Hi everyone, I’m trying to put together some history of the workers and factory of the Masons Pop factory and outplaying depots prior to the sale in the 1990s. I would be extremely grateful for any stories, memories, experiences, in fact any details you may have.
Many thanks,
Nell.

Spent many hours on Tyseley bridge with my two brothers having walked from Sparkbrook, do you remember the pong of the Bakelite factory and the Smiths Crisps vans rolling by ? The highlight of most days we were there was watching in amazement as W17W trundled through towards the city. I took a train the other day from Tyseley to town, first visit in over sixty years, looks a sorry sight these days but at least unlike my brothers and W17W it's still there and full of happy memories.

Tysley station does bring some happy memories back to me. Back in the late 50’s early 60’s we would travel from there to our Christmas outing from the Bakelite, usually a pantomime in town. Those steam engines coming into the satiation were so frightening to a 5 year old but fascinated by them, 60 years ago. Dad and most of the family work at the Bakelite dads clothes stunk of the place when he came home from work.

In the early 60s I was at Broadmeadow J&I opposite the Cartland Arms, we lived in Hillmeads Road at the time then moved to Druids Heath (it was nice back then) when I left junior school I went to Brandwood.

I know the area fairly well Coastal. Druids Heath did start out nice a bit like Primrose Hill and Pool Farm estate. I took my son there about ten years ago, he couldn’t believe that I’d lived in such a place, it was incredible the whole place looked vandalised. The folks that moved in during the 60’s were so proud of their new homes with underfloor central heating. They were well kept. Last time I went past the Cartland, I think it was a mcDonalds...


Did you ever go along the canal or to Lifford Reservoir?

I went to Primrose Hill school for a short while early 60’s. There were a few Druids Heath kids transported by coach to Primrose Hill, while school places were being made available nearer to Druids Heath.


I remember at the end of the School day, the Kids from Druids Heath always got away earlier as the coach had arrived.


 I can hear the teacher now,  he would say ‘The Druids may  go’. The rest of us had to wait before we could escape 

Hi does any one have details/photos of Hamstead Road Great Barr, particularly the houses Isaac Meacham built around 1901? They were called the Newlands and although there appears to be 9 of the houses only 8 appear on the 1913 ordanance survey map.