The Redditch Local History Society is always encouraging Redditch residents to record their memories of old Redditch and donate them to the society’ archives.

One person who has been very generous with doing this is Colin Wheeler.  Colin as you may know is born and bred Redditch and during his life  he has been a builder, special constable housing officer and many other things. However, his first love was local theatre and entertainment.

Colin’ memories can been seen on the Redditch Heritage web site and Colin has twice “ntertained”the society members at their monthly meetings, Colin’ talk ending in a song about Redditch.

“Thanks for the Memories”was written in 1938 with music by Ralph Rainger and lyrics by Leo Robing and was sung in the film The Big Broadcast by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross.

Colin has written his own words to the song and has had many requests for them to be published.  We are pleased to say Colin has now donated them to the society and has agreed for them to be published.

If you remember pre-new town Redditch I am sure you will concur with the sentiments of Collins version of “hanks for the Memories”

Thanks for the memory, Lyrics By Colin Wheeler

FIRST VERSE

Of Redditch long ago, the pace of life was slow.

Policemen walked the streets, it was safe to come and go, How lovely it was.
Thanks for the memory,

The Danilo on the hill, the Select in Market Place,
The Gaumont around the corner, the Palace with us still. Thank you so much.

Farmers went to Browns or Palmers Corn Stores, Joe Harraan took your photo in his shed.
Fish and chips were wrapped up in the Argus, And Bonakers is where you bought your bread. Thanks for the memory.

Of teas at Smokey Joes, Of Hollifields for clothes,
Meylans for your wedding ring and Franklins for your toes. How lovely it was.

SECOND VERSE
      Thanks for the memory,

Hairdessers there were two, all the ladies knew,

It was Bagleys or Smith et Filles, they permed you hair like glue, How lovely it was.
Thanks for the memory,

Of Clem Jacksons wooden shop, the shoes we bought from Humphries, The clothes we bought from Heaphys, weekly on the knock,
Thank you so much.
The pawnshop was around the bend in George Street,
The Royal Yard housed Frankie Wilson's Fair
We had a public loo and a champion Jazz Band too,
And Harold Ralph sold oranges and pears.
Thanks for the memory,
Of Townsends local Brew, Boyds was on the prom,
John Dyer sold us hardwear of quality we knew,
How lovely it was.

THIRD VERSE

Thanks for the memory,
Of Carnivals so grand, the barrel organ played.

The hot dogs and the ox roast, the Salvation Army Band,

How lovely it was.

Thanks for the memory.

Of famous folk we knew, John Hanson learned to sing here,

John Emms served us in Masons before his reputation grew.

Thank you so much.

If you wanted loving in the evening,

And your wife said that she was going out.

You called in at the Talbot or the Sportsman,

There certainly was a lot of it about.

Thanks for the memory.

The night they raided the Royal, caught influential men,

If my hobby had been blackmail, I needed never to work again,

I thank you so very much.