OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

I remember my dear late mum used to take me, as a young nipper of around 6yrs to a cafe in Paradise St, that had a massive model of a beautiful Clipper sailing ship. My mum would drink a cuppa tay out of a large/heavy white cup. And also have a dripping sandwich. I used to love going in there, simply to admire the model ship I mentioned. I always wanted an antique galleon after that. But. Lol I had to make do with making the two bob white plastic airfix kits, of famous fighting ships. The Shannon, Cutty Sark , Mayflower, Victory , and Golden Hind. These kits gave me a lot of pleasure, for kids like myself, in glueing and painting them. sadly today...the modern generation of kids spend their time on other pursuits. Such as Ninetendo, mobiles, playstation and PCs.

 Turners Music Store, where they sold musical instruments such as Harmonicas, records, etc...I loved going in that shop, And that little confectionary shop...the lovely smell of Chocolate and sweet mixtures. I remember peacocks...my late mum bought me a sixpence toy from there. Have you memories of the street?

I remember this street for a number of things - Hassall's the removal firm had an office there and oine day when I had been to see my brother at the fire station I noticed a piano advertised for sale for just £5 including delivery - I went home and badgered dad and was back within an hour to buy it.

One of the other things that always intrigued me was the second hand place which I think was called Taylor's Bizarre Bazaar and was near to Crowther's the undertakers.

I spent many hours at the fire station as my brother was a fireman on Red Watch with some amazing characters and their 'socials' were quite amazing to a lad of 11 or 12.

Forgot to say I had all of those airfix models as well as the ones of people about 7 or 8 inchers high- I remember the guardsman and Henry the eighth in particular. Also had some planes and the little army figures which had about 40 or so in each box. One of my favourites was the foreign legion.

Loved Paradise Street,  i think there was a fish and chip shop by Turners and was it Harris's that sold childrens clothes. Can remember waiting every morning at the number 11 bus stop for a bus to take me to school

My wife (before i met her) worked at a factory over Peacocks Linda,she went to work one morning and it was gone, bombed.I met her in 1944 so it was before that.

My Grandad Harry Gadd was the Manager of Crowthers for many years during the Fifties and Sixties and for anyone that remembers the Coronation carriage and lead soldiers that were in the window on display I ended up with those.

Chris Hill at July 7, 2011 at 12:25 PM

My Grandad Harry Gadd was the Manager of Crowthers for many years during the Fifties and Sixties and for anyone that remembers the Coronation carriage and lead soldiers that were in the window on display I ended up with those.

Hi Chris, how strange that you ended up with the Coronation set, 

i say that because only last week a few of us were reminising about 

the old town 

and someone mentioned the set and where did we think they ended up, now we know,

 do you by any chance still have them ?

I don`t have them anymore more`s the pity, they were sold to a collector many years ago.

I recall the Country Girl cafe right at the top opposite Dartmouth Square.  Would sometimes have lunch there rather than stay school dinners or go all the way home.  I also recall Harold Pitt the Barber with his copies of Tit-bits magazines.  Next door was a little shop that sold practical joke items amongst other things. 

My Mom has unearthed some very old pics of my Grandad  Harry Gadd that ran Crowthers in Paradise St in the Fifties & Sixties & Miss Crowther the owner, i`ll see if I can borrow them from her & get them scanned.

I got the photos Chris, many thanks, they are cracking shots !

I am here there and everywhere this weekend so I will add them Monday

Wasn't the cassa bamboo in paradise st towards the end of the arcade ?

Casa Bamboo was in the little row of shops between High St and Paradise St was it called little Queen St? Corner House was on corner of street, It was next or nearly next to Caddies and Cadman in my day

barbara at July 23, 2011 at 7:38 AM

Casa Bamboo was in the little row of shops between High St and Paradise St was it called little Queen St? Corner House was on corner of street, It was next or nearly next to Caddies and Cadman in my day

That would be Cammies & Cadman.

No one has mentioned "The Chocolate Box" we all bought sweets there before going in the Kings cimema. the back entrances to woolies were down there too. and not to forget the indoor market ( what a wonderland that was !! ) we bought sheet music in there, there was a giant of a man in there he used to help the fruiters but generally he carried boxes for everyone, I think he was a bit simple but harmless, good job as well he was a strong bloke. We bought our first pram from opposite the fire station. I remember an old mescaschmit 3 wheel car parked outside peacocks for donkeys years. in earlier years there was a workhouse there (the last working one in west brom I believe)

Little Queen street is not quite right -- It was "lower" queen street. but we knowwhat you mean