 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Are you
looking for something you want to buy? The box above may
help you find it... |
|
 |
|
|
|
HOME |
Solihull
in the 40's
Families
| Memories | Reunions | History | |
Having come across your Internet site by accident, I wonder if you
would be interested in the following:
My mother and father lived most of their married life in Solihull. My sister ( who died
shortly after birth), brother (54) and I (50) were both born in Solihull hospital - when
it was known as Brook House in Lode Lane opposite the current hospital. My mother, Sylvia
Nicholls, maiden name Bradley is now 77 years of age. Both she and my father moved up to
Scotland some years ago to be closer to my brother and I who with respective families both
moved north of the border related to our chosen careers. Unfortunately my father, Jack
Nicholls died aged 85 on the 13th December last year, leaving my mother in a nursing home
in a lovely small Scottish hamlet called Dunning, near Perth.
I think that my father's family was from Yardley originally and his family home was in
Brookvale Road in Olton. When my parents got married they made their first home in Yardley
before moving to Lighthorne Road off Lode lane in Solihull - my first home.
MY mother's family were from farming stock in the Solihull area and I have a feeling that
my Grand father had some involvement in a farm around Copt Heath until the First World War
when he went away to fight.
My mother grew up in Solihull - her family home was in Redlands Road.
My mother left school and worked at the Gas Board in Solihull in the 1940s. I think the
offices were in Mill lane or Drury lane, way before Mell Square was even thought about.
The photo I am sending - attached relates I think to the Solihull carnival.
I found the
photo last year when clearing out my parents home before they moved into the nursing home.
There is some information on the back, although the photo has been trimmed and some of the
details are hard to read/ are missing. Having spoken to my mother last weekend to tell her
what we were doing ( making contact with you) she has helped fill in some of the
background, although she is a little confused and hence the following may need to be
checked.
I think that the photo was taken at the Carnival in September 1943.
The photo states " Police Victoria...or... Victory Garden Show. The writing is very
difficult to read. My mother thought that it was taken in the High Street but there
appears to be too many trees.
The float was Gas Board sponsored and was called "Gypsies and Tramps"
The photo was taken by C A Joiner based at 20, Drury Lane.
The photo states the names of those taking part as (left to right):
The tramp on the far left with a long beard is Mr Wright... I have a feeling that he was
one of the personalities of the "Village" at that time.
Mrs Walker - under the head scarf
Mrs Cotton - on the trailer looking to her left.
Mr Hogg - he looks a real villain in the centre with the crumpled top hat on.
Miss Bradley - "my mom" - she was blackened up. Probably not politically correct
these days! She was about 17 we think.
Mr Wicker - with cap on standing on the trailer
Mr Sadler - looking like Fagen out of Oliver twist. I also think that he was one of the
personalities of the time.
We have not got a clue who all the children are but they must now be in their 60s or 70s.
I hope that the above and the photo are of interest, My mom would be really excited if you
were to include her photo and some of the above on your Internet site. I can arrange for
her to see it at the Nursing home - it would make her day! It would also be really
interesting to find out what happened to all those that feature on the trailer and who all
the children were.
I wonder if any became famous in their own right. I have no problem if
you want to quote my electronic address.
If I can fill in any more detail please let me know.
Martin Nicholls.
MNicho@blueyonder.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
