Posted Tuesday, July 20, 2004
My dad and mum lived in a prefab in Rodney Road with my two brothers just after the war, when I was born we moved to a council house in Shirley, the family name is  IVORY, anybody out there?
Jean Tuck nee Ivory

Posted Friday, July 16, 2004
Hello, my name is Jill Perkins (nee Moore) and I lived with my parents and brother, Terry, in Dianthus Lane prefabs, having moved from 1 Harvard Lane near the Wheatsheaf. Although I am nearing 60 I can remember life in the prefabs very well and what happy days they were.   We had a black dog called Mutty who followed me everywhere and my Mum, Dorothy, always knew where I was.   I recall trapping my fingers under one of the doors in the prefab and causing an uproar as well as pulling the old twin-tub washing machine down on me - I still bear the scar across the top of my nose to this day.  I am still friends with Linda Bushill (now Maxfield) but I can't remember which lane she and her family lived in. I remember the great community spirit too. We moved from the prefabs to Westcote Close and I returned to live in my family home four years ago following my Mum's death. Great memories and I would love to hear from anyone who may possibly remember me or my family.
Jill Perkins

Posted Saturday, June 12, 2004
I am looking for photographs of prefabs in  Lillington Leamington Spa, that were demolished in the mid 70's
Jill Emeney

Posted Friday, April 9, 2004
I'm looking for information regarding B.I.S.F Homes built from 1948. Can anyone out there help or have e-mail addresses or phone numbers of people/places I can contact?
Steven

Prefabs

I am trying to find out any information about the prefabs in Solihull. My father was born in one on Bluebell Lane, but we can't find anyone who remembers them.
My grandfathers name was Percival Brown and he had two sons Malcolm and Jon. If anyone can remember them or the prefabs I would love to hear from you.
Samantha Brown

Reply Posted Sunday, January 4, 2004
Just reading about Samantha Browns question about the old prefabs in Solihull, yes I can remember them clearly. My parents who both came from Coventry lost their home during the blitz and were moved to the prefabs in Solihull. although I only lived there until I was 18 months old, they were meant to be temporary homes but they were not knocked down until about 1968 I think.
Paul Buckley

Reply Posted Friday, December 12, 2003
Hi Samantha. I cant say that I remember your father or grandfather but I do remember the prefabs & Bluebell Lane I was a bit younger at the time, my sister Pat Jordan lived in one 3 Dianthus Lane which was the next lane but one.

The lanes in the prefabs were all named after flowers and went in alphabetical order, Azalea being the closest to Castle Lane and branched off from Faulkner Road, just about opposite your grandfathers house was a few prefab shops that ran from opposite Bluebell lane and went round in an arc down Castle Lane to Lode Lane.

If my memory serves me right 0pposite your grandfathers was an ironmongers, then a Grocers, a cobblers, a dress and sewing, knitting shop, a cake and bread shop (Charlie the owners name I think), a fish and chip shop (Bill Nattress) a newsagents (possibly Dillons) then a Post Office on Lode Lane. When the prefabs were knocked down many of the shops re-located to Lode Land precinct.

The prefabs were supposed to be temporary for families until a house became available, in reality people were there for years, none the less many were proud of their little home and kept them well decorated and furnished and I cant recall any arguments or trouble, in fact there was a great little community where people often helped each other.

Hope I have been of some help, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Walter Savin savinw@aol.com

Reply Posted Monday, May 26, 2003
Hi Samantha, I was talking to my mother the other day and mentioned your e-mail. We lived on Marigold lane which was close to Bluebell lane. These prefabs were on or close to Rodney Road and most of us kids went to Ulverley school which was the closest. Mom has a very old friend by the name of Barbara Williams who lived on Bluebell. I asked her to see if she knew a Percival Brown and when next I talk to her I'll see if she was able to come up with any info. As an aside, my late father loved the prefab and always said he wished he could take it with them when they moved! Mom mentioned that in the kitchen the dining table folded up into the wall and that they made very efficient use of the available space. I will let you know if she is able to add anything further.
Regards from Vancouver Island.
Richard Wilford

Reply Posted Tuesday, 13 May 2003
The largest collection of prefabs in Solihull was located on Lode Lane
opposite the Rover works, and whilst Bluebell Lane does ring a bell with me I am not sure it was on this estate although most of the lanes had names after flowers and trees.
I lived in a prefab on the above estate for a number of years until they pulled them down in the late 1960's, I lived in Ivy Lane. They where built just after the war and were supposed to last for just ten years, but in fact lasted over twenty.
There were other smaller groups of prefabs spread around the Solihull area and it is possible Bluebell land may have been at one of these locations.
The design of them was very good most had two bedrooms, living room with an enclosed solid fuel fire, which heated the whole building through ducting when in use, a fitted kitchen and a bathroom/toilet. There were three doors one at the front, one at the side from the kitchen and one from the living room out onto the back garden. We loved our prefab and sorry to have to leave when we did, they were well designed and comfortable little bungalows.

Hope this information helps
Best Wishes
John Davies

Prefabs were a common site around Solihull and Birmingham during the 40's and 50's some still remain to this day. Many were built between Castle lane and Ulleries Road in Solihull but were demolished in the late 60's.
For more information on 1940's prefabs visit http://www.prefabs.co.uk

Photo courtesy of www.prefabs.co.uk
 

Palaces for the People - Prefabs in Post- War Britain by Greg Stevenson You can read more about prefabs in a book, just published, 'Palaces for the People' at £12.99. It includes about 28 000 words and over 150 photos, many from Birmingham area. It can be ordered from www.amazon.co.uk or any good bookshop.