Hope you enjoyed this short look around The Yew Tree Estate in West Bromwich. Consider subscribing to this channel by hitting the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON in order for me to continue making films in and around West Bromwich and it will also ensure you are alerted to new video content. As always, all comments, questions, and feedback are welcome. Thanks for watching!!
Hi Phil enjoyed the walk around Yew Tree and thanks to another comment I remember the name of the flats Bermuda Mansions my Dad was in the Navy and served on the ship Bermuda
Thanks for the video Phil. I was born and raised on the Yew Tree, not far from where the old Fir Tree School used to be. Left in the early 1990's and have rarely been back since, so this was an interesting watch. It was like a ghost town while you were walking around, no one else around at all, I barely recognise it, loads of new build houses. A shame to see Redwood Road shops empty and run down.
Thanks Beverley you are in a position to compare then and now and sadly many areas in West Bromwich seem to be going the same way. I will post Yew Tree part 2 on Friday or Saturday
I lived in Bermuda mansions from the age of 5 to about 11 that would be from 1957 and then on a road close to them later (I forgot the name!). I went to infant, junior and Churchfields schools with Kenny Downing and Ian Hill from Judas priest, the original drummer a chap named Johnny Ellis was also from Yew Tree - we all used to drink in the Bell. Both my parents lived there in Woodstock Close until they sadly died. It was a great place to grow up as a kid there; plenty of open spaces, a canal and fields over the back of the Mansions. We'd spend hours and hours playing football, cricket and British bulldog. Happy times.
I was also mates with Kenny,Ian and John and also Trevor Lunn one of the roadies and Dave Cork the first manager. The original J.Priest were from Stone Cross and it was only when the singer Al Atkins joined them in 71 I believe he brought the name. i think they were called 'Freight' or something. Started at the youth club on Redwood Road. I move from YTE around that time and so lost track of them all but saw Ian and Trev the roadie at the Hawthorns a couple of times.
An interesting little journey. Been a long time since I was around there, and I don't recognise much at all. Did some pat-testing at the primary school there about 25 years ago - not sure which one, but Fir Tree School rings a bell. All I remember is that the caretaker told me that he used to keep a pub in a village in Mid-Wales, not far from where I live these days. The estate certainly looks a bit tidier now than I remember it - which is pleasing, and probably wouldn't be the case if you went a bit further on and into Walsall!
Hi Phil I was brought up on the yew tree est I lived in the flats on the right hand side of Greenside way and Redwood drive on the left the end shop was the Co op and station nursery was Dr Sens surgery. as far as I can remember I worked at Averys as a maintenance welder / Fitter it was a big company and had its own Railway and at the end of Greenside side way on the left just on the main Road was was Averys staff bungalows
Great Social club down the Bermuda Mantions long gone. The petrol station long gone. Sadly 2 people were thrown to there deaths from the 7 story block a few yrs ago 😢.
Where the Diamond bus is on Greenside Way/ Thorncroft way the 6 story flats were opposite the bus stop and took up Brackendale Drive and Orchard road. (Yew tree Gardens) not sure how many blocks 5 or 6.
Brilliant memory they were before my time at Churchfields, still it would be lovely to think you coul still be in touch with them. Again many thanks for the comment
A sad note on Bermuda Mantions a young lady called Genene Downs lived in the block nearest the social club she was sadly murdered a few miles away. A nice girl with small children. 😢
There was also a Fir Tree Infants built brand new Built next to Fir Tree (Junior) School but that was demolished too make way for a new housing estate and Fir tree Junior went much later. Great times on YTE in 60/70s Foresters for a beer and watch a live fight at the end of the night 😂😂
I lived in Bermuda Mansions for a short time in the 90’s, had to move because they were being demolished and when did the post office close? I went there on a Monday morning after taking my kids to school, there were no closed shops back then
My great aunt lived in a high rise till they knocked them down, then ended her life in a care home, when her husband died, which was a pub on the corner by the petrol station in Wednesbury
Yes is was a gun range. As you turn right on Walsall Rd into Greenside Way ( Which incidently is Walsall on the left and West Bromwich on the right,different political costituences as well ) Right on the corner there use to be concrete small bunkers about the size of a shed which we use to play in . The roofs were very thick about 6 inch concrete. As you carry on there is some common land on the left half in Walsall half in West Brom. Hence they only cut their half so it's never all the same size😀. The trees a bit further back are where it's thought that the original Yew Tree farm was that the area is named after.
I remember walking across the small railway tracked timber sleepers Bridge across the river tame into Avery scales factory when it was Derilect. Infront of the averies main office were small bungalows
Hope you enjoyed this short look around The Yew Tree Estate in West Bromwich. Consider subscribing to this channel by hitting the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON in order for me to continue making films in and around West Bromwich and it will also ensure you are alerted to new video content.
As always, all comments, questions, and feedback are welcome. Thanks for watching!!
It’s nice to see tree lined streets and grass verges, it gives the roads a more pleasant feel, that’s if the council take care of them!
Hi Phil enjoyed the walk around Yew Tree and thanks to another comment I remember the name of the flats Bermuda Mansions my Dad was in the Navy and served on the ship Bermuda
Thanks for the video Phil. I was born and raised on the Yew Tree, not far from where the old Fir Tree School used to be. Left in the early 1990's and have rarely been back since, so this was an interesting watch. It was like a ghost town while you were walking around, no one else around at all, I barely recognise it, loads of new build houses. A shame to see Redwood Road shops empty and run down.
Thanks Beverley you are in a position to compare then and now and sadly many areas in West Bromwich seem to be going the same way. I will post Yew Tree part 2 on Friday or Saturday
I was brought up on yew tree estate lived in lilac avenue loved it so happy growing up went to yew tree school the best life xx
Pleased its brought back a few memories
I lived in Bermuda mansions from the age of 5 to about 11 that would be from 1957 and then on a road close to them later (I forgot the name!). I went to infant, junior and Churchfields schools with Kenny Downing and Ian Hill from Judas priest, the original drummer a chap named Johnny Ellis was also from Yew Tree - we all used to drink in the Bell. Both my parents lived there in Woodstock Close until they sadly died.
It was a great place to grow up as a kid there; plenty of open spaces, a canal and fields over the back of the Mansions. We'd spend hours and hours playing football, cricket and British bulldog. Happy times.
many thanks great memories
I was also mates with Kenny,Ian and John and also Trevor Lunn one of the roadies and Dave Cork the first manager. The original J.Priest were from Stone Cross and it was only when the singer Al Atkins joined them in 71 I believe he brought the name. i think they were called 'Freight' or something. Started at the youth club on Redwood Road. I move from YTE around that time and so lost track of them all but saw Ian and Trev the roadie at the Hawthorns a couple of times.
An interesting little journey. Been a long time since I was around there, and I don't recognise much at all. Did some pat-testing at the primary school there about 25 years ago - not sure which one, but Fir Tree School rings a bell. All I remember is that the caretaker told me that he used to keep a pub in a village in Mid-Wales, not far from where I live these days. The estate certainly looks a bit tidier now than I remember it - which is pleasing, and probably wouldn't be the case if you went a bit further on and into Walsall!
Thanks for the comment, part 2 on Friday
Hi Phil I was brought up on the yew tree est I lived in the flats on the right hand side of Greenside way and Redwood drive on the left the end shop was the Co op and station nursery was Dr Sens surgery. as far as I can remember I worked at Averys as a maintenance welder / Fitter it was a big company and had its own Railway and at the end of Greenside side way on the left just on the main Road was was Averys staff bungalows
Thanks Paul
Great Social club down the Bermuda Mantions long gone.
The petrol station long gone.
Sadly 2 people were thrown to there deaths from the 7 story block a few yrs ago 😢.
Where the Diamond bus is on Greenside Way/ Thorncroft way the 6 story flats were opposite the bus stop and took up Brackendale Drive and Orchard road. (Yew tree Gardens) not sure how many blocks 5 or 6.
Many thanks for the info much appreciated
And to get to Greensideway you went over the Railway bridge by the Navigation past the Black Bull pub long before the M6 past AVERY scales
Ah KK ( Ken) Downing and Ian Hill . Judas Priest .Knew both well they were in some of my sets when i was at Churchfields Comp.
Brilliant memory they were before my time at Churchfields, still it would be lovely to think you coul still be in touch with them. Again many thanks for the comment
A sad note on Bermuda Mantions a young lady called Genene Downs lived in the block nearest the social club she was sadly murdered a few miles away.
A nice girl with small children.
😢
When I lived there in the 90’s the lady who lived above me lost her young son, he drowned in the canal it was so sad
There was also a Fir Tree Infants built brand new Built next to Fir Tree (Junior) School but that was demolished too make way for a new housing estate and Fir tree Junior went much later. Great times on YTE in 60/70s Foresters for a beer and watch a live fight at the end of the night 😂😂
Great memories should always be cherished, many thanks for the comment and also for the info regarding the school
Not from the area, but nice video 👍
Many thanks
The 45 bus used to be National Express, then Diamond completely took over the service in January 2023.
Many thanks
@@awalkwithphil You're welcome!
I lived in Bermuda Mansions for a short time in the 90’s, had to move because they were being demolished and when did the post office close? I went there on a Monday morning after taking my kids to school, there were no closed shops back then
Many thanks for your comment, Im unsure of when the PO closed but all those shuttered closed shops does make the area rather depressing.
My great aunt lived in a high rise till they knocked them down, then ended her life in a care home, when her husband died, which was a pub on the corner by the petrol station in Wednesbury
I will be posting a video shortly of Woodgreen Road Wednesbury
Doctors Surgery corner of Redwood road and Cherry tree ave .
The Yew Tree was a GUN RANGE during WW2
i never knew that
Yes is was a gun range. As you turn right on Walsall Rd into Greenside Way ( Which incidently is Walsall on the left and West Bromwich on the right,different political costituences as well ) Right on the corner there use to be concrete small bunkers about the size of a shed which we use to play in . The roofs were very thick about 6 inch concrete. As you carry on there is some common land on the left half in Walsall half in West Brom. Hence they only cut their half so it's never all the same size😀. The trees a bit further back are where it's thought that the original Yew Tree farm was that the area is named after.
@@MrGabb61 Very interesting info, also borders are far more difficult to define between areas these days.
I remember walking across the small railway tracked timber sleepers Bridge across the river tame into Avery scales factory when it was Derilect.
Infront of the averies main office were small bungalows
I thought yew tree was in walsall ?
The Yew Tree Estate is a residential area of Walsall and West Bromwich which is located at the border with both Sandwell and Walsall.