Ongoing research; last updated 8 March 2011
20th March 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield, and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
KINGS HEATH PARK BOWLING CLUB – The annual meeting of the above club took place at the Ruskin Social Club on Friday evening in last week, and was largely attended. Mr. H. Mantell presided. Mr. J. Harvey, the hon. secretary, presented the balance sheet, which was accepted with a balance in hand. He also read a letter from the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association, and after a great deal of discussion it was decided to enter the senior division of the League which is being formed in that association; also to again enter the City of Birmingham Parks Bowling League first and second divisions. This will necessitate some matches being played on some week evenings. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers and mention was made of the great interest the hon. secretary and his assistant took in their work to make the club a success. Sir Hellawell Rogers, M.P., was again unanimously elected president, with a number of vice presidents, including Councillor H.E. Goodby and Mr. N. Slade. Mr. H. Mantell was elected chairman for the fifth season. He said that he should do all in his power for the club. Mr. J.H. Cox was elected vice-chairman, who, unfortunately, could not attend owing to illness; Mr. H. Cooper, treasurer; Mr. J. Harvey, hon. secretary, and assistant secretary, Mr. A. Wilkins. The following were elected:- Committee, Messrs. W.H. Bennett, T. Cross, E. Sharp, A. Dyson, A. Bennett, W. York, C. Clements, J.T. Johnson and D.W. Johnson. The representatives on the council of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Association are Messrs. J. Harvey, W.H. Bennett and A. Dyson; representatives on the council of the Parks Bowling League, Messrs. H.J. Cooper and A. Bennett. Every attention is being given to the green in the park which in appearance will be in very good condition, and the members are looking forward to having some fine games. Any who are interested in the game of bowls will be welcomed as members. The teams in the section of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Association who have to play Kings Heath Park are Mitchell and Butlers, Yardley, Bournbrook, Holyhead and Swan.
27th March 1920
Kings Norton, Northfield, and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
RUSKIN SOCIAL F.C. – The first team of the above club entertained Alcester Lane on Saturday last at Kings Heath Park. A clean game ended in a win for the visitors by two goals to nil. Ruskin were weakly represented, but on the run of the play, were unlucky to lose. They lost the services of Banner for the greater portion of the second half, but when he did return they could make no impression on the Lane defence. The second team journeyed to Yardley to play Yardley Rovers. The visitors were represented by the same team that had been playing so well in the Sparkbrook Medal competition, and after a pleasant game won by three clear goals. - On Monday the draw for the semi-final of the medal competition was made, and the Social Res. have to play Orthopoedic (sic) F.C. at Howard Road, Kings Heath on April 3rd, 1920. On Saturday night a whist drive was held at Kings Heath Parish Hall in aid of the Ruskin F.C. funds. Mr. S. Cowles was M.C., and members of the club acted as stewards. The prize winners were:- Ladies: 1. Mrs. J. Finch; 2. Miss Unwin; 3. Mr. C. Meylin (playing as a lady); 4. Mrs. Smith. Gents: 1. Mr. E. Talbot; 2. Mr. S. Downes; 3. Mr. H. Eccleston; 4. Mr. F. Vizard.
29th May 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield, and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
THE PARK – Kings Heath Park has never within our recollection looked more charming than it does this spring. The heavy rains of the last few months have produced a remarkable luxuriance of foliage which gives the Park a heavily wooded aspect, most restful to the eye. The rhododendrons have also done exceptionally well this season, and the rich colour of the flowers makes a bright and pleasant picture. Art has also conspired with nature to produce a beautiful landscape. During the war of course little could be done to add to the natural attractions of the Park, but with the cessation of the struggle attention can now be given to the laying out of the garden beds. This is having its effect, and the visitor is met with thick banks of bright hued flowers on every hand, reflecting credit on those responsible for the management of the Park.
KINGS HEATH PARK B.C. – Kings Heath Park Bowling Club are doing very well this season. They have played four league matches, winning three of them, defeating Yardley, Lightswood at home, and Summerfield Park on their green. They lost the first match with Holyhead at home. Playing a friendly game with Bournville Tenants on their green they could only muster 10 members and lost by 70. The return match was played at the Park on their own green on Wednesday and won by 161. Scores:-
Kings Heath Bournville Tenants
A. Bennett 21 H. Bailey 11
W. Bennett (capt.) 21 C. Green 5
J. Cox 21 W. Barnett 9
W. Hartwell 13 V. Bagnall 21
S. Jones 21 W. Eyles 5
J. Cranston 21 W. Cunnayton 7
J. Henry, junr. 21 H. Norman 10
C. Clements 21 B. Brannan 9
E. Turner 21 M. Kimberley 8
H. Barker 21 P. Roberts (capt.) 9
J. T. Johnson 21 A. Smith 3
D. Johnson 21 W. Bailey 13
H. Mantell 21 J. Gittings 16
T. Cross 21 B. Brown 3
H.J. Coper 21 O. Bagnall 17
307 146
An interesting match will be played in the Park today (Saturday) against Bournbrook in the 1st Division of the Senior League of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Association. A reserve team will play a friendly match with Bournbrook on their green.
SPARKBROOK MEN’S MEETING
Gardening and the Bible
An address of unusually novel and interesting character was given on Sunday afternoon at Stratford Road Baptist Church, to the members of the Sparkbrook Men’s Meeting. The speaker was Mr. J. Smith, F.R.H.S., of Kings Heath Park, one of the city’s experts on allotments, who has been lecturing to the horticultural section of the S.M.M., on gardening. His subject was “Gardening from the Bible”. The lesson read from the 1st chapter of Genesis gave Mr. Smith his text, and he went on to show the accuracy of the Scriptures in their bearing on gardening. God looked on His handiwork and proclaimed it good, said Mr. Smith, and so good was it that right through the ages science had not been able to change the organic structure of the vegetable kingdom, though it had been able to improve on varieties. The first garden was formed eastward, which was the correct way, for then it got the benefit of the south to north aspect with the full power of the sun. The herbs spoken of in the Creation story were made for the use of man and comprehended all the numerous species of plant food for the service of mankind. The laws of man could be and were broken, but not so the laws of God, which were immutable. It was, for instance, impossible to alter the seasons. Winter was rest, spring life, summer the harvest, and autumn the season of deepening, changing colour that gave place to the rest of winter time. Mr. Smith recommended the members to hold their horticultural exhibition at the same time as the harvest festival and thus be able to supply the fruits of the earth for the decoration of the church, and afterwards to be used for the benefit of the sick and poor. He believed in the giving of cards as prizes of honour in themselves, rather than the offering of money awards. He reminded them that they might dig and sow, but it was God who gave the increase. It was therefore not a matter of self-praise; the gift of the land should therefore be their thankoffering. The hymns of the afternoon were chosen for their direct reference to the subject and to the Divine bounty in Nature.
12th June 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield, and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
KINGS HEATH PARK BOWLING CLUB – This club played two matches on Wednesday in the Birmingham Parks Bowling League first and second divisions. The first division played Digby Park at Kings Heath Park winning by 111 points. The best winners were H. Kilby and Mr. A. Bennett, winning their games 21-3 each. The second division played at Digby Park and won by 23 points. The best winner was Mr. Hartwell by 21-6. The first division team winning their game gets on top of the Birmingham Parks Bowling League. Today (Saturday) 14 of their members are engaged playing in the merit tournament of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Association. On Monday evening next they are to meet Mitchells and Butlers at the park in the senior division of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Association. Wednesday’s scoring were as follows:-
Kings Heath P. Digby P.
H.J. Cooper 21 O. Cotteril 7
T.Cross 6 H. Tomlins 21
W. York 21 W. Glover 12
T. Williams 21 O. Bowns 7
J. Harvey 21 W. Davis 16
W. Bennett 21 J. Frankham 9
E. Sharp 21 H. Pearce 6
A. Wilkins 21 A. Morris 12
H. Kilby 21 W. Adams 3
A. Dyson 21 T. Prottey 16
C. Dyson 21 D. Tattem 14
A. Bennett 21 E. Wright 3
237 126
- Win by 111
Digby P. Kings Heath P.
C. Clements 12 T. Holmes 21
J. Cox 21 D. Heslop 12
W. Hartwell 21 G. Hammond 6
S. Jones 21 J. Nully 20
J. Harvey, junr. 17 J. Hammond 17
T. Brittain 21 R. Deyes 21
E. Turner 21 J. Bowns 20
P.G. Utting 21 A. Allen 19
J. Crowther 21 H. Bourton 17
176 153
- Win by 23
10th July 1920 – Birmingham News
Parks Bowling
Draw for Individual Merit Competition
The annual Individual Merit Competition in connection with the Parks Bowling League will be held today (Saturday), 10th July, commencing at 3 pm. The draw resulted as follows:
At Brookvale park – etc (details given)
At Cotteridge park – etc
At Kings Heath - etc
At Summerfield Park – etc
28th August 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – This club is making headway this season in trying to win the first and second division championship of the Birmingham Parks Bowling League. They have up to the present played 12 matches, won 9 and lost 3 in the first division; and played 7, won 6 and lost 1 in the second division. On Saturday the first division played Musgrave away and won by 30 – 228 to 198. The second division playing at home won by 70 – 181 to 111. The best winners were: First division, J. Harvey 21 – 6, A. Wilkes 21-9; Second division, D. Johnson 21-5, J. Hanson 21-6, W. Hartwell 21-6. Today (Saturday) the return matches with the same clubs are to be played.
2nd October 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Kings Heath Park B.C. – The second division team of the above club finished their season on Saturday by losing to Brookvale – 169-171, which places them second in the Birmingham Parks Bowling League. Today (Saturday) the first division team play Brookvale Park, and if they win they will finish top of the first division of the League, beating Small Heath Victoria on aggregate scores on Saturday last. The members were playing tournament and rose bowl games. The semi-finals in the rose bowl handicap were Messrs. J. Harvey, C. Dyson, E. Sharp and T. Williams. C. Dyson, who played a good game, was ultimately the winner, beating T. Williams in the final.
9th October 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Local Bowlers Success – The members of the Kings Heath Park Bowling Club are to be congratulated on winning the cup in the first division of the Parks Bowling Club League. The members were rather disappointed that the thunderstorm burst over the district on Saturday last, for they feared that there would not be any play at all. They had been disappointed before, but Brookvale Club was a most sportsmanlike lot to turn up after the storm cleared up. Kings Heath won by 93, the score being Kings Heath Park, 251; Brookvale Park, 158. The best winners were W. York 21-9, H.J. Cooper 21-9, A. Wilkins 21-12 who has been the most consistent player this season; played 11, won 10, losing the one game by one point, but the best game was between A. Dyson and A. Bassett, the former was losing 12-1, but eventually won 21-20. The second division team finished second in the second league, Brookvale team being the winners of that league. The members are holding a public whist drive at the Parish Hall on Saturday, November 20[1].
23rd October 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Disabled Soldiers Entertained – The training centre for disabled soldiers at Kings Heath Park having been closed a farewell supper and concert to the men who have been in training took place on Thursday night. An excellent repast was served, to a company numbering 70. Mr. J. Smith, F.R.H.S., the Superintendent of Kings Heath Park and training inspector to the men, gave an outline of the work done and of the cause of the centre closing down, the men being transferred to Lightswood Centre. He spoke of the good feeling which had existed between the present trainees and the instructors, and of the most satisfactory progress of work done, also of the splendid service of Mr. K.M. Tyson as officer in charge, and of Mr. R.R. Hearn. Mr. R.R. Hearn regretted that the centre was closing down, but as the men were going to Lightswood Centre, he would still be in touch with them. Mr. K.M. Tyson said a better set of men he would be unable to find. Capital musical items were rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Lock, also banjo items by their party. There were songs and dialogues by the instructors and trainees and Mr. Fabb. Dances were also indulged in. Mr. Tyson was presented with a silver cigarette case by the trainees. Mrs. Stainson rendered most valuable assistance for the success of the evening, which concluded with “Auld Lang Syne”.
13th November 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Ruskin Secure their Old Ground – As a result of negotiations started by Mr. A.A. Jordison, president of Ruskin Social F.C., and Mr. W. Mumford, a vice-president, the pleasing information was laid before Monday’s meeting of members that the old field in Brandwood Road in the pre war days has been secured. The club will now have the benefit of gate money, which was not possible, of course, on the Park. The admission fee will be 4d., including tax, and boys half-price. This should mean a very subatantial jillip to the club’s funds. The game on Saturday at Yardley with Lycetts resulted in a win for Ruskin by four goals to nil. The play was not as one-sided as the score suggests. Up to half-time the scoring was 1-0, but onwards Ruskin were all over their adversaries. The scorers were E. Russell, J. Stockly, J. Laight, and A. Tucker, the last named scoring from a penalty. Praise should be awarded to Lycetts’ outside left and the left back for their sterling play.
