Casting an eye over Chelmsley Wood's history

Other Side of Solihull takes a look through a new book, which aims to tell the story of Chelmsley Wood through the memories of its residents.

ONE problem with official histories is that they never tell the whole story…
If for instance you type Chelmsley Wood into Google, you will find some rather bland descriptions about a “relatively new” council estate, built as an overspill for Birmingham in the 1960s.
Population density, crime rate and the opening times for Asda are all a couple of clicks away. But what Wikipedia, the Birmingham Mail and Solihull Council’s potted guide won’t mention is the ‘Bogey on the Stick’.
Credit then to this new book for featuring the famous sculpture – perhaps the closest thing that Chelmsley had to a mascot before its removal a few years ago – on its front cover.
A bit of background to begin with. The book has been produced as part of a project co-ordinated by the Three Trees Centre and bankrolled by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The aim over the past couple of years has been to collect and record the memories of local people, including some of the area’s original residents.
It’s remarkable to think that many of the twenty-somethings who made their home on the estate in the 1960s are now drawing a pension and their recollections of the early years are among the most interesting passages of the book.
Sheila Lloyd, who still lives in her original self-build home in Dunster Road, said: “It seems silly now, but this house cost us £4,000 all those years ago. But it was an awful lot of money because we only earned £12 a week.”
Another long-standing resident Ronnie Cashmore has fond memories of a Royal visit.
“They opened up for Her Majesty to come and have a look at this new estate,” he said, in reference to the Queen’s official visit in 1971.
“There was mud everywhere the eye could see because they were still building. When Her Majesty came over they spent quite a lot of money, I believe, actually spraying the mud green, so it looked as if there were grassy areas.”
The book goes some way towards addressing the negative press that “the Wood” has attracted over the years. The community spirit apparent in many of the photos is a world away from the multitude of unkind jibes you will find on social media.
“My overall impression of moving into Chelmsley Wood – absolutely wonderful,” said Stan Hayling. “It was a three bedroom house with a garden. It was all brand new, it was like winning the Lottery.”
But being a book produced by the local community there is also a candour here which you wouldn’t get if the authors had been, for argument’s sake, the council or Solihull Community Housing.
Look out for references to the farcical handling of efforts to rename the old Craig Croft shopping parade and some of the other controversies that have arisen as a result of the North Solihull Regeneration.
There is also a rather rueful look at the mysterious disappearance of almost all of Chelmsley’s pubs (a gallery of photos provides details of the ultimate fate of The Prince Hal, The Trusty Servant and The Southern Cross).

• From Then ‘Til Now: The Story of Chelmsley Wood is available from the Three Trees Centre for £3.50. You can find out more about the project at www.chelmsleywood.org/