General Chat

Good Morning All, Now where are you all. ??? If you are all running round the shops looking for pressies to buy I wish you the best of luck. Catch you all later. Tat Tar June.

Hi All, this by way of a test posting. Was born near 5Ways 1929, remember Kunzles? Lived Harborne Tenants, remember Moorpool & skating on its ice? Recall trams to Lickey, clock at Bearwood, parrott house at Botanical Gdns, amazing striking clock in the Fish Mkt, the arched bridge at Lewis's and the rubber-silenced road beneath, grandad always advising Corporation buses as he did not do Midland Red. Left Brumm when 6 but often returned on m/c activities later, to Bracebridge St, Armoury Rd, Hall Green, Fort Dunlop, etc. Dad worked at Midland Counties Dairies Aston 6Ways & later at Vincent Bluebird toffee works. When living Selwyn Rd played on beach at Reservoir when tide was out. Great days. Bruce Main-Smith +++

Hi All, I am back again. Welcome Bruce to our site, we talk about all sorts here. I remember Kunzles very well, on a Sunday mom and dad used to take me to the pictures The Odeon and on our way back we used to pop in there. Loved their cakes. Many a time we have got on a tram to take us to The Lickey Hills. Tat Tar June.

Hi Bruce Jim here, I said you would be made welcome. June was the instigator of the thread. We are always ready for a chat on one thing or the other. At present, due to the season, the girls are a little bit slow but I can assure you that they will be back in force er long to make us all laugh. So if you can think of a topic to talk about please feel free to air it on this site. Incidentally where are you living now? I am now in Warrington, Having left Brum in 1958 but I am still a brummie and always will be. June HI! You must be right, I bet the girls are dashing around like headless chicks looking for that last minute bargain. Did you read my message to all Brummies? That is where Bruce has sprung up from. I did have another contact from someone in Italy but am awaiting to hear from them again. Maybe we will get more replies as time goes on. Have you sorted your pc problems yet? As I tried to switch off last evening the computer put a notice up not to switch off or unplug as they were putting 4 new updates on,and said that they would switch off when they were completed. What they were or where they came from I have no idea,but things seem to be OK. Catch you again to-morrow. So for now LLOL from Weary Jim and Tired Mary C.

Ah, test message shows my Brummie shortcut in Explorer dumps me straight on to this page this forum. Quirky Genes though. Got to remember to leftclick on which order I want the messages displayed in.... It can be a strange world. I went to an infants called George Dixons. Never, for almost entire life, knew who/what Dixon was. Then moved to Leatherhead Surrey and found at the end of the VERY SAME STREET was a large building given to the community by you guessed it. Two altruistic brothers, the Dixons. Learnt their full history. Then again, when I had moved south, I met and became a good friend with late Bertie Goodman of Velocette [York Rd, Hall Green, B'ham 29]. Blow me, he too went to school there...... btw, where exactly was George Dixons School, must have been within walking distance I guess my home in Carless Avenue off Lordswood Rd, itself off the Hagley Rd at Bearwood? Bruce Main-Smith +++

Att Jim Charman! You ask where I live now. Quickly, B'ham to age 6'ish, Farnborough Hants to 12, Farnham Surrey to 17 then digs in Binsted near Alton, next Guildford Surrey, also Farnham, back to digs in Guildford, 1954 year with future mother-in-law Seale, Surrey, then in 1955 rented room Camden Town London N7, moved 1955 furnished flat ditto with new bride, 1961 first house acquired this at Berrylands, Surbiton, Surrey, then 1968 house Leatherhead, Surrey, but 1993 first wife died so married Farnham old flame 4 months later condemned by grownup sons for traitorous activityone of whom never spoken to me since, 1998 moved to Rustington, Sussex, where contracted terminal prostate cancer but beat The Bogey Man, 2000 moved to present house Blackfield, near Fawley Refinery, south Hampshire at second wife's request. Try researching that one! Where am I? You, Jim, may well ask! Maybe stuck up my own fundamental orifice without a torch, sure is not Black Country in there either. Sorry Ladies, couldn't resist that one. Bruce Main-Smith +++

Hi Jim, Yes dear I had a look at your site and I left a message on it for you. I hope Bruce will stay with us as it will help you Jim by not being out numbered by us girls. laughter. All we want now is our John to come back. I must send him mail again just to make sure he is ok and not getting lost in the woods. Yes it looks like all the girls are doing their rounds of the shops. Glad I finished all mine. Great. So its feet up with my cuppa. LOL. Tat Tar June xxx

Add this as An Awful Warning to researches of family histories. Should have also mentioned I lived c/o Royal Air Force mostly at RAF Wittering, Northants, or RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, for 18 months National Service. My parents could never afford a house of their own so always rented. During my RAF they disposed of family home in Wrecellsham, Farnham, Surrey, and oicked off to Aberystwyth, mid-wales west coast, and then got the tenancy of a pub in Fishguard, Pembs, where my Aberdonian father [born Liverpool] died. My mum then went to Gayton and died in nearby hospital, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Enough broken links? Bruce Main-Smith +++

Hi Guys, thought perhaps I should pop in and say hello. Not really a brummie. My mother was born in Northfield, part of Worcestershire then and my father was born in Handsworth, not sure why as he was brought up in Acocks Green. Parents first lived in Sparkbrook next to Smiths Imperial coaches when they first married. I was born in Solihull Hospital but lived in Tanworth in Arden. Lived for a year in Hall Green and hated it, some of the neighbours were just trash of the worst sort. Now back in Redditch and we love it here, friendly folks and not so built up as brum. Still usually head up to Ladypool road for a balti. Ros

Saturday morning in Radium Hot Springs and its snowing AGAIN , just talking to my In Laws in Telford and they are excited that they may be getting a white Christmas the first in years for them, I cant remember a year since when I came to Canada in 1957 when we havent had a white Christmas, if it would just not snow on the roads only on the grass areas it would sure be nicer. Jim if you have have an in with the snow maker man give him my request, I know you have a lot of pull with people in authority. Welcome to our new men on board, always good to have new blood on the thread. Well Im off to the last craft sale of the year. Really going there to meet friends for coffee ,dont really need buy another thing. Have a great day talk to you all tomorrow. Marg

Hello all and yes I'm running around like a looney doing last minuit things, I see we have a new guy to keep our Jim company and he's from my old neighbourhood Ladywood I think I told you my Mom uses to work at Kunzles in the late fifties or maybe the early sixties when I was a nipper. Are we all ready for xmas, Jan I think Rick has hidden the gifts he doesnt want you to handle I'm still hoping you get some snow soon...Marg it's dry and cold here nothing much in the forecast for the next week it seems to be going north to Colorado, my girlfriend in Denver is snowed up. Ok I have to do some more talk to you all later.

Hi Ros, Nice to see you on our site. Now you are a little bit of a Brummie with your dad being born in Handsworth. Marge just watched the TV news and they say we could have a little snow to night. Not sure about a white Christmas as yet, Tat Tar June.

Good Morning All, Nice day here sunshine but NO SNOW, but heck its bitter cold. Catch you all later. Tat Tar June.

Hello 10.44pm here in Perth have just turned the airconditioner off. I am babysitting two of the grandies, we went up to my daughters at 4pm to have a swim in her pool. She has a 9 year old,3 year old and a 18month. The ones I took with me are 7 and 3 the older ones swim like fishes but we put a swimming device like a life jacket on the others. So you can guess it was very hot here. Also I cooked the dinner and took it with me we had pasta and sauce and garlic bread after a swim you feel hungry. I took the kids to hungry jacks for icecream and a play in the playground there. I felt like a scream never mind icecream with all the kids enjoying themselves so loudly!!!!! Then afterwards my daughter myself and four of the children drove round all the houses with christmas lights some were fantastic. So back home the girls asleep I am exhausted peace and quiet. Wonder what time they will wake up? Last time I had the other 3year old he was awake at 5am looking for snails discovered he can open certain doors now. Nearly had a heart attack. We took the five to have a portrait photograph last week the parents came too. Bouquets to the photograph taking childrens photographs. Guess what lots of grandparents will be receiving for Xmas this year? By the amount of parents we saw having their children portraits taken. bye for now Pam

test --- IF IF IF this is really Brummies Only then what happened to all the other messages of the 19th and every one of those of the 18th? Bruce+++

Hello you lot. What a nice clear sunny day it is here in Warrington. Still they do say the sun shines on the righteous don't they? June Your weather seems like ours at the moment, but it is not too cold as yet. To-night they are forcasting cold -4C, strong to gale force winds and rain or snow, icy roads in the morning. Must put my winter tyres on the scooter or perhaps snow runners. Ros Don't worry we will forgive you for not being a true Brummie, and say you are most welcome any way, your Father qualifies you so as long as you have a sense of humour and can understand our accent we will be pleased to make you an honorary Brummie. So wer ya guin ar kid? An aunt of mine came from Redditch. She used to work in the needle factory. Marge Thank you for putting me in such high esteem! As if I had any connection with the snow maker. The blessed stuff would melt at the sight of me!!!. It would be nice though if we did have a white Christmas though. Faith SLOW DOWN or you might blow a gasket. Then what would you do for Xmas? Blow your top?? LLol there that will make it better. Pam One good thing about having your Grandchildren is that they Go Home afterwards. Especially when you are getting older like Mary and I. I get out of breath just watching the energy our youngest g/child, Megan , has when she comes. It was Christmas day in the morning, The snow lay all around, When I awoke at dawning, Guess what I found My stocking was limp and empty Nothing could I find Not a hole was in it And nothing on the ground I was broken hearted And a bit upset to So I decided that I would get a Cuppa Thats all that I could do' So up I get and down the stairs I go To put the Kettle on Every one else was sleeping So I thought it would be just for one But there to my amazement Was a man all dressed in red He looked at me with puzzlement And from a book he read Tell me please where am I I can't find my way I'm looking for a parking space In which to park my sleigh At that I heard a Ring From his Reindeer But it was our frontdoor bell And out of bed I spring It was the local postman With parcel in his hand Sign here he said and Put it on the ground What day is this I asked Not thinking very straight Dec 23rd and it is half past eight No wonder my stocking was EMPTY. Thats All Folks LLOL from a Stupid Jim and His Sensible Mary C.

Hello all, it's a beautiful day here very cold but not a cloud in the sky, I put in an order for it to snow on our Jan and Rick I hope they had a least a sprinkle. Jim I'm having a slow day today have to save some energy for xmas. Its great to see more people on our thread please keep coming back. Is our Brenda sunning herself give her my regards June...I'd like to wish you all a very merry christmas...I had some nice news from my brummie mate, her son has been chosen along with others to represent the southern California Sherrifs dept., at the inorgaoration of the President in January so if you watch it be assured that brummie blood is on parade at the Whitehouse, we really do get around... Thats all from me, take care all

Morning Everyone, Jim you must have some pull somewhere, ITS RAINING, it never rains here this time of the year, so its washing the snow away, if it keeps up and dosnt freeze we just might have a green Christmas, so keep doing what you where doing Jim, by the way loved the verse, did you write this one or is it one from the past ? Well think I will go bake a cake to take to the Carpet Bowling this afternoon, time for a party. Have a great day everyone, Marg

Hi Everyone, Sorry for lack of messages haven't deserted you been so busy and a bit under the weather ,parents were ill with this winter sickness bug going around East Anglia then my dad picked up another bug which is a very nasty cough . It's blooming cold here but no snow yet ,yesterday we took the parents down to my sisters in Abingdon and my brother picked them up from there and took them to Worthing to spend Christmas & New Year with them. Hubby was a very happy bunny yesterday City won so no long face. Been running round like a mad woman trying to get everything done so i can relax a bit more now everything is done Yippee!! i hate shopping at the best of times and to me Christmas is a nightmare. We have two family birthdays this week so i get not to have to cook 2 days as we go out for family meals which is lovely! I would like to wish everyone A VERY VERY HAPPY & AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS & AND A VERY HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR. Chrissy.x

Hi everyone, recently found out that my G.Grandpa Coates was born in Birmingham - do I qualify or is the Brummie blood too diluted they moved to London and now the Coates family resides in Hertfordshire. Would like to chat to any other Coates family members perhaps that are still Brummies! regards Heather