OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

WELCOME TO WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

Created by Paul Swift, Born in Vicarage Road, West Bromwich in 1962

This site is dedicated to showing West Bromwich of old and also showing how West Bromwich looks today

Donations of Photos & stories always welcome, you can scan them and email them on paulswift@blueyonder.co.uk or you can send them to me (details on request), they will be well looked after and returned back to you safe

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NEW PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED ON THIS HOME PAGE AND THEY WILL STAY THERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE BEING MOVED TO THE RIGHT LOCATION

NEW PHOTOS ADDED TO THIS PAGE

Kings Cinema c1950s

West Bromwich Train Station c1960s

The "Evergreens" c1945

Many thanks to Annette Welch for the next few photos. The Evergreens were a 'concert party' who attended the Primative Methodist Chapel at Greets Green, Her Husband, Tony, is the boy on the left hand side of the first photo

Edward & Sarah Welch (Tony's Mom& Dad from the above photos) who got married at Christ Church in 1927

THE ARCADE c1989/90

Thanks to Charlie for this photo of the Arcade taken at around the time of it's demise

WEST BROMWICH BOROUGH BAND, REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 1968/69

(Thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

On the left, playing trombone is Dennis Webb, next to him, on Eb bass, is Richards late younger brother - Douglas Perry - . Richard can just be seen in the middle - his face framed by the two instrument bells! The trombonist off to the right is Keith Lewis.

The chap on the big bass drum is 'Dickie' Bird, who was in the West Brom fire brigade

Note the road traffic island was still there then, and they had just marched from the Town Hall via New Street, long before it was cut off by the Expressway.

CHURCHFIELDS ELIOT 5 PHOTO, SPRING 1967 (Thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

Taken in house room upstairs in "A" block, opposite the original 6th form common room. Richard can't name them all but he has given me who he remembers, if you can fill in the gaps plese let us know (Gerald Griffiths from San Diego has also added a few names)

Linda Garmon, Madeline ?, Gerald 'Gezza' Griffiths (behind), Chris Cook - 'Cookie', Jacqueline Smith, Alan Sheldon - 'Mitch' , Graham Holiday - 'Gibbo', Linda Hyde, Pamela Lewis , Michael Hadley, Christine Hunt (Now Chris Kemp)

The House Group Tutor that year was Mr Pumfrey - he taught woodwork

ON THE ROOF NEXT TO THE POST OFFICE WAITING FOR ALBION TO BRING THE CUP TO THE TOWN 1968

(Many thanks to Dave Steventon for the next few Albion Photos....The Post Office is on the left, if you look at the building today where all the people are on you wonder how on earth did they get on it ?)

If you look at the above photo, the white banner coming out of the Prudential office window, that is in fact Dave Taylor who is now in Lichfield and he gave me the next photo !

CROWDS IN WEST BROMWICH FOR THE ALBION HOMECOMING AFTER WINNING THE FA CUP 1968, THE BAGGIES BUS IS JUST COMING IN

ALBION COACH NEARLY AT THE TOWN HALL 1968

JEFF ASTLE AT HAMSTEAD A FEW DAYS AFTER HE SCORED THE WINNER AT WEMBLEY 1968

GALA SUITE & BATHS DURING DEMOLITION

(Many thanks to John Brigden who took these photos, more of John's Gala demolition photos are on the "WEST BROMWICH NOW GONE" page)

EARLY VIEW OF BIRD END c1900

GRANTS BAKERY, TAYLORS LANE, JUST OFF STONEY LANE c1980s

(Now demolished. Thanks to Charlie for the photo)

ROY PEPLOWS BIKE SHOP, CARTERS GREEN PASSAGE c1960

(Thanks to John Mason for the slide photo)

Many thanks to Ann Kelly-Moran in Ireland for the next few photos of the Star & Garter

Ann's parents, Jim and Maura Kelly ran the Star in the late 1960s to early 1970s

STAR & GARTER 1960s

Nice shot of the Star & Garter in the late 1960s, seems strange to see cars going past and a shop to the right, many of the younger generation don't realise that the Star was never on a corner like it is now !

Arthur & Winnie Douglas (who ran the Crown & Cushion by the Dartmouth Park Gates) at the Vinters Dance at the Gala Baths with Jim & Maura late 1960s

Jim & Maura behind the Lounge Bar

The opening of the Star & Garter Steak Bar in 1972

Mary Kelly (Anne's Nan) Ernie Bowater (who worked for the Birmingham post & Mail) and Fr Tom O'Connor who was Parish Priest at St Michaels

Barman Ted Boddison taking Judy the dog for a walk in West Bromwich 1968

This photo appeared in the Express & Star as part of their "One man and his dog" series

Barman Frank Riordan behind the Bar

Frank came from Cork, Ireland and worked at the Star for years and eventually moved to the Sandwell and then the Jinglers, which was his last port of call, he retired from there after many years service to the Pub trade, Frank died not long ago and his funeral was huge.

Frank was well known in the Town and also in the Irish community and I doubt if we will ever see a better barman again

Frank in the Gun Room

Frank in 2005

TOWN HALL & LIBRARY c1930

EBENEZER CHURCH & SCHOOLS, OLD MEETING STREET c1900s

This scene hasn't changed much over the years, the house on the right is still there, the building in the middle is still there but is now some kind of Temple but the building on the left has been demolished to be replaced by another TempleT

DARTMOUTH PARK BOATHOUSE IN ALL IT'S GLORY c1920s

c1900s

DARTMOUTH PARK BOAT HOUSE AFTER THE FIRE

(Many thanks to Carol Hartill & Rita Gibson for the photos)

UPPER HIGH St, (TOWARDS BIRMINGHAM Rd) c1900s (Thynne St on the right, Trinity St on left)

(Thanks to Carol Ann Schwab from USA for the next 2 photos)

EDWARD ST, LOOKING TOWARDS DARTMOUTH St c1900s

CRONEHILLS SCHOOL PHOTO, FORM 3B FROM 1931

Many thanks to Neville Philpott for the photo

NEWTON Rd, GREAT BARR c1900

Thanks to Roy Edwards for the next 2 photos, these came from Colin Wheeler who used to live in the house on Newton Rd

Same house in Newton Rd, just after they widened the Road

BOROUGH HOSPITAL, HALLAM St c 1920s

High St, Hill Top c1900s
Many thanks to all of you who identified this location as looking towards Hill Top from West Brom. Hill Top School domes can be seen on the right. The first house on the right with the double bay windows used to be the home and
surgery of Mr Hugh Jones the dentist which is still a dental surgery today as Dai Gingell Dentist (Thanks to Ian Southall for the info)
School of Art c1900
The building is still there in Lodge Rd at the junction of Edward Street

Ice Cream Bikes outside Trows c1940s
(Many thanks to Maud from Hobart, Tasmania for the photo)

Crowd at The Hawthorns on match day c1950s

Classic cars in Halfords Lane, by the Albion c1950s

Dagger Lane c1900

High Street, looking towards the Town Hall c1900

Hallam Street being rebuilt c1925 (Many thanks to Mike Ashworth for the photo)
Hallam St being rebuilt by the BRC (British Reinforced Concrete Company) with the hospital (Workhouse) wall to the right

Lodge Estate School 1931-32 (Many thanks to Steve Williams for the next 2 photos)
Steve's Dad, Ray Williams is right at the front on the extreme left. Also in this photo is Freddie Southall. He owned Enterprise Garage in Broadwell Road, Oldbury for many years. Both Steve and his Dad used to get their cars serviced there. It was then passed on to his sons as Steve knows. Steve dosen't know if he is still allive or not (he would be about 86 if he was)

Steve is pretty sure that Fred is second from the left, standing. He could be two to the right of Dad, but I think he is the one standing.
Lodge Estate School Boys 1931
Steve wonders if this is the complete set of boys for the whole school at the time, also can anyone work out what the "ST2" stands for ?

Black Lake School c1955-56

Many thanks to Jan Parkes, nee Deeming for this fantastic shot. Jan lived in Ruskin Street Flats and Jan is the girl looking forward on the back row, the boy next but one to Jan, looking forward is Barry Hodgetts. Next to him David Edwards

The girl standing up in the white blouse is Linda Patrick who becme Linda Turton furture councillor/ deputy Mayoress West Bromwich. The other girl standing is name Jill Wassell.

West Bromwich High Street c1900 (Thanks to Carol Anne Schwab in America for the next 2 photos)

Dain & Morgan, High Street (Where abouts ?)

Siviter's Store 83 Lytteton Street c1950s (Thanks to Neville Philpott for the photos)

William and Isabella Siviter

Hall End Tavern (Rampa Tampa), Vicarage Road c1950/60s

This scene hasn't changed much today apart from the Off Licence on the right (Where we used to get a bottle filled up with beer for the Old Man) has now been bricked up

Lyng view taken from 12th Floor of St Johns House 1968 (Thanks to Trevor Latham for the photo)

Lyng View of Wills House Flats from St John's House 1968 (thanks to Trevor Latham for the photo)

Hill Top Park Fountain c1920s

St James Church, Hill Top c1920s

Hill Top Schools c1920s (Humphrey Luggs building in the distance)

Joseph Bates Printers (Which later became Caxton Printers) Annual works Dinner at the Dartmouth Hotel c1949 (Thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

The above photo is one of the annual works dinners held by Joseph Bates printers at the Dartmouth Hotel. Their printing works were just down the road in Paradise

Richard's Mother's father, Fred Maynard, worked most of his life at Joseph Bates and often entertained at these dinners with a few songs. He is the one on the front row, arm over the chair holding a cigarette,sat next to Richards Nan, Nellie Maynard. Not sure of the year, but Fred died at just 64 in the influenza epidemic Jan 1951, so I would say this photo is post war but before Dec 1950.

The faces on this photo are quite clear so maybe some will be recognised.

Another event at the Dartmouth Hotel c1930-35 (Thanks again Richard !)

Richard doesn't know what the occasion was here, perhaps someone may recognise the event!

Richard's Dad's sister Gladys is on it with her husband Clyde Allen, but Richard doesn't see any other members of his dad's family there. Clyde is on the extreme right, second man back ( with moustache), Richard's aunt Gladys is seated to his left, she has wavy dark hair. Clyde was born in 1900 so Richard put this photo between 1925 -1930.

Black Lake School Play c1955 (Thanks to Judith for the photo)

Judy can remember a few of the names :-

Lynn James, Carol Cashmore, Jacqueline Jukes, Christopher Shakespeare, Robert Hibbs, John Hinkinson, Judith Cartwright, Lindsay Brown, three unknown girls, Tony -. In front, Keith Hodgetts and ? Simmons.

West Bromwich Youth Orchestra at Wednesbury Town Hall 1968

(Thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

Under the baton of principal conductor - and head of schools music for the Borough - Jack Fryer, performing at Wednesbury Town Hall in 1968. Richard was in the horn section which was unfortunately missed off to the right of this shot. His late brother Doug (15) is sat playing Tuba on his own bit of stage!

Richard can name quite a few, but for starters:

Top left, Trombones: Graham Byng, Susan Hughes & Tony Pritchard - Tony (a.k.a. 'Ditch') went on to play in "Shep's Banjo Boys" on tour with "The Comedians".After a spell teaching music in B'ham he became a milkman in Shifnal - but ended up managing the dairy!

In front of the trombones - Trumpets: Jane Wharton, Andrew Thorne, Jeff Baggott, Peter Sills, Glyn Barratt & Tony Adams. Richard still sees Glyn Barratt twice a week at Langley Band rehearsals - Glyn's a retired head teacher and has been with Langley Band for over 40 years!

Richards brother went to the Royal Academy of Music, played for a year with the Bergen Symphony Orchestra, various concerts & recordings with: CBSO, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, BBC Welsh Orchestra, Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, taught brass in the Kidderminster area before dying in a tragic accident at his home in Aug 1977 when just 24.

Sam Perry & his Boss

This photo shows Richard Perry's Grandad, Sam Perry, the young chap on the left, with his boss standing alongside a trap he's just finished c1908

Sam served his apprenticeship with, and then worked for, a coach builder & and cabinet maker in Pleasant Street (off Sams Lane) before starting up his own Wheelwright & Blacksmith business off Bromford Lane c1910 till he died in 1960 (His yard & workshops are now the Coyne Road housing development.)

Richard spent many happy days there before starting school in 1956 and subsequently many hours watching him work learning how to use the many tools he had.

Richard got to know many of the local horses when they came in for footwork too!

Amazingly Sam made nearly all his own tools, including chisels, spoke shaves, planes, mallets and even saws and drill bits!

Often when Richards Dad came home from a full day as a maintenance engineer at Joseph Lucas, in Hockley, he would go straight to Sam's workshop to help carry red hot wheel tyres out into the yard where they would burn and shrink them onto the wheels made that day.

Richard can clearly remember the glow of the hot tyres lighting up the yard on dusky evenings, the smell of burning ash as the iron tyres where put on, the 'pong' released when cutting the elm wood used to make naffs (wheel hubs), warming himself by the forge and turning a big wheel that drove the bellows to heat the coke to white hot - sparks flying everywhere!

Sam Perry, (left), with a set of the largest wheels he'd made to that time c1908

(ready for the iron tyres to be fitted)

Finished Horse & Trap built by Richard Perry's Grandfather, Sam Perry c1910

(We believe this was taken in Sandwell Road but we are not sure exactly where)

Lodge Estate School Photo c1924

(Richard Perry's Dad, William Arthur Perry is standing 2nd row up 4th from right)

Cronehills girls indoor school photo 1934
(Freda Maynard, Richard's Aunt 1st Left Back Row and his Mom, Nora Maynard is 3rd from left Back Row)
West Bromwich Albion Amateurs c1930

(Richard's Dad is the Goalkeeper middle back row)

Lodge Estate School class photo 1927

(Richard Perry's Mom and her twin sister are standing at the back, thanks to Richard for the photo)

Coronation Day Party, Lodge Estate School, June 1953

(Richard is sitting on his Mom's lap on the left and his cousin, Maurice Edmonds, is sat behind with Richard's Mom's twin sister. They were all given a Bible and Mug to commemorate Coronation day and Richard still has the Bible, shown below....The photo was taken by Maurice's Father, Stan Edmonds. Thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

Bible given to Richard Perry for Coronation Day, June 1953

This Bible went to Sunday school with Richard every week for about 10 years. (St John's church next to Lyng Junior school till they demolished it, then the old Wesley Chapel)

Dagger Lane c1912

(Sot's Hole to the left of the house, with Hill House to the right. The path leading to the road where the boy is sitting on the fence is still a right of way from the hospital car park today, thanks to Richard Perry for the photo)

Airship LZ 127 "Graf Zeppelin" returning from America passing over West Bromwich 1935 © Richard Perry

(Many thanks to Richard Perry for this fantastic photo taken by his Father, William Arthur Perry. Richard & Steve have found out this is in Oak Rd end in Margaret Street, looking North and have supplies 2 photos underneath showing the same spot today

Cronehills Girls School Photo, Class 2B, 1932

(Richard Perry's Aunt, Freda Alice Maynard is 7th from the left 2nd row down)

Cronehills Girls School Photo, Class 2A, 1932

(Richard Perry's Mom, Nora Winifred Maynard, twin sister to Freda in the previous photo, is 7th from left on 3rd row down)

West Bromwich ARP wardens c1942, Dartmouth Park

Richard Perry's Dad, William Arthur Perry - is 6th from the left on 2nd row up (always wore a collar & tie - even when digging the garden!)

A rare shot of Christ Church Interior c1910s

Wesley Chapel, High St, Church interior c1930s

Brockhouse Carnival Float c1969

(Thanks to Mark Nelson for the photo)

H. Beesley & Sons Leyland Tankers c1976

(thanks to Mark Nelson for the photos)

Christ Church, High St c1900s (Where the Job Centre is now)

SCM (Smith Corona) Typewriter Works, West Bromwich

(Thanks to Lorraine Wheale for the next 6 photos)

Lorraine's Aunt & Uncle Mary & Howard Boilstone worked at Smith Corona for many years from Around the 1960s.

Lorraine's Mother remembers that Typewriter works used to operate on the High St, opposite Woolworths and they moved up to by the Albion Ground, around about where the Motorway M5 junction1 Island is, towards the Smethwick side.

Lorraine's Aunt Mary & Uncle Howard have passed on so Lorraine has no names for the people in the Photos, apart from Her Uncle Howard, Mary isn't in any of them and it would be great if anyone can come up with some more names and stories about Smith Corona

SMC (Smith Corona Production Line (Howard Boilstone is 7th from the front, right hand line)

Factory Group (Howard Boilstone 3rd from left)

Factory Group photo (Unknown)

Factory Group (Howard Boilstone on 5th from the left)

Howard Boilstone on the left

Works Outing at Stourport Severn Bridge

West Bromwich Carnival, taken from outside the B&Q on the Ringway c1990

(Thanks to Joanne for the photo)

West Bromwich Borough Band, Grant Hall (Corner of Taylor's lane and Stoney Lane) c1961

(Thanks to Lorraine Wheale for the photo, her Uncle Howard Boilstone is on the back row, second from right)

TOP L-R... Gwyn Davies, John Martin (Brother of Peter below), Dennis Emery, Tony Parsons, Howard Boilstone, unknown ?

2nd Row Down L-R....Unknown ?, Peter Martin (Brother of John above), Cliff Powers, ?? Underhill, Unknown ?, Joe Washburn, Roger ???.

3rd Row Down L-R.... Unknown ?, Brian Robinson, Tony Morris (Conductors Son), Unknown?, Dennis Webb, Keith Nicholls, Don Howard

SITTING L-R ... Eric Handford, Unknown ?, Harry Withington, George Morris (Conductor & Musical Director), Frank Morrison, Reg Underhill, Joe Baggott

If you know any of the above or know the missing names please get in touch....Thanks to Richard Perry for the names

Vicar Laurie Skilton at St Philips Church c1977

(Thanks to Keith Colley for the next 2 photos)

St Philips Church interior c1985

1977 Queens Silver Jubilee celebrations in Stanley Road

Many thanks to Trevor for the next 11 photos

Mayor, Dennis Booton and his Wife, with their Driver in Stanley Road, looking towards Walsall Road with Mr Wood (in Dickie bow)

Mayor Dennis Booton meeting the residents

Mayor Dennis Booton at a Garage in Stanley Road which was used for the kids party when the weather turned

Kids Silver Jubilee Party (We know most of the kids names on these next 5 photos but we won't embarass them by naming them...if you want your name included just give us a shout !)

Above Photo..Karen Bratby, now Swift (My wife !) 4th from the right

Tram lines on West bromwich High Street c1910s

West Bromwich District Hospital, Edward Street, West Bromwich c1910s

Crowther Brothers Undertakers in Paradise Street c1920s

Dartmouth Square c1900s

The next 4 photos were sent to me by Glenn Skeldon, who lives in Canada and his Grandfather was Fred Skeldon, who was born in West Bromwich in 1891

Fred Skeldon emmigrated to Canada in 1910 but he had a very colourful childhood.

He lived above the family butcher shop on the corner of Whitehall Road & Whitgreave Street, Greets Green

Fred told Glenn that the shop was across the street from the Greets Green School to one side and the 2 churches on the other side....a Wesleylan Chapel and a Methodist Chapel.

Fred used to reel off many, many memories to Glenn about West Bromwich and kept a picture, and hung it in his house of what he thought was the Old Church on All saints Way (4th photo down), but we need a bit of help with this one as, to me, it isn't the Old Church, it just isn't sitting right with the building to the right of the tower and also the top of the tower isnt "castle" like, like it is now, but perhaps this is a really early portrait before any renovation work ??

Glenns Great Grandfather also emigrated to Canada in 1912, his name was Edward (Teddy) Skeldon

Glenn has written a biography of his Grandfather, Fred, hoping to get it published but Glenn is looking for a few photos to enhance the first few chapters and I have given some to Glenn to use but Glenn is looking for some more, so if you have any of the following please let me know

(1890s-1910s) of the Greets Green School, Lavender's Wharf (a branch of the Birmingham Canal), football matches with the West
Bromwich Albion or any of the following businesses: Carnuck's Ammunition Works, Hudson's Soap Factory, Wright's Jam Factory or
Palethorpes. Any photos of police constables of that era (as a young boy, Fred was often in trouble with the law !!) would also be great.

Being a butcher's son, he and his father made frequent trips to the Bull Ring in Birmingham to purchase at the Dead Meat Market. Would anyone know how Glenn could access photos of the Bull Ring from that era? Also, the Birmingham train station would be another valuable photo.

This Photo is looking down Whitehall Road. The building with the Fry's Pure Cocoa sign was a dry good's store
named "Teddy's" (Glenns Great-Grandfather) and it was attached to Skeldon Butcher Shop.

The photo is of the Skeldon Butcher Shop on Whitehall Road (right side) and the building with the smokestack on the left is a brewery (Harry Darby's?). This would be about 1905.