OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

Hello everyone .This is my first post here …….

I am the grand daughter of Mr and Mr Ernest Nicholls who till 1954 lived in George Street next to the West Bromwich springs. My Granddad worked there for over 48 years.

My aunt and uncle ran the Ironmonger 'Bagnalls' on Walsall Street all there lifes.

Does anybody know anything of the ‘Lambeth’ family who lived at 102 George Street. Sadly the houses are long gone now

I am currently tracing my family tree and am totally stuck, as I can find no legal reference to any of my maternal grandmothers side.(darlaston family line)

Here some facts and info that hopefully may jog someone’s memory.

I’m looking for Sylvia Lambeth (nee Darlaston)

She was married to Joseph Lambeth (a moulder by trade)

They had around 10 children (Joe, Abraham, Edith, Sylvia, Florrie, Elizebeth, Billy Jack)

She died of TB at a young age probably around 1934

Also…..Does anyone have any memories of ‘Bagnalls‘ the shop and house were sadly demolished following my uncles death.

How very sad it feels to know how such a wonderful part of my history has vanished.

Look forward to sharing stories and photos on this great site.

Elsiebear (Nicky)

I know the old Chap from Bagnalls was a Church organist (  I think that`s right anyway )

Wow that was quick...yes thats right .He was my uncle Ezra and he was a very fine organist. thanks for replying

The shop belonged to Ezra. Although it was my uncle Dan and his wife Edie who ran it day-to-day .For many years they had a massive tabby cat who would lie in the window, all the school children loved both Dan and his cat!!

I have recently sent Old West Brom Photos a photo of Bagnalls shop just before demolition, I remember it well it always smelt of Paraffin and his bike was stuck up the corner, I also remember the cat. Hope Paul publishes the photo for you

 Oh those paraffin stoves..........Uncle Dan was a chain smoker all his life .He used to sit on a lit parafin heater behind the counter !!! I'm sure the cat was called 'Tippy' she sure was a big girl !

Be great to see a photo of the shop on here as I know alot of people remember it .

I have lots of great photos taken  though the decades, even ones I took of inside each room when we were clearing the house out  following ny aunties death.

thanks for sharing....:)

I can see a Sylvia Darlaston b1879 on census records in WB, looks like she died 1930. Interesting, the record directly above her death entry is Florence Lambeth aged 20, would this be her daughter, did they die together?

Found Sylvia's parents, John Darlaston & Harriet (possibly nee Hault). 1881 living 54 Sams Lane, John had died by then. Sylvia has been transcribed as Silna. Harriet was born in Leicester c1823 & John WB c1816.

If my memory serves me right, he was not only the organist but also choir master at St Philips church in Beeches Rd. He used to take us for choir practice each week and was something of a task master,everything had to be just right.

 I also remember the shop,I can smell that paraffin now and I am in the shop fetching the weekly supply for the oil lamp to hang in the outside toilet to stop it from freezing.My dad also used to put one below the engine of the car for the same reason.  HEALTH & SAFETY ????.

 I can see the inside of that shop now with its bare wood topped serving counter ingrained with dirt and dust over the years,the floor being the same so it matched, and the back wall was fitted with drawers that contained every fitting you could wish for. If you wanted something in the hardware line Bagnalls  wouldn`t fail you.

 As kids we were always making trolleys but the axles on the pram wheels we got were round and the way we used to fit them was nails either side of the axle bent over.You can imagine how many nails were used all along the length of the axle,and the first time down a gutter or bad bump and the axle came off...We certainly bought a lot of nails from Bagnalls over a 6 week holiday period,and they sold them by the pound and wrapped them in newspaper,none of your fancy prepacked stuff from there.....Now wheres` me hammer??????

My memories of Mr Bagnall, is that he used to play the piano at Beeches Road school where I went, and am sure he used to tune the pianos a well,

Mr Bagnall was also a piano teacher remember when I had my lesson then had to wait for my sister and brothers lesson for about 2hrs. Also remember getting ice cream from his brothers wife whilst waiting. Lessons took place at the back 2 grand pianos in the room we use pay 50p(amazing). did he also used to ride a bike ?

I seem to remember playing in one of the youth orchestras for the organ concerts at the Town Hall during the mid to late sixties and Mr Bagnall played and was on the programme as the deputy borough organist - Mr William Good being the borough organist at the time.

I seem to remembver thinking Mr Bagnall sounded better but that may be more about the choice of music than any particular technical ability of either player.

Ian