Annie Murray, author

Scrapbook

Three Cheers for the Automatic Washing Machine!

One of the aspects of life never far from my mind when I’m writing stories about old Birmingham life, is how it must have been to be a wife and mother then, and I constantly compare my life now. When my children were small we were not living in the most convenient of houses – by today’s standards at least, This was in Lottie Road, Selly Oak. But there was running water – at least downstairs - and heating, and a washing machine. If there is one domestic appliance I would be very loathe to be without, it’s that!

Left:
The old sink in Newton Road.
Click on the image to enlarge

Then we moved to Newton Road, Sparkhill (taking the washing machine with us.) The house, number 137, also known as ‘Bleak House’ had originally been the builder’s home when they were putting up that street and must have been relatively luxurious for the time. It had it’s own ‘brew’us’ – brew house – out at the back as well as an outside toilet.

I was so interested to see the range and copper for washing still there and took these pictures in 1994 before we left. But I can’t help thinking, if I was still doing my washing like this, I don’t suppose I’d ever get any books written at all!

Right:
The range and copper for washing in Newton Road.
Click on the image to enlarge