10 things you’ll only know if you grew up in the West Midlands
Allow us to take you for a walk down memory lane...
Last updated 8th Apr 2022
Growing up in the West Midlands was something pretty special, with loads of little quirks that people from elsewhere just wouldn’t get.
For a start, we’re the furthest away from the sea compared to anywhere else in England and not only that, we had some pretty legendary traditions.
From being a rebel at Oasis Market, to going swimming in Cov Baths, it's a great place to live!
Take a look through some of our favourite things about growing up here in the West Midlands…
1) NOBODY being able to impersonate our accents
The amount of times people would try to impersonate our accents and they just wouldn't get it right! Oh, and don't get us started on people thinking the only word we said was 'bab'!
2) Taking a trip to Oasis Market
If there's one thing that sums up being a teen in the West Midlands, it HAS to be going to Oasis Market. Whether if it was to look at the edgy clothing, or where you got your first piercing (we get it, you weren't like 'the others'!), Oasis Market has a special place in all our hearts.
3) How good it felt to tell students from the University of Warwick that they actually went to uni in Coventry
There really is NO feeling like it. And for the record…it's definitely in Coventry.
4) The fact no one actually knew where we were from
If you went on holiday as a kid and said you were from 'Wolverhampton' or 'Dudley', the other kids would NEVER believe that they were real places. They'd always just say "But isn't that in Birmingham….?"
5) The Frankfurt Christmas Markets were the highlight of the year!
All the lights, the trinkets, the people. It was the best! And your dad even let you have a sip of the mulled wine, too – shhhh 😉
6) All school trips were to the same places!
In primary school it was Tamworth Castle, Twycross Zoo & Dol 'y' Moch. But, by the time you got to secondary school you may have even got a scenic walk around Stratford Upon Avon
7) There were regional fights over the name of a bread roll
Ok, maybe they weren't ACTUAL fights, but these things seriously divided opinion! In Coventry & Warwickshire it was widely regarded as a 'batch', whereas in the Black Country it was a 'cob'. No contest.
8) Rackham’s was the Harrods of the West Midlands
Although everything was ridiculously expensive, there was no greater feeling than going for a browse of 'Harrods', without leaving the comfort of brum! And did we mention how great you felt of walking through the double doors, past the smartly dressed security guards?! It was like you were part of the elite
9) The Coventry ring road
Where do we start with this one?...YOU DRIVE ON THE RIGHT!
10) Being fiercely proud of where you’re from
The West Midlands isn't the most beautiful place in the world, but it's ours. And that's all that matters
This isn’t the final list and we’d LOVE to hear your suggestions. Share them with the hashtag #WestMidsMemories to be featured on our social channels.
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