Ongoing research; last updated 26 April 2012
26th May 1923 - Birmingham News
Moseley, Kings Heath, Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Moseley and Kings Heath
Kings Heath Bowlers at Manchester – Three members of the Kings Heath Park Bowling Club – Messrs. A. Wilkins, A, Dyson, and W.H. Bennett – played in the inter-city match between the Birmingham and Manchester parks bowling organizations, which was held this year on the green of the Brooklands Hotel, Sale, Manchester. Birmingham lost by 91 points, 484 – 393. Last year the match took place on the Cannon Hill Park green. The contest was more even than the scores suggest, and showed that the Birmingham players had improved their form approaching more nearly to the Lancashire ideal.
14th July 1923 – Birmingham News
Music in the Parks
The list of engagements in the Parks for the week commencing Saturday, July 14, is as follows:-
Saturday. – Kings Heath Park, Scallywags at 7.
Monday. – Kings Heath Park, Will Morris’ Pierrots at 7.
21st July 1923 – Birmingham News
Music in the Parks
Next Week’s Programmes
The list of engagements for the week commencing Saturday, July 21st, is as follows:-
Saturday. – Kings Heath Park, City Police Band at 7.
18th August 1923 – Birmingham News
Village Gossip
Park’s Feast of Colour
I am not surprised to hear that the members of the Birmingham Parks Committee, in their annual inspection of the City’s parks, expressed a considerable amount of satisfaction with what they saw at Kings Heath Park, especially in regard to the floral scheme which has been adopted with so much effect. I had a stroll round the park the other day, and the impression I took away was that the comments were thoroughly well deserved. A successful attempt has been made to break away from conventional lines of gardening, and the idea has been to introduce naturalness of treatment. At the main entrance from Vicarage Road one is met with a bright welcome in a feast of gay hued flowers, while foxgloves have been introduced in large numbers in keeping with the woodland surroundings of the park. These usually neglected flowers have been planted in masses with a view that they may seed themselves and remain a feature of delight for many years to come. This plantation is edged with penstemons and violas set in double rows with notable effects. My eyes rested, too, with pleasure on the wonderful flower gardens, ablaze with “Paul Campbell” geraniums, and tall standard fuschias, the most prominent variety being “Samuel Parkes”. In order to take off the look of flatness the flower beds are planted with an abundance of standard grown plants, and here the beautiful golden leaf Abutilon Thompsonii does duty well in this respect, together with Nicotiana Hybrids (tobacco) in many hues. I noticed also two splendid specimens of the American Aloe planted in front of the Park House. These I understand were presented to the Parks Department by an old and public-spirited resident, the late Mr. George Hardy. The variety goes by the name of “Agave Americana Variegata” and, as large specimens, achieve a marked effect in sub-tropical bedding schemes. I was particularly impressed with the rosary walk, alongside of the tennis courts and bowling green. This is a picture of loveliness; planted on either side with “Dorothy Perkins” rambler, and lined out with white violas (“White Swan”). The tulip tree is now in blossom, and is to be seen close to the conservatory. The species “Liriedendon tulipifera”, is rather rare in the British Isles. I also observed the Grange Road entrance has been greatly improved during the winter, forming a useful part of the city’s relief works. This was a side of the Park that has badly needed attention. Kings Heath has every reason to be proud of its Park.
Music in the Parks
The arrangements for bands in the City Parks next week are as follows:-
Today – Kings Heath Park, Arthur Bones Bohemians, at 7
Tomorrow (Sunday) – Kings Heath Park – Kings Heath Adult School Prize Band, at 3 and 7
Tuesday – Kings Heath Park – The Futurists, at 7
3rd December 1923 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Lovsey submitted the following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee:-
Unemployment Relief Works
(From a long report:)
With regard to the lay-out works, the Advisory Art Committee have made certain suggestions for the revision of the plans in the cases of Kings Heath Park, Sparkhill Park and Summerfield Park. The revised plans have been deposited with the Ministry of Health and are now submitted. Your Sub-Committee recommend that they be approved, except as to the width of the shrubbery in Summerfield Park, which is to be of the same width as Selwyn Road.
Tenders have been obtained for the erection of new latrines in Kings Heath Park in connection with the 1922-3 Unemployment Relief schemes as follows:
Maddocks & Walford, Gravelly Hill £545. 0. 0.
H. Crump, Edgbaston £595. 0. 0.
J. Goodman, Harborne £597. 0. 0.
Surman & Sons, Gt. Colmore Street £600. 0. 0
The total sum allowed in the approved Scheme for this work is £500, which includes water supply, sewer, connections to mains, etc. Your Sub-Committee recommend that the tender of £545 made by Messrs. Maddocks & Walford be accepted, it being understood that the balance payable over and above the sum of £500 is covered by the estimates. This work completes the 1922-3 schemes for buildings, and the work should be commenced immediately.
4952 Resolved:- That the revised plans of lay-out at Kings Heath Park, Sparkhill Park and Summerfield Park, as now submitted, be approved, except as regards the width of the shrubbery in Summerfield Park, which is to be of the same width as Selwyn Road.
4954 Resolved:- That the tender of £545 made by Messrs. Maddocks & Walford for the erection of new latrines at Kings Heath Park in connection with the Unemployment Relief Scheme for 1922-3 be accepted, it being understood that the balance payable over and above the sum of £500 available under the Unemployment Relief Scheme is covered by the estimates for the current financial year, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to the necessary contract.
Councillor Longford submitted the following report of the Finance Committee:-
Unemployment Relief Works 1922-3
The City Treasurer has submitted the following details of expenditure on wages under these schemes:-
(From a long list:)
£11,600 Sanction (Scheme No. A 1062) Roads, Drainage Work & Parks
Kings Heath Park
Amount sanctioned for wages: £1,800
Expenditure of wages to 21st November 1923 £1,664. 16. 1.
3rd December 1923 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Lovsey submitted the following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee:-
Unemployment Relief Works
(From a long report:)
With regard to the lay-out works, the Advisory Art Committee have made certain suggestions for the revision of the plans in the cases of Kings Heath Park, Sparkhill Park and Summerfield Park. The revised plans have been deposited with the Ministry of Health and are now submitted. Your Sub-Committee recommend that they be approved, except as to the width of the shrubbery in Summerfield Park, which is to be of the same width as Selwyn Road.
Tenders have been obtained for the erection of new latrines in Kings Heath Park in connection with the 1922-3 Unemployment Relief schemes as follows:
Maddocks & Walford, Gravelly Hill £545. 0. 0.
H. Crump, Edgbaston £595. 0. 0.
J. Goodman, Harborne £597. 0. 0.
Surman & Sons, Gt. Colmore Street £600. 0. 0
The total sum allowed in the approved Scheme for this work is £500, which includes water supply, sewer, connections to mains, etc. Your Sub-Committee recommend that the tender of £545 made by Messrs. Maddocks & Walford be accepted, it being understood that the balance payable over and above the sum of £500 is covered by the estimates. This work completes the 1922-3 schemes for buildings, and the work should be commenced immediately.
4952 Resolved:- That the revised plans of lay-out at Kings Heath Park, Sparkhill Park and Summerfield Park, as now submitted, be approved, except as regards the width of the shrubbery in Summerfield Park, which is to be of the same width as Selwyn Road.
4954 Resolved:- That the tender of £545 made by Messrs. Maddocks & Walford for the erection of new latrines at Kings Heath Park in connection with the Unemployment Relief Scheme for 1922-3 be accepted, it being understood that the balance payable over and above the sum of £500 available under the Unemployment Relief Scheme is covered by the estimates for the current financial year, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to the necessary contract.
Councillor Longford submitted the following report of the Finance Committee:-
Unemployment Relief Works 1922-3
The City Treasurer has submitted the following details of expenditure on wages under these schemes:-
(From a long list:)
£11,600 Sanction (Scheme No. A 1062) Roads, Drainage Work & Parks
Kings Heath Park
Amount sanctioned for wages: £1,800
Expenditure of wages to 21st November 1923 £1,664. 16. 1.
