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After the war, in the early 1950's,
my Dad and his partner worked at the back of this garage. They
re-upholstered and reconditioned the interiors of lovely old cars.
There were just two of them doing the upholstery work (Wally and
Frank). They used big strong needles on their sewing machines to shape the
strong leather into beautiful new seat covers.
In another area of the Garage Workshop, the cars were resprayed and the
mechanics looked after the engines. The cars (usually black ones)
left in A1 gleaming condition. The chrome sparkled on the grills,
handles and mascots. They were all very solidly built in those days
and well worth the work that went into them. The workers were all very
skilled men and there was great pride in the finished vehicles.
I remember one unhappy day when a completely refurbished car had gathered
some dust on its bonnet as it stood in the yard. I was a very young
child, visiting my Dad on the way home from the park. I couldn't resist
writing my name in the dust...Never again... My action brought on a very
serious dressing down which cured me of ever writing in dust again.
My Dad and Wally also did their work at a garage very near to the old
Edgbaston Cinema at the top end of Monument Road (a short distance from
Hagley Road on the same side as the Cinema). I left Birmingham when I was
in my early teens but I remember Dad's and Wally's workplace very clearly.
Sorry I can't remember the name.
Pauline Wolfenden
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