1916 Clippings

Ongoing research; last updated 18 July 2012


Dent, Robert K. (1916) – City of Birmingham; History and Description of the Public Parks, Gardens, and Recreation Grounds

Kings Heath Park
(30 acres, 1 rood, 16 poles)

Another park which owes its existence to the King’s Norton District Council is that of King’s Heath, which consisted of 15a. 2r. 6p. of land, with a mansion, greenhouses, and outbuildings, purchased by the Council from the Priory Estate Company, Ltd., and others, for the sum of £11,000, and opened in December 1908.  The park is bounded by Vicarage Road and Avenue Road, and was formerly a portion of the Priory Grounds.  Here, as at Cannon Hill, Handsworth, and other parks, aviaries have been constructed, and afford an attraction highly appreciated by visitors.  A considerable addition was made to this park by the City Corporation on 11th July, 1914, by the purchase of 14a. 3r. 10p. of land from the Priory Estates Company, for the sum of £5,000, thus bringing up the total area of the park to 30a. 1r. 16.


3rd January 1916 – BCC  Parks Committee Minutes

As to Minute No. 1622 King’s Heath House, War Office Accommodation
The Superintendent reported that the War Office had now put the sewers in proper order.

1686   Resolved:-  That the Minute be discharged.


7th February 1916 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

Mr. Councillor Johnson in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Councillor Brown through illness presented the following report of the Administration Sub Committee:-

Refreshments.  King’s Heath Park
Your Sub Committee have received a communication from Mr. H. Mantel, Chairman of the King’s Heath Bowling Club asking that facilities should be provided for obtaining refreshments in the park during the Bowling Season.  Your Committee are aware that King’s Heath House is now in the possession of the War Office.  They have, however, granted permission to Mrs. Blake, the former tenant, to provide teas in the Park, subject to the requirements of the Chief Superintendent being complied with.


20th May 1916 – Birmingham News

Bowling
Birmingham Parks League
Brookvale v Kings Heath
Played at Brookvale
(Full details given)
            Brookvale         233       Kings Heath     180

10th June 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath
Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – The members last week played off their first handicap.  The winners were:- 1, Mr. T. Cross; 2, Mr. W.D. Johnson; 3, Mr. T. Williams.  The club are looking forward to a successful season, though they have lost several good members who have joined His Majesty’s forces.  The team went to Handsworth Park to play Handsworth Victoria on Saturday and after a very exciting finish won by two points.  -  Today (Saturday) they are looking forward to play Brookvale at home.

17th June 1916 – Birmingham News
Bowling
Birmingham Parks League
Kings Heath v Brookvale
Played at Kings Heath Park
(Full details given)
            Kings Heath      192       Brookvale         196

8th July 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath
Bowling:  Kings Heath Park v Small Heath Park - At Kings Heath.
 (Full details given)
            Kings Heath      255       Small Heath      267

5th August 1916 – Birmingham News
Bowling
Birmingham Parks League

Cotteridge v Kings Heath
Played at Cotteridge
(Full details given)
            Cotteridge         238       Kings Heath      173

26th August 1916 – Birmingham News

Bowling
Birmingham Parks League
The Birmingham Parks Bowling League table corrected up to date reads:-
        
Aggregate
     P          W         L          for        agst      Pts
Lightswood P’k             5          4          1          1163     830       8
Cotteridge P’k               7          4          3          4494     1441     8
Brookvale P’k                8          4          4          1872     1733     8
Handsworth P’k             6          2          4          1208     1296     4
Kings H P’k                   6          2          4          1148     1285     4

------------------------------------
Kings Heath v Cotteridge
Played at Kings Heath Park
(Full details given)
            Kings Heath      213       Cotteridge         177

2nd September 1916 – Birmingham News
Bowling
Birmingham Parks League
Kings Heath v Handsworth Victoria
Played at Kings Heath Park
(Full details given)
            Kings Heath      237       Handsworth       202

23rd September 1916 – Birmingham News

Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath
Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – A very interesting and enjoyable match took place at the Park on Saturday amongst the members, who played teams, Captain v. Vice-Captain.  Score:
Captain’s Side                           Vice-Captain’s Side
T. Cross (capt.)             21         A. Williams                      9
W. Garden                      8         E. Sharp (v.-capt.)         21
J. Harvey                      14         J. Cox                            21
E.A. Turner                   19         A. Bennett                     21
W. Bennett                    21         E. Felton                       12
H.J. Cooper                   21         H. Mantel                       7
E. Boylin                        15         T. Williams                    21
A. Wilkins                      17         D.W. Johnson               21
H. Cooper                      20         W. Minshaw                  21
A. Lowe                         17         H. Kilby                         21
                                    173                                             175

The members had tea afterwards, the arrangements being admirably carried out by Mrs. Blake.  Matches were also played for the club’s challenge rose bowl.  The semi-finals were, Mr. E. Sharp v. Mr. A. Williams, Mr. T. Williams v. Mr. W. Bennett.  The members are to-day (Saturday) playing the Crown Bowling Club at Redditch.

7th October 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath
Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – The Kings Heath Park Bowling Club on Saturday played an interesting match between sides led by the Captain and Vice-Captain, resulting in a win for the former by 8 points.  The scores were as follows:-
Captain’s                                  Vice-Captain’s
W. Dyson                      21         F. Ford                          12
A. Bennett                     21         A. Williams                    20
W. Bury                           9         T. Williams                    21
C. Clements                  21         T. Brittain                        4
T. Cross (capt.)             11         A. Lowe                         21
W. Bennett                    21         J. Harvey                       15
E. Felton                        21         E. Sharp (vice-capt.)     18
D.W. Johnson                20         J. Cox                            21
W. Garden                     13         J. Wigfield                      21                    
                                    161                                              153

The results of the Kings Heath Challenge Bowl competition were:-
Semi-final
T. Williams                    21         W. Bennett                    13
A. Williams                    21         E. Sharp                       17
Final
T. Williams                    21         A. Williams                      6



25th November 1916 – Birmingham News

Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath

Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – The annual prize distribution of Kings Heath Park Bowling Club took place on Monday night at Kings Heath Institute, when about a hundred members and their wives spent a pleasant social evening.  The first part of the proceedings consisted of a whist drive.  Refreshments were afterwards served, followed by a concert and the distribution.  The chair was taken by Councillor E.T. Everton, one of the vice-presidents, who was introduced by Mr. H. Mantel.  In his opening remarks Mr. Eveton said that though he did not represent Kings Heath on the City Council he was one of their immediate neighbours, and he had always taken an interest in everything that was going on there, because he had very grateful recollections of Kings Heath.  It was Kings Heath people who had first helped him to attain his ambition, to render some little public service, for they elected him a member of the old Kings Norton Board of Guardians.  He was very grateful for that, because he gained there an experience that had been extremely valuable.  The work was entirely different: on the Guardians he had to deal with men and women, and on the City Council he had to deal with roads – 637 miles of them.  (Laughter.)  So it was not a pleasant job, because the ordinary citizen was apt to judge the ability of a Corporation by the state of the roads, and in that matter he feared he should suffer in public estimation.  But if the people knew the difficulties of the work they would have sympathy with those responsible for the roads.  He was in another unfortunate position because he happened to be a member of the Tramways Committee – (laughter) – which was not very popular just now.  But it was no use blaming the Tramways Committee, who were helpless.  If the Electric Supply Company would not let them have the electricity they could not run the trams.  They were suffering very severely financially, and he feared the stoppages would have a disastrous effect upon the finances of the Department.  Although he was not a very old or good bowler, he had been president of another club.  He was keenly interested in bowling and in the Parks League.  He had had the pleasure recently of a long chat with the Lord Mayor, who was particularly sympathetic with regard to outdoor recreation for the citizens.  Councillor Everton put in a strong plea for physical sport and pointed to its value as evidenced by the hardness to endure shown by the British soldier as a result of training, and the inculcation through sport of chivalry and courage.  He was hopeful that something big would be done in the future in that direction to encourage all manly sports in the Birmingham parks, and he hoped also that before long there would be another park in the Kings Heath district.  Mr. Everton then handed away the prizes as follows:-  First handicap: 1, (pair of woods), Mr. T. Cross; 2, (pair of boots), Mr. D.J. Johnson.  Annual tournament: 1, (a handsome art metal bower clock, presented by Major J.H. Cartland, J.P.), Mr. J. Beecham; 2, (set of hair brushes, given by Mr. Wilfrid Hill), A. Wilkins; 3, (cut glass rose bowl, given by Alderman Hubert Bewlay), Mr. W.H. Bennett; 4, (set of carvers), Mr. T. Williams; 5, (fountain pen), Mr. E. Sharp; 6, (briar pipe), Mr. J. Close.  Club challenge rose bowl and gold medal, given by by the President, Commander Leverton Harris, M.P., winner Mr. T. Williams, 2, (Devon china clock and ornaments), Mr. A. Williams; 3, (china rose bowl),  Mr. W.H. Bennett; 4, Mr. E. Sharp.  Mr. Fenn’s prize: a Devon china vase, Mr. T. Williams.  Whist drive prizes – Ladies: 1, (E.P. cruet), Mr. C. Tomlinson (playing as a lady); 2, (Devon china teapot and stand), Mrs. A. Higgs.  Gentlemen – 1, (set of carvers), Mr. A. Lowe; 2, (china biscuit barrel), Mr. J. Coldwell.  Mr. Mantel asked the chairman to present Mr. J. Harvey with a handsome set of carvers in recognition of his services as hon. Secretary, most admirably performed.  Mr. Harvey having received the gift from Mr. Everton, assured the club of his unabated interest in the club.  Mr. Mantel then handed Mr. J. Smith, the superintendent of Kings Heath Park, a monetary gift for his staff together with thanks for the interest he took in the club.  To this Mr. Smith responded, and said with their depleted staff they could not do as much as they would like for them.  The company much enjoyed the musical programme.  Miss Dora Gossage, a prominent young Kings Heath soprano, was heard with keen pleasure in her songs, and she was loudly encored.  Flight Staff Sergeant A. Lord caught the popular taste with his clever mimetic and humorous ditties, and Mr. D. Laughton gave a telling rendering of the tenor song “The Death of Nelson”.  Miss Gladys Jones was a very able accompanist, and her solo was capitally played.  The proceedings terminated with the Nathional Anthem.  The stewards for the evening were Messrs. T. Cross, H.J. and J. Cooper, W. Minshaw, C. Clements and H. Kilby.  It was announced that a whist drive would shortly be held in aid of the comforts for the wounded soldiers at Colmore Road Hospital, and that Councillor Everton had promised a prize.



Letters to the Editor

(There is a letter, not about the Park but about awards in allotment competitions, signed by the superintendent of the Park, who listed his credentials as follows:-)

J. Smith

Birmingham City Parks Department Instructor, appointed for North District Birmingham.  Formerly Royal Gardens, Windsor.  The King; Royal Gardens, Sandringham, The King; Trentham, Duke of Sutherland; Blenheim,  Duke of Marlborough; Waddesdon, Baron F. De Rothschild; also County Council Bedford and Cheshire.

Kings Heath Park                                                                      November 21, 1916



11th December 1916 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

Councillor Ward presented the following report of the Finance Sub Committee:

Statement of Income and expenditure for the half year ending 30th September last

                                                                    Kings Heath Park
                                                           Income                         Expenditure
Estimated for the year                           £80                               £731
Actual to 30th September 1916              £61  6. 3.                      £279  5.   8.




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