Hi Bigg 1982
Not sure if I will help or hinder your search of things for your mom. I lived on Chelmsley form 1968 - 1976. I didn't know your Mom, although I would have lived about 15 or 20 minutes walk away from where she lived and she would be a couple of years younger than I. There are some great old pictures of Chelmsley wood from back in the day on the net. Just Google Old Chelmsley Wood photos.
You may already know what I am about to say. Your Mom may have attended Whitesmore Comp school on Chapelhouse Road after Timberley. She probably started when the school was opened, which would have been 1969/70. When they opened they only took 1st, 2nd and third year (in old money) pupils. There are a few photos of Whitesmore and the area on the forum under Tilecross thread
Although your Mom would not have been officially old engough to go into pubs before she left Brum, most of us kids were hanging around the pubs at 12 and 13 years of age. She would have lived near the Happy Trooper pub, which was in a small shopping precinct off Greenlands road. I think there is a picture on this forum under old pubs of brum. There was also a Chippy there where she probably went, nice Chicken curry, with proper slices of chicken.
She would have visited the town centre, a few minutes away from where she lived, the Hard Rock disco was in the centre. Loads of pictures on the net of Chelmsley town centre. She may have had a Saturday job in one of the many shops as there was always work for us kids. Do you know if she did? Would be great if you could get a picture of the shop.
The queen visited Chelmsley Wood to Officially open the library and shopping centre in 1971. This was a big day for Chelmsley wood, the council any areas by the road side that would be grassed over were sprayed with green paint rather than leaving brown earth. If your mom was still on Chelmsley Wood at the time I am sure she would remember the visit (day off school)! Again pictures on the net
The Round House was another local pub that let in the very young, disco on a Wednesday night. The Friendly Inn not far along the brook from there.
She may have played in Allcote Woods, this was between Gloucester Way and Moorend Avenue, again pictures on the net.
Not sure if this info helps, but if there is any thing specific you want to ask about Chelmsley Wood please get back to me, memories are fading, but you never know
countrylad