Around 4 o'clock : Memories of Sparkhill and Acocks Green

This text covers the local history of the Birmingham suburbs of Sparkhill and Acocks Green.

The title of the book reflects the eventful life of Margo Headford, the author's mother, who grew up in Sparkhill in the 1920s and founded "4 o'Clock Cafe and Cake Shop" in Acocks Green in 1936.

Much historical information has been gathered together by the author to reveal the development of Acocks Green and Sparkhill from the 19th century and includes many reminiscences of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties in this century.

Chapters of this book include: Twenties Childhood in Sparkhill; Around Fox Hollies; Along the Yardley Road; Acocks Green in the Days of Horses; Acocks Green from Village to Suburb; Acocks Green Village Centre; Glimpses of Old Sparkhill; Roundabout Camp Hill and many more.

Many old photographs, advertisements and drawings illustrate the book which includes the history of several local businesses.

Harold Cheshire reminisces on his cycle shop and garage, "Harold's Garage" on the Yardley Road, founded in 1929. Another octogenarian, Wilfred Norman Dixon, founded his chain of shops in 1933 on the Warwick Road in Acocks Green, including the shoe-shop and the two fashion shops which are still trading successfully after 60 years.