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| Part 1 - Ashton & Moore 1922-2005
In 1922, two Birmingham men, Leslie Ashton and Christopher Moore, graduated from the University of Birmingham with degrees in metallurgy. They formed a partnership that survived until the 1980s. I am Leslie Ashton's second son and this is a personal photo essay that focuses on a few hours spent looking up locations in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter on May 31st, 2005. It's part of a much larger research project. Ashton & Moore (Metal Colourers) Ltd. began life offering electroplating services, later expanding into anodising and spraying. A member of the Institute of Metal Finishers (IMF) the company was a well respected member of the community and had a payroll of around 60. I can remember joining "works outings" in the 1950s (one memorable trip to Blackpool where I got lost!) and was always on good terms with the employees. Perhaps the most evocative evidence for this was years later when I returned to England for my Mother's funeral in 1978 and was surrounded by a group of senior employees offering their effusive condolences. I have put this together, not as a definitive resource, but as the celebration of history and the dedication of two men who between them ran a business from 1922 until the 1980s. There's a lot more research to be done and this essay literally scratches the surface. |
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Ashton & Moore was started in 1922 but was not registered until 1924. By 1928, Kelly's Directory listed the company at 50a Tenby Street North. This address is now occupied by a post war building so all is gone, possibly as a result of a World War II bomb? |
| Between 1928 and 1930 the business expanded and moved to 31 Tenby Street, about 150 yards away. April took this photo of me standing outside the door of No. 31. Kelly's Directory has the company located here in 1930, 1932 and 1934.
Like many buildings in the area, this one has seen better days. It is empty and in a run down condition. |
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Another view, this time with April on the doorstep, shows that the three story building had a shared passageway to a court behind. The duplex was named Milton Place.
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No. 31, Tenby Street |
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The exterior of Milton Place is not in good condition. The stonework has been painted and the bricks are showing signs of crumbling. But there is some fine architectural detailing, particularly under the gutter.
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| Attached to the courtyard passageway we found this planning application. Great news! The property is to be restored. We'll visit the area again from time to time and report on the potential improvements as they may happen. |  |
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Before the start of World War II Ashton & Moore moved again to share premises at 3 Legge Lane. This terracotta fronted Victorian factory is two streets from Tenby Street and a bit closer to the city center (that's the newly painted BT Tower off Newhall Street).
As you can see, the company still exists (it has a web site) and includes a modern facade occupying Nos. 4 and 5 Legge lane. Remarkably, this view has not changed one bit since I last visited in 1980! |
| Another view of 3 Legge Lane. The facade can be seen from the steps of Birmingham's National Indoor Arena (NIA). The surrounding buildings are all derelict and it looks like there may have been a fire on the opposite side of the road. Will Legge Lane see redevelopment as well? Hard to tell. |  |