History

Bromsgrove in the 1950’s

The 1950s seems like a far-off time that many of us know little about. But for the older generation they were halcyon days that are remembered fondly.

The Bromsgrove of the 1950s was a very different place. The High Street was populated by independent shops of all descriptions where virtually anything could be bought over the counter (there was no self-service in those days) and the shopkeeper generally had time to stop and chat.

Behind the High Street there was no through-road as there is now, as Market Street finished at the junction of Church Street. Crown Close was a grassed-over piece of land with pathways leading to Amphlett Memorial Hall and St John’s Church. Among the businesses there was Ted Hammond’s Dairy whose milk floats were a regular sight around the district.

The Council Offices in St John’s Street dominated this side of the town; this is now the St John’s Court nursing home. St John’s Street also housed the produce market, which then was still in the old Market Hall.

At that time the town had only one public secondary school, the Bromsgrove County High School on the Stourbridge Road. Local poet Geoffrey Hill, who died in 2016, recalled that the school had a celebrated acting tradition and the Bromsgrove Messenger always gave the annual production good coverage including a full cast photograph.

Nora Byng, who taught at the school during the 1950s, recalled her salary being £250 per year and the women teachers being paid less than the men. “Teachers were highly respected and supported, both in the schools and in the community, and it meant a good deal to feel that one had a secure living.”

Bromsgrove itself expanded dramatically during the 1950s, with major council housing schemes being built at locations such as Sidemoor, Catshill, Charford and Rubery. Annie Deeley describes this post-war housing boom in an article in the new Rousler.

‘Britain in the 1950s’ was the topic of a recent online talk hosted by the Bromsgrove Society. The talk, given by former Bromsgrove School teacher Philip Bowen is available to view on the Society’s YouTube channel, along with other talks held online during 2020. The free Local History Talks will be held online until at least next May - registration details can be found on the website (address below).

The annual Rousler magazine covers many aspects of the town’s history and the latest issue is available now priced £2.95. The cover features a picture of Bromsgrove Fair in 1966.

With on-going shopping restrictions due to the pandemic, some people may not be able to purchase the Rousler from local shops and businesses in the usual way. To make it easier to get hold of, the Bromsgrove Society has a special postage-free offer.

You can buy both the current and previous editions of the Rousler online with free postage and there are further discounts for multiple copies. Visit www.bsoc.co.uk or look for @bromsgrovesoc on social media.