The Early Days

sx2. St Mary’s Church, and the Canal at Kidderminster

b 1. Mr Chambers Senior stands on left at his coal yard by the canal beneath St Mary’s Church Kidderminster

2f. Chambers & Son Coal Merchants Kidderminster

e 7. The Tannery. In the 1881 Census James Chambers is described as a Tanner employing 8 men, and 1 boy. Son Albert is a Tanners Assistant

5b. Mr James Chambers, on far left,stands outside St Mary’s Church. In the 1891 Census he is described as an Accountant and Coal Merchant. He was also the Borough Auditor

sos22. Photography is a popular pastime.

c 26. St Mary’s Church, Kidderminster is a short walk from home for the Chambers family

sx4

They live at 2 Hall St

sos20. 2 Hall St was also a bank

sos19. From the Kidderminster Shuttle May 1906, by Ebenezer Guest; “ In Hall Street the leading changes have been the rise and fall of the Saving Bank, long and successfully managed by the late Mr James Chambers.”

sgn9. A strange subject for a photo. Maybe this plaque was once fixed to the wall at 2 Hall St.

b 11. Up the two steps on the left and there is the front door of 2 Hall St. Not far for the Chambers to travel to get this shot.

sh1. Or this, as the circus comes to town. 2 Hall St is the last but one house

sos21

sh14. Medical Hall

sf8

sh10. Looking back to Baxter’s statue. He has since been moved, and now looks onto the ring road beside St Mary’s

sh7. The High St

b47. Kidderminster Market

c 9. Everything sold

a44 cpy. Mr Chambers’ camera took a very detailed picture as long as everything stayed still

a44 cpy 2. Green Man and Still; hotel on left foreground. Shops from left; T Bennett, Stewards, H Fox Family Boot Maker, and F Taylor. But the horse drawn coach kept moving

a44 cpy3. A further enlargement

sos23. The Park Butts. Again a short walk from Hall St. A prize for the best kept vehicle?

sh16. Another popular form of conveyance

a38. A short bicycle ride finds the railway viaduct.

Soon Albert will follow in his father’s footsteps, taking his camera wherever he goes.

b 35. And sometimes taking his dog with him too.