Ongoing research; last updated 20 Januray 2012
28th January 1911 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton Education Committee
(from a longer report:- )
Dr. Lilley mentioned in presenting the report of the committee (the School Hygiene Sub-committee), that a visit had been paid to the Birmingham Education Committee in reference to the Kings Norton Committee’s proposal to establish an open-air school in Kings Heath Park. The Birmingham Committee expressed the view that it would be unwise of them to proceed with the project at present, seeing that it would be in close proximity to the similar school which Birmingham intends to establish at Uffculme. Asked, however, as to when the Uffculme School would be opened, the Birmingham representatives were unable to say, beyond suggesting that it might be towards the end of next summer.
1st February 1911 – KN&N UDC Minute
Mr. Councillor Shann presented the following report of the Baths, Parks, and Cemeteries Committee.
Your Committee beg to report:-
6. Additional tennis courts and bowling greens in various parks
Your Committee beg to recommend that additional tennis courts and bowling greens be constructed in various parks, at an estimated cost of £530, as follows:-
No. of No. of
bowling greens tennis courts
Kings Heath 1 2
Cotteridge 1 2
Selly Oak 1 0
Selly Park recreation Ground 1 2
Totals 4 6
Your Committee also beg to recommend that application be made to the Local Government Board for their sanction to a loan in respect of the cost of carrying out the work.
7. Entertainments in the Parks
Your Committee beg to recommend that advertisements be issued inviting offers from bands and concert parties to give entertainments in the parks and recreation grounds of the Council, and that the Council agree to contribute towards the cost of entertainments given by the bands, at a rate of one shilling and sixpence for each performer, and five shillings for the conductor, the contribution being limited to 25 performers; also that a sum not exceeding £100 be expended in this respect during the ensuing season.
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It was moved by Mr. Councillor Shann, seconded by Mr. Councillor Fryer, and resolved:-
27 That four additional bowling greens and six tennis courts be constructed in the various parks referred to in paragraph 6 of the report of the Baths, Parks and Cemeteries Committee, at an estimated cost of £530.
It was moved by Mr. Councillor Shann, seconded by Mr. Councillor Coley, and resolved:-
28 That application be made to the Local Government Board for their sanction to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £530 in respect of the cost of constructing four additional bowling greens and six tennis courts in various parks.
It was moved by Mr. Councillor Shann, seconded by Mr. Councillor Valentine, and resolved:-
29 That advertisements be issued inviting offers from bands and concert parties to give entertainments in the parks and recreation grounds of the Council, and that the Council agree to contribute towards the cost of entertainments given by the bands, at a rate of one shilling and sixpence for each performer, and five shillings for the conductor, the contribution being limited to 25 performers; also that a sum not exceeding £100 be expended in this respect during the ensuing season.
4th February 1911 - Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council
Entertainments in Parks and Recreation Grounds
The above-named Council invite OFFERS from bands and concert parties to give voluntary entertainments in the following Parks and Recreation Grounds:-
KINGS HEATH PARK
SELLY OAK PARK
COTTERIDGE PARK (Franklin Road)
MUNTZ PARK (Umberslade Road)
VICTORIA COMMON, NORTHFIELD
BOURNBROOK RECREATION GROUND
Bands and concert parties are requested to note that the Council do not engage the services of any band or concert party, neither do they guarantee the repayment of any loss sustained, or expenses incurred with the entertainments given. The Council are, however, prepared to contribute towards the expenses of entertainments given by bands at the rate of one shilling and sixpence for each performer and five shillings for the band master, such contribution being limited to twenty-five performers.
All Bands and Concert Parties may, however, make a charge for the hire of seats within the band-stand enclosure, where such are provided, and the Council will have no objection to a collection being made.
Offers, giving full particulars of the Band or Concert Party, and of the proposed programme, should be sent to the undersigned not later than 31st March, 1911.
By Order,
EDWIN DOCKER,
Clerk to the above-named Council
10, Newhall Street,
Birmingham,
4th February 1911.
1st March 1911 – KN&N UDC Minute
Mr. Councillor Shann presented the following report of the Baths, Parks, and Cemeteries Committee.
Your Committee beg to report:-
3. King’s Heath park, Cotteridge park, Selly Park recreation ground – appointment of Superintendents.
That they have appointed Mr. James McNerlin (who has acted temporarily as Superintendent of King’s Heath park since the dismissal of H.A. Shuttleworth) as Superintendent of that park, Mr. W. Print (who for some time has been in charge of Cotteridge park) as Superintendent of that park, and Mr. James Finch (who for some time has been in charge of Muntz park) as Superintendent of the Selly Park recreation ground, each at a rate of wages approved by the Council, viz., commencing at 25s. per week, plus 9s. per week towards house rent, coal and gas, and in lieu of the provision of a lodge in which to reside.
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Mr. Councillor Quinney presented the following report of the Education Committee.
Your Committee beg to report:-
1. Provision of an open-air school
That they have further considered the question of providing an open-air school by utilising the premises of King’s Heath House, King’s Heath park. Representatives of your Committee have conferred with the members of the Birmingham Education Authority as to the accommodation available at the City open-air school to be established at “Uffculme”, King’s Heath, and it has been ascertained that provision is to be made for 120 children, and that the school is expected to be ready for opening about the end of summer 1911. As this is the only open-air school which the City Authority is about to provide, and as the accommodation available is expected to be fully utilised by cases from the City, your Committee are of opinion that it is desirable to proceed with the scheme for providing an open-air school, of a temporary character, in King’s Heath House, and they therefore beg to recommend that such scheme be proceeded with at once.
It was moved by Mr. Councillor Quinney, seconded by Councillor Dr. Lilley, and resolved:-
83 That, subject to the approval of the Board of Education and the Local Government Board, an open-air school be established at the King’s Heath House, King’s Heath park, and that the Education Committee be authorised to take all necessary steps connected with the provision of such school, including the appointment of teaching staff, matron, servants, etc.
4th March 1911 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield District Council
(From a long report:- )
Various
The Council also approved a further proposal of the Education Committee to establish an open-air school at Kings Heath, by making use of the premises in Kings Heath Park, and that the Education Committee be authorised to take all necessary steps connected with the provision of such school, including the appointment of teaching staff, matron, servants, etc.
11th March 1911 - Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council
Entertainments in Parks and Recreation Grounds
The above-named Council invite OFFERS from BANDS and CONCERT PARTIES to GIVE VOLUNTARY ENTERTAINMENTS in the following Parks and Recreation Grounds:-
KINGS HEATH PARK
SELLY OAK PARK
COTTERIDGE PARK (Franklin Road)
MUNTZ PARK (Umberslade Road)
VICTORIA COMMON, NORTHFIELD
BOURNBROOK RECREATION GROUND
Bands and concert parties are requested to note that the Council do not engage the services of any band or concert party, neither do they guarantee the repayment of any loss sustained, or expenses incurred with the entertainments given. The Council are, however, prepared to contribute towards the expenses of entertainments given by bands at the rate of one shilling and sixpence for each performer and five shillings for the band master, such contribution being limited to twenty-five performers.
All Bands and Concert Parties may, however, make a charge for the hire of seats within the band-stand enclosure, where such are provided, and the Council will have no objection to a collection being made.
Offers, giving full particulars of the Band or Concert Party, and of the proposed programme, should be sent to the undersigned not later than 31st March, 1911.
By Order,
EDWIN DOCKER,
Clerk to the above-named Council
10, Newhall Street,
Birmingham,
11th March 1911.
1st April 1911 – Birmingham News
The Coronation Festivities
Moseley and Kings Heath Unite
A well attended and representative meeting of residents of Moseley and Kings Heath was held on Monday night at Kings Heath Council Schools, convened by the Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council for the purpose of arranging for the celebration of the Coronation of King George V. and Queen Mary. ...........
(Abstracts from a long report:- )
The chairman said the entertainment and sports would take place in Kings Heath Park. .............
Mr. Arthur Horton suggested that if funds permitted they should plant one or more oak trees in Kings Heath Park as a permanent memorial. (Hear, hear.) ......................
In answer to Mr. Gray, who considered that Kings Heath Park would not be large enough for the occasion, the chairman said they could apply to Major Cartland to allow the use of part of his land adjoining the park.
5th April 1911 – KN&N UDC Minute
Mr. Councillor Shann presented the following report of the Baths, Parks, and Cemeteries Committee.
Your Committee beg to report:-
7. King’s Heath park – lodge – loan
That the sanction of the Local Government Board has been received to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £400 for the erection of a new lodge in King’s Heath park, such sum to be repaid within a period of 30 years from the date of the borrowing of the same.
15th April 1911 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Kings Heath and Moseley
The Coronation Festivities
(From a long report:- )
Mr. Arthur Horton considered it would be a waste of publicly subscribed money to expend any on fireworks, let off on what would be a light summer night. There would be fireworks probably at Cannon Hill Park. He would rather see an alternative suggestion of providing a permanent memorial. He moved that the sub-committee be asked be asked not to have fireworks, and that the money which would probably reach £50, be devoted to commemorating the event in a permanent way, such he suggested as the erecting of a permanent ornamental gateway in Kings Heath Park.
Mr. Cecil Cariss seconded, and considered fireworks in the ordinary way wasteful, and especially so on a light summer night.
The chairman hoped the resolution would not be carried, but that it would be withdrawn. He suggested that they should end it as a recommendation to the committee. He felt, however, that any such resolution would tie their hands in the future. In the course of time there would have to be alterations made to the Park and a gate erected.
Mr. Horton said it was in the nature of a suggestion, not an instruction.
20th May 1911 – Birmingham News
Public Notices
Kings Norton & Northfield Urban District Council
Kings Heath Park – Erection of Superintendent’s Lodge
The above named Council invite TENDERS for the erection of a Superintendent’s Lodge in the Kings Heath Park.
Copies of the bills of quantities and specifications and forms of tender may be obtained, and plans may be seen, at the office of the Engineer and Surveyor to the Council, Mr. Ambrose W. Cross, of No. 23, Valentine Road, Kings Heath, on and after Thursday, 25th May, 1911, on payment of a deposit of one guinea, which will be returned on receipt of a bona-fide tender and all documents issued to the contractor.
Sealed Tenders, endorsed “Lodge – Kings Heath Park”, must be delivered to the office of the undersigned, not later than 12 o’clock Noon on WEDNESDAY, the 14th day of June, 1911.
By order,
Edwin Docker
Clerk to the Council
10 Newhall Street, Birmingham,
20th May, 1911.
27th May 1911 – Birmingham News
Village Gossip
The Coronation Celebrations at Moseley and Kings Heath
(From a longer report:- )
I gather that the fireworks display has been shelved for a bonfire. Major J. Howard Cartland, J.P., has kindly granted the use of a large field adjoining Kings Heath Park, in which the sports will be held, and the bonfire built and lighted. ................
7th June 1911 – KN&N UDC Minute
In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Councillor Fryer presented the following report of the Baths, Parks, and Cemeteries Committee
Your Committee beg to report:-
4. Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society, Ltd – use of parks for children’s parties
That they have granted permission for children’s parties in connection with the Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society, Ltd, to be held in Selly Oak, King’s Heath, and Cotteridge parks on three Saturdays in July respectively, on the understanding that the admission of the public to the park is not restricted in any way. The society will be permitted to rope off a portion of ground in each park during a short period whilst the children partake of tea.
7. Additional tennis courts and bowling greens – loan
That the sanction of the Local Government Board has been received to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £530 for the construction of tennis courts and bowling greens in various parks, such sum to be repaid within a period not exceeding 16 years from the date of borrowing the same.
8. Playing of cricket and football in parks by adults in early morning
That they have granted permission for adults to play cricket and football in the parks from the time of opening the same until 8.30 a.m.
17th June 1911 – Birmingham News
Local Coronation Celebrations
Interesting Programmes
The preparations for the celebration of the Coronation in various districts are now completed and some interesting programmes have been prepared. We give below summaries of the arrangements:-
Moseley and Kings Heath
The final arrangements for the celebrations at Moseley and Kings Heath were made at a meeting of the General Committee held on Thursday night, at Kings Heath Council Schools, Councillor W. Colley presiding. It was arranged that Kings Heath Brass band should parade at Moseley and after playing a few martial selections march to Kings Heath Institute, and play during the dinner to 300 old people in the Institute at 12.30. The Moseley children will be entertained separately from the Kings Heath school children. The former meeting at Moseley Schools will march to the grounds of Greenhill School for sports, tea being served at 3.30 in the National Schools. The Kings Heath children will have their tea in the school yard at High Street and Colmore Road, and meeting by the park, will proceed, headed by the band, to the bandstand where they will sing patriotic songs. At 5.30 they will enter the field adjoining, kindly lent by Major J. Howard Cartland, J.P., where the sports will take place. At 9.30 a huge bonfire will be lighted under the charge of Superintendent Kenny. After tea the children will be amused by the humours of a nigger troupe. It is hoped to organise a procession through the district during the day. The service on Coronation Day at St. Agnes’ Church will be at 9.30 a.m. with full Coronation services including the anthem “I was glad” by Sir Hubert Parry with the traditional “VIvats” and the homage anthem by Sir Frederick Bridge.
24th June 1911 – Birmingham News
The Coronation
Brilliant Scenes
Moseley and Kings Heath
.......................
The Kings Heath children were given their teas in the High Street and Colmore Road Schools, and the elders were marched to Kings Heath Park, headed by the Kings Heath Band, who deserved all praise for the ungrudging way in which they performed their services going far beyond the actual terms of their engagement. A word of praise should also be accorded to the teaching staffs of the schools for the very tasteful and effective decorations they carried out, Kings Heath (High Street) School was a picture with its wealth of festooning. The teachers, as at Moseley, took the responsibility of marshalling and taking charge of the scholars – no small task. The head teachers concerned were Mr. C. Hill, Mr. G. Howard Mann, Miss K. Smith, Miss Spencer, Miss Thompson, Miss Ward, and Miss A. Smith. On reaching the park the children were massed around the bandstand and sang patriotic airs and then they went into the large field adjoining the park, lent by Major J. Howard Cartland, where sports were held. The boys’ section was controlled by the Rev. A. Cardross Grant, and the girls by Councillor Siward James. The leaders of the sections were the Rev. R.G. Harker, Mr. T.E. Burchell, Mr. Cecil Cariss, and Mr. A.J. Gray, with Mr. Arthur Horton (sports secretary), and with the assistance of the school teaching staffs and many others. Mr. W.E. Ballard, with the King’s Heath Division of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade were in the ground in case of accident, but their services were only required for two minor cases. The infants were kept in the playground of Colmore Road Schools where Mr. G.A. Martin and his workers gave amusing entertainment. A large crowd gathered round the bandstand to listen to a very amusing entertainment given by the Black and White Pierrot Troupe. The band also gave selections in the Park and on the sports field. At night a huge bonfire was lighted under the direction of Superintendent Kenny and Mr. F.W. Russell. This proved a great attraction, and from the elevated ground added to the numerous fires which dotted the horizon, the Lickey fire being especially vivid. The crowds were also favoured in having a good view of the Cannon Hill and other firework displays. The Vicar of Kings Heath and many local public men were present participating in the enjoyment afforded by the sports. Councillor Dawson was an untiring festivities secretary, and thanks are also due to the efforts of the workers.
5th July 1911 – KN&N UDC Minute
Mr. Councillor Shann presented the following report of the Baths, Parks, and Cemeteries Committee.
Your Committee beg to report:-
2. King’s Heath park – lodge
That they have considered the following tenders which have been received for building a Superintendent’s lodge in the King’s Heath park:-
£ s. d.
Messrs. W.T. Ingram & Sons, Bournbrook 449 15 0
Mr. William Roe, Wolverhampton 454 10 0
Messrs. G. Robinson & Son, King’s Heath 495 18 2
Mr. John Dawson, King’s Heath 513 11 5
Mr. A. Curson, King’s Heath 530 0 0
Mr. Henry Morgan, Bradford Street, Birmingham 549 11 9
Mr. A.s. Bowden, Bournville 558 0 0
Your Committee beg to recommend that the tender of Messrs. W.T. Ingram and Sons, in the sum of £449 15s. be accepted, subject to their entering into a contract and bond (with approved sureties), to be prepared by the Clerk, for the due performance of the work, and that the common seal of the Council be affixed to such contract and bond.
It was moved by Mr. Councillor Shann, seconded by Mr. Councillor Coley, and resolved:-
260 That the tender of Messrs. W.T. Ingram and Sons, in the sum of £449 15s., for the erection of a Superintendent’s lodge in the King’s Heath park be accepted, subject to their entering into a contract and bond (with approved sureties), to be prepared by the Clerk, for the due performance of the work, and that the common seal of the Council be affixed to such contract and bond.
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After October 1911 the Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council was subsumed within the City of Birmingham (under the terms of the Birmingham Extension Order 1911) and what follows is taken from the minutes of the Parks Committee[1] of the Birmingham City Council, or their Sub Committees.
24th November 1911 – Parks Committee
4 Resolved:- That the following Sub-Committees be appointed for the current Municipal Year. Viz:-
(a) Finance Sub-Committee
(b) Administration Sub-Committee
(c) General Purposes Sub-Committee
The annexed Report by Councillors Brown, Norman, Chamberlain, and Reading at the request of the former Baths and Parks Committee having reference to the reorganization necessary in the Parks Department consequent upon the Birmingham Extension Order 1911 was received.
11 Resolved:- That the Report be received and the further consideration thereof deferred until the next meeting.
To the minute is attached -
Memorandum prepared by Councillors Brown, Norman, Chamberlain, and Reading, who were requested by the Baths and Parks Committee to consider the reorganization necessary in the Parks Department consequent upon the Birmingham Extension Order, 1911.
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At the outset it may be well for us to explain to the new Committee that the work of the Baths and Parks Department, which is now to be administered by two distinct Committees, has hitherto been carried out by one Committee, having separate Sub-Committees for the Baths and Parks respectively.
In the memorandum there then follows
· a report from the City Treasurer regarding proposed changes in his Department to accommodate the enlargement.
· A similar report made by the Parks Superintendent:
Report of Parks Superintendent[2]
Present Position
It has been the practice in each of the outside districts to be incorporated to have all the required carting carried out by the Public Works Department, and consequently when the Parks and Open Spaces are added to the Parks Department it will be necessary to at once provide a horse and cart for each district except Handsworth, where a horse and cart is attached to the Parks Department. Also the staff is partly composed of men belonging to the Parks Department and partly belonging to the Public Works Department, and the organization will involve the appointment of several men in each district to fill up the vacancies caused by the withdrawal of the Public Works men.
Several of the spaces to be taken over are at present not under any control, and have no individual in charge; in addition it is also the practice for one man to supervise several places. The places which are affected in this way are indicated in the Report which I recently prepared (see Schedule B appended). I regard the supervision of several places by one Park-keeper as unsatisfactory, from the fact that I should be unable to locate him at any particular park, and thus he could somewhat easily escape my own direct supervision. In my report already referred to will also be found set out the grounds which have yet to be laid out.
Suggestion for Re-organisation
I would suggest that each of the Parks and Recreation Grounds taken over should be placed under the direct charge of a park-keeper, who could be designated Head Keeper of that particular park or recreation ground. These men could be found from our present staff, which could be augmented when found necessary. I think if this were done I should have no difficulty in keeping these men under my own personal supervision, and that of my Assistant, Mr. Hearn. Beyond this I do not think it would be necessary in the early stages of the work to require any additional supervision.
The Memorandum then records the Sub-Committee’s consideration of the reports:
We have carefully considered these reports, in conference with Mr. Collins, the Deputy Treasurer, and Mr. Morter, Chief Officer of the Parks Department, and now submit the following observations and recommendations for the guidance and consideration of the Parks Committee.
One relevant paragraph from this long report is:
Upon the question of supervision, we consider that the arrangement suggested in the Parks Superintendent’s report should be adopted and reported on if necessary when the re-organised Department has been in operation for, say, some six or twelve months. It will be noticed in the appended schedule of open spaces that a considerable number require more or less preparation, laying out and equipping, and we think that the suggestion that these matters should be left over for future consideration when the members of the Committee have had an opportunity for visiting the places in question is a good one, and we recommend that this course be pursued.
(Part of) Schedule B
The following are the particulars of the added areas, which will now be controlled by the Parks Department
District | Description and Situation | Area | Particulars of Staff | Remarks |
Kings Norton and Northfield | The Park, Kings Heath | A R P 15 2 6 | I Foreman at 25s. week, and 9s in lieu of house, &c. 3 men at 24s. week No Superintendent yet appointed |
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Some correspondence between the owners of an Estate adjoining Kings Heath Park and the Kings Norton District Council was submitted to the Committee together with a plan of the park and adjoining property the correspondence covering negotiations between the owners concerned and the District Council with regard to their acquisition of a piece of land adjoining the Park.
4131 Resolved:- That the matter be referred to the Chairman, that he be required to make full enquiries as to the lowest terms upon which the piece of land in question can be acquired and to report his observations in due course.
4th December 1911 – Parks Committee
38 The Report of the Superintendent was read.
December 4th, 1911
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
…………..
Kings Heath Park
A plan and the correspondence connected therewith is laid before you, in connection with the purchase of a further three acres of land to add to this park.
A letter is also laid before you in connection with use of some of the rooms in this house for medical Inspection from the Education Committee.
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48 Resolved:- That the Administration Sub-Committee shall have under their control and charge the following matters reporting to this Committee as occasion may require:
Staffing
Boat Pools
Refreshment Rooms
Bathing Pools
Leases and Agreements
Properties
Stores
Office
Music in the Parks
Carrying out recommendations as to laying out
Trees in Streets
49 Resolved:- That the General Purposes Sub-Committee shall have under their control and charge the following matters:
New sites and extensions and as to laying out
Town Planning
Games
51 Resolved:- That the following matters be referred to the General Purposes Sub Committee:-
………
Minute No. 28 Land adjoining Kings Heath Park.
11th December 1911 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The following report of the Administration Sub Committee was read:-
Kings Heath House
That they have granted permission to the Kings Heath Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade to use the playground at the rear of Kings Heath House, Kings Heath Park and the Park Assistant’s Mess Room in inclement weather for drill purposes.
That they have under consideration a communication from the Secretary of the Education Committee for permission to use Kings Heath House for the medical inspection of school children and inasmuch as the house will be used for the sale of refreshments they are of opinion that it is undesirable in the interests of the public that the application should be granted and accordingly recommend that it be refused.
Kings Heath House
79 Resolved:- That the application of the Education Committee for permission to use Kings Heath House for the Medical Inspection of school children be referred to the Chairman of the General Committee, Chairman of the Administration Sub Committee and General Purposes Sub Committee to confer with the Education Committee in regard thereto.
