Nestled in Birmingham’s Stirchley neighborhood, the Andrews family home on Greenoak Crescent stands as a living testament to a century of family history and community change.
Since its construction in 1926, this council house has been home to the Andrews family. Henry and Alice Andrews were the first occupants, with Alice having moved to Birmingham from Herefordshire after enduring early family tragedies. Together, they raised two children, including their son Francis. Francis later married Daphne, and they continued the family legacy by maintaining the home and raising their son, Neil, within its walls.
In 1980, Francis officially purchased the house for £6,000. Today, Neil, now 59, shares the home with Daphne, aged 89. Neil estimates the property’s current value to be around £280,000 and humorously suggests the family will still be there when the house celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2126.
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Stirchley itself has seen significant transformation. Neil recalls its evolution from a tight-knit, modest council estate to a more transient, and at times difficult, place during the 1990s. “Growing up on a council estate, Stirchley was quite a poor area, but it was very neighbourly—everyone knew each other,” he remembers. “These days, people tend to drive off and you don’t socialize much.” He observes that Stirchley has since blossomed into a trendy neighborhood, with rising house prices reflecting its renewed appeal.
Neil fondly remembers local venues like The Roadhouse and 5:15 Club, though he laments their closure. He now enjoys spots such as Deadbeat, a cozy dive bar, and admires the array of independent shops along Pershore Road.
The family home itself has undergone modest updates over the years, including a kitchen extension, a new porch, and the removal of an outside toilet. Daphne describes the household as harmonious — they resolve issues quickly and keep the house well-maintained, including recently updating the bathroom.
When asked why the home has remained in the family for so long, Neil reflects candidly. “The house has always been registered to me, but I’ve had relationships that didn’t work out,” he says. “I’m from a council estate and pretty well-behaved, but I always went for looks, which has been my downfall.” Despite ups and downs, the house remains a pillar of family continuity, witnessing the passage of time and the enduring strength of home.