Ongoing research; last updated 6 September 2012
2nd January 1928 – BCC Parks
Committee
Refreshments
– Castle Bromwich, Kings Norton and Trittiford Mill Pool
On
Continued Minute No. 7080, the Town Clerk presented the following report:-
Town Clerk’s Office
31st December 1927
Report with reference to Minute No.
7080.
Tenancies of Refreshment Rooms
I have to report that in accordance with the above Minute I have
completed Agreements for tenancy of refreshment rooms as follows:-
Park Tenant Rent per annum Period of Tenancy
Kings Heath Mrs. S.E. Blake £80 3
years from
25th March 1927
7609 Resolved:
That the report be approved and the minute discharged.
(There is
interleaved with the minute of this meeting a report of the Parks Committee for
presentation at a meeting of the Council on Tuesday 7th February
1928. The following item occurs in that
report:)
Seating
Accommodation in the parks
The Council
will recollect that by Minute No. 28,095 the Parks Committee were instructed to
prepare and submit to the Council a report as to the seating accommodation in
each park. A census of the seating
accommodation has therefore been taken, and the schedule set out at the end of
the report gives the particulars so obtained.
It should be
mentioned that the Committee are fully alive to the fact illustrated by these
figures, namely, that the provision made for seating accommodation in the Parks
and Recreation grounds is quite inadequate having regard to the extent of these
areas and to the numbers of the public using them. While every opportunity is taken to effect
improvements in this direction, the very limited financial resources at the
disposal of the Committee for matters of this character prevent any
considerable additions being made to the existing seating accommodation.
The
following figures for Kings Heath Park have been extracted from the “Schedule
of Seating Accommodation in Parks - 1St June 1927”: -
Rustic Seats for
36 persons
Plank seats 40
Teak lath seats 14
Pitch pine seats on cast-iron brackets 46
Folding music seats 300
Seating accommodation in shelters 84 persons
Total seating accommodation (approx) 1.026
Report
of Administration Sub-Committee
Mr.
Councillor Gelling presented the following report:-
King’s
Heath Park – Refreshment Room – Use by Private Party
Your
Sub-Committee have to report that an application from Mrs. Blake, tenant at the
above Refreshment Room has been received asking for approval to be given for a
private party of the Ladies Bowling Club to be held in the Refreshment Room on
27th December, from 6.30 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. This application has been refused and your
Sub-Committee recommend that their action be confirmed.
King’s
Heath Park – Refreshment Room – Use by Private Party
7639 Resolved:-
That the action of the Sub-Committee in refusing permission for a dance
to be held by the Ladies’ Bowling Club at King’s Heath Park refreshment Room,
on 27th December, be approved and confirmed.
6th February 1928 – BCC Parks
Committee
The
Archetectural Assistant presented the following report:
In accordance with instructions, details of the quantity and cost of
dwarf fencing to enclose all the pools and streams in the various parks of this
City have been prepared.
It will be noted that the quantity of fencing is 24,867 yards run or 14½
miles at 8/1½d per yard run - £10,102-4-4½d.
If unclimable fencing of the simplest type is substituted for the dwarf
fencing, the cost would be over £20,000.
Brookvale Reservoir is the only pool which is enclosed with a dwarf
fence, and our experience is that there are more children within the fence or on
the water side of the fence than there are outside it, so that no fencing will
prevent children from getting to the waters edge, Every precaution has been taken to minimize
the risk of accident by reducing the depth of water in all cases where there
was a sheer drop from the bank by filling in.
I understand that during the past 20 years there have been approximately
25 deaths by drowning in all the pools in the various parks, most of which were
suicides, and one or two caused by the overturning of pleasure boats, the
remainder being through ice giving way or children wading in the water, so that
the proportion of accidents, having in mind the millions of children who have
found enjoyment at the waters edge during the past 20 years, clearly proves
that the risk of drowning is practically nil.
Kings Heath Park is listed as requiring 200 yards at a cost of £81-5-0.
7715 Resolved:-
That in the opinion of the Committee the erection of fencing round the various
lakes in the several parks will not prevent the fatal accidents by drowning
which occur very occasionally, and that owing to the unsightly appearance of
such fencing and the very heavy cost that would be involved, the Committee
cannot agree to the suggested fencing of the lakes in the various parks etc.
18th February 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers – The members of the Kings Heath Park Bowling Club held their annual meeting on Friday night, when they elected Mr. Edward Sharp their president. Four vice-presidents were elected: Councillors H.E. Goodby, S.A. Lamplugh and F.D. Tippetts[1]. Mr. W. York was appointed chairman, Mr. J. Cox vice-chairman, Mr. A.E. Mitchell hon. sec., and Mr. Amphlett hon. treasurer.
It was resolved to play in the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association and in the Birmingham Parks’ Bowling League. The green is to be opened on the last Saturday in April.
The Kings Heath Ladies Bowling Club are looking forward to commence play in the early part of May. The whist drive on Thursday, reported in our last issue, closes their public whist drives, but they are continuing their monthly drives for members and friends at the Pack Horse. Thursday’s drive was attended by Councillor and Mrs. Goodby. The latter, who is president, handed away the prizes.
7th May 1928 – BCC Parks Committee
Report
of General Purposes Sub-Committee
Mr.
Alderman Lovsey presented the following report:-
Bowls
and Tennis – Commencement of Season
A letter
has been received from the King’s Heath Park Bowling Club, asking for
permission to commence their season on the 21st April.
In view of
the weather conditions which have prevailed, many of the greens are not in a
sufficiently fit condition and it was not considered advisable therefore for
play to commence on any of the greens before the 5th May and
instructions were given for notices to this effect to be issued to the parks
and clubs concerned.
Your
Sub-Committee ask that their action in the matter be confirmed.
Bowls
and Tennis – Commencement of Season
7876 Resolved:-
That the action of the Sub-Committee in fixing the 5th May as
the date for the commencement of bowls and tennis in the parks and in issuing
notices to this effect, be approved and confirmed.
26th May 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers “Pass On” – Kings Heath Park well deserved their victory over Stirchley United on Saturday. Playing at New Inns, Yardley, in the first round of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association Cup competition, Kings Heath won by 251-122. Details:- (are then given).
2nd June 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers Beaten – Kings Heath Park, away to Bull’s Head in Div. 4 of the Senior League of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association on Saturday lost by 243-171. Details:- (are then given).
9th June 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers’ Win in Cup Tie – Kings Heath Park “passed on” in the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association Cup competition on Saturday. Playing in the second round on the College Arms green, the Park bowlers defeated Knowle by 221-19871. Details (wining team’s score first):- (are then given).
23rd June 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers’ Home Defeat – Kings Heath Park met with a stronger team in Hamstead Colliery, when playing a Senior League Fixture in connection with the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association on Saturday. The Park bowlers, who were at home, lost by 240-216. Details:- (are then given).
30th June 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
No More War – A large crowd gathered round the bandstand in Kings Heath Park on Sunday evening listened to a “No More War” speech by Mr. Donald Hurst at an open-air meeting arranged by Kings Heath Branch of the League of Nations.
Members of the Adult School took a prominent part in the arrangements, and their Brass Band played selections for some time prior to the meeting, and led the music for the hymns. Mr. H. Handley, who acted as the chairman, was supported by Mr. W. Bishop, superintendent of the school, by Mr. Evan J. Jones, and others including Miss Shanks of the Birmingham League of Nations Union.
Mr. Hurst said there were those who thought that the advocates of peace were putting forward a vague ideal as against the security and safety of this beloved country. To anyone who really appreciated what peace involved, and who understood what advocates of peace had at heart, such a view was entirely wrong. The real question we had to decide was whether under modern conditions we thought that the way of force or the way of understanding was the best method of achieving the peace of the world.
Armaments, he concluded, could not guarantee peace and security. What was the use of a gigantic Navy when a fleet of aeroplanes could cross from the Continent in an hour and annihilate London? A military expert had stated that the best and most humane way of ending war was to annihilate the civilian population. Then the safest place would be in the Army.
2nd July 1928 – BCC Parks Committee
Report
of the Administration Sub-Committee
Mr.
Councillor Gelling presented the following report:-
Staff –
Increase in Manual Employees’ Wages
The
following applications for increase in wages have been considered and approved
by your Sub-Committee, and they recommend that the increases detailed shall be
confirmed and authority given for them to take effect as from the 7th
June, 1928:-
(List
includes:-)
H. Cooper Park-keeper, King’s Hth. Pk. Present wage - £3. 9. 0. Plus house fuel
and light. Increase 5/-.
Use of
Parks by various Organisations
Your
Sub-Committee have to report that the use of the following parks and recreation
grounds has been granted to the several Organisations named on the dates and
for reasons stated.
Date Park Organisation Purpose
June 24 Kings Heath Pk. Kings Heath Branch Public Meeting
League
of Nations Union.
Staff –
Increase in Manual Employees’ Wages
7982 Resolved:-
That the several increases in wages recommended for the manual employees
as detailed in the foregoing report be approved, as from the 7th
June 1928.
Use of
Parks by various Organisations
7984 Resolved:-
That the use of the several Parks granted to the respective
Organisations on the dates detailed in the forefoing report, be approved and
confirmed.
7th July 1928 – Birmingham News
Music in the Parks
To-morrow (Sunday) – Kings Heath Park, Kings Heath Adult School Band at 7 p.m.
Monday – Kings Heath Park, City Police Band at 7 p.m.
14th July 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Knocked Out of Cup – Kings Heath Park were knocked out of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association Cup competition in the third round on Saturday. They were defeated on a neutral green by Cock and Magpies by 233-209. Details:- (are then given).
21st July 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers Defeated – Kings Heath Park bowlers met their match in Barley Mow when playing a League fixture on the latter club’s green on Saturday. The homesters won by 230-199. Details:- (are then given).
28th July 1928 – Birmingham News
Music in the Parks
To-morrow (Sunday) – Kings Heath Park, Kings Heath Adult School Band at 7 p.m.
4th August 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Mr. J. Smith Leaves Kings Heath – Mr. J. Smith, F.R.H.S., the superintendent of the City Parks and Cemeteries Department, has removed his residence from Kings Heath Park to Cannon Hill House, Cannon Hill Park.
25th August 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Bowlers’ One Point Away Win – Kings Heath Park were given a rude surprise on Saturday when they met Britannia in a Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling League match. Playing at home, the Park bowlers compiled 219 points, but their opponents managed to beat them by one point. Details:- (are then given).
1st September 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Kings Heath Bowling – Kings Heath Park gained a comfortable victory over College in a Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling League match on Saturday. The Park bowlers won by 226-160. Details:- (are then given).
8th September 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Bowlers’ Good Fight – Kings Heath Park were no match for the College, on Saturday, but the former team, who were the visitors, put up a good struggle. The match, played under the auspices of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Bowling Association, was won by the College side by 224 -194. Details:- (are then given).
15th September 1928 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Labour Footballers – Kings Heath Labour Youths’ Football club is to play this season in the Senior Division of the Birmingham J.O.C. On Saturday in a friendly game with Kings Heath United, they were successful by six goals (Russell 4, Finch and Dunham) to three. Moseley at right back, and Finch and Russell in the forward line were prominent. For the losers, Lilley and Foxall showed enterprise.
The Labour Youths play their first league match at Kings Heath Park against Summerfield.
1st October 1928 – BCC Parks
Committee
Report
of the Administration Sub-Committee
Mr.
Councillor Gelling presented the following report:-
Staff –
Filling of Vacancies
Your
Sub-Committee recommend that the action of the Chairman in appointing the
following persons on probation to fill vacancies which have occurred during the
recent vacation be approved and confirmed.
Name
& Address Age Park Commencing
Wage
W. Price 16 Kings Heath £1. 0. 0.
3, Lockton
Rd. (Garden Boy)
Stirchley.
Staff –
Filling of Vacancies
8108 Resolved:-
That the action of the Chairman in making the appointments on probation
referred to in the foregoing report, to fill vacancies which occurred during
the recent vacation, be approved and confirmed.
10th November 1928 – Birmingham News
News Photos:
The Annual Dinner of the Kings Heath Park Bowling Club was held at Ye Olde Red Lion Hotel, Vicarage Road, on Saturday evening, Mr. E. Sharpe presiding over a representative attendance. During the evening the season’s trophies were presented to the winners.
Convivial Bowlers
Kings Heath Park Club’s Dinner
The annual dinner of the Kings Heath Park Bowling Club took place on Saturday night at Ye Olde Red Lion Hotel, Vicarage Road.
Full report then follows, from which: “Mr. W. York, who captained the team playing in the Warwickshire and Worcestershire competitions responded. They had, he said, just missed the championship by a few points, and though not up to the mark on their own green, the team had raised itself from the fifth to the third division.”
[1] The death, on board the steamship “Otranto” near Constantinople, of Councillor F.D. Tippetts is recorded in the Birmingham News on 12 May 1928.
