Freddy and Ginny Peaks kept The Red Lion in the fifties, there was many a great pint downed there. On August 3rd 1963, Maurice Terry Ridgway left to report for army service, he walked past the Red Lion. Mrs Perks was standing in the doorway, “Young Man” she called, Maurice went over to her. She put in his hand 10 Parkdrive Cigarettes and said “Good Luck”.
Parrys International coaches was formed as a Limited Company in November 1973 and has remained under the leadership of the founder and Managing Director Dave Parry for 52 Years. From around 1977, tours were introduced until they become so successful that by 1980 Coach Holidays become our only business with a full programme of British and European Destinations.
Not only could you get a day trip out, you could get dropped off at your local boozer.
Draught Beers – per pint
Mild Beer – 23p
Bitter Beer – 25p
Guiness – 32p
Lager – 30p
Double – Diamond 26p
Newcastle Brown Ale – 30p
Bottle Beers
Double Century – 20p
Guinness – 19p
Mackeson – 21p
Brown Ale – 16p
Sweet Stout – 18p
Lager – 17p
Pils Lager – 27p
Babycham – 23p
Cherry B – 30p
Pony – 30p
Cider – 15p
Spirits – 5s measures
Bacardi – 27p
Brandy – 32p
Gin – 26p
Whisky – 26p
Rum – 26p
Vodka – 26p
Southern Comfort – 37p
Before World War II, local children would stand at the door of Mr. Hudson’s workshop watching him make coffins! It was intriguing to see the shape and how they were make and always wondering why he did not make rectangular boxes. It didn’t register to the children what the shaped boxes were for. All they knew was they were so neatly made, compared with those boxes that were knocked up at home for bedding plants. Not sure on the date of the top left photo, though the poster boards look a little unkempt and may therefore be nearer 1960s. Photo taken from the excellent book ‘A Walk Down Station Street’ (available from Cheslyn Hay Library £7). Information says The British and Foreign Society School was built approx 1824 as a paying day school, and opened by the Methodist Church as a free Sunday School. For decades it was Pency Hudson’s Undertakens, followed by Thackers Hardware in the 1960s. Panache fitted kitchens in the 1990s, Supreme Windows in the 2000s. It became once again a Funeral Directors in 2014. The building was owned by the Hawkins family until 2009 when Miss Jean Hawkins died. The stone on the side of the building became unreadable, but then A J Sellman replaced the stone sign with a replica. Most of the building couldn’t be saved, so had to be rebuild. It was nice to see that when it was being rebuild that they tried to keep it in character of the original building.
Our guest speaker – Stefan Wild, has write a book called ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ on his life as a mounted policeman. He came and gave a cracking talk about the time he spent has a mounted copper in Birmingham City Police. Copies of his book was available on the day to purchase. I have the book its a great read and surprisingly he lives in Cheslyn Hay!
Stefan Wild – ‘Longest way up, shortest way down’ Book is available to buy from Amazon.