Audio Files: Fred and Pat Meads remember
Author Jackie Gay (left) met up with local residents Pat and Fred Meads. Jackie interviewed the couple, talking about their lives in the area. The photograph was taken by Vanley Burke.
In the streaming ...
Due for demolition
An interesting view of two buildings awaiting demolition as part of the urban renewal of Lee Bank. Haddon Tower to the rear of the picture was in process of being cleared for "blow down". The top floors ...
Haddon Tower
Haddon Tower is located on the corner of Bristol Street and Lee Bank Middleway. It stands across the road from St Luke's Church. In common with the other tower blocks built in Lee Bank it is named after ...
Haddon Tower - Angela Maloney
Haddon Tower rises in the background. This block of flats is set to be demolished in Summer 2006 as part of the urban regeneration of Lee Bank.
Haddon Tower Blowdown (film footage)
This picture shows Haddon Tower on Bristol Street undergoing preparatory clearance for demolition. The top floors have already been stripped of fittings and fixtures and the contractors are working their ...
Haddon Tower Poppies - Angela Maloney
Wild Poppies to the rear of Haddon Tower on Bristol Street.
I came to Birmingham from Dublin on an adventure...
‘I came to Birmingham from Dublin on an adventure and I’ve been here since January 17th 1966, in this flat. I fell in love with the place. I love Birmingham, I’ve been here nearly 50 years myself. I used ...
I grew up in Yardley...
"I grew up in Yardley, It’s a different country from when I was a lad. My playground was Chelmsley Woods, when it was a wood. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. They chopped the wood down to build ...
I was brought up around here...
I was brought up around here, and the Handsworth area. I didn’t really have any trouble, I was going to school in the morning and by the time I got back I wasn’t going to hang around on the streets. So ...
I’ve been here since January 25th 2003...
"I’ve been here since January 25th 2003, I was in Vorton house in Woodview for 24 years. The block is on its way down now, it had to be emptied. So it was an internal transfer.
We weren’t too happy ...
I’ve been here three and a half years...
‘I’ve been here three and a half years. I was the first one-bedroomed flat to have a rewire. The kitchen’s fantastic. I moved to Birmingham because I have friends here, I feel very safe because we’ve ...
I've lived in this area all my life...
Mum: ‘I’ve lived in this area all my life, I still see people from my infant school. I suppose it’s changed for the better, I remember the big houses, there were families over there with 22 children. ...
Lee Tavern and Haddon Tower
The Lee Tavern was built and owned by Davenports Brewery on Bath Row. By 1999 it was closed along with the rest of the Spring Vale shops. The area (as of 2004) is due for substantial redevelopment in ...
Outside the Middleway blocks
This view was taken by resident May Williams who lived in the blocks. The blocks are still there today, upgraded and renovated, at the top end of Lee Bank Middleway as you approach Five Ways.
Poppies behind Haddon Tower - Angela Maloney
Haddon Tower is on Bristol Street opposite St Luke's Church. Both buildings are set to be demolished as part of the urban regeneration of the Lee Bank area.
St Luke's School, Lee Bank
St Luke's School in Bristol Street, Lee Bank. St Luke's was a Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School but has since been closed down. Behind it can be seen the roof of St Luke's Church. The tower ...
Taking a break
Workmen taking a break from preparing Haddon Tower on Bristol Street for demolition. They are removing fixtures and fittings; their progress down the tower was easy to spot by seeing if a floor had still ...