Hillfields

Hi all Amazing photos marry present-day Hillfields with its past.

Dear forum members. As part of my research into post-war regeneration in Hillfields I have curated an exhibition at Fargo Village which you may have seen in the CET here and here. The exhibition is open until August 31st. You can also see images at www.imaginehillfields.org and @imagine_hill using #imaginehillfields Edited by Midland Red, 15th Aug 2015 2:09 pm (Links clarified)

Hello & welcome to our forum Kyneswood Thank you for your post.

Wow, fabulous pictures guys, they bring back so many memories, my mum had a friend lived in King William St. And we used to walk through from Stoke, I can remember her telling my sister and I about the top shops, such a shame so much heritage has been lost in the name of progress.

Nice shot Neal, It looks like it was taken from the top of the flats at the top of Albert Street. The Flour Mill is still there and the new baths had been built, no sign of the ring road. can you date it? My guess is mid 60s...

The picture was taken circa 1967 as Mercia House is still under construction. Great picture by the way!

This picture brings back so many memories. Both my parents were brought up in Hillfields before the war so as a small boy post war it is an area with so many memories for me. My paternal great grandfather used to make coffins in a "top shop" in Castle street in the late 1890s. This is the street running from the centre of the picture to about 4 o/c. Just out of the picture on the right hand side is Queen St where in November 1940 my mother, her parents and her brother were bombed out of their house, a kind neighbour gave them shelter in her cellar, otherwise I wouldn't be here today. In the distance is the Swanswell where my parents did their courting. In the left foreground in Victoria St was an Italian (I think) restaurant called the "Bimbo" where my paternal grandparents took us to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. In the far left distance is Wheatley St School where I did my final months of day release during my apprenticeship, and behind that is the Art School in Ford St where I started my day release at the beginning of my apprenticeship as a painter and decorator. We were moved because demolition of the Art School was imminent. Going down Primrose Hill Street was a cycle shop on the left where I used to buy bits for my bike. Priceless memories

Primrose Hill Street, 1972

The last bit of the Triangle disappears forever - '74

The row of lads in the photo, well, I was one of them and if anyone remembers the pub opposite the wallpaper shop in the photo it was called the Elephant and Castle where I used to drink a good pint of Bass bitter. Ah yes, the good old days

In the 60s I always thought the pub opposite Brightwalls was The Leopard. Am I losing it, or did it change names.

According to Real Ale Rambles it was the Leopard Inn. Whether it changed names at sometime I am not sure, also the nearest Elephant and Castle was in Castle Street.

Thanks for that NormK. I'm glad the grey matter is still working ok.