Girl from Guildford Street: Growing up in working class Birmingham 1957-1968

The Girl from Guildford Street is a memoir that describes a working-class childhood in Lozells, Birmingham, 1957-1968. It explores family life in the back-to-backs, the Sixties as a golden age, and the author's parents' work in local factories.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2018
Publisher: Brewin Books

The Girl from Guildford Street vividly portrays a working-class upbringing in the bustling city of Lozells, Birmingham, from 1957 to 1968. The author and her sister, along with their cousins, were part of the last generation to experience the unique living conditions of Birmingham council houses, known as "back to backs." These homes were characterized by their compact layout, with two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs, lacking basic amenities such as a bathroom, indoor toilet, central heating, and hot running water. The heart of these dwellings was a back yard, which served as a communal space for outdoor activities like toilet use, storage, and washing.

The author delves into the intricacies of family life within the back to backs, highlighting the close-knit community that thrived on one street. She explores how entire families, often spanning multiple generations, coexisted and shared their daily lives. The parents of the author both worked in local factories, a testament to the thriving manufacturing industry that characterized Birmingham during that era.

However, this memoir goes beyond mere recounting of hardships. It is a celebration of a joyful childhood amidst poverty. The author vividly recalls the vibrant fashions, political movements, music, hairstyles, and the excitement surrounding the World Cup during the Sixties, viewing this period as a golden age. The Girl from Guildford Street offers a poignant and relatable glimpse into a bygone era, providing a window into the lives of working-class families and their resilience in challenging circumstances.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 207 x 177 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781858585796