I have been reading about Sparkbrook and surrounding areas,so I will add my 2 pennorth!
Resident in Sparkbrook 1943 to 1960
I lived in South Road behind the Woodman Pub. I lived at no. 4, an Aunt and Uncle (Rogers) at no.2
and another Aunt and Uncle (Howell) at no.6. There was a brush factory half way up South Road, and
Mannings timber yard.
Names I remember are Horton, Cuff, McGann, Egan. I went to Montgomery Street school 1948 -1954.
Waverley Grammar School 1955- 1959. My sister went to Conway Road school. In Stratford St.North,
there was a lovely cake shop (Taylors) and every Friday night when Dad come home from work, we
would go and get 6 cakes for 2/6d.
Dad worked at H.E.RUDGE a brassfounders in Emily Street. We used to shop in Ladypool Road, go up
town, or "up the Cov" Coventry Road. We were not a drinking family, but used to go to the cinema
quite often. The Kingston, The Grange, The Coronet, all on the Coventry Road, or The Carlton off
Stoney Lane.
At the top of Henley Street was Alpine Cars. Opposite on Stratford Road, Proffitt and Westwoods,
Vale Onslow, a favourite shop of mine, and further down over the road, a model shop. Another
favourite of mine. Occasionally we would go to the Lickey Hills for the day. The equivilent then of
a fortnight abroad now! Farm park had a massive stone that was apparently a meteorite.