Family Memories Birmingham Handsworth

Pre-school Years

Winson Green Birmingham was my birth-place and this event took place on 28th August 1912. Soon after settling in Don Street my parents moved to Preston Road. It is reputed that this first move was made because pigs with swine fever had been buried in the ground on which our street had been built and my parents decided that it was best to move away from that locality.

It was not long after this second move that we again changed our district, this time to Newcombe Road, Handsworth, which was then on the outskirts of the rapidly expanding Birmingham. Warners Farm was at the rear of our new home with fields, a stream, a pond and a quarry for our amusement. I remember one day returning home with tadpoles wriggling about in the brim of my hat. The farmhouse was later demolished and allotments took the place of some of the fields. Other fields became the sports ground for outdoor activities of Handsworth Grammar School and were also used as the Parade Ground for their Officers Training Corps. Opposite our house were other streets and just beyond was a place where a firm of Pearl Button Makers tipped their unwanted oyster shells. How proud we were to return home with the treasure of discarded shining and rainbow coloured shells. Sandwell Hill is remembered for its sand quarry and in snow or frost for its exciting sledge runs. Before starting school I remember walking from our home at Handsworth to that of my grandfather at Smethwick with another little friend completely on our own initiative. My aunt expressed great surprise to see us and promptly returned us back much to the relief of my anxious mother.