RE: Alleys & Passageways of Birmingham - 7

The old Court Leet Courthouse which stood at the back of where the Times Furnishing building was built. the Court Leet was one of the original court systems of England and the system existed until the early 70’s when all dealings with criminal matter were taken away from them. Though there are a few today that exist to deal with land matters.

The first photo shows looking up the alley from the High St, where the court house can be plainly seen at the top of the alley. The second one shows looking down that same alley toward the High St. The third one shows the courtyard and Leet Court building after it had closed and moved to Moor St. The map shows the position of the alley on the High St.

Phil

I notice there were at least two printing firms inthe old court house. I wonder if SB has any historical interest in his trade and could start thread accordingly.

I worked in the printing trade for a short while at James Upton in Barford Street, printing record covers and scooter brochures, Triumph Tina comes to mind.

John

Did I ask you this before, did you know a driver called Ted Goldfinch? He used to play the guitar in our local The Talbot at weekends.

Phil

Posted by Voltman

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I notice there were at least two printing firms inthe old court house. I wonder if SB has any historical interest in his trade and could start thread accordingly.

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Hi volty
There is huge scope for a Printing thread in Birmingham. Did you know that the process of making/casting lead type was pretty well invented in Brum by John Baskerville 1705-1775.
There were many printing firms in Birmingham. There have been three of us in my own family involved in the printing trade. it's actually one of the most important trades. Most other businesses need to advertise/package/label and indeed use printing as part of there own product.
Most printing firms were very small, Years ago just about anyone in any kind of legitimate business used business cards/letterheads etc. These days anyone with a computer can knock these out for themselves.
Even today the printing trade is a very small world. most of us involved have moved around the trade, sometimes for advancement, sometimes due to to redundancy etc.
I myself have worked for a large paper company and four different printing company's over 36 years.
Signman worked at James Upton for a while, two of my Brothers in Law both worked there. One on a massive machine printing record covers and CD inserts. The other in the wages office.
Being a specialised trade there is of course a specialised supplier community, many of their Reps and Drivers visit most of us, so that we keep in touch with news of some of our past colleagues.
There is probably enough scope for a printing Forum let alone a thread, and that's just in Birmingham. SB

Well SB, I think a thread is more suited to keeping us amused, here it is....The Printing Trade in Birmingham

Phil, never heard of Ted Goldfinch.

Posted by Voltman

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Well SB, I think a thread is more suited to keeping us amused, here it is....The Printing Trade in Birmingham

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Amused ?

Yes, amused as in passing time in an enjoyable way. We might even learn something.

Vincents?
Am I alone?

Posted by Voltman

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Vincents?
Am I alone?

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Yes

Posted by Sheldonboy

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Posted by Voltman

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Vincents?
Am I alone?

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Yes

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starry starry night

Classical record shop in Needless Alley.
What a treat is was to spend my pocket money in there.

I think this thread seems to have wandered a long way off topic, so lets try to bring it back in line a little with these 3 photos of Little Bow Street which used to lead off the Horsefair close to the old St Catherine's Church or if you prefer it The Sombrero Café. The first one shows the street alongside the bank which I think was the National Provincial, the next shows the street itself and the last is a close up of the steps. I'm glad I didn't live in this street because they would have found me at the bottom of them with a broken neck one morning.

Phil

Another Alley we have all trod at one time or another, St Philips Place that runs from Temple Row to Colmore Row and in this photo still houses The Blue Coat School.

Phil