City not the same place I remember
DEAR Editor, I was born and bred in Birmingham during the heavy snows of 1947 and looked on the city as my own.
I lived by Elmdon Airport as it was known then. I remember the air displays they used to have along with Castle Bromwich that is now Castle Vale. I used to play (safely) in Chelmsley Wood, as a wood, always an adventure.
I remember going into Birmingham on the train as an older child to train-spot at New Street and Snow Hill.
I liked to go to Lewis’s at Christmas to visit Santa and also the roof garden that was there in the summer. I enjoyed going to Bingley Hall for the Ideal Home Show and also Billy Smart’s Circus.
I also enjoyed Cannon Hill park for the flower show, ice skating at Silver Blades, roller skating at Summer Hill – or was it Spring Hill, still get them mixed up. This was my Second City, but now it is second filthiest city. What has happened?
I came in by train at Christmas and as we passed Aston it got worse and worse.
The graffiti and derelict buildings. Grand Central is no longer so grand with boarded up food counters.
I walked down Bull Street and New Street. It was dirty.
There were leaves that were blowing around in piles and rubbish strewn all over the place, as well as people just lounging about in shop doorways. It was quite unsettling.
Where is the pride at being a Brummie?
Soon we will have “the Games”.
Can you imagine what visitors will think. The mayor will take credit for staging the Games, but will he take credit for the bad press and the hardship that these Games will bring? Just look at the debacle with the trams. Still not running properly.
That money that was wasted and the mayor’s pet project, HS2. That could have rebuilt a lot
of inner city with shelter for the homeless. No, my Brum has gone along with its reputation for being Britain’s second city. Have shame Mr Mayor and regret it.
Geoffrey Holt, Lichfield