#wythall

Patriotic Flags. (pan,016) by Geoff Dowling Via Flickr: Miss Phyllis Nicklin either lived in Hollywood or had family there. This view, one of many taken in the area, is of the old Alcester Road South. The picture has houses decorated with the Union flag, this dates the picture to May 1935, the flags were to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The shops were built in 1907, a date is above the door of 311, more visible on the new picture than the old. The shop was owned by G. Willis (Family Butcher), among the tangle of pedal cycles his shop bike complete with large wicker basket can be seen. In front of the shop is an Ariel twin motorcycle with sidecar, the bike dates from around 1930 and has a rigid frame, girder forks, hand gear change and a very well used sprung saddle. The owner of the bike has succeeded in cutting down the glow worm power of his 6 volt headlight even further by sticking an AA bagde in the middle of the lens. The new picture has some changes over the years, G Willis has long gone and the shop is now JJ's Barber shop, they have England flags in the window, currently England are taking part in the World Cup in Russia. The house next door to Mr Willis is now another shop. The row of houses are well cared for and brightened up with some of the roughcasting painted white or cream. The road has been narrowed at the crossing to create parking for the houses. The Ariel motorcycle has long been scrapped, today we have a 2008 Triumph Bonneville, briefly parked further down to avoid blocking the crossing. Photograph Miss P. A. Nicklin, May 1935 Collection Geoff Dowling: All rights reserved