The Chronicle and Advertiser Saturday, January 17, 1953
Old Castle Bromwich
Sir, – I thought you might like to know a bit more about the old village of Castle Bromwich. This house (24 Chester Road) used to be a coffee house, and was run by my mother, Mrs. J. Rainbow, for Lady Bradford, over 70 years ago, including reading and singing-room, and in later years was Dr. Wall’s surgery, and other doctors’ for many years, when they used to come on horseback.
My aunt, Miss. Messenger, is 94, and used to make dresses for many people round about, including Squire Wakefield’s family 
at Minworth, and used to walk to Minworth down Kyter Lane, and over the river bridge, which was destroyed by the floods.
My grandfather Messenger told me there used to be two tollgates by the Greens, one for each road, and when they were done away with they were taken to the old timber-yard, opposite where Lady Bradford’s tree is now. Later, when the timber-yard was removed down Kyter Lane, one was taken there, but he did not know where the other one went.
My great-grandfather lived at Four Lanes End in Hurst Lane and kept a flock of sheep running round the lanes – there was not much traffic about in those days.
I remember my grandfather telling me his father sold his flock of sheep, and put the money into Parrs Bank, which failed, so he lost his money.
Miss. Messenger is in her 96th year and is the oldest inhabitant of the village. She was born there. The Messengers have been here for at least four or five generations.
A. E. Rainbow, Chester Road, Castle Bromwich
Albert Edward, was born on 18th May 1883 and baptised on 1st July in St Mary & St Margaret Church. He seems to have followed the family tradition and sought work with the Railways. The 1939 census shows him as still single, but incapacitated and living with his mother. He died on 16th August 1961 and was buried in the same grave as his brother.
The Rainbow family lived in a cottage opposite the Old Post Office where flats now stand.
