ST MATTHEWS CHURCH, DUDDESTON - 27th May 2008

St Matthews Church has many associations with my ancestors and I thought it was about time I had a peek around inside, with the kind permission of one of the ministers.
This was originally the rear aspect of the church, the main entrance was at the other end below the tower, but the front part of the original building is now occupied by the Matthews Centre leaving the rear of the building for worship. To the left is the more recently built Church Hall.

There are two plaques inside, one bearing the names of those of the church who served in World War I and the other dedicated to those who perished in the war. I will add the names to the photographs shortly.

The nave, showing the lectern, altar and a very attractive stained-glass window.

The altar.

Unless you have actually been inside the church, you would be surprised that this stained-glass window exists. From the outside the window is obscured by a metal grill.. a sad reflection of the times we live in.

The north-east corner viewed from the rear of the church.

The entrance in the south-east corner viewed from the rear.

The north-west corner of the church.

The rear of the church, viewed along the aisle.

The south-west corner.

Part of the ceiling.

There are two panels laying against the wall to the right of the nave. The one giving the names of those who fell in WW1, the other the names of those who served...

1914 TO 1919
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF
THE MEN OF THIS CHURCH WHO
FELL IN THE GREAT WAR

ANSELL H. ANSELL L. BISSELL W. BISSELL J. BRICKLAND C.H.
BRADLEY G.H. BOTT C.H. DEELEY H. EDLEY J.H. EDLEY F.
EVERALL W. GREEN W.H. GODRIDGE T. HEATON F.C.
JEROME ?. PAIN C. PLUMMER P.H. PLUMMER A. ROSE F.B.
REED ?. H. SPEARS G.A. SUMMERS W. STAITE A.W.
TYRRELL G.R.

'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS'

(Some initials to be verified)

1914 1918

ROLL OF HONOUR
TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICES
OF THE MEN OF THIS CHURCH
WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR

BROWN C.G. BISSELL S. BRICKLAND J. BOCK A.B.
BOUGHTON E. BROWN A.C. BROWN G.H. BAINES W.G.
COTTOM A.G. DAVIES J.T. DAVIES J.W. DAVIES J.S.M.
DOCKER F.R. DEELEY J.A. EVANS G.H. EDLEY W.
FOSTER C.H. FOSTER S.A. FOSTER R.H. GODSALL S.A. M.C.
HARBER A. HARBER ?. HALE W. HEATON R.J. HEATON C.J.
JONES H. MEADOWS A. MEADOWS J. MAYCOCK G.H.
PEACOCK F. PEACOCK F.J. PEARSON W. PEARSON H.
PAIN W. PAIN V. PETFORD W. PALMER E. PALMER H.
ROSE S.T. SHAW W.H. STRINGER C.E. WALTON V.
DAVIES D.W.

ERECTED IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR THEIR SAFE RETURN

A PUB-CRAWL - 20th May 2008

I was asked to take a photograph of 24 Havelock Road by someone whose family were based there earlier in the last century. A good place to be based if it were open. It is part of the Havelock Tavern, the garage part to be precise. For the same pub in 2004 see here.
I decided as the weather was nice, a quick pub-crawl was in order.... :P

Another view of the pub.

This photograph is of a scene outside the Havelock Tavern, obviously busier in the 1950s. Thanks to Tom Brown who provided the photograph and who's father Thomas is on the far left.

From Havelock Road we head towards Alum Rock Road via what should be either Sycamore or Chestnut Cottages. The remainder of the houses were demolished to make way for the Rock Cinema which in turn was demolished to make way for a school and car-park.

The other side of the lane.

Now we are at The Tilt-Hammer on the corner of Adderley Road and Alum Rock Road. Time for a quick pint? No chance. A slightly improved view of the pub taken in 2004 can be seen here.

Travelling on the inner circle No 8 buz, we see The Gables Tavern, another ex-pub. Shame really, the concept of a taxi-cab firm operating from the upstairs of a pub could be a real winner.

This is The Nest on the corner of Muntz Street and Swanage Road. Sold by auction but I'm not sure if it will still be a pub. [I'll have to go back soon and check ;) ]

Finally, the Wagon and Horses on the Coventry Road, Sheldon taken from the No 60 bus. A photograph of the pub taken in 2006 is here. That must be one of the cheapest pub-crawls you've ever been on.

EASTSIDE MINI-TOUR - 2nd May 2008

A request by a friend of a friend to get some photographs of The Birmingham Gun-Barrel Proof House became a mini Eastside tour taking in part of the area of an earlier visit I made, and how things are beginning to change. (See the Fazeley Street Walkabout about half way down the page at http://tinyurl.com/4763q2 )
Above are the Curzon Street Railway Terminal with The Woodman public house to the left.

The sign to the right of the station is a sign of things to come.

No comment.

I seem to remember taking photographs of possibly the largest green area in the city centre. See http://tinyurl.com/6gudfx

The Eagle & Tun on the corner of Banbury Street and New Canal Street.

The entrance to the Birmingham Gun-Barrel Proof House, established 1813 to check the safety of all firearms, in particular the quality of the barrels. This photograph was taken from underneath the railway tunnel in Banbury Street.

Detail above the gateway. The Latin inscription tranlates roughly as "Safety through caution".

The main building which is still used for the proofing of weapons.

A closer view of the door.

The detail above the door (click to enlarge). I met one of the staff as he left for home and he suggested I may get inside by appointment, so hopefully sometime soon I'll have some interior photographs.

Approaching the Curzon Street Terminal along New Canal Street.

A front view of the station. Memo.. need a wide-angle lens!

To the right of the station door a sign commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first train.

The Woodman, a working pub.

Behind the pub some city centre development.

The classical architecture which is Millennium Point...

... and just to the left of Millennium Point, more development.