Page 207 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

Peel. The club was located opposite St Barnabus Church on the High Street
above a furniture store. Other local Erdington artists included The Spencer
Davis Group and Black Sabbath.

Notable Erdington people

• Martin Shaw, actor, best known for his roles in the television series The
Professionals, The Chief, Doctor in the House, Judge John Deed and
Inspector George Gently.
• Victor Johnson, (1883–1951) was a track cycling racer who, in 1908,
won a gold medal at the Olympics; became 'World Amateur Sprint
Champion' in Germany and the 'British National Quarter-mile
Champion'.
• Muff Winwood, musician with The Spencer Davis Group
• Murray Walker, motorsport commentator lived on Holly Lane whilst on a
Dunlop scholarship at Fort Dunlop. Murray Walker, Unless I'm Very Much
Mistaken, 2003, ISBN 0-00-712697-2, p.51-52.
• Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aston Villa F.C. striker was born near Erdington.
• John Lodge (musician) and Mike Pinder, founder members of the
Moody Blues, were born and raised in Erdington.

Early Days

For the first few weeks I remember feeling out of my depth, working alongside
seasoned and experienced detectives whom I had respected from afar.

Meet the CID Team of 1985
Tim Davies – The Detective Sergeant in charge of the office. And as I was to
learn very quickly, a thorough and efficient policeman if ever there was one.

Taff Harris – (I never did know his first name) – Affable Detective Sergeant who
had transferred to Erdington from Thornhill Road, Handsworth an brought with
him a love of reggae music, so I instantly hit it off with him.
Ray Bird - Meticulously dressed, always had a hamlet cigar on the go.
Persistent, methodical and the ultimate professional.

Dave Storr – Young DC in the office, very keen.

John Woolam – Old sweat – fraud cases seemed his speciality

Gordon ‘olly’ Ollerenshaw – Ex squad man, jolly character always prepared
to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into anything that came his way.

Mark Owen – Exhibits specialist. Very experienced at file preparation and
ensuring exhibits were collated and presented professionally.

DC Nigel Wier – Burglary Squad 1984-86 – Probably the DC I admired most for Page207
his work ethic. I saw in him what I aspired to be, an experienced and