|
Catherine De Barnes was once a small area of heath within Longdon Manor.
It takes it's name not as one may think from a Norman Lady but from the 12th century Lord
of the Manor who's name was KETELBERNE. By the 17th century the name had been
elaborated to Catherine de Barnes, and in the 19th century was known as CATNEY BARNES
which incidentally is still used by the Residents association for their Newsletter the
Catney News. In 1900 Catney Barnes as it was known boasted a School, Church, Pub,
Post-box, Bakery, General Store and a Canal Wharf. There was however no Sewerage System,
Mains Water Supply, Gas or Electricity.
From the Geoffrey Dean collection of Old Postcards
Residents of Catherine de Barnes are invited to use this page to
comment on local issues.
Have Your Say
Posted Monday, December 21, 2009
Many, many thanks to Ann Horton nee Wilson: I now not only
know a lot more about the Grandfather I never met, but I even have some
photographs of him taken together with Ann's family. I'm so pleased I came
upon the Catherine de Barnes website! And I'm so grateful to Ann for
her willingness to communicate with me.
Stuart Reynolds
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2009
I just stumbled upon this site and was interested to read the
quote from "Catherine de Barnes Past and Present" in which it says that "the
only patient to be taken there was a lady secretary from the smallpox
research laboratories who sadly died from the disease". Actually, my mother
my brother and I spent several weeks there with smallpox in the summer of
1966. We even watched England win the World Cup there on an old TV which
the consultant used to bash back to life every time he visited. We all left
in good health, incidentally.
Rob
Ellis
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2009
I'm trying to trace a little of the history of my
grandfather, Albert Smitten, whom I never knew and whose name I have only
recently discovered. Someone who contacted me about the Smitten family told
me that he "lived in lodgings with the Wilson family opposite "The Boat
Inn", Hampton Lane, Catherine de Barnes( probably in the 1940s)". Could
anyone please verify this, and possibly pass on a little information about
him? I notice a comment in the Family History section by Ann Horton, nee
Wilson - would you have this information, Ann?
Stuart Reynolds
Posted Monday, November 16, 2009
Happy memories of, what was known as Gallaghers Land off Lugrout
lane. My husband and I would visit his Aunt and Uncle who lived in a small
cottage on the land. Gone now of course. We would take our dog and pick
blackberries there too. I believe that my late mother-in-law Daisy was
brought up around that area. I wonder if anyone remembers the little
cottages. Ravenshaw has been a firm favourite for many years. I would
cycle to it from Sheldon with one child riding his bike and the other on the
back of mine. They would paddle in the river there. The sound of Mr
Whale's peacocks would scare them a little at times but very happy
memories. I still visit there once or twice a year and enjoy just standing
on the bridge watching for the kingfishers and bluetits. The castle on the
island belonging to Whale Tankers always intrigues me. Oh, and what a
glorious sight each spring when the daffodils are in bloom.
Diana
Posted Monday, September 1, 2009
I have been looking at this site to see if I could find a picture of Boat
Inn. My Uncle Alfred Wright was living near Boat Inn, Sowe Common, Walsgrave
on Sowe, near Coventry in 1930. I wonder would the Boat Inn mentioned above
be the same one.
Mary
Williams
Posted Monday, March 30 2009
Can anyone enlighten me to the monument that stands in a field on the
left as you drive down Catherine De Barnes Lane towards the airport? I can
not find any reference to it on any website. Many Thanks
Victoria Oddy
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009
In researching family history, I believe that from the Solihull Union
workhouse minute books, there was a children's home referred to as 'The
Woodlands' at Catherine de Barns. can you please confirm this, are there any
records, the location of the buildings and further possible uses, in fact
any information would be appreciated.
Tony Ward
Posted Monday, June 16, 2008
Can anyone enlighten me about the history of Newlands Bishop Farm in
Berry Hall Lane? It is currently used as an agricultural training centre for
adults with learning difficulties and is run by the Family Care Trust. I
believe prior to this it was used in a similar way by Solihull Council. Was
there ever a farm on the site and where does the name Newlands Bishop come
from? Enjoyed reading all the comments.
Ian Kelman
Posted
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I started work at Solihull hospital in 1957 in the wages dept. The old
isolation hospital had become a convalescent home for mothers who had
recently given birth at Netherwood. Every Friday morning I helped 'put up'
the wages for both Solihull and C de B. When I had proved a certain
competence I accompanied the assistant administrator to Catney where we
doled out the wages. I felt very important! Happy days.
Liz Nye {Walker}
Posted Monday, March 3, 2008
I am trying to locate some photos of old berry hall, my Grandad
was a carpenter and worked on the renovations. I think this was before WW2
he is now in his 8o's and living in Australia. We would love any
info/pictures.
Thanks
Sharon
I am interested in 'Bogay Hall' and it's owners and land. I work at a house
that was once the servants quarters.
Arthur
Morgan-Moore
What a fascinating website, reading the different entries and comments
brings back all the old memories and faces. I went to Catney school from
1951 or 2 until 58/59, remember very vividly how the village was then. Miss
Kennedy in her sweet shop, Mr (Tom) Bradley with the petrol pumps outside
and then Johnny Walker who used to deliver the morning papers on his
delivery boys bike. At the back of them, down a path was where Chris
Stanley and his family lived. He had two daughters and I'm sure they came
to the school. Course that's long since been built on now as were the
fields on and past the sharp bend as you started down Lugtrout Lane.
Opposite the school was Tarplin's builder's yard and at the back was a farm,
I think their name was Cooper and they also had two daughters, one of whom
if I remember rightly was Christine.
Mrs. Hammond was still teaching at the school when I started, but I don't
know how many years she did in all. A long time I know because she'd taught
my Mother before me!
It's nice to see the old place is still there and looking cared for anyway,
although I suspect it must be much changed inside. Happy days, but such a
long time ago! Frightening when you stop to add them up. Anyone out there
remember Coronation day when it was cold and poured with rain, but no matter
what the celebrating had to go on!
How quiet and peaceful everywhere was round there back then though. I
remember you could more often than not walk the whole length of Lugtrout
Lane and perhaps see no more than one or two cars.
Oh well. Glad to have found the site anyway and will definitely regularly
tune in to read everybody's comments.
Valerie McSweeney (nee Baker)
My name is Wlliam Wallace (Billy). I went to catney school between 1950 &
1956. My Aunt Mattie (who I lived with in Malt House Row) was the cook at
Berry Hall. My Uncle Hubert was the baker at Lewis' bakery. My cousins
lived in Henwood Mill. Everyone kept pigs then. I remember it all, the
Coronation celebrations, Mrs Hammond, the headmistress of catney school and
a whole lot more. I now live on the Isle of Skye but still have family in
the Solihull area
William Wallace
I have just discovered that my grandfather, Percy George Everall lived on
Lugtrout Lane in about 1905. His parents were John and Fanny Everall (strict
Plymouth Brethren) and his brothers and sisters were Eleanor (Nell), Edgar
(Ted) and Marjorie. John was a farmer but not a very successful one. Percy
claimed to have swum in the River Blythe in his childhood, but whether this
was at Catney or not I don't know. Does anyone know anything about the
Everalls?
Peter Everall
I went to longfellows restaurant last eve saturday 26-1-07 for the very
first time and had the most enjoyable meal. The last time I was in those
premises was as a young lad born catney 1927 and used to go there for a
stick of liquorice and bag of kali the premises was then owned by mr Kennedy
and was the local grocer.
J J Lyons
To those asking about Berry Hall, or 'New Berry Hall, I have recently
created a page on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. I have always been
obsessed with the place and still to this day have not got over the fact
that it was demolished. My entry onto the Wikipedia web site is the
culmination of a lot of time spent in Solihull Library researching the Hall
in around 1990. I am glad to have 'preserved' the once stunning Hall's
memory by listing it on the encyclopedia. If anyone has any further info or
pictures they would be willing to share with me, I would be most grateful if
you could get in touch. Please have a look on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Hall . I hope you will find what I have entered so far (it is an on
going project!) interesting.
Simon Woodfield
I remember Berry Hall and an empty house next to it that my boyfriend and I
would often visit by climbing in or through the front door. The house had
many strange and interesting things left in it, I remember a steam tub, one
of those with a seat and your head would poke out, also and old screen with
pictures all over it. The house was like the Marie Celeste, it had added
mystery due to being surrounded by what looked like giant rhubarb! It was
very strange. We visited many times as we used to walk from Solihull to the
Catny shop where I would buy fudge. As for Berry Hall, just how many ghosts
did that place have? One day I was very scared by a very strange noise, a
humming that got louder and louder until it was in your head, no ghosts but
a swarm of bees, did we run! This was all in the mid seventies, is there any
thing left of either of these buildings now, I never thought to take
anything even a piece of mosaic floor would be nice, I do mosaics myself.
Julia Warner
I have been tracing my family tree, I went to Catherine de Barnes school in
the early 50's at the county records office i found a Catny school register
and to my surprise, 14 of my relatives had been to the school before me
including my Great Gandfather the family lived in Malthouse Row
Donald Blizzard
My Greatgrand Parents John & Frances Waters ran the old boat Inn pub in the
early 1900's. They had 3 Daughters Eva, Elsie & Lucy and a son Edward. Is
there anyone with any information out there
Sue Crouch
I lived in the house next to the smallpox hospital 110 Henwood lane do you
remember us Doreen and John Roberts and their 8 children I am Janette
youngest but my 3 sisters Karen, Christine and Pamela used to work at the
stables would love to hear from anyone who remembers us have got lots of
wonderful memories and tales about Catney
Janette
Saman nee Roberts
What a cracking web site!! I myself have spent many hours over on the Berry
Hall Estate as a youngster, and actually have a few small pieces of the
mosaic flooring that was in the entrance hall, (acquired during the
demolition) the "KEEP OUT" sign, just as a small memento of this once
splendid house. Keep up the good work!
Paul, Solihull
For Jason Jennings ( Old Berry Hall ). Nice to see someone asking. We
went there religiously every year as a family outing to collect conkers. We
would take our sheep dog " shep " who would roll in cow dung and stink the
car out on the way home. If travelling toward Knowle on the newer bypass
from hampton/cornyx lane area, take a look on the left hand side and you
will see a small area with wooden fencing and a style. This is a public
footpath that goes right up to ( or did) Old Berry Hall and its Victorian
like derelict Greenhouses. Last I remember about 25 years ago was the quarry
type tiles in the hallway of a building that seemed to have no roof over it.
I was revisiting with a metal detector in the hope of good finds. No such
luck.
Luke
Could somebody please tell me exactly where the old berry hall is situated.
I remember playing around there as a child around 1987, and the building
itself was dilapidated to the point of there hardly being any of it left. I
seem to remember reaching it from berry hall road or perhaps Ravenshaw
way/road, a short walk across a field somewhere to the rear of whale
tankers? I don't suppose any of it is left by now and has probably been
redeveloped. My interest was always in the lake next to it, which was very
overgrown and looked like it may be the home to many a monster fish :)
I've driven around those roads over recent years, trying to remember where
it was i played as a child, but cannot get a fix on exactly where to go. I
guess it always was private property anyway, perhaps if it would be
trespassing to find this lake, somebody may educate me ...Thanks
Jason Jennings
BEESLEY/NEWSPAPERS - Can anyone remember which local newspapers were around
in the 40's and 50's, my great grandfather by the name of BEESLEY appeared
in an issue and i'd like to find out why
David
Calcutt
I would like to know who now owns north lodge?
Sue
Tom Barstow's e mail address does not seem to be operating -please can you
tell me how I might contact him re info I have on Berry Hall. Thank
you
Mike Smith
I used to keep my horse at Henwood Stables in Henwood Lane. His name was
Joey. This was next to the 'smallpox' hospital as it was known in the
1960's. When it was not being used we used to go scrumping for apples as it
had an excellent orchard. We used to ride down to Henwood Mill as it often
had water in the ford which the horses loved. We also used to tie our horses
up at the Boat Inn and go in for a pie and a pint. I can still remember faces
from these days but unfortunately am a bit hazy on names. Would be lovely to
hear from anyone I used to ride with. There used to be a posh bungalow next
to the stables owned by the Gills.
Helen Murray nee Flemming
If anyone has any information on my great grandmother, Clara Hewitt -born
around 1860 in Catherine de Barnes; she married a John Mallett around 1898
and moved to Havering in Essex. We think her occupation was laundry maid.
As far as we know they had two children, Frank and Arthur, born 1899 and
1904 respectively. Many thanks
Bev Mason
My dad and some of his brothers and sisters were born at
Catherine-de-Barnes; my dad in March 1919. Is anyone still around that may
remember the Symcox family? Mr Edward John Symcox, Mrs Leah Symcox, two
older boys from his first marriage (one Harry, other name possibly Edward),
Brian, Aubrey (my dad) Joan, Hubert (Mac) and later Joyce and Oliver and
finally Winifred, though the last three may have been born when they moved
to Walsgrave-on-Sowe, Coventry. These family history activities have a lot
to answer for!
Anne Ayres nee Symcox
As a boy I went to Catney School in the early nineteen sixties under the
tutillage of Mr Dingley who used to ride his bike past our house in Barston
Lane. I used to walk to school past Henwood Mill (when the ford wasn't in
flood) and the old infectious diseases facility. I moved to Australia in
1962 but my father purchased the book about Catherine-de-Barnes and it is
still in my possession along with many happy memories!
Bryan Shirley
Maternity Hospital
I was born at Catherine de Barnes Hospital on March 25 1953. My mother
told me I was one of the first babies born here, it would be interesting if
someone could find me on the hospitals records to see if that was true.
I now live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Christopher James Stevens
I am the Mother that gave birth at Catherine de Barnes on March 25, 1953 (my
son asked a question earlier) Reason for Chris being born there was that Netherwood Maternity Hospital, adjoining Solihull Hospital., was being painted so they
didn't want any births occurring there. Matron Windridge was the Matron at
that time, and Chris was the first baby born at the facility.
Marjorie Stevens
Berry Hall
Travelling around the area I have always noticed and wondered about a certain property
named North Lodge on Hampton Lane which is unoccupied. Have you any information on this
property and history
M Cartmell
The North Lodge on Hampton lane is one of two properties that remain intact that were once
part of the Berry Hall Estate. The other being South Lodge in Marsh Lane, now a listed
building.
Berry Hall was owned by the Gillot Family who in 1873 purchased a great deal of land in
the area.
The Gillots were owned a factory in Birmingham producing steel pens.
The Hall was described as "a solid Victorian home with no expense spared".
The Architect, J.A. Chatwin had a reputation of being one of the best in England.
Joseph Gillot senior (known as "His Nib's"!) died in 1872 and his business
passed on to his eldest son, also called Joseph. Joseph II died in 1903. The Hall passed
to his son, yet another Joseph who himself died just four years later leaving the proceeds
of his estate to the RSPCA and Batersea Dogs Home.
Berry Hall c1925
The property was bought by a Mr Upton of Sutton Lodge, Warwick Road
and later changed hands several times until about 1950 when the house and parkland were
sold to an anonymous investor.
The estate is now managed by Berry Hall Estates who in recent years had to comply with a
dangerous structures order and demolish what was left of Joseph's house.
The main attraction of the grounds was an arboretum, the trees are still there today
including a rare Whitty Pear and what is said to be the largest Gincko in the country.
Information obtained from 'Catherine de Barnes Past and Present, by Pete Peters and
Betty Simmonds with Marilyn Price.
 |
Spanning almost 1000 years of history, Catherine de Barnes Past and
Present has been produced by three members of the local history group. The 80 page
publication contains over 30 photographs and illustrations along with a wealth of
historical information on the area including Henwood Priory, Berry Hall and the Gillott
Family. The book is priced at £4.95 and is available from Mr Peters on 0121 704 9276 All
profits from the sale of the book are being donated to Warren Pearl Marie Curie Centre in
Solihull.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the village. |
Family History
Wilson Family
I was born at 259 Hampton Lane, my granny's house, (opposite the Boat Inn) and lived in
Henwood Lane from 1943-1948. My father George Wilson was born in 1917 in Catney and lived
there until 1948, worked at Lewis's Bakery. We went to a re-union at Catney school on
19th.May, it was really excellent.
Thank you Mr.Peters, any plans for another?
Ann Horton nee Wilson
Samuel and Gertrude Cockram
My father was born on Henwood Lane in 1920. He remembers walking to Catherine de Barnes.
His family immigrated to USA in the early 30s. Does anyone have information about that
area? His father's name was Samuel Cockram, mother's was Gertrude (nee Hill) Cockram.
Thanks.
Kathleen Randall
28 July 2001
We have lived in Catney for 17 years and have never regretted moving here. The villagers
are always friendly and look out for each other. It is a great place to bring up a family
or retire to.
Zena and Doug Dadswell
16 July 2001
Currently purchasing a house in Catherines Close, Catherine de Barnes
(subject to contract so far!) any historical documents about the hospital site most
welcome.
Pat McBride
The only information I have is to be found in the excellent book 'Catherine de Barnes Past
and Present' by Pete Peters and Betty Simmonds' from which the following is taken.
"One of the more unusual developments that took place in 1907 was the building in
Henwood Lane of a hospital for contagious (infectious) diseases.
This was a joint operation by Solihull and Meriden Councils and was constructed with a
main block housing individual one bed wards and several separate bungalow style buildings.
Accommodation was provided for ten staff and sixteen patients. The object was, of course,
to isolate the patients;
such places were often known as `fever hospitals'. During the earlier part of the 20th
century diphtheria, typhoid fever, smallpox etc. were still quite common. When they became
much rarer in the 1950's it was used as a convalescent maternity hospital. Following the
building of the maternity block at Solihull it reverted to an isolation hospital and was
`mothballed'.
However it had to be ready at one hours notice to receive patients with what by now were
very rare but highly dangerous diseases. The only patient to be taken there was a lady
secretary from the smallpox research laboratories who sadly died from the disease. By 1990
the health authorities decided that the
hospital was no longer required and the buildings were converted into houses and flats
with the name of Catherine's Court."
A Ghost Story
This is a true story, whether they be ghosts or a time slip or not I do
not know to this day.
I lived in Oakfields Way, Catherine-De-Barnes, Solihull. I know Solihull very well and this
incident occurred when I was about twenty-three years old, a short while before I left for
overseas.
In 1973 I was walking the dog 'Maggie' (named pre-Thatcher and nothing to do with her). I
walked down to the canal at Catney Bridge near the Boat Inn and then back along the path
towards Lugtrout Lane/Birmingham rather than the Hay Lane/Stratford direction. There was a
way up to the fields from there, the other side of the canal to Lugtrout. At the top of
the path a farming meadow swept down from a house at the top of the rise and the other
side from the canal dip was bordered by "Gallagher's Wood", as I knew it. Owned
by J.J. Gallagher, these acres have probably been built on now. But they were old woods,
old fenced, lots of silver birch but a real mix of oak and ash and undergrowth. There were
paths through to Damson Lane, I'm sure.
It was a late summer's afternoon, early September, warm, clear and bright. As you hear
about ghosts they arrive unexpected, but they are never quite as you imagine. As I crossed
the field and neared the fence, just beyond, within the edge of the wood was a small
coterie of three people deeply involved in animated discussion. Clear and sharp to my eye,
as I could illustrate them even now, they were all dressed in medieval garb, in green
leggings one of them and a reddish arm shirt as well as drab colours. In the flick of an
eye (I didn't turn my head) they were gone and though I crossed to the place with
intrigue, rather than fear, I could not find a trace.
I never saw them again, I went back several times and was never afraid to walk the dog
there. Whether or not these are ghosts, for your interest, this is what I saw - sharp and
definite. I am also convinced that these were authentic figures, not a contemporary group
dressing-up and playing 'Plantagenets' as is the wont of some, I know.
Dave Cubby
|
