EPW005842 ENGLAND (1921). St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham, 1921

St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham 1921



Library services at Home (Birmingham’s Home Library Service) have got together with some of their visually impaired members to discuss their memories and recollections triggered by the photos from the Britain from Above project. We have also added a few facts and dates for the project.



At the centre of the photo is St Philips Cathedral which has a baroque style and was built between 1709 –1725 by Thomas Archer. Behind the Cathedral on Colmore Row there is a very large building which is the Grand Hotel which was opened in 1875. Moving along Colmore Row to the right will lead to a white building which is the Prudential Assurance, it was previously known as the Blue Coat School up until 1930.



In the top right of the photo is the original Snow Hill station, this great western railway or GWR station opened in 1852. Moving left from the station you will find the Birmingham Eye Hospital which opened in 1883 and is behind the Grand Hotel.



Comments



Betty from Hall Green worked for the Prudential Assurance for ten years. Her lunchtimes were spent in the grounds of the cathedral which we “Brummies” know as “Pigeon Park” and she occasionally had lunch in Kunzals coffee bar which was in Colmore Row. Betty also recalls her confirmation at St Philips.



Stan Hubbard (narrator) I personally used to go train spotting in Snow Hill Station and distinctly remember the sunlight coming through the darkened glass roof windows and glinting on the shining brass bands and beautiful green livery of those majestic and mighty great western locos.



Below is an audio description of the image. The narrator is Stan Hubbard.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, Birmingham, 09/08/2014