Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

Collet’s Brook Farm is located on the western side of the A453 Tamworth Road in Sutton Coldfield adjacent to its junction with Fox Hill Road and is Grade II (Statutory List) listed. It once belonged to the Birmingham to Watford Gap Turnpike Trust before being sold to John Sutherland Valentine on September 9, 1831. It probably dates from before 1815.

One might never realise that the impressive façade of No. 16 and 18 High Street hides an interesting secret unless you look up at its chimneys.   If not the originals, they could well be replacements for those that were there at the time of a complete residential refurbishment in 1816 of an important public house known to have been in Sutton Coldfield High Street called The Red Lion, which itself may have been built in the late 1600s!  This article attempts to show the history of the site.

A Victorian physician ahead of his times Pioneer in treating Tuberculosis Provided humane and positive care for those with Mental Illness Twice Warden of Sutton Coldfield

Although it is nearly 30 year since this research reached Sutton's Library shelves, the facts haven't changed and Four Oaks in 1824 is just as fascinating today as it was then - perhaps even more so, as our knowledge of that area has widened over the years.

Francis James Chavasse, Bishop of Liverpool (1900-1923), is a name that is becoming better known to the people of Sutton Coldfield partly as a result of the transcription of his compelling diary, two large volumes of which are now to be found in the Local Studies Department of Sutton Coldfield Library (Reference: SH78.1CHA). Frank lived at Wylde Green House, Sutton Coldfield and he and other members of his family made their mark on the town, many being doctors or clergymen.

This is the fifth in a series of articles on the Headmasters of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. Herbert Jerrard was Headmaster for nearly a quarter of a century (1902-26) and left the School in a much better position than when he was initially appointed. Although Boarders were no longer considered a viable option, pupil numbers were higher and increasing. He also saw the School through the traumatic effects of the First World War, during which time a total of 313 former pupils served in either the Royal Navy, Army or the Royal Flying Corps. Tragically, 64 ‘Old Boys’ were killed whilst on active service. An impressive list of medals were awarded during the conflict to these brave former pupils, amongst them being two Victoria Crosses.

One of a set of pamphlets researched by the late Ken Williams, this on the subject of Hill Hook Corn Mill.

Unlike modern town "Histories", this one printed in 1762 is a collection of three short essays by different people, each coming forward with facts about Sutton Coldfield that can still surprise to the new reader.  The whole book is available for you to read here.

Why does this building in Lichfield Road remind you of a church?  Because that is what it was.  In 1834, it was the first Roman Catholic place of worship to be built in Sutton Coldfield, then to be known as Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Chapel.  One hundred years later, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church was built further up the road and the old chapel took on a new lease of life as the parish hall, known as 'The Guildhall'.  Yet another fifty years or so passed by and the building was in some need of repair.  A complete conversion into office space was made and, eventually, Jordan's Financial Management took ownership.  They made further sympathetic changes and today the building certainly earns its place in Sutton Coldfield's Conservation Area as a Grade II Listed Building. This is the story of how all of these events transpired.

On Wednesday 22nd June 1994, a balmy Summer's evening, a group of very keen local historians gathered together at Sutton Library, ready to go on a walk which could never be replicated. Changes to the town layout east of the Parade were due to take place.  As a result, Dennis Hurley, a member of the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group, was eager to show what he had discovered about the ancient pools and water courses running through the middle of the town before they disappeared under any new development.