Central Birmingham Bullring filmed from car. Steve Wright on Radio March 1981

Central Birmingham Bullring March 1981. Filmed through windscreen of Ford Escort. Shows the old Bullring shopping center. Smallbrook Queensway and the Rotunda. Some great old 70s and 80s cars

[@lt.schaffer2685]

1981, I was a 7yr old lad going to school a few miles away in Wolverhampton. Great vid.

[@clarencemitchell6481]

Lt. Schaffer I was 5. Great times great country

[@huma1323]

Lt.schaffer in 1986 i visit uk birmingham from pakistan that time i was 12 years old today i am 44 years old and living in karachi city of pakistan and doing job as security guard miss u birmingham from Faisal lyari karachi pakistan

[@angelacooper2661]

I was not yet eleven and in my last year at junior school back then!

[@michaelwatson4239]

This is sheer brilliance - felt like a was transported in a time machine, the radio programme, the bullring the cars and buses: all pure nostalgia, thank you for posting!!!

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks for your comment... much appreciated. I'm so glad I filmed this ... and.... kept the tape for all those years !! Regards Paul

[@woosheroes494]

Thank you for sharing. Oh, how the remnants of a lived, breathing history remain locked in individual memories. A whole world lived, stored away like old photos in the draws of our minds, collecting the dust of age.

[@PaulDonovan]

Woo's Heroes Hi. Love your comment. Thanks for taking the time to write. Paul

[@biroldjoshan3745]

I do miss Birmingham in them days ....i dont recognise it now

[@marclaw4511]

Just want the video to go on,shame we can't go back in time.

[@captainchaos2671]

aint it just or for it just to be the way it was

[@nivencalder]

I was eight that year. That really helped bring some memories back. Thank you.

[@lustful2]

U passed my old enployers on Smallbrook Queens way J . pass music shop sold sheet music and instruments . I worked there for 12 yrs before it eventually closed down. Happy memories of then everyone was terribly polite and well dressed . Not like the trash we have walking about up town.

[@morgandude2]

Wow! I was back there last week and barely recognised the place. As this video played I recognised everything and knew exactly what was coming up around every corner! Thank you!

[@PaulDonovan]

Hey.... Thanks for your comment. Cheers Paul

[@adriankatsikides3390]

that is exactly as I remember it, looking at the comments I assume it has all changed. I live near Lands End now. I lived in Quinton when this was filmed, and bought my first car - a 71' Marina Coupe in Feb '81 so indeed drove these streets in it. Pre seat belt law, Charles was yet to marry Diana, Falklands war year in the future and the Mary Rose still on the seabed, and I still have the car ! How bonkers is that ? Oh for the good old days, if I could go back I would be straight down Newhall street and in the old (proper) Science museum. Great video of what was....... a great old City..........

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks for taking the time to write.... very interesting and amusing. I loved the old science museum in Newhall Street also. I had the chance to photograph the interior of the building after all the exhibits had been removed..... it was very erie and extremely sad. You can see the photos on my website www.VistaMax.co.uk regards Paul

[@adriankatsikides3390]

Pleasure is all mine actually.Yes, that science museum, quite obsessed with it I am, how little did I realise that the last time I went in it would be the last time,all adjacent to the fabulous Farmers Bridge locks. All that for free. No matter where one went in the museum, left or right up or down there was something to excite the interest. If I could have my pick of exhibits....well the loco is a bit big for a garden railway, The Spit...well, doing a victory roll after strafing the neighbours does hold lots of appeal ....but I might go for the Mercury Arc Rectifier, it's so cute and just so naughty looking.. I shall try your site now and prepare myself for some sobs....

[@ARafe09]

And Aston Villa were the League champions

[@gazzab3224]

Adrian Katsikides I agree about the science museum.

[@angelacooper2661]

I well remember that year; turning eleven and moving from junior to senior school a few months later. The old Science Museum is a very vivid memory, especially the musical contraption that played two different tunes and I can remember even to this day after 40 years. Now I am 52!!!

[@angelacooper2661]

I well remember going to Birmingham when growing up - here I was not yet eleven and in my last year at junior school. The old West Midland cream and blue buses in evidence that I would have caught (155) in addition to the Midland Red 156 routes. This footage is 41 years old and I am now 52!

[@PaulDonovan]

lol.... where does the time go !! I'm 66 now !!!! regards Paul

[@sq5694]

This makes me feel nostalgic for some reason... and I was born in the 90s!

[@danw1374]

The layout of the city centre has changed a hell of a lot even in your lifetime, some parts are unrecognisable from 30 years ago.

[@K1ngfast24]

Great clip m8 thx, was almost 3 when this was shot, happy days being dragged around the markets by Gran with a bag of iced gems... Miss the old town !

[@paulph12002]

Thanks for posting this, I'm also looking forward to seeing the next clip sometime. It's always great to see videos like this showing how my home city used to look.

[@larryrice3877]

That is what I remember, great stuff, now in OZ, tks for the memories

[@OUTDOORY]

1981 i love the Cortina bring back the past love it

[@matandgeorge]

@pulpedtoafiction31 I worked for Marg and Jimmy at Pets Choice in the Bullring in the 80's and also at the stall in the Wilton market in Erdington. When Tiffany sang at the Bullring in 87 I tried to get a copy of her single signed for your cousin as Margie had asked me too...how are they..good I hope and Jimmy and Dawn too...

[@henryhunter1773]

Interesting video. 👍

[@PaulDonovan]

thanks ! Regards Paul

[@brunster64]

Brought back memories - when radio 1 played "decent music" - thanks for posting :)

[@UKArchiveTV]

Nice clip! People just drove where they wanted in the 80s.

[@markcf83]

I remember the old Bull Ring. What a place it was.....

[@PaulDonovan]

indeed it was ! Regards Paul

[@marclaw4511]

Great video,brings back many childhood memories.

[@PaulDonovan]

Glad you like it... Cheers Paul

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Superb ,Birmingham home of ATV ,tiswas and the golden shot ,to me growing up in London in the 70s was a modern place on the M1 or fast electric train ,also the cream and blue West Midlands PTE metrobuses great clip

[@PaulDonovan]

Thank you... and thanks for taking the time to write. Much appreciated. Regards Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Hi... I have got another clip.. I'll get it uploaded as soon as I can. Glad you like it. Regards Paul

[@ianspurr4820]

I was 19 at the time this was filmed, i left Brum in 1989 and haven't been back that much since, so in my head this is how i still remember the old town. I probably wouldn't recognise it now

[@PaulDonovan]

Yes... its changed a hell of a lot.... mostly for the better !!

[@marianclougher5557]

Paul Donovan

[@TheNoelFoley]

Absolute genius to drive round Queensway while filming back in the 80's. I thought i'd never see this again. Did you know the Bull Ring was going to change as much as it did?

[@PaulDonovan]

Hi Noel... I had no idea that any changes were going to be made.... It was a new camera and i was just testing it out !! really glad that I did though.... !

[@TheNoelFoley]

I, like many others, am glad too. Thanks for sharing it on KZbin. Gonna watch it a few times more now lol.

[@MaximusJohal]

Noel Foley When ever you go out take pictures of your boring normal stuff and thats the stuff you look back on years to come. I have done this many times and love seeing the old streets etc...and friends and neighbors that have moved or passed away....

[@TheNoelFoley]

MaximusJohal You're right. Usually people take photo's of just people or people standing in front of things. Photos of normal stuff don't really have added value if you see them every day. Only in years to come when things change do they become priceless.

[@PaulDonovan]

Noel Foley Agreed. Cheers Paul

[@rw6391]

I was 6,wish it was still like this.

[@PaulDonovan]

Yes.... sadly things always change.... not always for the better. Cheers Paul

[@jdstock0121]

What a brilliant filming! Very rare indeed!!! Cant wait for the others of the town, markets. They were the good old days. So many memories

[@mal334455]

great footage....brought back nice memories and nice to see the old cars again

[@LeonTrimble]

ah driving round brum city centre with joe dolce on the wireless, class...

[@akumar7366]

Great video, I was in lower Sixth form at the time, the Joe Dolce track playing kept Ultravox from top spot in the charts. It's funny all these years latter, I can rember the songs and the hot girls,crasy to think we are all around 56 now!!!!

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks for your reply..... Brilliant 😎 ............I'm nearly 64 !! where have all the years gone ?

[@akumar7366]

@@PaulDonovan Like me Iam sure your young at heart ♥. Two quick points, the statue of Tony Hancock needs to be moved to a more prominent location. Also the Jfk memorial in Digbeth should be in a more deserving location.

[@angelacooper2661]

I'm much younger than you as I was not yet eleven and in my last year at junior school back then (now aged 53). Remember visiting Birmingham during my formative years, especially the cream and blue buses!

[@leisureandlifestyle8400]

Excellent video brings back memories thank you for sharing

[@PaulDonovan]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Paul

[@noorakhtar3538]

Lovely vid! I was 2 months old then! My how it's changed! Xxx

[@creativefunk]

great film paul thanks for posting! i loved coming in on a bus when it was like that

[@danielgiles2579]

Roxy music cool

[@PaulDonovan]

Agreed.... great track !!

[@kevkonk]

Great stuff...

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks.... cheers paul

[@martinlanigan9202]

Got lost in that place years ago problem trying to find my way back to my digs

[@PaulDonovan]

it's a vast area !

[@PaulDonovan]

Cheers... your comments are much appreciated... Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Hi... Thanks for your interest. Hopefully in the next few weeks !! I have some recordings of Radio1 DJs which I made around the same time and I want to put these on the soundtrack. Cheers Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Hi... glad you like it. The song is "Street Life" by Roxy Music. The other video is on Betamax tape and my player has died !! I am trying to find a good working Betamax machine so I can transfer the remaining videos. Regards Paul

[@davidpaddock6474]

i could still find my way round that today,,,,,then new layout and town is a nightmare....

[@390h8er]

Agreed! Brum was once the city of the car, the inner r.road has been 50% wrecked into a pedestrianised hellhole, bus lanes, red lights everywhere, awful... No wonder everyone says Birmingham's shite:(

[@sutherlandA1]

Also the year Shaddup your face took the world by storm

[@PaulDonovan]

lol.... classic ! regards Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks for your comment.... Noor ! xx

[@madcarew5168]

And Roxy!!!! Anyone else from F&P Witton made redundant this year,I fked off to France for 3 great years.Luv,.Dwarfy!!

[@jack7431]

This amazing! 32 years ago?! It looks completely different, my mom did say it was concrete jungle though. Have you got any more if so could you post them I would love see some more :) also you have excellent taste in music my friends Street Life by Roxy Music 1973

[@Djjimmyshrs]

This is great, it totally reminds me of ryan neal in that 79 trans am as the escape driver, or say gene hackman in the french connection!

[@PaulDonovan]

Nice comment.. Cheers Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Things were different back then !! thanks for your comment... Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

You are very welcome.

[@captainsensible4843]

I wish all the great modern architecture in this video was preserved instead of half of it being demolished in a fit of municipal self-hatred. Love it or hate it it's an aesthetic entirely unique to Birmingham and part of its modern identity

[@PaulDonovan]

Agreed ! Regards Paul

[@itbestuk]

Great Clip! I was nearly 4 when this was filmed. I like seeing the way Bham used to be, it is now very different but the general road layout looks to be the same (more or less). The most distinctive difference is the types of cars about on the streets. Do you know when you expect to have your other clip uploaded?

[@simonvinyl]

wow 1st dash cam lol

[@PaulDonovan]

Your welcome... so glad I filmed this back then. Cheers Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Yes.. brilliant !

[@bighas96]

Good old times

[@dean147uk]

I really enjoyed this clip, Paul. Brought back a few memories as I was 10 years-old at that time. Any chance of uploading the other clip you say you have - I'd love to see it. Does anyone know what the song is, playing at the beginning of the clip?

[@angelacooper2661]

You are therefore around the same age as me (I was not yet eleven and in my last year at junior school back then!) Takes me right back to childhood memories.

[@iskuly]

Lol that was epic I would of been 1

[@PaulDonovan]

Hey that makes me feel really really old... ! lol Thanks for your comment

[@colephillips8027]

lol joe dolce on the radio love it

[@iiSensibleGaming]

Wow! Bullring has improved! :o

[@SpeedTriple59]

+iiSensible ROBLOX Lol...how has Bham improved..its still the same ole 60s shite hole just worse, its a architect nightmare,even worse now ..still visible are the boring buildings that make it a crap hole...

[@iiSensibleGaming]

No, its not

[@PaulDonovan]

+iiSensible ROBLOX I'm with you..... its a great city !!

[@SpeedTriple59]

What part is great.?? List a few things to go in Brum.

[@SpeedTriple59]

Not knocking the video of back in the day it was superb,but when compared to how the city has evolved and how the local media try to make Birmingham into something it's not is mind blowing ......

[@PaulDonovan]

It Sure is ! Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Agreed !!

[@sarahprobert2525]

Hi Paul, is this your video and if so would you mind if we used it on the Birmingham Mail? Many thanks

[@PaulDonovan]

+Sarah Probert Hi Sarah.... yes it is my video. Happy for you to use it for a fee of £75.00. Let me know . Regards Paul

[@sarahprobert2525]

+Paul Donovan Hi Paul, thanks for the offer but I am afraid we would be able to pay that amount. Best wishes, Sarah

[@PaulDonovan]

+Sarah Probert no problem Sarah. Take care.. 😎

[@PaulDonovan]

Your Welcome !

[@yvonneprice7429]

Hi Paul, great video, is it yours (copyright) would love to use part of it in a project Im doing, could you contact me

[@PaulDonovan]

Hi Yvonne... Yes its my original video. Glad you like it. What would you like to do with it ? Regards Paul

[@PaulDonovan]

Your welcome...

[@390h8er]

Some great footage especially Roxy Music - Street Life, on MW! Plenty of proper cars and traffic that kept moving. Not now!! Why did they have to wreck the road layout? Today you sit in queues and can't go beyond New St. station without a £60 fine. How we went from a futuristic concrete jungle to one big bus lane with lights/crossings every 50ft is rather sad. If Telly Savalas could see Brum today I think he'd jump off the Rotunda!

[@PaulDonovan]

Thanks for taking the time to write.... 👍😎

[@ChristopherWoods]

Weird to know that from 0:53 you're effectively driving up the steps to the new Bullring... And there's a challenge -- who wants to jump in a car with me and do some circles round the ring road - see if we can recreate the journey as closely as possible and do some high tech video overlays to show the difference? ;-)

[@yardelli]

When BL ruled the world!

[@newtechnology3577]

yardelli and stole it's resources

[@DadgeCity]

It looks like it was filmed from a bus.

[@MaximusJohal]

I work here so recognize a lot of it.... shame as its lost its character now... just another American clone of shops....

[@LeamingtonSteve]

whatsamata you HEY Gotta no respect?