RE: Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook. - 12

Max,
Another girl your mum might have known, she is the one on the left the blond her name was Shiela and she lived in upper Brunswick rd about 40 yards up on the right the houses had a nice bay windows she is sitting on my lap

Phil,
I have noticed i don't have to resize which is good

Max,
The Red Lion regulars, my dad is in the bottom photo top left. are your grand parents amongst them or does your mum know any of them.

welcome max and fred, my other half was born in balsall heath in 1953 and lived in the highgate/balsall heath area for a long time. i know he lived in oldfield road (not too sure where that is in balsall heath) but i know he goes on about ladypool road. his name is ken smith and his brothers were john and brian smith. they are related to the wedgbrows who i think also hung out around that area.

steph

Steph

Oldfield rd was another road that ran off Ladypool Rd, Wedgbrow is a familiar sounding name. Though I can't recall where I know it from.

Phil

Ive not forgot Fred, Just not seen Mom to ask!

Max Rogers,
Does mum live still in the Birmingham area.

A couple more photos of Ladypool Rd, these are what I think to be M & J's mens outfitters and another earlier photo taken from more or less the same spot (the bottom of Runcorn Rd) looking along the Lane. I suppose the mens outfitters could equally be a photo of Tony's by Highgate Rd.

This one definitely is Tony's Mens Outfitters and another photo of the once Co op buildings just a little further up the Lane toward the Olympia Cinema.

Heres a couple of pubs to finish off with. I always like to finish in a pub.The Clifton On the corner of Clifton Rd and the George on the corner if Alfred St (I think)

Hello Max, l know your post was a little while ago, my husband was browsing this site and read your comments to me. I lived in Leamington Road in the early 50's. My Mother and Father were Tom and Celia Betts. I am Lynn and my older sister is Avril. I remember your Grandparents, your Uncles and your Mum. My Mum and your Grandmother were good friends and used to regularly visit the cinema together. I remember the shop and your Mum. I remember her being lovely, tall, slim. I have happy memories of the shop. Full from top to bottom, small dark wooden counter that lifted - we were small enough to go under it at the time - which we tapped our pennies on to attract attention when we wanted to buy sweets. A couple of chairs against the side wall! It was a lovely community with so many friendly folk. I remember your Grandparents visiting us, after our move from the City, for tea. Your Uncle John was with them and was delighted that Mum had served "all his favourite food". The families exchanged Christmas cards until the late 90's. My parents, now very sadly gone, would have been delighted to hear of Linda, her brothers - and Son! They talked so often of their days in Leamington Road. Happy Days. My Aunt Gladys and Uncle Joe and my cousins Terry and Geoff Ward also lived in Leamington Road, my Aunt Rene and her Sons Michael and David Poole spent a lot of time there too. I remember the Hastings, who owned the shop in Leamington Road and was friends with their Granddaughter Cathy Parry, we'd be 3 or 4, (her Mum was Barbara). I'm rambling now, so will finish. With best wishes Lynn