Moseley Life
The development of Moseley at different stages in its history is described in the following articles (click to view):
You can also view the following galleries of pictures:
- Victorian Postcards
- World War 1 – scenes from the War, showing damage suffered by Moseley buildings.
- Moseley Festival – photographs of Moseley Festivals during the 1980s.
Queen Victoria’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees were commemorated by great celebrations and festivities in Moseley, as described here.
The history of Toc H in Moseley is described here, including its origins and role played during World War 1.
Victorian Moseley – Transport and Social Developments
Two articles tell the story of the development of Moseley in Victorian times with reference to (often amusing) reports in local newspapers and magazines. Click to read:
— Victorian Moseley in the News – Transport
— Victorian Moseley in the News – Developments in Housing and Society
Further articles here on Moseley Village Green and Transport in Moseley describe how the road pattern and transport infrastructure have changed leading to the relocation of the village green from the vicinity of the Meteor Ford site to its current location at the crossroads .
This article on a Highway Robbery in Moseley in 1846 shows the dramatic differences in the nature of policing and the punishments given to convicted criminals in Victorian times compared with the present day.
An article here describes the development of the Postal Service in Moseley in Victorian times, with examples of Victorian Christmas cards.
Victorian Housing in Moseley
An article on Sorrento House and Gardens describes the style of architecture favoured by affluent Moseley residents and the social life associated with their lifestyle.
Sports and Social Life
Sport was important in late 19th/ early 20th century Moseley as a way of developing social contacts and relationships of all kinds. The history of the major Sports and Social clubs in Moseley is described here (click to view). See also the following:
— Moseley Gentlemen’s Club describes the history of the Club (now The Village pub) and other social clubs in Moseley for both the wealthy and the working classes and both men and women.
— Moseley Quoits and Bowling Club – the history of the club, photographs of players, cups and notices plus information on other bowling clubs in Moseley – by Janet Berry (also referenced in – Newsletter November 2012).
— When Moseley won silver at the Olympics (rugby union)
— Moseley Skating Rink at the Trafalgar Hotel, with thanks to Mark Baxter and OnlineNewspapers.
— Moseley Park Golf Club at Moseley Hall – an article by John Moreton.
— “Golf comes to Moseley – a history of Moseley Golf Club” – Newsletter August 2013
— Moseley Tennis Club by Diane Hirst and Heather Frazier
Sorrento Hospital – Memories of Sorrento Midwives
A talk about Sorrento Hospital which Josie Wall gave to a Local History Group meeting in 2013 can be read here.
Jenny Hodder has given us her memories of working as a midwife at Sorrento Maternity Hospital . Ann Flynn has also given us her recollections of life as an orderly at Sorrento in a conversation with Linda Gresham along with two of her two of her poems about Sorrento.
Memories of Moseley Life
Recently added to the website is this very interesting and entertaining account by Andrew Craig of life in Moseley in the 1950s when he was a boy living on the corner of Chantry Road. It brings back nostalgic memories of those very different times. If any of our readers have similar memories of past times we would love to hear from them.
Further memories of Moseley life are reflected in these articles by local people.
- Moseley Memories by Susan Smith (nee Bromilow) features memories of Moseley life, shops, schools and people, particularly in the St Agnes / Yardley Wood Road area, where she grew up in 1950s/60s
- Colin Precious – Memories of Moseley – including Moseley C of E School, the Kingsway Cinema, Carnegie Boys Club, Roy Cross fruit and veg and Sycamore House.
- Robert Hitchman – Moseley C of E School – including a school photograph
- My first job at W H Smith’s by G. Reeves– an oral history. See also article on the W H Smith’s Building
- Boots’ Library by Diane Hirst
- Memories of Moseley Art School by Ann Barran
- Memories of a concert at St Mary’s by Tony Lee
- Lia Lesser’s Memories of Moseley– and of her nursing experience.
- Tesco and The Wombles – Janet Berry’s story about Tesco and the Wombles
- A film of the ceremony on 3 December 2012 for the rededication of the South African War Memorial in Cannon Hill Park (known as the Boer War memorial, opened in 1906) made by Norman Bartlam with TNT_News School club reporters can be seen here. For further details see the website.
- Britain’s Muslim soldiers – the contribution they made in both world wars – see Local history Newsletter July 2013
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s connection with Moseley – see Local history Newsletter May 2013
- The Toy Balloon by Verity Montague-Smith – see Local History Newsletter October 2013