Birmingham, New Street 1896

Photo ref: 37271YM

What pictures and memories will we have in the future of our beloved Birmingham as we look back to this time ? Empty streets, shops closed, pubs etc empty. Very little traffic, no children playing, no schools etc. etc. What a sad time for the human family, so many fearful of loosing loved ones, loosing jobs, and income. Wondering how we will survive, what the future holds, where can we turn for ...see more

I was born at home in Tottenham Crescent.....my mom and dad lived with my man as they had just got married ! I can just about remember living down summer lane a two up two down and an outside toilet as was Tottenham Crescent. My Nan then lived in Maxted road in the prefabs before moving to a brand new flat on the Walsall road. Number 3 Birchfield Tower opposite the Odeon and up from th Brummies Speedway track.

In the Francis Frith book "Did You Know? Miscellany of Birmingham", reference is made to Charles Dickens on page 12. If I may offer a small correction - Charles Dickens was not a visiting lecturer. He raised money for the establishment of the Institute by holding his first public reading ( A Christmas Carol ) in Birmingham Town Hall on 27 December 1853 before a capacity audience of some 2000 people. ...see more

We were the Hobbis family and we lived at 54 Oak tree Lane, Selly Oak with my parents and grandmother. The house was directly opposite the old Selly Oak Hospital. I can remember the re-building of the hospital and sadly now it lays derelict ready for redevelopement into housing. Selly Oak was always a busy village with many shops and you could walk from one end of Oak tree Lane to the bottom of Selly Oak ...see more