BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?

Subject: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Stu
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:39 AM

Although I was brought up right on the outskirts of Brum, I wasn't born there (we moved there when I was two) and was forced to move away when I was sixteen.

I still consider myself a dyed-in-the-wool Brummie though. Brum still feels like home in a funny sort of way (although it's changed beyond all recognition in many places), and Brummie culture feels right to me.

Am I right or self-delusional?

Up the Villa!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:45 AM

Youm roight our kid :-)

Glad there is one more Villa supporter besides myself on Mudcat :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 06:06 AM

Villa fans are well known for being a bit rough.
Up the Blues!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 06:08 AM

Just gone off you Al LOL :-)

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 06:24 AM

Just pointing out a fact, Les.

Villa Park is situated between strife torn Newtown and the demilitarised zone of Aston.

Whereas St Andrews is not far from the gay comspolitan area of the Coventry Rd; the spa facilities and atmosphere of Ballsall Heath are at hand; plus a friendly welcome awaits all round the corner in the Irish pubs of Digbeth - where traditional music and dancing provides a lighthearted backdrop to much of the high spirited behaviour.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 07:16 AM

My Grandfather used to run a pub in Deritend (part of the Digbeth area) back in the 1920's. I have tried to find out info on the pub, but can't seem to come up with the info. The pub was called "The Sailors Return". Strange that - I have researched endlessly on the internet and the Central Library in Brum, all to no avail.

May be somebody might help me there!!!!

>>Whereas St Andrews is not far from the gay comspolitan area of the Coventry Rd; the spa facilities and atmosphere of Ballsall Heath are at hand; plus a friendly welcome awaits all round the corner in the Irish pubs of Digbeth - where traditional music and dancing provides a lighthearted backdrop to much of the high spirited behaviour.<<

You do make it sound lovely Al LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 07:31 AM

well, it takes your mind off the football....

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:23 AM

How can al those Brummies have the same speech impediment ? it's not normal, someone should do a ' study '

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:43 AM

Its the in breeding.

When I left Birmingham I didn't go back very often.

However many years later, I had to do an emergency vist to Brum, becuase my mother was pretty ill. I was living in Amsterdam then.
I flew into Elmdon Airport and got the train from there to new Street.

I had the shock of my life. There was this burly black porter, belting out some orders. I creased myself up in laughter becuase he had the broadest Brummie accent. When I left Brum, they all had West Indian/Jamaican dialects. So it was quite a culture shock to hear him speaking. It was nice to hear it though and I guess I could say he was well integrated. :-) Not sure if he was a Villa or Blues supporter though :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Stu
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:59 AM

"Glad there is one more Villa supporter besides myself on Mudcat :-)"

Heady days at the moment Villan!

I went to my first Villa match for over 25 years in August, sat with me dad just above where we used to sit when we were kids, in the Trinity Road stand, close to the Holte End (to get the Villa ROAR in full effect).

It was like coming home - walking down the road in my '82 cup winner's shirt without fear of some thug getting leery - approaching the ground on matchday in the crowd etc.

And we beat Newcastle 2-0. Bostin!

Can't stand the new Bull Ring though (the bronze sculpure is goo though). Wonder what they did with the big 60's style bull that was on the outside of the original?

The Gas Stret Basin (a favourite of school trips) is all nice and clean now - what happened to the dead cats and muggers?

Up the Villa!

Right up the Blues!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 10:09 AM

I was born in Small Heath but got transported to Dublin at 6 months, came back when I was 4. I agree these Villa fans can be a bit dodgie, better class of Brummie up at St Andrews. We're now out in the sticks. Real Brummies are easy going and friendly - and I may add, proud of their accent.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 11:20 AM

I think I am a bit older than you Stigweard. 61 to be precise.

I used to stand in the Aston end in 1956 (when ther wasn't a stand) with me claret & blue airraid shelter rattle.

Watched Villa win the FA cup on Telly in 1957. That was luxery in those days :-) Cried my eyeballs out when they won. That was such a proud moment when Johnny Dixon held the cup aloft. We had just beaten the Busby Babes and that was some feat.

Became a steward in the Trinity Road stand around 1966. Had to stop playing foorball myself, due to a serious eye injury sustained from playing football.

That was a great time when Villa won the European Cup. I was living in Amsterdam and it was my wife's birthday and all her family had come round. 26th May. I had to watch the match on telly even though my mates had got a ticket for me. It would have been a divorce if I had gone.

Been a bit in the doldrums since then.

Lets just hope they are on the upward spiral now.

I think the shopping centre is very nice now.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 11:34 AM

Crickey! He's nearly a professional. I remember standing for hours for tickets for Blues v Man U in the late '60's, and then going with me big brother and dad to see the game on Thursday night. I think we lost ! I left Birmingham (from work) 17 years ago to have my son and really havn't been back to the city centre since, but we were in Birmingham the night the bombs went off. I worked at the Centre hotel opposite the underground pub on New Street. A night to forget I think.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 11:48 AM

The PA
>>I left Birmingham (from work) 17 years ago to have my son and really havn't been back to the city centre since, but we were in Birmingham the night the bombs went off. I worked at the Centre hotel opposite the underground pub on New Street. A night to forget I think. <<

Wow, I have never forgot that night.
My father worked at Lucas in Shaftsmoor Lane on nights.
He got the bus from great barr to New Street and then walked to the bus station. he had just turned the corner out of New Street (where New Street station is) then bang. A minute or so earlier he would have been blown up. As it was, he lived to the ripe old age of 90.

For the next 6 months, whenever I heard an Irish voice the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 11:50 AM

...As a boy I used to support the Villa but no longer- they never came to see me when I was bad. I've now lived outside Brum twice as long as I lived there.

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 11:53 AM

So its Ascot FC now RtS or maybe Reading FC LOL :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Stu
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 12:01 PM

"Crickey! He's nearly a professional" LOL!

Me, me dad and brother were on several Villa programme covers in the 70s when we were kids; I remember the picture being taken as we waited to go throught the turnstile at Trinity Road, and they used the same picture on more than one issue.

I loved going to the Villa, but my abiding memory (apart from one bloke shouting "Little's too big for his boots!") is of the cold in Winter. We used to get the pink and devour the Villa news. Listen to Tony Butler's phone in on the way home.

I still love me Bov too!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 12:14 PM

Perhaps someon ought to find a venue for a Brummie Mud Gather - I am only 100 miles down the road , having left Small Heath more than fifty years ago !!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Desdemona
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 12:30 PM

My mum grew up in Brum--Acocks Green, to be precise--during the 1930s & '40s (she was actually a GI bride, which is how I came to be born in the States); although she left there in the 1950s, I know she remains very connected to her sense of herself as being from Brum. Even now, on family visits, it's amazing how she'll slip right back; last summer we visited the National Trust back-to-backs, which was very like the house she (and my grandparents) grew up in, it was extremely evocative; anyone been there? It's well worth a look if you're ever in downtown Birmingham with nothing to do!

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-birmingham_backtobacks/

My children, on the other hand, always clamour for my cousin to do her astonishing rendition of 'Black Country'...now *there's* a dialect if you like (and BTW, the Black Country Living Museum is a pretty cool place, as well)!

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 12:49 PM

I reported the match twice for the Birmingham Mail plus photo's of me (can't remember who the reporter was) Got paid for doing it as well.

So that makes you 51 LF :-) Another brummie. Good idea about a mudgather in Brum. Would Villa Park hold us all?

Nice post there Desdemona. My Father was born in Acocks Green.

The stories are coming out the woodwork, slowly, and more mudcatters admitting to beeing a Brummie :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 01:53 PM

According to Jasper Carrott it's more a state of NO mind, but JC is a Brummie, so, if he,s right, what would he know?

Working that one out makes yer head spin. Zeno's Paradox variant?

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 03:53 PM

Don - NEVER tell anyone from Solihull that they are from Birmingham !!

And Villan - 51 ? I can REMEMBER being 51 !!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Stu
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 04:42 PM

Acocks Green - is the Bowling Alley still there?

Another favourite on Birthdays.

I lived outside Solihull between Knowle and Dorridge. At our school we all thought of ourselves as Brummies, no doubt about that. Jasper was our hero - he talked about the places we lived in. His dog used to sit outside the Chinese chippy in Knowle apparently.

We were all big Tiswas fans too. No way some suit in London would have thought that work of genius up (instead they came up with multi-coloured Swapshop - which was about as entertaining as dried mud).

This is what they want!

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Black Diamond
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:02 PM

I was born in 1952 in Balsall Heath, my Mum in Moseley Street, by Digbeth, so I guess its sort of like in the sound of bow bells in London - Im definately a brum. lots of family all over Birmingham, including Acocks Green Small Heath, Yardley, Sheldon, and out at Kings Heath, and even Rubery.
I went to Tindal Street Primary School, followed by Waverley Grammar, before leaving for uni, and never went back, except to visit family.
I once went out with a boy who supported Villa, and went twice to a match!
but mostly I went ice skating at the Silver Blades ice Rink.
and oh yes, I was intimately acquainted with those museum pieces - back to back houses!!!
BD

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:55 PM

Yes,bring a brummie is a stste of mind,and i would never bring a brummie anywhere that didnt want one

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 06:21 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 03:15 AM

Anyone remember Henrys department store. Seeing Father Christmas and Uncle Holly at Lewis's at Christmas. Waiting on the stairs for ages. The circus at Haymills. Weekend day trips to the Lickeys and the trams past the 'Austin'. The old BSA works at small heath and the 'original' Bull Ring market.   My dads address when he was a boy began 'back of 36 ......' in Bordesley Green, that was truly 'back to back'

A brummie gathering is a great idea.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 04:12 AM

I believe, in the 1930's, there was an ice cream factory somwhere between Erdington and and Stechford (on the 11 route) which (to the amusement of locals) advertised itself as being 'in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside'. Mind you, Erdington has apparently calmed down a lot since then - they say policemen used to patrol that area in groups of six.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Stu
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 04:31 AM

Sledging in the Lickeys!

I loved the old Bull Ring Market - we used to make a beeline for the toy stall when we were kids, and my mate's brother had a stall in the indoor section underneath the Bull Ring.

We went watching wrestling in Digbeth Civic Hall. Ice sakating at the rink in Hob's Moat.

Acocks Green used to be home to the the joke shop that supplied Tiswas. It was called Lynex I think and we'd badger my dad to take us up there on Saturdays. Anyone know if it's still there?

My first gig was ELO at the NEC - Brumtastic!

In 1986 it was the Heartbeat concert - a gathering of Brummie bands with George Harrison coming on for the finale. There was another charity gig at the NEC I went to a year or two after that, ELO Part II, Woody, Tom Robinson and Edwin Starr all played at it - I think it was in aid of aids charities.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Black Diamond
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 04:50 AM

PA said anyone remember Henrys department store. Seeing Father Christmas and Uncle Holly at Lewis's at Christmas. Waiting on the stairs for ages. The circus at Haymills. Weekend day trips to the Lickeys and the trams past the 'Austin'. The old BSA works at small heath and the 'original' Bull Ring market.

yep sure do loved Lewis's altogether, but especially that queue to see Santa. and the annual Sunday School trip to the Lickeys. my sister worked at BSA. hated the new improved Bull Ring.
I think it might be a good idea to get permission to have so many Brummies together in one place!!!! and are there any Brummies left in Brum??
BD

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 06:30 AM

Black Diamond - my dad was a motor cycle frame checker as the BSA, in the days when they lead the world in motor scramble, would have been in the early 50s.

Digbeth Civic Hall: Remember seeing, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee.
The Mayfare Suite : Led Zep
The Odeon : Pink Floyd amoungst others. All the in the early 70's.

Remembers Carrotts joke about Spaghetti Junction and the 'Birmingham Crawl' - did that round the Sideslow Island this morning !

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 06:41 AM

"Is it a state of mind"

More a catastrophic accident of birth.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 06:44 AM

Yeh right - so where are you from.

Is the Irish Centre still in Digbeth?

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 07:27 AM

Is there marmalade for tea...?

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: GUEST,Harvey Andrews
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 08:29 AM

Brummie and a Blues man through and through! used to watch the Villa too in the days when footie was an entertainment and not a tribal madness.
The musical play I wrote the songs for (script malcolm Stent) has been on five times in Brum, last time doing sell out business with Jasper Carrot and Dave Willetts ( who took over from Crawford in "The Phantom..") Could we get anyone from London agencies to come and see it? "Oh, that terrible accent!" was the response. One agent even suggested we re-write it in Cockney.
However, it won't lie down and goes on tour for 9 weeks next September, mostly in the greater West Midlands, but it may escape farther.
We'll keep right on to the end of the road with it and fight the prejudice against us as well as we can.
Sometimes it feels like racism.
Any road up,keep out a the 'orseroad, tek the busz, and I'll see ya rounf the back a Rack'ams.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 09:57 AM

Harvey, any chance of it coming to that new theatre/arty sort of place in Bromsgrove? I think its called the Atrix or something like that, failing that can you do a mini version at Bromsgrove Folk Club.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 10:05 AM

Harvey

how is Malcolm Stent? I'd heard he'd had an operation.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 10:28 AM

Did anybody remember the pelican (not sure if it was a pelican) with the glasses on, by snow hill station. Some opticians.
That used to be our landmark when we came home on the bus from our grans in accocks green. The old man used to say "half way home"

Harvey is a nice bloke, but I knew there was something wrong with him. Fancy being a Blues supporter LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:24 AM

I remeber well standing at the bottom of Lewis's taking hours to see Father Christmas. We must have been bonckers.

Anybody ever work at GEC Witton in the 60's ?

Leadfingers nowt wrong with your memory then :-)


Anybody ever get to do net practice at Warwickshire Cricket Club in their indoor facility.

Anybody remember Deadly Doug when he had a travel Agents in Witton ?

Anybody dare to admit that they were involved in the Jamboree at Sutton Park ?

Anybody ever go to the Roebuck in Erdington for the Jazz Club.

Anybody used to know my dad who ran for Birchfield Harriers?

Anybody used to watch the speedway at Birchfield harriers when Wacker Hunt was the superstar ?

Anybody ever work with my twin brother building the Rotunda ?

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:34 AM

They're turning the Rotunda into really, really expensive appartments.

I remember the Birmingham Show at a park in Perry Barr? I think, and when Handsworth was safe!

Steam trains at Snow Hill Station, and the Queens Hotel where the big shopping centre is now over the top of New Street Station.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:43 AM

Does anybody know the name of the Roller Skating Rink, if my memory serves me right somewhere past Digbeth.
I used to love roller skating there and was pretty good at it.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:46 AM

yes remember jazz at the Roebuck - trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. Also Rita Timmins country n western club on Fridays, and Dave Sampson's folk club.

remember the explosion at Witton on the day Princess Anne got married.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: The PA
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:00 PM

Villan it was the Silver Blades! Wish my dad was still alive he'd be on here himself !!

Anyone go to the Boggery in the 70's! (Does that count as Birmingham - perhaps not)

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Black Diamond
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:58 PM

nooooooooooooooooo the ice skating rink was called Silver Blades I learnt to skate there and went every Saturday for years. There was a roller ink futher out along the Stratford Road, or was it Warwick road, its been a long time!! and I cant remeber the name of the area either, although I used to go see my Aunt and Uncle there
I used to go dancing on a Saturday night at The Rainbow Suite, tight in the middle of town.
and PA my sister in law would have worked there in the 50s and 60s I think too!!!
I used to set up my "Guy" at Bonfire Night time on the junction of Moseley Road and Vincent street, right outside the bus stop - a very good palace indeed!
BD

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Black Diamond
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:59 PM

ah it was by the Mermaid Pub = the roller rink

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 01:03 PM

I don't know about Brummies but I think being a Rumsfeld is a sorry state of mind indeed.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 01:26 PM

The silver blades - yes I think it was that one - where exactly was it.

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 02:04 PM

To answer the questions. If Bromsgrove folk club will get in touch via my website www.harveyandrews.com we'll see what can be sorted, and malcolm has had a serious operation from which he has now fully recovered and is back to his usual top form.
Thanks for the "nice bloke" Villan, but I never get involved in slagging off a City club. I honestly say if the Blues can't win it I hope the Villa do. That's how it was when I was a kid. I remember derby ganes with an integrtaed crowd and lots of good crack. It doesn't happen today because it's a different world and i think that's sad.
as the play says;
"We're all Brummies ain't we?"
Anyway, here's the anthem I wrote for the show.

                            MY FINE OLD CITY
I WAS BORN AND RAISED TO LOVE MY FINE OLD CITY
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A JEWEL IN ENGLAND'S CROWN
OUR TERRACED HOUSE CALLED HOME WAS LIKE A PALACE
ONLY MINUTES FROM THE CENTRE OF THE TOWN


NEIGHBOURS WERE ALL FRIENDS AND LIFE WAS EASY
WITH BOYS OUT PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THE STREET
GIRLS HAD HOPSCOTCH SQUARES DRAWN ON THE PAVEMENT
AND THEIR MOTHERS KEPT THEIR DOORSTEPS NICE AND NEAT

CHORUS
AND IT'S MY PLACE, MY FOLKS, MY LIFE LONG
MY JOY, MY LOVE, MY LIFE'S SONG

THE SOUND OF BELLS ON SUNDAY FROM ST MARTIN'S
THE BULLRING ALWAYS BUSTLING WITH ITS NOISE
PROUD NELSON STEERING US THROUGH STORMY WEATHER
AS WE LAUGHED WITH ALL THE CHEEKY BARROW BOYS

AND IT'S MY PLACE, MY FOLKS, MY LIFE LONG
MY JOY, MY LOVE, MY LIFE'S SONG

I WAS BORN AND RAISED TO LOVE MY FINE OLD CITY
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A JEWEL IN ENGLAND'S CROWN
SO IF YOU CALL THERE'LL ALWAYS BE A WELCOME
FROM US BRUMMIES WHO WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN

AND IT'S OUR PLACE OUR FOLKS, OUR LIVES LONG
OUR JOY, OUR LOVE, OUR LIFE, ..
OUR LIFE'S...
SONG

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: Desdemona
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 02:04 PM

LOL--"never tell someone from Solihull that they're from Birmingham"--'struth!

Oh, my, but it *is* a small world, innit?! My kids & I spend a couple of weeks every summer with our cousins in Dorridge; they used to live in Knowle but moved a few years back---aren't the property values shocking around there (and *I* live near Boston!)? Anyway, the curry from Lloyd's in Knowle is the *best*, and there's that very good Chinese take-away right near the train station in Dorridge...some good pubs in the area as well.

My whole family on my mum's side started out in Acocks Green and Yardley; some are still there, some have only moved away as far as Sutton Coldfield, while one auntie is now ensconced in Henley-in-Arden, which is a long way from Dolphin Lane! But there certainly is that certain ineffable "something" about being a Brummie, isn't there? My parents talk about the old Bull Ring in the '40s; I only knew it in its rather hideous '70s shopping mall incarnation, but they've improved things since then, and done some nice things down by the canal now. I was just at the art museum last summer for the first time in donkey's years, and it was just fabulous; gotta love those pre-Raphaelites!

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Is bring a Brummie a state of mind?
From: eleanor c
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 02:30 PM

OK well I'm from Solihull but usually tell people I'm from Birmingham ( where I went to school) - parents still live there. I Worked at the Westley Arms Carvery restaurant in Acocks Green then at the American Food Factory in the centre of town.
Anybody ever go to Musical Exchanges near Snow Hill? in the 80s it was one of the best guitar shops ever. I guess it's gone??