Through Time
9 total works
Although Birmingham has been a city from the time when Queen Victoria granted city status in 1889 most citizens (Brummies) still refer to Birmingham as a town. When visiting Birmingham city centre from the suburbs the journey is generally known as 'going up town' never down or across, always up. Various attractions have drawn people to Birmingham over the centuries however the most consistent has been to the area of St Martin's Church that includes, following its establishment in 1166 by Peter de Birmingham, the markets. Buildings and venues that change any city centre are recorded in the memory of those that have experienced them. Now a number of changes made to the centre of Birmingham over the last 100 years are also recorded and through the medium of photography, illustrated in this book, providing a permanent history of Birmingham (up town).
In and Around Aston Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Aston, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people of this area throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture, and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of this part of Aston's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of this diverse and vibrant area, as Ted Rudge guides us through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in this area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting for the first time. This book also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever-changing society.
No district of Birmingham has had so many name changes and major redevelopments as Lee Bank. Once known as Holloway Head then Bath Row the previous Lee Bank area is now part of a new district called Attwood Green after Thomas Attwood Birmingham's first MP. Lee Bank once housed thousands of families living in a congestion of substandard Victorian working-class back-to-back and terraced houses together with industries, local public houses and shops. Between 1950 and 1970 Lee Bank underwent major regeneration that cleared the old housing and replaced them with maisonettes and tower blocks. At the beginning of the twenty-first century the district began another redevelopment scheme which involved replacing most of the 1970s rebuild with new modern accommodation, hotels and green areas within the new Attwood Green district.
Shirley Through Time contains 180 photographs of Shirley, of which 90 are old photographs - some of the photographs are printed in a sepia tone and some are printed in full colour. Each page takes a different view of the past, complements it with its modern day equivalent and provides factual captions to explain the changes. The contrasting illustrations show how the area has changed and developed during the last 100 years. Shops, schools, garages, churches, houses, local landmarks and street scenes all feature and the book includes an introduction which gives a brief overview of the history of the area. Browsing through the photographs you will notice the increase in the number of vehicles on the road and changes to road layouts. Shops have not only changed ownership but also the goods that they sell or are perhaps now estate agents or charity shops.
When Hockley was in the old Manor of Birmingham it was the largest district with clearly defined boundaries. Today the boundaries around this inner city district, part of the massive conurbation Birmingham became, are indistinct to many who lived or live within. The world renowned Jewellery Quarter and St Pauls Church have long been established in Hockley and still provide a major contribution to the workforce and the district's history. The Joseph Lucas company once employed thousands of workers from several buildings located within Hockley as did W. Canning & Co. and the Birmingham Mint. They, along with other industries have disappeared. Although Hockley is today a mix of the old and new her main through road has been elevated and the ageless Hockley Brook still flows through forming the Handsworth-Hockley boundary.
Digbeth, Deritend & Highgate Through Time
by Ted Rudge and Keith Clenton
Published 15 September 2011
Digbeth, Birmingham's oldest street has descended downhill from St Martin Church to the River Rea since 1166 when Birmingham's market opened. At the Rea crossing Deritend joins Digbeth to form a southerly route in and out of Birmingham with Highgate located to the West. Each district has varying historical assertions that contribute towards Birmingham's growth from a small village into the large metropolis we know today. The Victorian railway viaduct survives, still dominating one side of the road together with various other structures including the Old Crown and Bird's Custard Factory. This book illustrates where most of the old industry, shops, schools and places of worship have been replaced by modern structures. Alongside these alterations the River Rea, although mainly unseen, still manages to meander along man-made culverts through the three districts.
By the turn of the twentieth century Small Heath and Sparkbrook, two adjacent inner city districts of Birmingham, had been transformed from a rural environment to an urban one. Two vibrant shopping areas had evolved surrounded by Victorian properties of working class back-to-backs and middle class terrace housing on the Coventry Road, Small Heath and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook. Birmingham City FC dominates the city end of Small Heath whereas Small Heath Park at the other end also attracts visitors to the only major green space in this area. However the most historical and oldest building, The Farm, can still be found in Sparkbrook. Unlike other inner-city areas no large scale redevelopment has taken place in either district leaving a mixture of modern and as-built properties in both areas.
In and Around Ladywood Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Ladywood and the surrounding aread, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people of this area throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture, and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of this part of Ladywood's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of this diverse and vibrant area, as Ted Rudge guides us through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in this area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting for the first time. This book also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.
Winson Green and Brookfields Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of part of Birmingham. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Winson Green and Brookfields, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people of the Midlands throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the city's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of the city, as Ted Rudge guides us through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this fabulous city. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.