Ongoing research; last updated 17 November 2013
25th January 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
“Sons of Rest” Dinner - It was found to be impossible to postpone the annual New Year’s dinner of the members of the Kings Heath Park branch of the “Sons of Rest”, which was held on Thursday night in the Assembly Rooms of the Hare and Hounds Hotel. Originally fixed for January 9, owing to catering difficulties arrangements for Thursday had proceeded so far that the officers state that they had to go on with them in spite of the natural desire to defer the event in view of the national mourning. Sir P.J. Hannon, M.P., had previously accepted the invitation to be present, but Mr. G. Handley, the chairman, who made a sympathetic reference to the King’s death (the company rising in respectful silence[1]
) read a letter from him expressing his disappointment at having to cancel the acceptance, adding that the death of the King made it imperative that members of Parliament should not attend any function until after the funeral of his late Majesty. Apart from that it would be out of his power to be present, as a special meeting of the House of Commons was taking place that day to receive the body of the King on its arrival at Westminster.
Mr. S.J. Pratt apologized for his inability to be present, also Councillor Lamplugh, and Councillor Goodby, Major Cartland, the Rev. J.A. Smallbone and others.
The toast of The President and Vice-Presidents was proposed by Mr. W. Jones and replied to by Mr. Leslie Hanson, Mr. G. Lee and Mr. C. Price.
The toast of The Branch, which should have been proposed by Sir Patrick Hannon, was not given, but the chairman substituted a reference to the branch and its progress. The tone of the branch was, he said, considered to be very high, and he hoped it would always be maintained. The most important thing was the need for more accommodation, though he recognized that there were other branches of the Federation less favourably situated. Seven new rest rooms were to be provided, five out of Mrs. Watson’s bequest. Salford Park was costing a thousand pounds, and four more were being built. Two were ready – Acocks Green and Selly Park – while Digby Park and Sparkhill rest rooms were being built at a cost of £750 each. A superior rest room was shortly to be put up in Cannon Hill Park. It was a fact not to be proud of that only one rest room had been built and equipped by people living. He referred to the Northfield branch, where it was given by the Brothers Hodge. At Smethwick and West Bromwich residents had given three rest rooms. He suggested that if any rich friend of the Birmingham Federation of the “Sons of Rest” wished to perpetuate some loved friend, he could not do better than give a thousand pounds so that a rest room could be built. He hoped that before long the Parks Committee would be able to tell them what their prospects were at Kings Heath for securing a more adequate and convenient room. In the meantime they must make the best of it. Mr. Handley expressed warm thanks to Mr. H. Wheeler and all others who had helped to make a success of the dinner.
The evening was diversified by an interesting musical programme, contributed to by Messrs. Harry Wheeler, Sidney Hooper, Jack Gossage, Sam Austin, and Arthur Gifford, while a member of the branch, Mr. Harbidge, also received loud applause for his rendering of “The Farmer’s Boy”. Mr. Williams, who was the organizer of the dinner, conveyed the company’s thanks to the artistes.
3rd February 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary submitted a report:-
3rd February 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary submitted a report:-
Refreshment Room Tenancies
(This item also occurs in the Report of the Administration Sub-Committee presented to the same meeting of the Parks Committee.)
I beg to report that the annual
and triennial tenancies of refreshment rooms in the various parks expire on the
25th March next, and in accordance with the usual procedure,
advertisements have been inserted in the local press inviting tenders for the
new tenancies as from the 25th March for alternative periods of one
and three years. The present tenants
were also invited to tender again by separate communication.
The tenders received have been
opened by your Chairman, and a schedule is annexed hereto for the consideration
of the Committee, with the view to the acceptance of such tenders as they may
think fit, and to the Town Clerk being instructed to prepare the appropriate
Agreements in such cases as may be necessary.
The names of the present tenants who have tendered again are marked *.
Schedule
of Tenders for Tenancies of the Various Refresment Rooms
In
the Parks as from the 25th March, 1936
Name of Park: King’s
Heath
Present Rental £80
Name and address of person
tendering: Mrs. S.E.
Blake *
Refreshment
Rooms,
King’s
Heath Park
Amount of Annual Rental
tendered: For 3 years -
£80
Remarks: Accepted
Refreshment Room Tenancies
..................
The Committee then proceeded to consider the schedule of tenders
received for the tenancy of various refreshment rooms in Parks and Recreation
Grounds.
901 Resolved:- That the several tenders for tenancies of
refreshment rooms as indicated on the schedule accompanying the Secretary’s
report be accepted for the amounts and periods therein stated, and the Town
Clerk instructed to prepare and seal such documents as may be necessary.
30th May 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Sons of Rest Parade - The Kings Heath Park branch of the “Sons of Rest” visited the Baptist Church, Kings Heath, on Sunday morning. The party included the chairman, Mr. G. Handley, Mr. J. Cope, Mr. H. Williams, hon. organizing secretary, Mr. E. Woodwiss, hon. secretary, and Mr. W.D. McLaren (hon. general financial secretary). Mr. Lawrence C. Tipper, a vice-president, was also present.
The Rev. J.A. Smallbone, the honorary chaplain of the branch, in his address based on the very apposite text, “I will do better unto you than at your beginnings”, words which, he said, very definitely applied to the movement of the “Sons of Rest”. It was unsectarian, but it was not secular. It realized in its very bones, so to speak, that it had no future apart from a due acknowledgement of God; mutual trust, brotherliness, the helping hand, and kindly sympathy.
The service closed with the “Sons of Rest” anthem.
8th June 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
1170 Resolved:- That the granting of the use of parks and recreation grounds to the organisations upon the dates and for the purposes set out in the foregoing report, be confirmed.
8th June 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Sub-Committee Reports
The
Administration Sub-Committee presented their report.
Use of Parks
Permission has been granted to the following organisations
to have the use of parks and recreation grounds as mentioned below on the dates
and for the purposes stated:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
June 28 King’s
Heath F. Scott United Open Air religious service
(Bandstand)
July 11 King’s
Heath B’ham & District Open air meeting
Beekeepers’
Assoc.
1170 Resolved:- That the granting of the use of parks and recreation grounds to the organisations upon the dates and for the purposes set out in the foregoing report, be confirmed.
The Cemeteries
Sub-Committee presented their report.
Lodge
Hill Cemetery – Foreman Gardener
The
Registrar at this Cemetery and the Parks Superintendent have reported that the
work of Richard Stevenson, foreman gardener, has for a long time past been very
unsatisfactory.
His work in
the glass house this year is reported to be particularly poor, with the result
that it will be necessary to purchase many more plants than are normally
required.
In order to
enable the foreman gardener to devote more time and attention to the
propogating portion of his work, he has been relieved to a great extent by the
Registrar of the supervision of the gardening staff, but this has not had the
desired affect.
Stevenson
is 54 years of age, and has been in the employ of the department 30 years,
namely 5 years at Queen’s Park, 12 years at Aston Park, 6 years at Handsworth Cemetery
and 7 years at Lodge Hill Cemetery.
At Queen’s Park,
Aston Park and Handsworth Cemetery, he was engaged on propogating work in the
greenhouses, and he seems to be unable to cope with the work normally required
of a foreman gardener, although he is obsessed with the idea that he ought to
have further promotion.
He has been
spoken to many times by the Registrar, and the Parks Superintendent, in regard
to his work, and he has complained that he has had neuritis and arthritis, and
produced a Doctor’s certificate to the effect that this is due to dampness in
the greenhouses.
The General
Manager has had two interviews with Stevenson with the Parks Superintendent and
the Cemetery Registrar, and has reported that he seems to be quite incapable of
properly carrying out his duties as foreman gardener.
In the
circumstances your Sub-Committee recommend that he be relieved of his present
position, and that A.J. Markham, a gardener at King’s Heath Park, aged 29,
whose present wages are £2. 13. 10d per week be appointed to the position at a
wage of £3 a week. They further
recommend that as from the 1st instant Stevenson be transferred to King’s Heath
Park in place of Markham, and his present wages of £3. 0. 10. per week reduced
to £2. 15. 10. as from the 1st instant.
These
proposals have been explained to Stevenson, who appears to have no objection
thereto.
1182 Resolved:-
That Richard Stevenson be relieved of his present position of Foreman
Gardener at Lodge Hill Cemetery and transferred to King’s Heath Park as a
gardener, his wages being reduced from £3. 0. 10 to £2. 15. 10 per week, as
from 1st June 1936.
1183 Resolved:-
That A.J. Markham (at present Gardener at King’s Heath Park) be
appointed to the position of Foreman Gardener at Lodge Hill Cemetery, at a wage
of £3. 0. 0. per week as from 1st June 1936.
6th July 1936 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Sub-Committee Reports
The
Administration Sub-Committee presented their report.
Use of Parks
Permission has been granted to the following organisations
to have the use of parks and recreation grounds as mentioned below on the dates
and for the purposes stated:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
July 1 K.
Heath R. Parsons Evangelistic meeting
1226 Resolved:-
That the granting of the use of Parks and Recreation Grounds to the
various organisations upon the dates and for the purposes set out in the
foregoing report be confirmed.
25th July 1936 – Birmingham News
Log Roller
Lord Mayor, Parks Committee, officials, inspected city parks on Wednesday, found everything okay.
Wet weather, hard on some blooms, has kept the grass wonderfully fresh and green by way of compensation.
Birmingham has 33 parks, 91 recreation grounds, 31 small open spaces (nice distinction) totaling 3,828 acres
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
“Sons of Rest” Outing – The annual outing of the Kings Heath Park branch of the “Sons of Rest” was held on Thursday, when 64 members went by motor coaches to Church Stretton. The outward journey was made in heavy rain, but later in the day the weather improved. After going via Kidderminster and Ludlow, Church Stretton was reached. Here dinner and tea were served at Carding Mill Hotel. Unfortunately the weather did not allow of much hill climbing, but the visitors were able to appreciate the beauties of this Switzerland in miniature.
27th July 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
27th July 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Sub-Committee Reports
The
Administration Sub-Committee presented their report.
Use of Parks
Permission has been granted to the following organisations
to have the use of parks and recreation grounds as mentioned below on the dates
and for the purposes stated:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
July 26 King’s
Heath King’s Heath
Churches United Church Service
1283 Resolved:-
That the granting of the use of Parks to the organisations upon the
dates and for the purposes set out in the foregoing report be confirmed.
The Finance
Sub-Committee presented their report.
Coke
In accordance with the usual procedure, coke has been
ordered from the Gas Department as follows, so that advantage can be taken of
the reduction of 2/- per ton which prevails during the summer months:-
(From a list of parks, etc)
Kings’s Heath Park 40
tons
1st August 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Park Service Repeated – By request a second open-air service was held on Sunday night in Kings Heath Park. Organised by a number of young people connected with local religious bodies. The speakers were the Rev. S.E. Leslie Larwood, Minister of Selly Park Baptist Church, and Mr. Eric Jones, of Erdington. The Rev. J. Amos, of Moseley Baptist Church, and the Rev. F.C. Watts, of Billesley Baptist Church, took part in the service. The attendance was not so large as on the previous occasion, due to the weather. It began to rain during the later stages of the service.
5th October 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
5th October 1936 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Sub-Committee Reports
The
Administration Sub-Committee presented their report.
Use of Parks
Permission has been granted to the following organisations
to have the use of parks and recreation grounds as mentioned below on the dates
and for the purposes stated:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
Aug 5 King’s
Heath R Parsons Evangelistic open air
meetings
1377 Resolved:-
That the granting of the use of various Parks and Recreation Grounds to
the organisations upon the dates and for the purposes set out in the foregoing
report, be confirmed.
17th October 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Sons of Rest – Members of the Kings Heath Park Branch of the “Sons of Rest” held a supper and concert on Thursday. During part of the proceedings Mr. G. Handley presided, and later Mr. L.C. Tipper took his place. Amongst those present were Councillor F.T. Beddoes, Mr. C.A. Price, vice-presidents, and Mr. Leslie Hanson.
The toast of president and vice-president, proposed by Mr. E. Woodwiss, was responded to by Councillor Beddoes and Mr. Price, followed by the toast of The Branch given by Mr. Tipper, supported by Mr. Hanson and acknowledged by the chairman. Councillor Beddoes gave the toast to all members over 80 and Mr. Tipper and half a dozen others rose to the call.
The musical programme included songs by Miss Nellie Hunt, Messrs. H. Wheeler, J. Gossage, L. Faulkner, F. Vant, W. Wisbey, H. Evans, not forgetting an applauded version of “The Farmer’s Boy” by Mr. Harbidge, a “son of rest” aged 78. Mr. Stinton was at the piano. The event was organized by Mr. E.W. Williams.
31st October 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Sons of Rest – There was a crowded attendance of the Kings Heath Park branch of the “Sons of Rest” at the annual meeting held in the Rest Room on Monday afternoon. Mr. G Handley presided, supported by the Rev. J.A. Smallbone (chaplain), Mr. L.C. Tipper and Mr. H. Lowe (vice-presidents), Mr. H. Cope (vice-chairman), Mr. E.W. Williams (organizing hon. sec.) and Mr. E. Woodwiss (hon. general sec.).
The annual report recorded a happy and successful year. The winter lectures had been very helpful and interesting. Although unsuccessful in winning the Federation Sports League Shield, they were runners-up to Cannon Hill. In the bowling competition Mr. Cornes won his way to the final stage, but was beaten by Mr. Styles, of Selly Park. The branch had lost seven members by death during the year. Much appreciated visits to sick members had been paid by their Chaplain, the Rev. J.A. Smallbone. The balance sheet revealed a satisfactory state of affairs. The report and accounts were adopted on the motion of Mr. L.C. Tipper, seconded by the Rev. J.A. Smallbone.
The following officers were elected:- President, Alderman H.E. Goodby and a long list of vice-presidents with the addition of Mr. G. Bailey; chairman, Mr. G. Handley; vice-chairman, Mr. H. Cope; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Warner; hon. organizing secretary, Mr. E. Williams; hon. general secretary, Mr. E. Woodwiss; hon. auditors, Messrs. F. Greenhill and J. Hemming; trustees, Messrs. F. Gregory and E.W. Williams; committee, Messrs. Hemming, Cawsey, Elsmore, Millward, J. Brown, W. Trout, H. Oldfield, F. Gregory and H. Gossage.
During the meeting, speakers drew attention to the inadequacy of the rest room accommodation. Though the room was crowded to excess, barely two thirds of the members were able to find room. It was strongly felt that the branch needed extended accommodation, and it was hoped that the Parks Committee would be able to help them.
19th December 1936 – Birmingham News
19th December 1936 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
Sons of Rest Entertained. Dance – On Saturday afternoon the members and wives of the Kings Heath Branch of the “Sons of Rest” were entertained by the members and friends of the Young People’s Association at the Baptist Church.
There was a numerous company present.
The first part of the entertainment consisted of an interesting and amusing sketch, followed by instrumental and vocal solos, community singing, etc. Mr. Kingshott was loudly applauded for his rendering of Coster songs – “My Old Dutch”, “Knock ‘Em in the Old Kent Road”, etc.
At the conclusion of the concert the guests partook of a tea kindly provided by the Young People’s Association – cigarettes and tobacco were also distributed.
The Rev. J.A. Smallbone warmly welcomed the Sons of Rest and their wives, and assured them that it gave great pleasure to all the friends who had contributed to their enjoyment and happiness.
Mr. G. Handley (chairman) proposed a vote of thanks and Mr. Gregory and Mr. Hemming supported. The proceedings terminated by the singing of the “Sons of Rest” anthem and Auld Lang Syne.
[1]
On Sunday morning 26th January 1936, the Kings Heath Park branch of the “Sons of Rest” joined with others in a service acknowledging the death of King George V – see Birmingham News, 1st February 1936.