Brierley Hill

st mary school

At the top of the town towards the flats is St Mary's church.  I used to attend St Mary's school which was situated behind the church.  One day when everyone turned up for school it had been burned to the ground, I think I was told one of the teachers left an electric fire on.  I can only remember the infant class, where the teacher in winter used to put our bottles of milk around the boilers chimney, also at dinner times we used to have to go down some steps to a cellar type dining room.  I wasn't keen on staying at school, but there was a lovely lady in the class, I think she was a secretary, her name ...read more here
Contributed by jackie thompson

M.D.Gittens

I remember Gittens high class grocery shop when it was in Hill Street, it then moved to 10-12 High Street, moving into Shakespears hardware shop. What I remember most was the aroma of the coffee being ground in a special machine. The staff were always friendly. The shop was taken over by Ernest George. I remember 'Minnie with the glasses' who I identified when I was about 5 years old, she had worked there for years.
The old shop in Hill Sreet was used for the Home Guard during tha war. My Uncle Tom used to deliver groceries to the villages, until he went into the R.A.F.
Contributed by mary myers

Coming Back home

I came back to brierley bonk in 1966, complete with surfboard, after leaving BH in 1961 ,with my parents for Australia, to start a new life ?,well when i got back the place haden't really changed, Except me.I had left behind golden beaches and fantastic surf,But it was the revolution of the 60's, so i was going to get into that revolution. I met up with some old school mates, Howard Cooper, John cownley, and of course all my cousins,aunts and uncles, it was really fantastic visiting old haunts,wich took on a different picture now,i had experinced another life but, the old place was pumping,
Come back again for part 2 1970 visit
Contributed by Roger walker

Chattin and Horton

I also remember Chattin and Horton shop in Brierley Hill high street yes, it was a very exciting store especially at Christmas.  I was six years old and my sister who was four years older saw a lovely toy baby grand piano in the window. She said to my mother that Judith would love that piano for Christmas. That Christmas morning the piano was there waiting for me.  I was over the moon, happy days!
Contributed by Judith Deville

CHATTIN AND HORTON SHOPPING STORE

IWAS FIVE IN 1964 AND IN THE HIGH STREET WAS A LARGE SHOP CALLED CHATTIN AND HORTON.   IT WAS A WONDERFUL SHOP ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN FATHER CHRISTMAS USED TO BE THERE WITH HIS SACK OF TOYS.   YOU COULDN'T HELP YOURSELF IN THE SHOP YOU HAD TO ASK ASSISTANTS BEHIND THE COUNTER TO GET THINGS FOR YOU.   DOES ANYONE ELSE REMEMBER THIS SHOP?
Contributed by jackie thompson