RE: Alleys & Passageways of Birmingham - 4

John & Dennis

Having done a great deal of work around that area, I can tell you that around New St, Waterloo St & Colmore Row there are a maze of service passageways and they are all very similar to each other. So its very hard to tell one from the other. I can tell you that Wellington Passage is in Bennett's Hill alongside SB's watering hole and Waterloo Passage is under an archway where Colmore Row turns into Waterloo St by the Council House.

Phil

Just found it on a 1902 map (Waterloo passage) Phil, but not named.

This is the entrance, I remember it well it was a bit of a nuisance getting some if the equipment in through there.

Phil

Sorry Dennis, I missed your photo back there.

Phil

PLease don't worry Phil, I am just surprised that, as far as I'm aware, Wellington Passage has not been mentioned before on this or any of the other Sites where 'alleyways' feature. A really interesting find by John. And I walk past it very frequently! You never cease to learn from great sites like this. Thanks to all who contribute.

Another hidden passageway, Dr Johnson Passage which was off Bull St opposite Greys Department Store. In the first photo you can see the entrance to the passage just past The Beehive and next to Bywaters the Butchers. The Quakers built their second meting meeting house there in 1702 after moving from the eventual site of the Great Western Arcade. This meeting house was rebuilt and remodelled a few times and the one in the second photo was built in 1933 but has since been replaced. The photo looks as if it was taken from the Lewis's building.

Phil

I've seen that second photo somewhere before, there was some reference to a quaker burial ground adjacent to the meeting hall.

They did have a cemetery there where quite a few big wigs were buried. I think some of the Cadbury's were. I have a photo I'm sure, I'll see if I can look it out.

Phil

Posted by phil

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They did have a cemetery there where quite a few big wigs were buried. I think some of the Cadbury's were. I have a photo I'm sure, I'll see if I can look it out.

Phil

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Why would you bury a wig in a cemetery?

Well they did all wear them in 1702 when the meeting house was first built.

Phil

Volty

This is what the graveyard looks like today, to be honest I don't know if the bodies were exhumed or if they are still there today.

Phil

Well that's much better than the impression I had previously, which was that they had built over the area.

Whilst looking for that particular spot on google maps, I found it completely enclosed by buildings and adjacent to a secret car park, thoughts of that corner came back to me.
The Brown Derby and the subway have gone.

Great shot of the graveyard Phil. Never seen nor heard of it. Whereabouts is it precisely hidden...

Here's another view of Dr Johnson's Passage looking t'other way down Bull Street. It is poignant to me as mom worked at Bywaters and my daughter eventually worked for Stead & Simpson and Freeman Hardy & Willis, which are in view. And all three old businesses are now gone.. Family still going though, thankfully.

Another old favourite area of mine, and some great photos from David Harvey's Book showing the changing face of LADYWELL WALK. The Walk connected Hurst Street to Pershore Street, with BATH PASSAGE in the distance and VINE STREET on the right clearly seen in the 1953 photo, both now gone. Dated L to R 1921, 1953, 1999 and 1902 Map.