Victorian Inscriptions Uncovered on College Grounds
“ J Haimes Labourer Solihull Born 1879 Married 1901 ”
Inscriptions dating from Victorian and wartime Britain have been uncovered by ABL Property Services at Solihull College’s Blossomfield Road Campus; in the roof of the 19th Century Tudor Grange House.
Inscriptions dating from Victorian and wartime Britain have been uncovered by ABL Property Services at Solihull College’s Blossomfield Road Campus; in the roof of the 19th Century Tudor Grange House.
Discovered during a restoration project by construction company ABL Property Services, the lead engravings date from 1894 and are believed to be the work of builders through the ages. They include the following messages:
•"WJLB and JEJ, June 1944, In memory of the 2nd Front."
•"G Woodall ???? - Jan 1935."
•"H Andrews - Jan 1935"
•"E Warner - July 4 1905"
•"Jacob Hammond, Bricklayer, High St, Solihull, March 1901 and Edward Key, Stratford Road Shirley, Bricklayer’s clerk, 1901"
•"J Haimes Labourer Solihull Born 1879 Married 1901"
•"? Matthews, Labourer, Born 1876, Married in 1894, from Kings Heath. September 25th 1895. "
Andy Munn, Property Manager, Solihull College, said, “This is a fascinating find for the College; and particularly timely as its Remembrance Sunday this week. We always knew Tudor Grange House played an interesting role in local history, but to discover real life evidence like this has brought the buildings past back to life.”
Tony Roe, ABL Property Services, added, “Working on a beautiful, historical building such as Tudor Grange House is always satisfying. To find lead-work that has survived for over 100 years is a testament to the quality of workmanship and materials that were employed on its construction; in most buildings it has been removed or destroyed."
“I am sure these men were proud to be working on such a building and we, at ABL Property Services, are equally proud that our company is working alongside Solihull College to help to preserve some of our home town's heritage."
Tudor Grange House has been part of Solihull College’s Blossomfield Campus since 1976. It was originally built for a Birmingham jeweller (Alfred Lovekin) in 1883 and was bought by Alfred Bird MP, son of the famous Birds Custard manufacturer in 1896. In 1943 the house became the property of Solihull Council and was used as a Red Cross auxiliary hospital for soldiers during the Second World War. The house remained under Council ownership until it was handed over to the College.
For more information or to view the inscriptions contact: Tony Roe – ABL property Services or visit www.ABL-Property-services.co.uk
