull in the 1960's - building now demolished to make way for Touchwood Court. 
The Park and the Swimming baths being constructed - What were they digging that big hole for - it was the lake. 
Fishing for stickle backs in the streams - falling in and hanging clothes in trees to try.
Playing in haystacks in Blossomfield Road/Dingle Lane (Tudor Grange School there now).
Playing in empty huge houses in Dingle Lane, with spooky cellars and stables full of buttons.
Discos at the College and Civic Hall in the 60's - Falling in love with every boy who wore spectacles (loved Peter and Gordon so wanted my own Peter)
Gino Washington and the Ram Jam Band.
Sharman's Cross Girls School and Mandy Rice Davies and her entourage - our headmistress, Miss Rushton, with her half spectacles and her arms resting on her ample busom at assembly.
Loose biscuits at George Masons and watching the money fly across the ceiling in a can to the cashier high above you.  Cheese and ham being cut to order.
The Peacocks in Blossomfield Road - close to the Birds estate - trying to pull the tail feathers out to take home.
Lady Bird's Estate - now covered in housing.
Walking or cycling everywhere to explore and coming home with pockets full of worms, creepy crawlies and sheep poo (thought it was something magical).
Lindsay Horner (Wright)

Posted Friday, July 15, 2005
Is there any one out there that lived at Cranmore Boulevard up by the coca cola factory. I lived at the old folks home on Cranmore. Would love to hear from anyone who lived in the area. We lived there from 1964 until 1978 when i moved out. I attended Cranmore Infants in the early 60`s.
Sandra Wilson (Summers)

Posted Monday, June 6, 2005
I lived in Charingworth road with my mum, dad and two sisters Ruth and Dawn. Dad worked at Wilsdons coach builders opposite Lode Heath school. Its now a church which he finds shocking because of the language they used to use. He was known as Hank. My Mum worked in the kitchens at Lode Heath school in the early eighties. I had a Saturday job at Mahoneys builders where I learnt a lot of life skills. As a family I remember going to elmdon park in the snow and using the sledge dad had made in his spare time at work. It had a metal frame he had welded. Two children and an adult could fit on it. I went to the assembly rooms play group at hobs moat and then on to St.Andrews and then St.Peters. We went to Brownies and guides at St.Marys church hall. Our brown owl was Rita, my mum was Snowie owl. 
Tina Bullock (Ankcorn)

Posted Thursday, June 2, 2005
What a great place Solihull used to be, especially in the 1970s. We moved up from London in 1965 and lived in Oakfields Way, Catherine-de-Barnes, which was a new road then. We used to play in the field all day, which I think has now been built on, and eat hazelnuts off a tree. There was a metal tank in a corner of the field which for some reason always spooked us, so we used to dare each other to go over to it! Used to go to the village school, Mr Dingley was headmaster. There was a bluebell wood along Lugtrout Lane, you could wander about freely then without worrying. We used to go down to the fords in Henwood and Ravenshaw and catch sticklebacks in jamjars, and play in the cornfields amongst the hay bales. We always used to cross the road to walk the other side from the smallpox hospital! Lewis's bakery was a regular treat for nice cakes, my sister had a Saturday job there and the van used to go out delivering. We also spent a lot of time by the canal-towpaths were muddy and had large sections missing in those days, and remember it was frequently frozen in the winter. An idyllic place to spend your childhood. We moved to Woodfield Road in 1972 and used to spend many happy hours climbing trees in Coldlands Wood. My dad used to take me to the Civic Hall to see the wrestling-big names then like Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Kendo Nagasaki and Mick McManus.I went to Malvern Hall 1970-1975, many memories of there! We're having a 30-yrs since leaving reunion this July. We used to hang out round the
fountains and in Beatties coffee bar after school. It was Brueton park and the Lido on nice days in the summer, which there seemed to be such a lot of then. I remember the pavements melting in 1976. Saw Love Story at Solihull cinema when I was 13 and it was a "double A"-very daring! I loved Solihull Seeds with its little wishing well inside. Later in the marvellous 1970s we used to park our motorbikes up in rows in Mell Square and enjoyed roaring round and making a racket! Does anyone remember Mickey White riding round in the streak era with only a straw hat on?? Our hangouts then were the Lair and the Captains Locker.Malt Shovel on Sunday lunchtimes. Jasper Carrott used to be on upstairs there at one time when the Boggery had it's home there for a while. I could go on.........
Val Kellaway

Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Does anyone remember Jeanette and Chris Chambers (Jeanette Hasluck Green 64/69 then Lighthall after that time) Chris -Hasluck Green 73/77 and Lighthall after) Jeanette in western Australia Chris in Sydney
Sarah Chambers ex Neville rd

Posted Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Was born in 1971 and lived in Reservoir Road, Olton.  Best friends were David and Julianne Bastock, Owen and David (they were Welsh).  Great times snow bagging down Westbourne Road!  Moved to 407 Warwick Road next to Joanne and Nicola Davies and remember the Round Circle Xmas float driving down the main road.  Went to Ruckleigh School (used to be on Warwick Road, I think) and would love to get in contact with Richard Peevor, Robin Batson, Giles Richardson, Warren Young et al.  Silver Jubilee celebrations in Heaton Road??  Still have photos and Max Broadhurst looked fantastic with his Chopper bike decked out in union jacks!  If anyone remembers Dovehouse Parade and / or me, please get in touch!!
Sarah Williams

Posted Monday, April 11, 2005
I remember the early 70s in Kingshurst. Went to Fordbridge Infants School (sad to see it now boarded up)and recall bouncing down Meriden drive on my space hopper. Ron the Baker used to deliver bread and Dez and Tess ran The Punch Bowl. I remember the fair in the summer in the park and always think of it whenever I hear 'The Hustle' and 'I'm going to Barbados' play. Big candy floss on sticks and days when it was still okay to win a goldfish. Walking to Chelmsley Wood and the River Cole had swans (unlike shopping trolleys today). The Zodiac toy shop. Then it all came to an end overnight when we emigrated to South Africa.
Stuart Perks

Posted Thursday, February 3, 2005
I remember sledging in Tudor Grange Park and the great little cafe above the swimming pool in the late 1970's. I can also remember when Widney Manor station had only 2 trains a day stopping and had fields all around it!  I also have fond memories of Dovehouse Parade and my childhood trips to fetch hot bread rolls covered in seeds from Sonya's bakery on Saturday mornings. 
Tim

Posted Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Does anyone have any photos or details of children and their families who were members of the Solihull Deaf Childrens Club? We used to meet at Ulverley Juniors School, and had some great Christmas Parties and Summer Outings to various places in the UK. I would love to hear from any members from the mid-1960s and the 1970s. Photos would be fantastic to see as well.
Christopher Cooper

Posted Tuesday, January 18, 2005
I was a pupil at Ulverley School and Lode Heath School from 1965 until 1972, and am trying to build up fond memories of my childhood, both in and out of school. Next to my name, you will have noticed two of the nicknames I required: the first from being a lover of potatoes! and the second, due to me wearing at the time - a hearing aid which had a long wire down to the pocket of my shirt, hence me looking like a Radio 1 DJ!! I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, as I now live 600 miles away in Scotland.
Finding this website has certainly brought back many memories, especially of the many teachers over the years who I have been taught by. From Ulverley, I recall, Mr Green, Mr Waring (fascinating man), Mr Johns, Mrs Garnowski, (who started the Solihull Deaf Childrens Club many years ago, and I am still in touch with).  From Lode Heath, the 'old boys' Mr Blackmoore, and Mr Gibbs who were always on the prowl in that quadrangle, in the centre of the school. I recall also the hives of bees which 'Boney' used to take care of. Mrs Lentil (art teacher) I recall well, and Mr Haggit (science teacher), and those fabulous films we used to watch while being a member of the Science Club. I recall a short teacher, Mr Bayliss, Geography I think he taught. Mrs Ginn, Mr (tall) Harris, although I reckon I am taller than he is now! Mr Bleach and Mr Cunningham (Batmobile for his car) I recall also, they both taught music, in one of the prefab buildings. Mr Waldron, he taught Games, and he looked like one of those guys with solid muscles out of Superstars! I remember being one of the first boys to do Home Economics, of which we did as a mixed class with the girls. There was Neil Mason and myself in HE2, but we didnt get to do needlework or ironing, we just did cooking lessons. Once a week, we used to cook for one of the teachers of whom we had invited to share with us, I cant remember anyone being disappointed at what we cooked.  These were the making of me, as I went on to Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts, and trained as a chef for 2 years, and then went on to greater things, cooking as a Chef at the Royal Show, and working in 4 star Hotels in Kenilworth and Stratford Upon Avon, before going into business as a Hotellier and Restauranteur. Its funny how you remember how your career actually got off the ground. Right now I am trying to remember old faces from the past, and it would be great to get back in touch with some of my old friends from back then. Keith McCoy, Graham Bowdler, Neil Mason, Dave Bent, Phil Sullivan, Dave Knock, Christopher Jackson, and many more I can't put names to, yet the faces are still in my memory. I will post more comments as I remember more.
Christopher Cooper (Spuds or Radio 1)

Posted Friday, December 3, 2004
I went to Lode Heath School and left there in 1978.  My sister and i used to escape the 'wag man' and go from Jubilee park to Elmdon park past the Rover works and on to Brueton park.  The day was usually in winter but we didn't care. The danger and excitement of running past Lode Heath was totally electric, by far the most memorable but also the most stupid. All we had with us was egg sarnies and lemon tea.
Helen Chatterton, nee Baldwin

Posted Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Reply to Paul Judd.  Kingshurst Comprehensive on Cooks Lane has become the high-acclaimed CTC College, Kingshurst.  This is their website: http://www.kingshurst.ac.uk/
Jaquie Cook

Posted Tuesday, November 16, 2004
What I remember most about the 70s is my first major crush.I was 8 yrs old.Paul Michael Glaser(Starsky)75-79 Starsky and Hutch.I have held him close to my heart all these years.He still is so good looking. I just love him.11/16/04
Debbie

Posted Monday, October 18, 2004
Does anyone have any information about the Birmingham City Officials Rugby Union Club (BCORUFC), also known as B'Ham Municipal I think. I used to play for them in the 70's when they were next to Cockshut Hill School.  Last heard they played at Rover ground and met at Olton Hall anyone know any more?
Ron Brown

Posted Monday, September 27, 2004
I remember, bill and ben. and andy pandy.and also remember the silver jubilee.the hot pants we use to wear, and big shoes.also songs of christmas with slade and the rubetts.things back in the 70s was great and just memories left how we all use to live and look.
Karen Green

Posted Thursday, September 9, 2004
GOLDEN ACRES - Has anybody got any old photos of the Golden Acres, Rowood Drive!
Simon Carter

Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2004
I remember Solihull - I lived at 38, Slater Road, Bentley Heath and attended Dorridge Junior School then Arden High School. I have a twin sister called Joanne. I moved away when I was thirteen.  I lived next door to the Guest family - the children's names were Diane, John and David.  I remember David breaking his ankle jumping a neighbours fence.  Diane played the piano and John played the trumpet (badly!)  I broke my arm at school and it was in plaster for the hot summer of '76!  We had a black and white Springer Spaniel called Toby and hung about on the park at the back of my house.  I used to walk to Arden school with a girl called Jenny - I cannot remember her surname but she had an older sister called Penny.  I now live in Preston Lancashire and would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. 
Linda Prescott (nee Crump)

Posted Tuesday, August 2, 2004
The ice rink in 1973,what a fantastic place to enjoy a night out, never went on the ice, i used to stay in the bar most of the night. only came out for a walk around the ice, once or twice, but i got lucky and met my future wife, we have been together 31 years now as i said what a fantastic place. any one recall hobs moat youth club.
Dave John

Posted Friday, July 23, 2004
Hi you there! Music got me to this site, looking for memories and comments about a gig of rock group Caravan at Civic Hall, during the Arts Festival of 1972. The date was 25-Jul-72 and Genesis was the support act. Do anyone remember something about Genesis gig that would like to share with me?
It was nice to read all these memories anyway. Thank you and regards.
Alejandro

Posted Friday, June 25, 2004
I stumbled on this site trying to think of Ravenshaw ford and the old house nearby. The purpose was to fill in some detail for a horror story my son (7) wants to write. I remember as a boy in the 70's in between living in Zimbabwe going up to Ravenshaw house and daring ourselves to step in side the ruins of this forlorn spot. I also remember fond memories of fishing and splashing in the ford with my mates, Andy Patmore, Aidan Atkins, Dave Moss....We lived in Catherine De Barnes and it was a great time, lots of space to kick around, and being proper lads.
Simon Palmer

Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2004
The old, old  library, by the council house, midland educational, mac fisheries, midland red buses and as Adrian said earlier NO CRIME!
Dominic Bird

Posted Monday, December 29, 2003
I used to go to Lode Heath 1974 to 1979. Had a few good friends, but now lost touch. I remember Hobs Moat Woods, Big Ben etc and the rope swing over it. I remember buying burgers off Mr Jonnie in the winter during baby sitting. I also remember exploring the old derelict house in Richmond Road before it was demolished and scaring ourselves because we thought it was haunted. I also remember Solihull town centre with roads. Think of more later.
Karen Talbot (nee Hughes)

Posted Tuesday, 30 September, 2003
I remember being one of the first families to move into Masons Way, a new council house estate in Olton. We had lots of fun at the top of the street on the building site - getting stuck in the sinking sand and generally messing around with things we shouldn't be!! Building an igloo when it had snowed so much - and playing "tracking" and British Bulldog in The Car Park!! Going up to the "Witch's" House on Warwick Road, and exploring the old run down house and being chased off by the poor old lady who lived in there with the pigeons (weren't we awful!!) Going up to the canal in Richmond Road and having competitions to see who could clamber across the pipe without falling in the canal! Blackberry picking at the rear of the railway embankment - and of course the Silver Jubilee party held in Masons Way - what a great time we all had dressing up and having fun. It's a pity that we no longer seem to have the community spirit we did back then.
Kate Smith

Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2003
I used to live at 37 St. Bernards Road, Olton, thirty five years ago.
Many happy childhood memories of that time. I do hope that the area has not changed too much over the years, as it was quite an oasis my time there.
Steve Byrnes.

Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2003
In reply to Dale's question. Yes I remember the wood's at the back of Solihull hospital and that fantastic summer of '76. While I'm here can anyone remember the Friday night disco's at the civic hall, now Touchwood, many a happy hour was spent there listening to all sorts of now very embarrassing music from the 70's!!!!.
Steve Fosbury

I have just found this site for the first time, and it has just brought the memories flooding back to me.
In particular Berry Hall. Myself and a friend used to sit on a roof (which was probably an internal floor at one time) and look across to the lake. I always wanted to fish that lake, I dreamed of record sized Carp living in it's reeds.
I tried to find Berry Hall a while ago whilst driving around the area with my wife, nostalging about how I used to cycle around these lanes on my Raleigh Chopper. I couldn't find it though. I know it's somewhere off Berry Hall Lane, and that we had to trek across a field to get there, but my memory fails me now. I wonder if it's still lying there in ruin ? I'd love to fish that lake ... perhaps one day I'll try to find it again.
I also remember cycling around Bickenhill, and the little hamlet there with the church ... and another lake, although it was more like a concrete lined reservoir. I fished it with my mate Eddie one night and we caught nothing. To this day i don't know if there was anything in it, I tried to find it also after I tried to find Berry Hall, but again my memory failed me. What a shame if they extend the airport there, such a beautiful area will be lost for ever.
We used to fish the Blythe where it creates a ford across Henwood Lane (didn't their used to be an old spooky building inhabited by nuns nearby ?). It was so shallow there, but we would catch dozens of stickleback and Gudgeon. One time we camped there overnight just past the ford, and decided to go and poach for carp on the lake at Whale Tankers just over the back in Ravenshill. It was a wonderful oriental pool, with bridges spanning them. We fished it for about and hour or so before we were chased off by two guys with shotguns and dogs. I had to jump into the grand union at the back of it and swim to the other side to get away (with my fishing rod and tackle box). Never been so scared in my life ...
Keep posting your tales, they are magical.
Jase
You were a naughty boy weren't you Jase!
Oh yes! I was :) - Wonderful memories though...
Jase

I remember the Green Goddess Fire Engines arriving in School Road Shirley one night when a family had gone to bed and their chimney had caught fire. The soldiers couldn't wake the family up at first and just crunched up the roof, breaking tiles with their army boots before putting the hose down the chimney and flooding the fire out. It certainly provided lots of entertainment for the neighbours but the Scots chappie who lived there wasn't too happy from what I recall!!!
Nikki

I remember wondering who was responsible for the different coloured fountains every Xmas in Mell Square - only to find out years later it was friend of mine who worked as a Chef at Solihull Hospital.
Ady

I lived in Links Drive from 1965-1978. Cold Lands Woods was a haven for us and we even named a football team after it. Later to become known as the Red House. I remember that being built and surprising the Landlord by having a celebration for my 18th Birthday when I had been drinking there for a couple of years! I also remember going to Jasper Carrotts early Folk Club at Edwardians rugby Club and later at a pub in Knowle. Berry Hall was an amazing place which we played in ,but, always thought we would get caught
Mike

I remember all the fun we had over the Sandies, back of Peterbrook and all the good times at the Green Lane club. If anyone remembers me, Slotty, Tony Hands, Jez Smith, or any of the old crowd drop me a line. I am now married with two kids, I care for my wife now as she is disabled, lots of love to you all.
Cheesey

I lived in Rangoon road in Solihull from the 1960's to 80's. Does any one remember Deborah woods or remember going to the Cresta club. I'm looking for photo@s of it or friends that lived in Rangoon road. does anyone remember the white posts! To Lee Whitehead what number did you live at in Rangoon Road and when? I lived at number 19 from the 60's until the 80's Did you know David Hopkins or Julie Campball
Elaine Cornelius (Mason)

Does anyone remember the fire at the Ring Of Bells garage in Hampton in Arden it. I was there along with Terry Whittingham, Mick Culter, and the owner then Tim Kitchen, who also owned Solihull Motors, which was on the Warwick Road next to the Red Lion. I started there as a grease monkey when I left school in 1968ish. The car that caught fire was a Ford Cortina (brand new) and was owned by Lewis bakery. I remember they were not very happy. The fire started in the workshop when cleaning fluid used to clean engines caught on the car as it was being reversed out to be taken on a test drive!. I will never forget the site of the fire engine racing up Hampton Lane with the firemen hanging out the side as they cane straight from another fire down the road.
Rick Spicer

Long summer nights playing in and around oak cottage school grounds. hanging around on Wadleys Bridge, avoiding my older brothers friends who would try to terrorize you. Solihull cinema to watch Jaws and Star Wars before it was knocked down.
Jonathon Pearce

During April 1974 I stepped off a train from Edinburgh and saw Solihull for the first time. My mother was born in Kenilworth. My impression was that I had come home. A beautiful Town. I lived in School Road, Shirley until late 1978 when we emigrated to Australia. (A dream I had from childhood.)
Matthew, you may have known my daughters, Suzanne, Kirsta and Bindi who went to St James during your time.  My wife and I loved our time in Shirley and have fond memories of the great people we knew. I love this website and have copied most of the pictures to my hard disk so I can make a screensaver of them.
Thanks for the memories.
Norm Coats

Reply posted Sunday 1st June 2003
I do remember you and Suzi, Bindy and Kirsta. Hope they are all well. We lived about 4 doors down...my mum and Dad, Nikki and Phil, also remember you and Mags. What do the girls do?
Matthew


School Road, Shirley - Queens Jubilee 1977

Jim Lees memories of Coldlands woods and the footpath between Heaton Road and Links Drive brought back memories. I used to walk down this path and regularly take a short cut across the golf course through the woods and onto Lode Lane. Strangely I also used to 'play' on the paths of the Grand Union canal. I remember climbing into the bankside drainage culverts and looking out of the slot window at the level of the canal just inches below. On the 'new' Rowood Drive there was a concrete pipe to crawl through and this became a dare for all the local kids. Also I was the first 'resident' of the few Bryants houses at the beginning of Rowood Drive. I busied myself hammering 6 inch nails into the floorboards of the upstairs bedrooms and borrowing the breeze blocks to make a den. I had a great 2 weeks of fun before the site manager caught me and my father was 'phoned to remove me from site.
Garry Knox
Garry Knox Are you the Garry which lived on Lode Lane and went to Lode Heath?
John Rutland
Yes, John. I did live on Lode Lane and I am the person you remember.
Feel free to email for a chat.
Garry Knox garryknox@aol.com

I remember Ravenshaw and Barston Fords, they were sometimes pretty spooky, the Grand Union Canal, which froze over a few times in the `70s and the old sewage works now Alveston Grove, Knowle. Great places to play as a small boy!... Ring any bells? What's happened to the "LIDO", some great days there, esp. in that `76 summer! The slide, diving boards & smell of creosote ( changing cubicles) also the café. Moved away some years ago but very fond memories! 39 but still not grown up!
Simon Sutton

Does anyone remember the woods where the hospital car park now is.
And that fantastic long summer of 76 long days happy memories.
Dale

I remember Berry Hall. Its still there, still overgrown and worth millions.
Hobs Moat Woods, now there's a memory. I'm 42 now and have taken my MTB round there a couple of times for 'old-times-sake'. Coldlands Woods was another off-road cycling venue. In addition, the footpath which follows the fence of Olton golf course between Links Drive and Heaton Rd. I remember Colin Knox, the pair of us were two of the few Pro skateboarders in the U.K. MV Flyer. Solihull is still referred to as "the Village". Whoever allowed the houses in George Rd to be pulled down for a supermarket wants hanging by their goolies from the statue in Brueton park.
An old tired Silhillian.
Jim Lee

Solihull Ice Rink use to do a show every year in aid of Muscular Dystrophy. There was loads of kids involved and many of the professional coaches gave there time.
I remember that they always got a big name to star like Robin Cousins, Torvill and Dean. I remember  some of the coaches Maggie and Vi Thompson also Marjoire McCoy she had the big furry hats, Rosie More, I also remember when the Rink closed for a couple of years because the ice kept sinking in one corner.
Adrian Hamlin

I have had a wonderful life in Chelsmley Wood and I remember the fantastic time I had a Windy Arbor School and the Head teacher Mr Jones is on of the people who shaped my life, he frightened the hell out of me but I held great respect for him.
Thank you Mr Jones for being one of the many people who helped me make the best of myself and being a great support when my mother left.  My sisters and I all feel the same way.
Mandi

I remember Burman Road Infants and the heads scruffy little Terrier, climbing over the fence and the 'magic line'.  I too remember Haslucks Green and Mr Fox with his cigar and being 'allowed' to make his tea!  I also remember the misery of Tudor Grange School after we moved and I had to leave Lighthall (a much more modern school at the time)   I have not lived in Solihull for many years but visit as often as I can.
It's very busy now and seems to have gone the same way as much as the UK but I still have many happy memories of my time in Shirley and Hockley Heath and who knows, maybe one day I will return!  There are a lot worse places to be!
Joanne Meads (nee Vernon)

I love the site. With reference to Joe and Nick, Re the Hobs Moat woods, the children still call the hills by some of those names to this day. I can vouch for that, a few years ago my daughter was stretchered off to Heartlands hospital after falling of a rope swinging over one of the slopes
Pat Haywood

Dorrion Davis
I was wondering if any one had known my father Dorrion Paul Davis.
He passed away about 7 months ago now, and had been an avid skater, part of the Solihull team. He moved away from Solihull / Billesley when he was 19-20yrs old and moved to Australia where he met my mother.
I would love to hear from anyone who knew him and has any memories of him.
Annalisse Davis

I too used to Ice Skate at Solihull Ice Rink.  My instructor was Vi Thompson.
I also remember Maggie (I think she was the one that used to wear the big furry coat).   I remember the year we did a show.  I was dressed up as a reindeer in one 'scene'.  Another one I was dressed up as a Chinese lady, and then a Caribbean lady.   My sister was an icicle. Robin Cousins skated in one show and I can vaguely remember Torvill and Dean skating there.  My dad used to sit on the door on a Monday night to collect money.  He sat with another man who had the same name, Ron.   They were known as the two Ronnies.
Liz Shefield

I was also at Chelmsley Wood shopping centre when the Queen popped in.
I used to go to Kingshurst Comprehensive School in the early seventies but can't find it on the net. Can anybody help me? I live in New Zealand now.
Paul Judd
Hello Paul Judd. I went to Kingshurst Comprehensive School around the same time, but like you I have found nothing on the net with regards to the school.
Del Richards

I went to Mapledene Infants school until 1979 when I moved to Wales aged 8. Our head teacher was Mrs Walker and she was very tall and scary!
I remember going Ice Skating at Solihull Rink for years and being taught by a lady called Maggie. I remember taking part in shows in which Debbie Cotterill and Torvil & Dean also took part. I also remember the Silver Jubilee and being dressed up as "Jaws" by my Dad. We lived at 22 Rectory Park Road, Sheldon.
Vicky King

Does anyone remember Berry Hall, just off Hampton Lane. I used to visit the large house as a 12 year old.  At that time the floors were still intact and you could wander around the house into the different rooms.  There were also large greenhouses to the rear of the main house overgrown with grapevines and grass.  Near the front of the house was Berry Hall Farm, complete with stables and an almost working water pump.  At that time, which would be about 1971-2 we kids could wander free and explore Berry Hall and its extensive grounds and imagine what life must have been like living there. It was a beautiful house and it was such a pity that it was left to rot away.
Garry Knox

Yes Garry, I do remember Berry Hall a spooky but magnetic diversion on the way to Ravenshaw to fish for Sticklebacks. You always had the feeling that someone was watching you. I would visit with my mates or with my brothers Neil or Stuart
I seem to recall that one day we saw a figure at one of the windows and took off very fast. On the way home we would follow the canal from Catney to Damson lane bridge. There are pictures of Berry Hall in two books that you may find at Solihull library. (Solihull A Pictorial History) by Sue Bates and (Memories of Solihull Village) by the local history circle. My mother Dora Mason has a entries in both publications. To everyone keep adding your memories and check out all the years. This is a great site.
Keith Mason

I remember Hobs Moat Wood's in the 70's. I lived right beside them in Castle Lane. We used to cycle up and down the hills. They all had names, anyone remember any of them? I have long moved away, but I hear its all changed.
Joe Kelly

Joe, I remember Hobs Moat Woods...'Big Ben', 'The W' and 'The Question Mark' on my tracker with big cow horn handlebars!!
Nick

Bit more recent memory this one....going into Solihull and getting our first "McDonalds" when they were very much a novelty in this country! Can't remember the year, but it's got to be '70's? Strange to think now how it was regarded with curiosity back then. Also, Tudor Grange park before major road building carved it's way through. I used to live on Lode Lane, when you could count the passing cars on both hands. (Watching old family cine film now makes it seem like we were out in the countryside back then!) "Macfisheries" - now there's a name! My Mum's favourite store way back then. Oh this website's great for stirring memories up, so I had better sign off and give others a chance!!! 
Pete Buckingham

I remember playing on the coal at the Rover Works - it was like a moonscape, and we played at astronauts, or sometimes soldiers. We made tree-houses in the trees round the edge of the test track, and fished for tadpoles in the streams & marshes.
Does anyone remember a guy called Christopher "Ciffy" Burton, who was at St Peter's RC School from 1981 to 86? Loads of his friends have been enquiring about him, but no-one's seen him. Email me if you have news of him, and feel free to pass my email address on to him.
Matt Moran

Those warm summer nights in Tudor Grange park behind the Special School and the Technical College next to Harold Malley sports fields where there was a small pond and a selection of ornamental stone benches and statues set amongst specimen trees and shrubs. Quite a "romantic" place to pass through with your girlfriend when going back from Solihull Town across the park towards Dingle Lane. The remnants of this beautiful   oasis of my youth were still there last year when I made a pilgrimage but vandalised. Nice to have the memory still. Where are you now my love ?
Chris Wilkes

I remember the Queens Silver Jubilee and the street party held for the kids - well it wasn't really in the street but in the hall of Burman Infant School.  I remember having my head measured for a party hat and wearing a mustard and red "Mr Men" dress (um nice!).
I sometimes walk down the gully at the side of Burman School and look at the two really tall fern trees at the end and I wonder back to when they were barely a foot off the ground and can remember sitting in them pretending they were cars. 
I also remember the milk bottle top decorations at Haslucks Green School but can only remember the name of one of my teachers - Mrs Carey, a nice teacher as I remember.
I have memories of lining up in the playground in my class when the bell had gone and the smell of Mrs Carey's rose petal perfume.
Can anyone remember making enamelled brooches down at "club" on Green Lane by Shirley station on a Friday night with the disco in the back room (odd memories)
Yvonne

I remember Mr Fox at Haslucks Green and standing on the wooden steps to the stage reading a passage from the Bible in assembly, I remember running through the out of bounds orchard off the playground. I remember choir practice with Mrs Carey, Saturday morning cinema in Shirley, the Donkey Derby in Shirley Park. In reply to Yvonne ( above) in Mrs Carey's class, is it Yvonne Wood?
Susan Collins

I remember skimming stones on a frozen Duckham's pond, having private wars in the woodlands just beyond; breaking up straw bales and placing them under an old oak then taking turns to jump into it; feeding the donkey down Wheely Lane, the smell of Mr Mauns the butchers and playing with his really old style scales. I also remember Lode Heath High School which I left in 1979.

But the one thing that I remember the most, is the one memory that will never leave me: She was called Pam Thompson; long black hair, dark melting eyes and just about the most beautiful girl I've ever met with a personality of gold, and I fell for her the day I saw her way back in the second year. I may have done some pretty horrendous things in my childhood but the only thing I regret is never having had the courage to ask her out. I live in Wales now but my mind often wanders over the Malverns and Solihull way and it always lites on the one memory; Pam. Karl Dixon

I haven't been back to Solihull for years. I remember St Margaret's School in Richmond Road, I used to live about 6 doors down. Is the school still there? I lost touch with many of my friends when we went to separate secondary schools (mine was Tudor Grange).
We used to go to Jubilee Park and "hang out", go ice skating in Hobs Moat, throw people into Mell Square fountain on the very last day of their fifth year at school, and many other happy memories. I was in Olton between 1970 and 1984 - let me know if you were there too.
Jo Perry (nee Waldron)

I do remember the pianist with the large chest at Haslucks Green Junior School. She was the secretary! She did not play her augmented chords particularly well as I recall. I also remember Miss Pennington (good group here and a good group there) the Headmistress (approx. 1979). Does anyone remember the dreadful dinners? I still have extremely strong memories of a wasp being swatted with a fish slice which was subsequently used to serve a boy's pudding.
Abi Smith (nee Chesterton)

I am now 41,and went to Lode Heath School '71-'75. In no particular order, these are some of my memories.

• Sainsburys where W.H.Smith is now.
• W.H.Smith where H.M.V is now.
• Buying my first L.P. from the Midland Educational store in Station Road. (David Bowie-Space Oddity) Still got it!!
• Beans on toast for 10p at The Arden Grill.
• Buying loose biscuits from Woolies in the High Street.
• Nicking the dog biscuits from Solihull Seeds out of the sacks in the doorway.
• Sliding across the fountains in Mell Square when they were frozen over.
• Desperately wanting a new pair of Wayfinder shoes because they had a compass in the heel. (Sad or what ?)

I could go on but won't, it might get boring. A good site, keep up the good work.
Stuart

I remember the organist at Solihull Ice Rink - My brother and I skated round most Saturdays. I remember they had a system of 'lighting colour changes ', light blue, orange and red signified 'figure skaters, all skaters, or speed skaters - Get Off! within 5 seconds. The organ was a Hammond and there were speakers built into side panels on the 'stage' and a revolving bass speaker. He played 'I was born under a wandering' star' by Lee Marvin many times. I used to hang around Mell square Fountains. Do you remember the fantastic purple foam-drifts on those fountains on Saturday mornings. Soap powder and a certain chemical 'borrowed' from school science lessons brightened up the mornings for many shoppers.
Garry Knox

Although not that old, (in my mid thirties), I can still remember the playground provided by the house builders in Cheswick Green whilst houses were under construction in the seventies. Playing on the diggers and bringing home comics builders had left behind that Dad promptly confiscated!! Cheswick Green was and still is a place for kids to grow up, playing around the Perch ponds at the back of Dog kennel lane in the summers that never seemed to end and were always sunny!. I still remember my first day at St Patrick's school crying in the loos for my mum, whenever I smell carbolic soap, it always reminds me of Mr Rawlings and his two pairs of trousers that he wore. Does any one else have memories of Cheswick Green in the early to mid seventies? I'd love to hear from you.
Richard Smith

Street parties for Royal Weddings on Rangoon Rd, Elmdon. 10p scallops from the chippy round the corner. Playing footie in Elmdon park (Baggsy being Alan McInally!!!). Villa in Div2. Hatchford Brook Youth Club, the venue for my first snog. Valley Infants, Hatchford Brook, Lyndon Comp. Aahh those were the days!!!!
Lee Whitehead

In the 70's HM the Queen and Prince Philip came to Chelmsley Wood town centre to open it.
We were all standing in Moorend Avenue. We were lucky as our school Windy Arbor had a good view of the Queen as she came past and she looked over waving we all had flags.
I remember going home and watching the local news, it was a day that I remember.
When I was at Windy Arbor school our head teacher, Mr Jones took our class to see the lunar module. The one that Buzz and Neil were in! It was at  Sutton Park and I remember it really well. I actually touched it. I remember thinking how small it was and their was hardly any space and you could see all the paint etc.. was burnt off on the re entry.
They were two days that I remember well. As a adult I remember the three blocks of flats being demolished. My Dad worked for the council and was on security that day, so we got a ace view from Bosworth Drive. I remember a bang like thunder and I expected the flats to fall straight away but they didn't there was a few minutes of nothing then the earth shook and a dust cloud went out and the flats fell to the ground leaving nothing but rubble. what a sight that was.
Wendy

I too went to Haslucks Green Junior School 74 - 78 and remember warm milk and also a very mean dinner lady who would send you back to your dinner table time after time to eat that cold liver and onions. Does anyone also remember the pianist with the very large chest (we all used to think she didn't use her fingers to play the piano). What about the teacher who would write your name on his plastic cricket bat, should he ever hit you with it. Oh those were the days.
Jenny Baker (nee Nicholls)

My first memories of Lode Heath School (1978-1983) was that it was the biggest building I had been in! How were we supposed to remember where every class was? The quad in the centre is a vivid memory where no one but absolutely no one was to stand on it! Mrs Dibble was as fearsome and the headmaster Mr Wylde appeared to be the quiet type but never missed a trick! He definitely had eyes in the back of his head. The deputy head Mr Glandfield strutted around the school like a German officer in a raincoat, always holding a clipboard.
Solihull Carnival every year in Tudor Grange park was the highlight of the summer. The smell of candy floss, dogems and the cage (which was the most daring of rides to go on). Every Friday afternoons after school at the Sheldon Picture House with whoopee cushions and having to leave early, missing the end of the film as my younger cousins got fed up.
It happened every time! Having a fish and chip supper at my aunt's Seagull fish shop. Hanging round the fountains in Mell Square, dodging the cars as they drove round looking for a parking space (before it was pedestrianized).
Alexia Cook (nee Pashourtides)

Being an ABC minor at the cinema in Hall Green on a Saturday morning and getting the small round badge that would be worn as a medal all weekend and when I was told as a child of ten that it was to be turned into a supermarket I imagined the check outs down by the stage where the girls used to tie balloons for you, when it was your Birthday.
I was horrified when a big mobile crane knocked it down. The only consolation was that in the rubble I found a white steel tray with a light on that was used to sell the packs of woodbines matches and sweets to the Cinema patrons.
Guy Marmont

I was at St. James' School in Shirley in the mid to late 1970's.
I remember hot sports days, cold winter afternoons doing football. I remember lining up in the dinner hall and having my nails checked to see if my hands were clean. I remember being served braised heart, a curry with no spice and loads of mince and also being underneath the shields representing the houses in the school hall. I can also see a picture in my mind of the Tuck Shop on the way home on Church Road. They sold crisps as you came in the door and then on the left was the main shop with sweets at a 1/2 penny and mystery pirate bags too!
Matthew

I remember being among the first pupils at the new Hatchford Junior School in, I think, 1970. The school was not quite complete and our first lessons were held in mobile classrooms sited between the Infant and Junior School. We were learning to read with 'Peter and Jane' books. The smell of warm Western Red Cedar wood takes me straight back to that sunny room. David Narbett

LODE HEATH SCHOOL
I went to Lode Heath School between 1969-74.
I remember them all. Mr Gibb was called Gibbo, I remember he had some particularly potent pickling acids in jam-jars which were used prior to soldering metals. Mr Blackmore (Boney) had a cane called 'lulu' which I had the pleasure of receiving once for smoking near the old bike-sheds.
Mr Bleach, the music teacher was housed in the particularly smelly music room, the outside huts, I'm sure they were made of the toxic blue asbestos. Mr Bleach had a strange 'thing' about boys talking to girls. I was on the front field during a lunch break and got lines for 'socialising' with some girls, talking to them no less! My brother, Robert Knox was there until 1969, my younger brother Colin followed me in about 73. Bob Haggit was the science master, I thought he was great because he ran science club in the old science room (opp the dining room doors by the quad) You would get some great ICI technical films and get into lunch first. My brother Bob was always in the model aero club with Bob, I remember the characteristic smell of "Clan" tobacco, you always knew where Bob Haggit had been.
Mrs H****r did her Ironing in the stock room, Mrs D****e drank Gin in there (allegedly !) Miss Wake I remember well.
I was always involved with the school out of hours either doing the lights for the play "Hobsons Choice (1974) , doing the records in the morning to get out of assembly, doing the PA for the Garden Fete each year, etc.
I am very keen on local history, esp. of "The Village" between 1963-present and also the local pop scene around this time. Do you remember The Applejacks?
I was just 6 when their record hit the charts.
Garry Knox

I remember walking through Brueton Park and not hearing the M42 traffic. The smell of Vickerstaffs fresh fish. Elephants were paraded down Streetsbrook Road on their way to the circus, and the general lack of crime. Solihull was a village. Adrian

Now it's your turn?
What are your fondest memories of childhood? Some will be personal to you but others will be shared by many of us.

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