Around 4 O'Clock: Memories of Sparkhill and Acocks Green - Softcover

Wilmot, Frances

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1858580250 ISBN 13: 9781858580258

Publisher: Brewin Books, 1993

Synopsis

This text covers the local history of the Birmingham suburbs of Sparkhill and Acocks Green. The title of the book reflects the eventful life of Margo Headford, the author's mother, who grew up in Sparkhill in the 1920s and founded "4 o'Clock Cafe and Cake Shop" in Acocks Green in 1936. Much historical information has been gathered together by the author to reveal the development of Acocks Green and Sparkhill from the 19th century and includes many reminiscences of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties in this century. Chapters of this book include: Twenties Childhood in Sparkhill; Around Fox Hollies; Along the Yardley Road; Acocks Green in the Days of Horses; Acocks Green from Village to Suburb; Acocks Green Village Centre; Glimpses of Old Sparkhill; Roundabout Camp Hill and many more. Many old photographs, advertisements and drawings illustrate the book which includes the history of several local businesses. Harold Cheshire reminisces on his cycle shop and garage, "Harold's Garage" on the Yardley Road, founded in 1929. Another octogenarian, Wilfred Norman Dixon, founded his chain of shops in 1933 on the Warwick Road in Acocks Green, including the shoe-shop and the two fashion shops which are still trading successfully after 60 years.

About this title

Review:

Much about life between the wars... 1939-45 especially interesting... an excellent gift for a relative who knows this area. -- Midland Ancestor, Dec 1993

Over 40 photos and 100 illustrations... text reveals the development of the area, as well as reminiscences. -- Family Tree Magazine, Feb 1994

From the Author:

The book developed from a manuscript written by my mother about her wartime business, discovered in a drawer after she had gone into a nursing home. Reminiscences from her contemporary friends and local residents, plus research on Sparkhill and Acocks Green in Birmingham's reference library, resulted in the book which at the time of publication was the only illustrated book on the area in print. Margo Headford is now aged 89 (in 2002) and is delighted that 1,045 copies have been sold in just under 10 years. The book was successfully launched in Acocks Green in 1993 at Dixon's shoe shop, with Ethel Farrow, mother's business partner, attending as guest of honour in her eighties. She brought along some typical old-fashioned rock cakes they used to make at "4 o'clock" cafe during the war!

About this edition

• Publisher: Brewin Books
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 1858580250
• ISBN 13: 9781858580258
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160