Albert T Ballance

As part of my lock-down activities I've been looking through some family history and came across this photo of New Buildings that I think was taken in the 1920's. My mother, Jean Gilbert, was born here in 1928 - my grandfather, Albert Ballance, had the shop marked on the picture. I was told that he & my grandmother made ice-cream & sold it to the theatre-goers at the Coventry Theatre. They moved from there in 1929 and bought a newsagent shop on the corner of Dane Road and Shakespeare Street in Stoke where they stayed until retirement in the 1960's. I grew up there and have many fond memories of my 1950's childhood spent around that area.

Welcome to the forum Steve, and thank you for the fantastic photos! There's still a shop on that corner (you've probably checked Google street-view already!). I wonder if you or your parents knew Dorothy and Wally Gould, who lived at (I think) number 81 Dane Road? They had children Steve & Gillian - Steve also occasionally uses this forum. Dot was the play-group leader when I attended in the late 60s, and their family was also very connected with the 49th Scout group.

Hi Steve Not in connection with New Buildings itself, but I do remember your grandfather, Albert Ballance as a member of Three Spires Bowling & Sports Club - he was a colleague of my grandfather. In fact, together they won both the Warwickshire County Triples and Fours Championships in 1943 (I do have a photo somewhere!). I've had a quick look at the British Newspaper Archive and come across this photo from 1939.

There are many 'trees' on Ancestry for Mr Albert Tooth BALLANCE. Here's a couple of images, also from Ancestry.

Walter GOULD at number 73.