Contrasts In A Victorian City

the first photograph shows a group of women and children gathered round an ice cream seller's cart in the upper part of the Bull Ring near Nelson's statue. Local Italian families made and sold ice cream here. Comparisons with modern scenes can be made of clothing, buildings, shop fronts and advertising signs.

[photograph taken by A G Davis]

the second photograph shows canal boats at the bar lock, which was originally a physical barrier separating the Birmingham canal navigations and the Birmingham - Worcester canal. This scene looking towards Broad Street, would have been familiar to all those living in the William Street area. Even in the 1890s this busy canal basin provided an important source of transport for local industry.

the third photograph was taken for the Birmingham Housing Committee, to record slum properties.

the fourth photograph :The school in this picture is unknown, although a number in this series are photographs of Waverley and Dennis Road schools. The teacher's desk, cupboards, attendance register and teaching aids on the wall can clearly be seen in this Victorian classroom. At first glance it appears that the children are being inspected by the nurses, but it may be some form of first aid lesson.

the fifth picture shows The open market in front of St Martin's Church is in much the same place as today. The old market hall, bombed during World War II, can be seen on the right of the picture.

[photograph taken by : A G Davis]

the sixth picture : Another Housing Committee 'slum' photograph. The view appears to be from within Richmond Place and the houses are probably those on the right-hand side of the alleyway from Bishopgate Street into this court. An attempt has been made here to create gardens within this communal yard

the seventh picture shows a tiller steered car is reproduced courtesy of the John Whybrow collection. Although the hotel is only a few minutes' walk from Williams Street the scene shows a completely different world existing nearby. The woman and young girl are healthy, clean and fit. They are dressed in fashionable, expensive but informal clothes, and clearly aware of their image. The driver is uniformed and has either been directed to, or has unconsciously adopted a position appropriate to his status in this group.

The Horse Fair: (c.1895) [click for larger image]

a picture showing a scene at the annual Horse Fair held in the city centre street of the same name. By this period it had begun to decline, with the last one being held in 1911. The appearance of the man in the bowler hat contrasts sharply with the ragged appearance of the children who are presumably trying to check the health and age of the horse.

[photograph taken by A G Davis]

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Contrasts in a Victorian City

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