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Solihull Online would like to hear your memories of growing up in Solihull during the
80's. If you would like to add to this page, we would love to hear from you.
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Posted Monday, January 16, 2012
Hi Jamie, I must have know you as that was my weekly routine. Can't
believe that about Phil Bridge, what happened. I still see balding Barry
in Tesco from time to time. Oh they were the good old days. :-)
Sue
Posted Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What a laugh I've had reading this, happy days, everyone
remembers loot, great if you wanted to buy a second hand amstrad C.B !!
I grew up in shirley and used to start our saturday nights in Strawberry
fields and then on to the shirley wine bar upstairs, before heading off
to byrons or scandals, we thought we were great me, mitchell green, lee
prescott, dallas rolands, carl jeavons, steve bird, Jay Simons, the
kentishes, steve clayton, poddy, fitty mallet, chris gazey, paul stone
and any girls we could get to come with us, generally becky gauder,
linzie hancocks, abbey, justine broadley, great days!! I had three part
time jobs 1 at Fine fair in shirley, one at milanos restaraunt washing
up and one at Haynes Butchers on a saturday which was opposite the
plume, next to tullets, the posh shop, i remember the two daughters
worked there, they were lovely, they always reminded me of lady diana !!
When i was older i had a part time job at The Western jean company on
the high street. Used to go ice skating when i was younger with phil
bridge (god rest his soul) Ian mills, chalky, baldy Barry!! smith, steve
bird, dave fish. used to live for the bank holiday all day skate with my
water proof bottoms, sneaking in the bar for a pernod and black eeh! and
yes i remember steve the D.J great site!! thats a few of my memories .
Jamie
Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I remember Loot, the second hand shop in Shirley, and the chip
shop next door, called Velis, it was the best chip shop in the area, i
remember where Aldi's is now, was the old Maxim bathroom centre, on the
row of shops between Saracens Head and Co-op was the old fashioned
looking shoe shop, firstly Wasalls, then Bensons, we used to get the 92
bus to Birmingham, and the cake shop called Hewro's, happy days, and am
i right in thinking that Shirley Iceland used to be Fine Fare?
Berni
Posted Friday, July 22, 2011
What a wonderful site, by
accident i came across an old post by rory fisher who is compiling his
family tree. if you are reading this rory [or anyone who knows rory] please
get in touch. you wanted information on a tom and jessie wright who kept the
hole in the wall fish and chip shop. they were my uncle and aunt , ithink i
will be able to fill all the gaps in your family tree so please contact me
Frances
Hughes
Posted Monday, May 23, 2011
I am looking for my Cousin Trisha who worked in Argos in the late 70's
early 80's. Used to live in 6 Landor Road, Knowle but moved and we lost
touch. Had a brother called Paul who was disabled. Any one have a lead
that would be great please feel free to email me. I do remember ice
skating on the fountains when they froze in the winter.. when there was
3 of them there then.. Oh another memory her Mother Hazel worked in the
Coop in the tobacco stand, she worked in that area most of the time she
was there. I hope some one remembers. Cheers
Mark
Posted Monday, March 28, 2011
Byrons wine bar and snooty fox every sunday night, and last one in
the sharmans cross on the way home!
Alison
Posted Monday, March 7, 2011
I was only young when we lived in Warwick Road but remember passing
the house of a doctor who lived near my grandparents. My grandmother
would always tell me that the 'nice Dr Felix lived there' and his girls
were the same age as me. I had to nod my head and good morning loudly
and clearly if we saw him because my mother was a good friend of his
medical secretary called Ann, and she wanted us to make a good
impression. I was scared of him as he was so tall and serious looking,
although looking back he was quite friendly. My grandmother is 87 now
and I would be interested to know on her behalf if 'Ann the secretary'
lives in the area still. My mother is called Edith Richards and now
lives in Yorkshire, having lost touch with with all her friends who once
lived in the Dorridge area of Solihull.
S Jones
Posted Monday, March 7, 2011
Well I went to St Margarets School between January 1982 and left in
1986. I lived in Pierce Avenue next door but one to the Gully. My particular
memory has to be 1985 the best concert in the world... it was St Margaret's
summer fayre on the same day - the atmosphere was buzzing it was the best
summer fayre ever!! We had a great B-b-q in the back garden while Live
Aid was blasting on Tele. The Neighbours came round and we partied till the
end.... AWSOME...very happy days. This was a brilliant time for me. I
belonged to 5th Olton Brownies and 1st Olton Guides in that time - loved
every minute of it and wish I could go and revisit that time again. it will
stay with me forever. Thank you Olton xx
Caroline
Allen
Posted Monday, September 27, 2010
Can you remember that old "LOOT" shop in shirley? looking in the window
eating your chips you got from next door. happy days!
Rich
Posted Friday, July 30, 2010
I used to work in the Swiss Alps, ill never forget it! to this day i can
remember Fe Deakin, and Kim Hadler, and Mr Shumacar the manager, clearing
tables, and waiting for Fe to turn up! she was lovely!i remember the polish
chef used to go mad over omellets, was never sure why? Then when i had
finished i would catch the 182 bus outside beatties, then work at the Drum
and Monkey in bently heath. brilliant days!
Andrew Norledge
Posted Monday, July 12, 2010
Wow there are are few names I recognise here. I have lived in Perth,
Western Australia for the past 14 years with my husband and daughter. It is
great reading these memories. I went to Lode Heath and have particularly
happy memories of Christmas time. I was in the school orchestra and choir
and every year we would all walk down Lode Lane to St Alphege Church to
participate in the carol service. I recall you were there Andrew Wagstaff.
Fun times indeed.
Louise Jones (nee Payne}
Posted Monday, July 5, 2010
I've just come across this site and thought I'd add a few memories that I
don't think have been commented on as yet. I remember sitting on the floor
with my friend Philippa reading teenage romance books in Peter's Book Shop.
I remember shopping with my Mum in a shop called Bejam on the high street
near where McDonalds is now. It was a store that just sold frozen food and
was full of chest freezers. The shoe shop with the swinging monkey is Gordon
Scott and it has just reopened after it's first refurb in about 25 years!
When I was 16 (1989) I worked at Pizzaland which is now Cafe Rouge. I was
paid £2.33 per hour!!
Julia
Posted Monday, April 12, 2010
Shirley Round Table are trying to make contact with any past Solihull
Carnival Queens. We're looking to getting as many back together at this
year's event on June 12th. Even if you can't make it, it would be good
to hear from any of you out there.
Eddie Halliday
Posted Monday, March 8, 2010
I was born in 1947 and lived in the prefabs in Azalea lane until
57/58 then moved to Highwood Avenue. Attended Ulverly Green School and
remember a teacher Mr Green. Then TGGS for Girls (Lode Heath School for
forst 12 months). I then went to Solihull College and worked for Barclays
Bank until 1966 when I moved to Bournemouth. I also attended the Arden
School of Dancing and was there when "Simmy" passed away. Message for Barry
leach - I think you and I were going out together just before I left in 66.
I remember driving you to Portsmouth to join your ship.
Wendy nee Mabbott
Posted Monday, March 8, 2010
I remember Solihull in the 80's i remember the cinema and went and
seen ET their with my sister the queue went on for ages on the main high
street. I remember the little fury bear that would go around and round it
was in a shoe shop window. Us kids would stand fascinated by it. I believe
its still their only a lot older and battered. I remember the ice rink at
hobs meadow. I don't live in solihull anymore i moved to coventry 10 years
ago. I do have happy memories of the 80s their though especially scandals
and snooty fox i was a regular there.
Keeley
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2010
I remember Solihull in the 80's especially scandals and the snooty
fox. Loved going there with my mates. I remember the cinema on the high
street the queue used to be right round the corner went to see return of the
jedi in 1983 and i remember the indoor market i think its where the old
barclays bank used to be. Got many a bargain in there.
Amelia Randall
Posted Monday, February 8, 2010
I used to go shopping to Solihull on my own by these days being a
teen, and loved looking and listening to music in Discovery Records, in
Poplar Way there was a shoe shop which sold the infamous stilletoes and
I had a lovely pair in burgundy, I was thrilled, also remember the
Western Jean Company on high street, i had my first pair of skinny jeans
there coupled with my donkey jacket and stilletoes and leg warmers which
I got from Woollies, I thought I was "it" back then. All the St Peters
kids where I went, hung out in Poplar Road while waiting for their bus
home or on the fountains in Mell Square which was where a lot of schools
met up after school, by then the Co-op had changed to Seasons, and where
Paraphanellia and Clarkes were on the one side of the High Street was
became Pizzaland, I used to have my hair done at Peter Webb in Station
Road, and as now in the noughties, Poplar Road was always and always
will be full of banks and building societies. I live in Brum now but
when I visit Solihull, I can't believe how much it has changed, I Just
wish they had left some of its older heritage behind instead of all this remodernisation.
I remember using the Drawbridge pub in Shirley in the mid 80's and half a
lager cost me 47p, so a cheap night out, followed by a bag of chips and a
battered sausage at SeaSpray chip shop in Shirley all for a quid. Where the
Burgerking is now I remember 1987 when it was first a Wimpey and much
preferred that, on the Stratford Road you had Wassles shoes, Robina babywear
shop, Hewros bakers with huge buns with lemon icing, in the corner where the
Red Lion is was Abbis a fashion shop, and where Morrisons is now was the old
picture house. Aldi's used to be Maxims, the bathroom shop, and I remember
down by the Red Lion in the corner used to be a supermarket, International,
followed by Gateway as I worked there over the xmas period one year, Shirley
Stratford Road hasn't changed all that much, just shop changes and a red
line route, in 1985, Princess Anne opened the Shirley Centre, and the chip
shop down the other end of the road towards Hall Green sold the most
delicious chips of all time, Veli's, and does anyone remember the second
hand junk shop, Loot next door to the chip shop. In Church Rd opposite St
James school, was a little tuck shop where the kids after school used to
pile into, its back as a house now, now most of the one side of the road is
occupied by charity shops, which I like to visit when I come to Shirley.
Shirley, virtually unblemished and untouched, still has its older heritage.
Berni
Posted Monday, January 25, 2010
I remember paying one pence to get into Scandals and for that you
got a pint of lager free. I used to stand by the DJ with all your
friends trying to look cool and then at the end of the night, you would
come out into the alley for a burger from the stall right outside the
door. God in them days there was a car park at the back of Scandals.
Sam Randle nee England
Posted Monday, January 18, 2010
I remember the old Solihull in the 80s and the Masons Arms was the
place to be or the Snooty Fox. All my mates and I would all meet in these
places before going up Birmingham to pull. I currently live in Solihull and
have two children and at 16 and 7 time has flown by. Elmdon park we used to
go and play football but I was never any good but would play up front with
Andrew Bennett and we were like brothers. After 9 years as a Royal Marine
Commando and married you loose touch but if anyone can remember Sev please
drop me a line it would be good to hear from you.
Mark
Severn OBE
Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009
I remember Lyndon School and teachers who are still there or just left -
Mr McCracken, Mr Staddon, Mr Edwards, Miss Towel, Mr Lawton. The cornfields
on the side of the school which we were not supposed to go in but always did
- now a housing estate. The swimming pool and lots of chips for dinner -
every day.Does anyone remember Mr Carter the Head? Hatchford Brook Youth
Club - Junior Disto wearing two tone clothes and pretending we were at least
17. Elmdon Park - always there as I lived in Walford Drive. Remeber
especially Elisha Pink RIP and great times we had, and the round-a-bout.
Solihull Ice Rink - spent half my life there with Tonia Sims, Alison
Powell, Laura Middleton, Liz Bennetts, Debbie and Cindy McRichie, Sam
Cooper, Claire Roberts, Bev Farrow. Lads I remeber are Toddy, Stuart
Harrower, Nigel Roberts, Gaston, The Jeys, Mr Perfect. Spent lots of time
avoiding Richard Thomas in bar as we were never old enough to drink and does
anybody remember the DJ - Steve. Underage drinking in Swan Pub, Yardley,
The Mason Arms, Snot Fox and Captains Locker. Hope someone remembers some
of these names. Great days.
Hazel Hodgetts nee Allen
Posted Tuesday, June 2, 2009
More memories of shops on Station Road Solihull
The Ark hardware shop sold Liden whitewood furniture to paint yourself
-very modern and the hip thing to do. Derwent TV Rental Shop Black and
White Tvs with spindly legs. Maison Webb ladies hairdresers in the
corner next to Midland Educational. Check him out on the Pathe News
site. Co-Op store with a cigarette kiosk just inside the door that sold
me cigs on my way to Youth Club. Later becamse Barretts of Feckenham
selling sheepskin jackets House of Holland - Like an early version of
Argos sold clothers driers, brooms etc. China House - Restaurant , nice
red decor inside and subdued lighting. The Old Post Office. Ray
Hitchcock Sports - More of a toy shop
but sold a few sports items. Had Dam Trolls and Gonks for sale in the
window. Bejam freezer centre later became a carpet shop.
Garry Knox
Posted Monday, May 18, 2009
I lived on Heath Gardens when I was child and there was a gully at
the far end where there was a few trees and if you was brave enough to
get thru the stingers, you could go behind the houses between Heath
Grdns and Alston Road. I wasn't really allowed to go there but Jodie and
me always use to sneak off in there and had many happy adventures. I
remember all the old shops where the post office on Damson Lane is.
Especially Paileys and the film shop... I use to rent out films nearly
every day and the sweets were from Paileys and the other little shop was
ace. don't think you can buy sweets like they use to do them anymore ;o)
Heather McCreadie
Posted Thursday, March 12, 2009
Since leaving Solihull for Europe in 1987 I have been back about 5
times - 2008 being the first time in eleven years. It is all so
different but reading this I remember even more than I realised last
year. It was Barnby's (no A) the toyshop - a wealth of things to please
any child. Sainsbury's was indeed where WH Smith now is - Smith's was on
the opposite side of the square; I remember my girlfriend Sally's sister
Nichola Smart used to work there on Saturdays and I got 10% or 20%
discount on anything I bought there. Remember Elisabeth the Chef?
Fabulous patissier with gorgeous chocolate eclairs (and the Danish
pastries from Rima in Olton Hollow?) And the "Chocolate Box" on
Streetsbrook Road by the firestation (on the old railway goods yard)
with extremely expensive gold reflective glass that only British Leyland
could afford(?) to rent. They ripped the gold cladding off in the end
but even then it was still too expensive to rent! The school
clothes shop on the Warwick Road was Manley's. Stocked every school
uniform in the borough. And can anyone remember Warden's on the High
Street. They sold pretty exclusive (if rather fuddy-duddy) women's
clothes but also had a haberdashery at the back of the shop - my mother
bought all her buttons there for the clothes she made herself.
Also in the High Street was an ironmonger - you could buy almost
ANYTHING there (even more diverse than the Sunday market in Liège). They
had a fire and moved into Station Road.
Talking of which, there was a stationers of sorts next to the Jaeger
shop in Station Road - anyone remember the name?
And talking of Liège - does anybody remember Harry Liègeois? Used to be
the doctor on Dovehouse Parade/Dovehouse Lane. A top yachtsman with a
house in the south of France.
Oh and the old SD1 that Chris Hodgskin remembers - I had two of them;
the second one completely stripped out with roll cage and about 240BHP
on tap (nothing these days!) with a mammoth exhaust. Used to wake the
Police quite regularly with that beast but I never got a ticket, just
friendly advice!
Timothy Bolton
Ed - I think the stationers you refer to was
called Midland Educational
Midland Educational - that's the one!
Timothy Bolton
Posted Thursday, March 12, 2009
Can anybody remember the captain locker in the 80s my parents used
to run it barry and jean they had a little black poodle named freddie
those were the days
G Leighton
Posted Monday, March 2, 2009
My hubby Paul was looking for old photos of solihull and came across
the website well we have many happy memories we are what you call
childhood sweathearts Paul my hubby went to Alderbrook school I went to
Sharmans cross he left Alderbrook in 1980 and i left sharmans Cross
school 1981 we married in 1985 and are still married 24 years later we
drank in the George n Dragon on Stratford Road as it was only a stone
throw from my house this is where my parents still live we also drank
in the Crown and the Pickwick and we also went to the Barn which had the
revolving floor!!! We went to Solihull and drank in the Captains Locker
not much of a lover of the Snooty Fox Oh how Solihull has changed over
the years I worked in Solihull at Kents Hairdressers that was then in
Station Road by where Jimmy Spice is now it is now round the corner
opposite Lloyds Bar I worked for them for 10 years now work in
Education!
The bus I caught home was the 189 to Shirley station also the 190 to
Cheswick green that also went to the woodlands of which where Paul
lived Does any one remember the Mount in Cheswick Green and the Dell
at Cranmore where everyone hung out also Cranmore Youth club and the
big Green where Cranmore Skinheads hungout whatever the weather!!!
Cranmore chip shop was where every one hung out with the space invader
machines forget ur x box!! happy Days! 80s were the best!!
Dawn Goodchild nee Evans
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Well i remember being Solihull Carnival Quenn 1986! Whats happened to
the prestigious event!????
Debbie
Parkes
Posted Monday, November 10, 2008
I have fond memories living in
shirley hanging out in the park after school scumping round the back of
val chippy going to the blackies watching the lads on their bikes sadly
my dad passed away last year and because i lived at lighthall school
most of my younger days i was looking at this site and wondered if
anyone remembered me they was my best days it all work these days
Marie
Foulston
Posted Thursday, September 25, 2008
Reading through all of these memories is great, it really takes me
back. I loved Barnabys - I used to go there to get the long strips of
leather to wrap around my wrists just like Morton Harkitt from AHAH!!!!!!!!!
My driving lessons went down the high street on a Saturday afternoon- by
the time we had got to the end, my lesson was over. I also went to see
E.T at the old Solihull cinema and came out tearful. my mom used to go
into Sainsburys and i into Lavells or Barnabys and i would meet her by
the fountain outside Sainsburys. I was on a float in Solihull carnival
with first shirley guides - HI DE HI!!! And we seemed so free in
those days.
Em
Posted Monday, August 4, 2008
I spent the first 16 years of my life growing up in Dorridge.
Reading all these emails is great as Solihull was a big part of my life.
I went to the dancing School opposite the hospital - anyone remember Mrs
Kempster - what a dragon - she made me cry a lot! Beatties, sitting on
the high stools for milkshake. I remember the fountain in Mell Square
very well and parking right next to it. My grandpa (Len Robbins) was the
manager of a men's clothes shop opposite Barnabys (what a great toy
shop). I remember the Swiss Alps cafe where my mum and I would always
have egg and chipped potatoes - it was a real treat! Queuing up at the
cinema to watch Arthur and feeling very grown up as there were no adults
with us. Swimming at Tudor Grange swimming baths and going for crisps
upstairs afterwards. I also remember the lido and getting changed in
those tiny little cubicles! Is it still there. I left Solihull in 1984
and haven't been back since - can't imagine what it would look like but
then again I grew up right next door to Conker Lane in Dorridge and I
know that that is now a housing estate - that makes me really sad. I
also remember the fair in the park - it is all coming back to me now!
Thank you for jogging my memory - what a great place to grow up!
Claire Burns
Posted Friday, July 11, 2008
Was i hallucinating or did every year presto the magic rabbit do
a show at the civic hall?
Chris Jones
Posted
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Chips in Cling Film from the vending machine in the upstairs cafe at
Tudor Grange, really vinegary! Even worse the really warm small pool!
and being chased for staying in after your band had been tannoyed!
David
Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2008
I moved to Shirley when I was 4, we moved to Wiseacre croft which was
for me was the centre of the adventure playground, I had Green Lane
park, the Dell, the Blackies, the Sandies, the aqueduct, river Cole and
canal for fishing in. I can remember going to the Colebrook chippy
which was owned by the Molonus family, the hardware store, Wool shop,
David's Hairdressers, Billy Bogul's fruit & Veg store and Grinnell's
newsagent, the next shop I think was a shop that seemed to sell
everything but the name escapes me which was owned by the parents of a
girl named Vicky? And finally the Delicatessen owned by a very friendly
Greek couple.
As a child I spent most of my time either fishing in the river Cole or
swinging over it! If you ever had a go on a swing over the river chances
are it was put up by me!
I went to Mill lodge school which was only a stone's throw away from our
house across the park - in those days we walked to school on our own and
the only fear was falling in the river when you crossed by stepping
stones - using the bridge was not cool.
Some of the teachers I remember are;
Mr Owen (Headmaster), Mr Heath - spent most of the time chatting up the
mom's
Mr Davies, Mrs Richardson, Mrs Tromans & Mrs Palmer
I really enjoyed my time at Mill lodge; I made quite a few friends some
of whom I still see.
People I remember;
Gary Hughes (Now my brother-in-law)
Pete Breeze, Russell Hawkes, Jason Astle, Stuart Lewis, Robert Lombardi,
Nigel Hutchinson, Andrew Small, Julie Bennett, Christine Davies, Claire
Millward (sadly no longer with us), Claire Merritt, Carl Brinton;
Jonathon Moore, Jeffery Mann, Adrian Lombard, Jill Hutchinson, Emma
Tonry to name but a few.
We used to fish in the Dell at the top of Green Lane park for Newts and
frogs which were there in abundance although it was used as a dumping
ground for the houses that backed onto it, now probably a hazardous
waste ground.
We also fished under the Aqueduct bridge, the canal, and on school
holidays we would cycle to Earlswood Lakes (when Dickens Heath was
fields and Green belt) the cycle ride took the best part of 30 minutes
but when you had your fishing rod made up and taped to your bike and
your sandwiches on your back it was a day out for the lads.
I can remember my brother catching a large Koi Carp under the Aqueduct
Bridge which must have been introduced during the high flood water
seeping into someone's pond - my neighbour quite often lost all his fish
to the floods this way.
Another popular place as kids was the Blackies and the Sandies, we spent
ages digging for bottles in the Blackies and turning the craters into a
BMX track, we always went home with black feet. The Sandies was a
massive disused sand quarry the other side of Peterbrook Road, just as
you jumped over the fence there was something that looked like a swamp,
there was a rumour a child had drown in there after their bike got stuck
and pulled him down like quick sand - I would imagine it was made up?
Over the far side of the Sandies was something that looked like a
guillotine for which there was a spooky story but again made up?
Every November we would cut down the old man's trees on the corner of
Wiseacre Croft to build the bonfire (we did ask permission first), we
would then take my Go-Kart around the Croft and collect burnable
material from all the residents. When the bonfire was built it was
guarded day and night against the Nethercote and Mappleborough kids who
would also build bonfires, we would quite often try to set alight to
each others, on two occasions we did set alight to Mappleborough's
bonfire well before November 5th - Sorry!
They normally rebuilt it in time for the day though.
On 5th November every year all the parents from the Croft would gather
for our bonfire and put their money together for fireworks it normally
stood at least 10ft high and just as wide, we all had a great night with
not a care of Health & Safety, even when my sisters hair was set alight
by a stray firework. I remember the outdoor on the corner of Colebrook
road & Priory road, the Lady had very long hair like something from the
Adams family - quite spooky as a child but It was a great sweet shop and
I could ride there in about 1 minute on my BMX .
Favourite sweets I remember;
Mojo's, Space dust, Flying saucers, Crunchy puffs, Spangles, Golden
Nuggets, Nutty Bar, Texan Bar, Lion Bar, Sherbet dips, Pacers, Wagon
Wheels, Drifters, Marathon's, Black Jacks, Fruit salad, Wispa's,
Refreshers, Curly Wurly, Toffoe's, bluebird toffee, Wham bars and a
packet of Fish & Chips all washed down with a can of Quattro or Shandy
Bass.
Toys;
Home made bow & Arrow, Skateboards, Go-Karts, Space Hoppers, Action
man, Trick Sticks, Star wars, Tonka trucks, BMX, Evil Knievel, making
rafts from a pallet obtained from the Animal Mill and an inner tube from
Plume tyres tied together and floated on down the river.
Cars around then;
Marina, Dolomite, Viva, Maxi's, Allegro, Escorts, Fiesta, Rover SD1,
Cavalier and the Mini.
Chris Hodgskin
Posted Monday, May 5, 2008
Heavens above, Andrew Humphries, Leo with twin! The Snooty Fox (Paul
and Zoe swanning around like a couple of racehorses), The Masons Arms (Fred
and Doreen - bless), The Captain's Locker, The Count, The Black Red Rose
Room....The Woolworths Job mmmmn say no more.....assorted electrical goods
and 17 Mars Bars as I recall Your Honour. Tut, tut. I remember those days,
we were all of 17. No wonder I fled to The Colonies and the tropical climes
of Port Douglas. Where is Ken?
Benson
(Susan) Bryan
Posted Monday, May 5, 2008
I now live in Australia so to read these e-mails is great! I went
to Alderbrook School, left in 1985, really love to hear from anyone who was
around then. I came back to Solihull for a visit a couple of years ago and
thought what a shame it was that the 'village' has shifted away from the
square to Touchwood Shopping Centre. Remember when you used to be able to
dangle your feet into the water and hang around and check out the boys!
Rachel Staggs (Horton)
Posted
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I remember when the McDonalds opened and I ate 12 hamburgers
and was sick all down my jumper! I remember the skinheads smoking by the
climbing wall at Lode Heath and I was always getting "posted" by the 3rd
year kids! You were either a Mod or a Rocker too, happy days!!
Kevin Oakes
Posted
Monday, December 10, 2007
Does anyone know Martin Handy lived in Castle Brom, dad died
a couple of years ago.
get in touch x
Michelle
Posted
Monday, November 19, 2007
My fondest memory is the swinging monkey (or monik as I called
it when I was a kid) in the shoe shop window on the High St. My sis and me
would love to watch that little fella and a visit to Solihull was not
complete without him. I believe he's still there but looking a little worn
with time, much like us all!
Greg Hayes
Posted
Monday, September 24, 2007
I remember when Mell Square would be covered in a mass of
white foam when a box of fairy was thrown into the fountains (happened most
nights). I also remember my dad who would drive round and round Mell
Square on a Saturday waiting to find a parking bay. I just thought' you
could still get a bus then outside the picture house without having walk
down the high street. People seemed to talk to each other back then too. i
always remember being in Woolworths on Christmas Eve and it started to snow
the injuries suffered stampeding outside through great big metal and glass
doors were not worth it as it never lasted.
Where my mum's horse field was its now a hotel the one across from the
carpark entrance to Touchwood. The court house is built on where she had
stables in Herbert Road. They used to store the round tables Father
Christmas float in one of the stables. One of best things about summer was
when Bob Wilson's fair turned up in Tudor Grange park. And the all the
carnival floats would end up at the park. Always went on one as a kid.
People would chuck money at you and you try catching it with your bucket. It
really hurt if it got you in the face or head. My dad used to use his works
lorry for a float . I remember when Widney Manor train station was just a
glass bus stop on a deserted platform and the M42 Ended (or started) at the
Stratford Road island.
I remember dumping rubbish with my dad at Hay Lane tip where now its just
houses waiting to blow up from decades of rotting rubbish beneath them
producing gas. Now that's a sobering thought. The lido who can forget that
with its multi coloured changing room doors all around the edge of the pool
and if you felt brave the water slide. And the shop down the far end. You
could leave your things lying about then on your towel and they would still
be there when you got back to them. Those really were great times. Walking
under the white painted arch type building down the narrow road just off the
end of park avenue and going through the green wooden door into the pool
area back when summers were summers . It seems a life time ago. And I was
only just 11 in 1980
Robin
Turrell
Posted Wednesday,
August 15, 2007
I used to live in a big red bricked house next to Malvern Lido in
Park avenue, my dad was the pool engineer and I spent every waking hour in
the summer holidays in that pool, along with my two brothers ( who went to
Malvern Hall School. I went to St. Peters School because when it was time
for me to go to senior school, Malvern Hall had closed down). I also
remember the "Swiss Alps" or "Swiss Cottage"? restaurant on the high street,
it did fantastic hot chocolate!! Does anyone remember "Smarties" clothes
store on the corner of Poplar Way? it did a great line in pedal pushers and
rara skirts. My very fave shop was next to Peters book shop called "Paraphinaelia"
not sure of the spelling!, it sold rolls of stickers that you could buy just
one of and coloured sheets of writing paper. I probably sound like a nutter
now, but once you think about it, loads of funny memories come back to you.
Blimey I could go on all day. I loved growing up in Solihull in the 70's,
and my saddest feeling is that my old infant school ( St Augustines) is now
a car park. I live in Cornwall now and haven't been back for a good few
years, but if anyone remembers me ( Becky Bishop, long white blonde hair
then, running around the lido in next to nothing - like I said it was the
innocent 70's,) send me a mail, its good fun talking about a shared past.
Rebecca Louise Bishop
Posted Monday,
July 9, 2007
I remember going to see rock bands at 'The Lair', the old lounge of
'The Golden Lion', and being overcome by smoke in 'The Captain Locker' when
the ventilators weren't working. After the pubs shut it was off to
'Scandals' or 'The Aero Club' (if you could get in) and if you weren't
dressed up for the occasion, then it was off to 'The House of Orchid' (or
'Our Kid') for a Chinese meal. Shops include 'Simpsons' the fishmongers, 'RS
McColl' newsagents and 'Rowleys' butchers. The open air disco's at the
various rugby clubs always seemed to be a good laugh as was sitting around
the Mell Square fountains waiting for the pubs to open at 5pm. Good times!
Ivan Szrejder
Posted Tuesday,
March 6, 2007
This is a great site it's just a shame not more people link to it. I
was a regular visitor to the Solihull pub scene between 1983 - 1988. Many a
good night spent at The Snooty Fox and then on to Scandals. There was Lady's
night on a Wednesday when all drinks were 50p (happy days). Who remembers
Valentinos at the back of 'the Boat' on Hampton Lane? 'The Business' night
club at the Boot, Honiley. It we really felt adventurous then it was off to
'The Swan' at Yardley now office buildings. Happy days
Steve Edgington
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007
I remember when it was 2
pence to go anywhere on the bus so me and my friends used to alternate
between 'the big W' in the woods at Hobs Moat, and Solihull town centre (or
Solihull village as my mum still calls it). We used to walk through
Poplar Way and buy a blue Slush Puppie from Menzies (where M&S is now). There used
to be a Braggs (now Greggs) on the High Street where you could go upstairs
to their cafe. I saw ET at the pictures and pretended that I was the only
one of my six friends that didn't cry when he died! I remember John Taylor
from Duran Duran being spotted in a shop by Beatties, when it was still a
windy alley, and us trying to get to Solihull before he disappeared. We
failed...
Happy Days!!
Bev
Posted Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Having read these I felt compelled to answer some of the questions
asked. The cafe in Windy Alley, still exists and is still windy! The
record shop on the corner where Howard Jones appeared in '83 was
Discovery Records (now Fat Face Clothing). The indoor market was always
temporary as the Touchwood project was always going to happen and
re-structure the entire centre. All the pubs are still in there but
generally all are re-named apart from the Barley Mow, Saddlers Arm's and
Mason's Arm's which generally still look the same today. Scandals night
club, the place to be, went years ago and was 'modernised' in various
designs but is current called 'Reflex' and you've guessed it, play 80's
revival music? How times change......
Jools
Posted Friday, June 16, 2006
Does anyone remember Byrons and Shades about 20 years ago
1986/87? Frequented both on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Fond
memories of smoke filled bars, waiting 20 minutes to be served and tons
of really good looking fellas. White stilletos, tight jeans and big
hair were standard uniform. Sometimes used to go to Scandals night club
afterwards - fab times.
Leah
Francis
Posted Monday, June 12, 2006
Well, I must be really old! Solihull was referred to as 'the
village,' when I was young. I worked in the Bon-Bon on the high street
serving Henley ice cream to the long queues on a Sunday afternoon. By
the way, I was paid 10p an hour! Wrensons and Masons grocery shops were
there selling sugar in blue fold up bags as was the greengrocers (Co-op
I think) whose fruit & veg counters spilled over onto the pavement.
Later on Frescos the coffee bar was the place to be seen on a Saturday
afternoon which was located where Yates Wine Lodge is now. I spent many
happy hours at the Lido, getting changed in the wooden dressing rooms.
On Monday night it was the jazz club at the back of the Masons Arms and
on Thursday was the 'Twist' Club! Happy days, where has the time gone?
Susan Minchew (nee Fogarty)
Posted Sunday, May 14, 2006
I am not from Solihull but I met and married my first husband, Steve
Harwood, in Solihull in 1979. We met at a disco above a pub in the High
Street but I cant remember its name now. We then lived in a flat at
Water Orton but I longed to live in Solihull. Steve worked for Hobart
just up the road from Small Heath and I worked for Acas in Alpha Tower
and then in job centres in Small Heath and Washwood Heath. Steve's mum
and dad used to work at Solihull School. He and his elder brother Tim
both went to Lode Heath and Tim still lives in Olton. I met him through
a friend of mine called Gillian Rowledge aka Gill Reynolds who used to
work at the Rover works and had a little house off of Lode Lane and then
a bigger one in a group of houses that formed a complete circle at the
back of Hobs Moat. She married a guy called Bob Glen. I am coming back
to Solihull on 27/5 for the first time since I moved back south in 1981
and I will be staying at the Wheatsheaf for the weekend. It will be very
very strange to return and it will bring back a lot of happy memories.
By the way does anyone know of a good hairdresser in Sheldon where I can
have my hair done before the wedding??
Janette Crisp
Posted Monday, November 14, 2005
I had such fun growing up in Solihull. I remember Friday night discos
in the Civic Hall, all totally innocent then, no booze involved! also the
fair in June in Solihull Park, all mates together, Toody, Elaine,
Alison, Dawn and Jackie. living in Ireland now but always think of the
girls x x x
Marie Farrell (nee Lynch)
Posted Monday, November 14, 2005
I just came across this website looking for 1980's clothes for my
work party how bizarre. Everybody seems to remember the old cinema which
used to cost about a £1 to get in. Had to move out of Solihull because
the cost of the houses but my family still live there.
Chris
Posted Thursday, October 13, 2005
I remember being at the
cinema to see ET and caught the bus home with my sister and the bus driver
asked if i was ok cause I had been crying (well it was a sad film!!) The
cinema was where the royal bank of Scotland is now. those were the days!!
Tracy
Posted Monday, June 13, 2005
I didn't see "the temple of doom" but I did see "the last crusade"
there. Does anyone know why they didn't just let you buy the tickets
before-hand, rather than making everyone queue down the road? Also, I
remember when there was a KFC as well as a McDonalds. Back then we had a
choice about our fast food. It didn't last long though, did it?
Ben
Posted Monday, May 9, 2005
Glad to see a lot of shared experiences ! i remember standing in the
huge queue for Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom stretching into Drury Lane
(?); hours spent at WH Smith which had switched from one side of Mell Square
to the other in about 1980; the well -stocked Beatties toy department and
seemingly huge toy store at Barnabys where i got a 10% store discount from
kindly staff; waiting with my brother and sister at the fountain for my mum
to return to our car parked opposite (or waiting at the bigger Pay & Display
car park near Solihull library); ordering books at Peter's bookshop; the
material shop run by an Asian gent next to one of the first Kwik save
stores; dad buying one of the first microwave ovens (a Tapan) at Bejam;
buying a Nike tee shirt and Galleni body warmer at Burtons to go with my
first pair of jeans (grey) brought at M&S; i think the record store was an
Our Price...
Erum
Posted Monday, April 11, 2005
I remember going into Barnabys toy shop, at the back of Beatties,
going upstairs past all of the glass cabinets full of toys.
Mark
Posted Monday, April 4, 2005
I have lived in the U.S. for the past 40 years but I grew up in
Solihull and remember going to Solihull Lido all through the summer
Holidays, I have such fond memories of that time.
Barbara Rickaby DeSantis
Posted Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Sorry - the guy who did all the games at Hatchford Brook YC was Pete
not Rob - my memory is definitely getting worse with age!!
Jane
Posted Saturday, June 5, 2004
I was in that queue to see Grease - dressed in 1950's circle skirt
and ankle socks. My friends and I took it in turns to go into the shop over
the road - Paraphernalia - to sit down on the sofas for a rest. We always
went to the cafe on the top floor of Beatties and I clearly remember
McDonalds opening - we went in our lunch hour from Tec. Spent most of my
Friday night's in the Captain's Locker. My fondest memories though are of
Hatchford Brook Youth Club - Dave Coombs who was the main man there and Rob
who used to do all the sporty things - the pool room was excellent and
monthly discos, fantastic! I remember doing a 24 hour sponsored disco dance
there where you weren't allowed to stop dancing except to go to the loo -
what a great time.
Jane
Posted Monday, April 19, 2004
Ah, sitting round the fountains in summer with your mates
watching the posers in their cars drive round! Everyone at some point went
in that fountain - from choice or not! We all jumped in it the day we left
school in 1984. The Captain Locker, Snooty Fox and Scandals were the places
to be at the weekend. What was the record shop on the corner? We wagged the
afternoon off school to get signed photos of Howard Jones when he visited in
about 1983. Good days, I have to say I hate Solihull centre now, especially
Touchwood. Traffic is a nightmare all round the vicinity and parking is a
joke.
S Jay
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Gosh, I grew up just on the outskirts of Solihull in the 80's. I remember the Indoor
Market, and Barretts, going shopping there with my best mate without parental assistance!
Juliet Dowling
Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2004
I didn't think I was old until I read all this lot.. I can remember dad parking right in
the middle of Mell Square. I remember queuing for Rocky at the old cinema. Fosters on the
High Street - bad grey fleck trousers were in at the time. As I lived in Prospect Lane -
can anyone remember the old Lucas Playing field. My dad (Phil) was a good footballer and
played for the Marshall Lake Road team, I still remember it, this I reckon is one of my
earliest childhood memories! Solihull is such a top place.
Rob Hall
Posted Friday, December 12, 2003
Me and my friends lining up for 6 hours just to be the first in the Cinema on the high
street to see Return of the Jedi in 1983.....
Andy Wagstaff
The Clark's shoe shop in the High Street with the swinging monkey in the front window --
bubbles in the fountain at Mell Square -- Beatties when it was a real department store not
just a poor man's copy of Debenhams -- being pecked by the geese in Brueton Park -- My nan
asking the staff at McDonalds for cutlery & plates -- first snogs in Tudor Grange park
-- the school uniform shop where we were measured for new school kit and then still given
clothes 4 sizes too big - the list goes on and on! I live in Manchester now but still come
home to Dorridge often. Solihull has changed loads - Touchwood and the markets in the High
street are nice but when I was a kid I thought Solihull was the largest town in the world
and it's sad to see how small it really is (there again, wagon wheels were the size of
dustbin lids & Curlywhirly's were a metre long!!)
Kate Upton
I remember the carnival going down the high street, we always used to stand by the old
cinema. Also remember the cafe on the high street.
Chris Jones
I remember McDonalds opening in Solihull, it was a really big thing, we lined up for ages
just to get our first taste of a Big Mac and a triple thick milkshake. My kids think that
must have been in the Victorian times, and when I try to explain how Solihull used to look
when i was a kid, they look at me as if I am speaking a different language.
Rachael Dakin
I too remember the toy shop opposite the old Mothercare (now MKone) and distinctively
remember my mom buying me a small wind up boat for in the bath!
I also remember seeing the Disney film, Aristocrats, in the old cinema on Solihull High
Street.
Julie
I have lived away from England for almost 19 years and left shortly after qualifying as a
Nursery Nurse at Solihull technical college and I have wonderful memories of my time
there. I have just found this web site, it was so nice to see photos of Solihull after so
much time.
Debbie Jackson
I remember Mell Square when you could drive into it and park outside Sainsbury's (where WH
Smiths and Boots are now located). I remember when the Mell Square shopping centre when it
first opened, and getting Trevor Francis' autograph when Lewis' the news agents opened
opposite. I went to Tudor Grange 1983-1988, and did Commerce where we had to write a
questionnaire about a proposed new shopping centre to be built near the library - 20+
years later Touchwood is a reality! I remember in 1979 queuing at the cinema to see Grease
on the opening day, the queue went round past the car park where Thomas Cooks used to be.
I also remember parking in the Beaties car park and going to the restaurant on the top
floor with my Mum for a milkshake. Does the small cafe above the shops in Windy Ally still
exist - near the Early Learning centre? If anyone knows of ex-Tudor Grange/Hockley Heath
pupils 1976-1988 please email me!!
Jonathan Bryant
Tudor Grange when it was just a swimming pool, no squash courts, no slides, no sports
centre. Mell Square when the fountains were working. The toy shop Barnaby's (?) opposite
Mothercare. Barratts (horsey shop) when it was near St. Alphage.
The cinema. Last but not least something that is still there, Poplar Multi Storey.
I can vaguely remember the 'old' Mell Square with the large fountain in the middle where
the cafe bar is now. Sainsburys used to be, I think, where WH Smith is now - and my Mum,
Joan Sherfield, who sadly died last year, worked there and was the checkout manager - the
uniform used to be blue checked 'apron' coats, if I remember rightly.
Liz Sherfield
I remember going shopping with my parents and parking outside Mell Square where that
centre cafe is now. It was a proper town then before it was all
pedestrianized.
Paul
For the gentleman who went to St. James the Great 'the red one' was Galahad. I too
went there but that was 1979-1983 when Mrs Ransen was in charge. I recently met an
old teacher from the school, Mrs Hipwell, she was teaching my daughter at nursery and
recognised me immediately. I also had Mr Morgan for my last year there.
Incidentally I was in Lancelot.
Hazel Braddish
 |
Unfortunately I am still quite young. I
do remember going shopping with my parents in Solihull, and always getting shouted at for
running into the High Street which was always busy with cars and lorries on Saturdays.
That's it I'm afraid, but its been wonderful hearing all of the other stories.
Emma |
During 1985 Bob Geldof's Live Aid made millions of pounds for the starving in Ethiopia The
world's rock elite got together for a mammoth intercontinental charity concert. Dire
Straits, U2, Queen, David Bowie, Madonna, and Status Quo were just a few of the stars who
took part and The event became the prototype for just about every Telethon and live
charity event afterwards.  Live
Aid is announced
 Sinclair ZX81
New, improved specification Z80A micro-processor - new faster version of the famous Z80
chip, widely recognised as the best ever made, a new powerful 8K BASIC ROM, 1K-byte RAM,
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Key words (RUN, LIST, PRINT, etc.). Kit or built - it's up to you! 1K-byte RAM expandable
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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.
WANTED copyright free pictures of Solihull in the 80's
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Get in touch with lost friends or
family. Would you like to make contact with Old School Friends, Work Colleagues or Family
from the Solihull area? Maybe even arrange a Reunion. |
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Do you remember
Betamax Video, Live Aid, Mouse Trap, CB Radio
and Rubik Cubes?
TV Programes
The A-Team
Bagpuss
Battlestar Galactica
The Banana Splits
The Clangers
Dastardly & Muttley
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The Double Deckers
Fireman Sam
Grange Hil
Hi-De-Hi
Inspector Gadget
Knight Rider
Miami Vice
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News
Postman Pat
Rentaghost
Spitting Image
Teenage Mutant Turtles
Thomas The Tank Engine
Tiswas
Worzel Gummidge
Crowds packed the streets and millions watched worldwide on television when Charles and
Diana were married in St. Paul's Cathedral 29th July 1981
The Falklands War
1st April-14th June 1982 |
