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hi all, just found out that the present Wychbury House (350-352) was named Wychbury Villas & is not the Wychbury House I was looking for, it was further along the Hagley Road close to the Prince of Wales pub (now demolished)

thanks for all the info, will see if any more info is to come

http://www.wychcare.com/

Wychbury is set within a 19th Century villa and it’s adjoining Coach House . . .

Established in 1983 when the Johnson family acquired half of the 19th Century ‘Wychbury Villas’

Ah - but -

Mrs Cole
in the UK, City and County Directories, 1766 - 1946
Name: Mrs Cole
Gender: Female
Street address: Wychbury house <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Publication Title: 1872 Post Office Directory
County: Worcestershire
Country: England
Publication Year: 1872



In the 1871 census. although Wychbury House isn't listed, there's a Mary Cole living one or two doors away from Wychbury View.
She seems to be in one of two households both at Pedmore Rock (?), and is a widow.

Wychbury View must have been a big house, as there's a brewing family called Smith living there, with a governess, cook, housemaid, and parlourmaid.

Maybe that's Wychbury House with a different name ??


EDIT:
Re Mary Cole - nothing to do with the query, I know, but interesting -
she was still living in Pedmore at 1891 census, living on own means, and died in 1892.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol3/pp201-203
"In 1892 Mrs. Mary Cole, by her will proved at London 30 April, bequeathed £50 to be applied towards the support of the parish schools. The legacy was invested in £50 17s. 7d. consols."

I can't see any mention of Wychbury House in the 1871 census for either Pedmore, Hagley, or Oldswinford, so I guess it was built between 1871 and 1881.

It certainly looks Victorian.

http://www.stourbridge.com/about_stourbridge.htm
Spectacular development marked the 19th century. The bridge over the Stour was widened, the roads were improved and the railway arrived in Stourbridge, a piped water supply and gas were provided, a drainage system made life easier and more healthy, rows of terraced houses and impressive villas were erected, the Oldswinford parish was divided to form new parishes for which churches were built, the ancient parish churches of Oldswinford and Pedmore were rebuilt, the Nonconformists built chapels, the introduction of compulsory education meant the building of schools and civic pride led to the building, on the site of the old Corn Exchange, of a handsome - by Victorian standards of taste - Town Hall to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

(ah, just wondered!)

Chris :)

Marriages Sep 1887 (>99%)
----------------------------------------------------
BARLOW Harry Bromsgrove 6c 539
MOORE Mabel Bromsgrove 6c 539


02 August 1887 - St James's Gazette - London, London, England

Marriage
Barlow - Moore. At Pedmore Church, Stourbridge, Worcestershire, Harry Barlow, her Majesty's Ist South Staffordshire Regiment, to Mabel, daughter of Mr. Joseph Moore, of Wychbury House, Stourbridge. July 28th.


(also 1884, Mrs Moore, advertising for Parlourmaid, Wychbury House)


14 March 1941 - Evening Despatch - Birmingham, West Midlands, England

Droitwich officer promoted Pilot Officer F. J. Curtis. D.F.C., eldest son of Dr. C. F. Curtis, of Wychbury House. Droitwich, has been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer. He is now engaged as an instructor in South Africa.


01 January 1943 - Birmingham Daily Post - Birmingham, West Midlands

Death
HIGGS-WALKER, On 31st 1942, at Wychbury House, Hagley, Fanny Eliza, dearly loved wife of William Henry Walker Higgs-Walker, aged 73 y Funeral service at Hagley Church Saturday 2nd at 10.45am. Cremation afterwards.

Ian - the the following is a thread from a couple of years ago. It was about a house converted into flats. A relative rented one of them at the time (since moved!)

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1323171

Apart from census which other members were able to find, other info came from historical ER from the local library, an Auction notice they had discovered and kept, and folowing through leads found and posted on the thread.

Even though Wychbury House is now owned by the council, providing info about the building and its use isn't really amongst its remit. You might possibly request the info under the Freedom of Information act, but if they don't have the info to hand??

Find out where the historical ER are held, probably at the nearest Archive or Library with a Local Studies section. They may also have kept Auction listings or other adverts relating to the house.

Search the newpaper archives for the name of the house and for known occupants names.

joseph moore was my ggfather, he lived at the house until 1901, just trying to put together the history of the house till the present day, FAMILY HISTORY

(below looks to relate)

Edits (deleted until more explanation given, as to why info. needed)

Chris :)

Could this be relevant to why the home was closed down?


In 1979, Birmingham Social Services made a decision to close a number of children’s
homes (around 17) which lead to a series of strikes amongst social services. The closure
plan was halted and a review process established. After the review (carried out by the
Child Care review Group), Birmingham Social Services took the decision, in 1980, to
close a large proportion of children’s homes (citing a reduction in the numbers of beds
being used) and change the emphasis from residential care to community-based care -
fostering. There was a particular focus on reducing residential care for children under five
which led to the closure of all residential nurseries.

http://cdn.wmrecall.net/connectinghistories/files/95/83/28.pdf

(Page 6 - under "The 1980's")

1939

Alexander F Fiddian 18 Feb 1874 Male Manufacturer Of Garden Edge Tools Married 100 1

Amy W Fiddian 02 Aug 1883 Female House Wife Married 100 2

Douglas A A Fiddian 28 Apr 1908 Male Managing Director Of Edge Tool Works Single 100 3

Elsie K? (Sees) 04 Jan 1912 Female Paid Domestic Duties Single 100 4

What exactly do you want to know about the house Ian ?

Presumably you've Googled it?

http://www.carehome.co.uk/carehome.cfm/searchazref/10002503WYCA

In this link, if you click on "click here" re "Latest CQC report", it says

"We are carrying out checks at Wychbury Care Home using our new way of inspecting services. We will publish a report when our check is complete."

Then if you click "All reports", you'll see some recent reports.

Are you looking for info as to why it was closed down?

Or just info generally?

Hi All, this is for a property & not a person.
Looking for info on the above house, it is now a care home, in the 1960s till about mid 1970s it was owned by Birmingham City Council & run as a children's home,(this from a person that was in care) it was closed down due to some problems. THE COUNCIL WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY INFO, OR WILL THE PRESENT OWNERS.From around 1881 till 1900 a joseph moore lived in it. From 1911 a William henry walker higgs-walker lived at the house.
Any info or help would be great.