The History of Kings Heath Park, 1931-1940: 1939 Clippings

Ongoing research: last updated 26 November 2013

2^nd January 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-committee was submitted:-

King’s Heath Park – Installation of Telephone

Your Sub-Committee have given authority for the installation of a telephone at King’s Heath Park. The cost of installation will be 15s. 0d. and the annual rental £6 10s. 0d.

All trees for street planting purchased from various nurseries and the stakes for same obtained from other sources are delivered to King’s Heath Park for distribution to the various districts, and it is desirable that the Park Keeper should be in a position to notify the Head Office immediately fresh consignments are received by him, so that he may receive instructions as to their disposal. A telephone will also be useful at this park for other purposes.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the action taken be confirmed.

Arising out of this matter the Sub-Committee were reminded that some years ago the proposal for the installation of telephones at parks and playing fields generally was deferred on grounds of economy. Your Sub-Committee feel that this proposal should now be revived and they accordingly recommend that the Chairman and the General Manager be authorised to arrange for the installation of telephones at such parks and playing fields as they think advisable.

Telephone Installation in Parks

3083 Resolved:- That the action taken in authorizing the installation of a telephone at King’s Heath Park, at an installation cost of 15/- and an annual rental of £6. 10. 0., be confirmed; further that the Chairman and General Manager be authorized to arrange for the installation of telephones at such parks and playing fields as they consider advisable.

2^nd January 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)

The Parks Committee by Minute No. 3083 of the 2^nd January 1939, authorized the installation of a telephone at Kings Heath Park.

6^th February 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

King’s Heath Park – Tenancy of Refreshment Rooms

On continued Minutes Nos. 1619/1698/2993, the following report of the Town Clerk was submitted:-

Report with reference to Minute 2993

With reference to the above Minute, I understand that the terms relating to the transfer of the tenancy of the refreshment room at King’s Heath Park, from Mr. Mapp to Mr. Parker, are set out in the correspondence with the General Manager and in view of the short period remaining under the exisiting Agreement I have informed the General Manager that I do not think it necessary to enter into a fresh Agreement.

I recommend, therefore, that this Minute be discharged.

(signed) Town Clerk

3113 Resolved:- That the report of the Town Clerk be approved, and that the foregoing Minutes be discharged.

Estimates 1939-40

On continued Minute No. 3097, for following report of the Finance Sub-Committee was received:-

Estimates 1939-40

In pursuance of Minute No. 3097 the Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the financial year 1939-40 have been approved by your Chairman and the Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee and submitted to the Finance Committee.

(From a long report:-)

With regard to the maintenance of drives, footpaths and asphalted areas, many of these are in a most deplorable condition, and complaints are frequently being received in regard to drives at the City Cemeteries ..........

Schedule “A”

Estimates 1939-40

Maintenance of Drives, Footpaths and Asphalted Areas

Park: King’s Heath

Amount: £250

3142 Resolved:- That the estimates of Income and Expenditure for the financial year 1939-40 as attached to the foregoing report and submitted to the Finance Committee under the authority contained in Minute No. 3097 be confirmed, ..............................

The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-

Refreshment Room Tenancies

I beg to report that the annual and triennial tenancies of the refreshment rooms in the various parks expire on the 25^th 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 25^th 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 25^th March, 1939

Name of Park: King’s Heath

Present Rental £70

Name and address of person tendering: No tenders received

The authority of the Committee is requested to advertise the refreshment rooms at King’s Heath Park and at any other park where there is a vacant tenancy.

Refreshment Room Tenancies

3199 Resolved:- That the General manager be authorised to re-advertise the Refreshment Rooms in any of the cases where a vacancy exists.

6^th March 1939 – BCC Parks Committe Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was submitted:-

Air Raid Precaution Shelters - Public Display in Parks

At the request of the Air Raid Precautions Committee, the Chairman has granted permission for one of the new Home Office steel air raid shelters to be placed for public display in each of the following parks and recreation grounds, on the understanding that your Committee will be indemnified against any loss or claim arising out of the display:

District Situation

1 Chamberlain Gardens, Ladywood

Walmer Recreation Ground

Lawford Street Recreation Ground

Sheepcote Street Recreation Ground

2 Salford Park

Adderley Park

Aston Park (Park Road Frontage)

3 Sparkhill Park

Acocks Green Recreation Ground

Oaklands Recreation Ground

Yardley Recreation Ground

4 Cotteridge Park

5 Summerfield Park

6 Highgate Park

King’s Heath Park

Small Heath Park

Swanshurst Park

The City Engineer & Surveyor has written asking for Selly Park, Handsworth Park and Queen’s Park, to be included.

It has been arranged with the City Engineer & Surveyor that the exact site is to be agreed in each case on the general understanding that it should be near one of the main gateways for purposes of easy inspection.

Your Sub-Committee recommend the action of the Chairman be confirmed, and that the three parks referred to by the City Surveyor be included in the list.

Air Raid Precaution Shelters, Public Display in Parks

3250 Resolved:- That the action of the Chairman in granting, subject to the terms and conditions detailed in the foregoing report, permission for the new Home Office steel air raid shelters to be displayed in the parks and recreation grounds set out in the report, including the three parks forming the subject of an application by the City Engineer and Surveyor, be confirmed.

Refreshment Room Tenancies

On continued Minutes Nos. 3196/3198/3199 and 3201 the following report of the General Manager was submitted:-

Refreshment Room Tenancies

I beg to report that, in accordance with the authority contained in your Minute No. 3199, advertisements were inserted in the local press, inviting tenders for the refreshment rooms at Handsworth Park and King’s Heath Park.

Only one tender was received in respect of each park, and the following are the details:-

Present Name and Address Rental Tendered

Name of Park Rental of Persons Tendering for one year

Handsworth £52 Mr. F.W. Dudley, £40

170, Sarehole Road,

Birmingham, 11.

King’s Heath £70 Mr. W.N. Parker, £65

The Refreshment Rooms,

King’s Heath Park

Mr. F.W. Dudley is the present tenant of the refreshment room at Witton Lakes, and desires the tenancy of the refreshment room at Handworth Park in addition.

Mr. W.M. Parker is at present in occupation of the refreshment rooms at King’s Heath Park, your Committee having given prermission for the tenancy to be transferred to him from Mr. H.J. Mapp in December last. In this case, the rent for the present quarter is in arrear.

Upon the authority of your Chairman, both tenders have been accepted for a period of one year from the 25^th instant, subject in the case of King’s Heath Park to Mr. Parker paying the outstanding rent and the rent for the first three months of the new tenancy in advance. It is suggested that the Town Clerk should be instructed to prepare and seal the necessary Agreements.

Confirmation of the Chairman’s action is desired.

3299 Resolved:- That the action of the Chairman in accepting the tenders of Messrs. F.W. Dudley and W.N. Parker in the sum of £40.0.0. and £65.0.0. upon the conditions set out in the foregoing report for the tenancies for one year of the refreshment rooms at Handsworth Park and King’s Heath Park respectively be confirmed, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and seal the necessary Agreements.

3^rd April 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

Sub-Committee Reports

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was submitted:-

Transfers

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the following transfers to staff be confirmed:-

Name From To Date

Stevenson, R. King’s Heath Pk. Kings Norton Pk. 20.3.39

Transfers

3338 Resolved:- That the various transfers of staff affecting C.H. Ansell, R.W.H. Locke and R. Stevenson, as set out in the foregoing report, be confirmed.

1^st May 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was received:-

Air Raid Precautions – Trench Shelters in Public Parks

The Public Works Department are at present engaged in making permanent the temporary trench shelters which were constructed in the various parks and recreation grounds in September last, and in the construction of further permanent shelters.

The following is a list of the parks and recreation grounds, etc., affected:-

King’s Heath Park was just one from a list of 35.

In all cases the trenches will need 2 ft. of cover and in paved areas the trenches will be excavated to a depth of 9 ft. to enable the 2 ft. of cover to be supplied, and leave the completed trenches level with the surrounding area. In the majority of cases where the trenches are being excavated in grass land, the depth will be 7 ft. and the surplus soil will be used to provide the 2 ft. of cover necessary. The surfaces will be turfed and slightly battered to the level of the surrounding turf.

All the damage caused to paths, paving, and other portions of the parks and recreation grounds by transport or any other cause in connection with the construction of the trenches, will be made good by the Public Works Department, who will also pick up and divert from the trenches all surface and subsoil drains.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the General Manager, and subject to the Committee being indemnified in respect of any claim arising therefrom, the action taken in authorizing the work be confirmed.

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

14.5.39 King’s Heath B’ham Open Air Open air meeting

Workers

11.6.39 King’s Heath Peace Pledge Union Open air meeting

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the action taken be confirmed.

Air Raid Precautions – Trench Shelters in Public Parks

3401 Resolved:- That, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the General Manager and subject also to the Committee being indemnified in respect of any claim arising therefrom, the proposals detailed in the foregoing report, for the consolidation of trench shelters in the various parks referred to, on the conditions set out in the report, be confirmed.

Use of Parks

3405 Resolved:- That the action taken in granting permission to the various organisations detailed in the foregoing report to have the use of certain parks and recreation grounds, on the dates and for the purposes referred to, be confirmed.

The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-

Refreshment Rooms - King’s Heath Park

By Minute 3229 your Committee accepted the offer of Mr. W.M. Parker to pay an annual rental of £65 for the renewal of his tenancy of the refreshment rooms at King’s Heath Park for one year from the 25^th March, 1939, subject to Mr. Parker paying outstanding rental from the time his tenancy was transferred to him from Mr. H.J. Mapp in December last up to the 25^th March, 1939, and also one quarter’s rent in advance in respect of the new tenancy.

Mr. Parker has not fulfilled these conditions and from information received, there is no doubt he is in financial difficulty and there is little likelihood of his being able to pay the arrears or the rent in respect of his tenancy.

In the circumstances, I have informed Mr. Parker that he must give vacant possession of the premises on Tuesday next, May 2^nd 1939.

The Committee’s confirmation is desired.

Refreshment Rooms, King’s Heath Park

3431 Resolved:- That, in the circumstances referred to in the foregoing report, the action of the General Manager in requiring Mr. W.M. Parker to vacate the refreshment rooms at Kings Heath Park by Tuesday May 2^nd, 1939, be confirmed, and that in the event of Mr. Parker’s non-compliance the Town Clerk be instructed to obtain vacant possession of the premises.

5^th June 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was received:-

Use of Parks

Permission has been granted to the following organisations to have the use of parks mentioned below on the dates and for the purposes stated:-

Date Park Organisation Purpose

21.5.39 King’s Heath R. Parsons Evangelistic meetings

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the action taken be confirmed.

Use of Parks

3490 Resolved:- That the action taken in granting permission for the use of various parks on the dates and for the purposes referred to in the foregoing report be confirmed.

Air Raid Precautions Underground Report Centres

The following communication has been received from the Air Raid Precautions Department.

19, Broad Street,

Birmingham, 1.

11^th May, 1939

A.R.P.O.

GH/DW

Dear Sir,

In furtherance of the Home Office long term Policy for the setting up of Report Centres for communication in time of war, a Scheme is to be submitted for the building of these premises underground.

The Home Office recommend that these should be situated on land already owned by the Corporation, and in selecting sites for these premises, the suitability of Park land or Recreation land has been considered, we would therefore ask for your Committee’s observations on the use of sites in the following Public parks or Recreation grounds in the City.

Kings Norton Park

Kings Heath Park

Recreation Ground – Foxhollies Road

Recreation Ground – Rear Station Road, Stetchford

Rookery Park

Perry Park

Handsworth Park

Summerfield Park

Calthorpe Park

We would point out that these Report Centres would be constructed at the expense of the Air Raid Precautions Department, and being underground would be covered with at least two foot of earth, and would not therefore, detract in any way from the amenities of the Park land when completed.

We submit with this communication a sketch plan of these proposed Centres, showing that the only portion visible to the public would be the entrance tunnel, which I suggest should be built to the Railings on the ground selected and that a separate Gate to this entrance be provided.

Before submitting this Scheme to the Home Office, we should be pleased to receive the observations of your Committee, in order to avoid any confusion in proceeding with the Scheme.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd) Victor T. Hamilton.

G.H.

Air Raid Precautions Officer.

Mr. White,

City of Birmingham Parks & Cemeteries Dept.,

161, Corporation St.,

Birmingham.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that, subject to this work being carried out to the satisfaction of the General Manager, and to no loss or liability devolving upon the Committee, the request of the Air Raid Precautions Department should be acceded to.

Air Raid Precautions Underground Report Centres

3499 Resolved:- That, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the General Manager and to no loss or liability devolving upon the Committee, the application of the Air Raid Precautions Officer for the use of the various parks detailed in the foregoing report for the purpose of constructing underground report centres, be confirmed.

June 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)

ARP Underground Report Centre

3^rd July 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was received:-

Dogs in Parks

At the last meeting of your Committee authority was given to allow dogs to be exercised off the leash during certain limited hours[1] in the whole or some parts of certain parks and recreation grounds.

The following parks and recreation grounds which were submitted to the Committee in 1935 were inadvertently omitted from your Sub-Committee’s report, viz:-

From a list of 19: King’s Heath Park – Southern area adjoining railway.

Your Sub-Committee recommend the addition of the above mentioned parks and recreation grounds to the list approved by them on 5^th June 1939.

[1] The times permitted were - before 8 a.m. and during the hour before the park closed.

Use of Parks

Permission has been granted to the following organisations to have the use of parks mentioned below on the dates and for the purposes stated:-

Date Park Organisation Purpose

21.7.39 King’s Heath B’ham & District Bee-keeping

Bee-Keepers’ Demonstration

Association

4.6.39 King’s Heath The Baptist Church Open air meeting

King’s Heath

18.6.39 King’s Heath Peace Pledge Union Open air meeting

12.7.39 King’s Heath R. Parsons Evangelistic meetings

Your Sub-Committee recommend that these arrangements be confirmed.

Transfers

Name From To Date

Culleton, F. Cannon Hill Pk. King’s Heath Pk. 25.5.39

(Pk. Police)

Pinfield, H.A.P. Quinton Nurseries King’s Heath Pk. 10.4.39

(Pk. Lbr.)

Resignations

Name Park Nature of Employment

Robinson, E.T. King’s Heath Pk. Police Left own accord, 25.5.39

Police Report – Serious Accidents

Park Name Address Nature of Employment

Kings Heath Shorter, J. (62) 80, Reeves Road, Seizure, first aid and

Kings Heath taken home

Dogs in Parks

3560 Resolved:- That Minute No. 3522 be amended by the addition to the approved list of open spaces in which dogs may be exercised of the various parks and recreation grounds detailed in the foregoing report.

Use of Parks

3569 Resolved:- That the permission granted to the various organizations referred to in the foregoing report for use of the parks on the dates and for the purposes stated in the report, be confirmed.

24^th July 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

The following report of the Administration Sub-Committee was received:-

Use of Parks

Permission has been granted to the following organisations to have the use of parks mentioned below on the dates and for the purposes stated:-

Date Park Organisation Purpose

16.7.39 King’s Heath The Baptist Church Open air meeting

King’s Heath

Your Sub-Committee recommend that these arrangements be confirmed.

King’s Heath Park – Sons of Rest

The following letter from the King’s Heath Park Branch of the “Sons of Rest” Federation has been submitted.

July 11^th, 1939.

E.S. White Esq.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to ask if you will kindly consider letting us have one of the refreshment rooms now closed down. You are well aware that our present room is quite inadequate as we have over seventy members, and we cannot accommodate half of them, and I am sure you will agree with me that it is very unhealthy with so many packed in such a small space. I trust you will give this your serious consideration as it will be the means of making a lot more old men happy in their declining years.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

(Sd.) E.W. Williams,

Hon. Secy.

Owing to the loss of rent from the refreshment room tenancy which would result from allowing the use of an extra room, your Sub-Committee recommend that the application from the “Sons of Rest” Federation be not acceded to. It is recommended however, that porovision be made in next years estimates for the extension of the existing Shelter.

Use of Parks

3619 Resolved:- That the action taken in granting permission for use of various parks and recreation grounds as detailed in the foregoing report, be approved.

King’s Heath Park – Sons of Rest

3625 Resolved:- That the application of the Sons of Rest for the use of an extra room in King’s Heath Park refreshment room be not acceded to, but that provision be made in next years estimates for the extension of the existing Sons of Rest Shelter.

The following report of the Finance Committee was submitted:-

Purchase of Coke

In accordance with the usual procedure, Coke has been ordered from the Gas Department as shown hereunder, 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 35 tons

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the action taken be confirmed.

Purchase of Coke

3638 Resolved:- That the purchase of coke from the Gas Department as detailed in the foregoing report be approved.

September 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)

ARP Trenches

6^th September 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)

2 Dressing rooms being used as a Warden’s Post.

2^nd October 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

Re-organisation of Sub-Committees[1]

3654 Resolved:- That, having regard to the prevailing war conditions, the meetings of the present Sub-Committees be discontinued and an Emergencies Sub-Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Chairmen of the four Sub-Committees, together with Councillor Banks, be appointed, with authority to deal with all matters normally dealt with by such Sub-Committees, to meet only at the call of the Chairman.

[1] This initiative, suggested in a letter of 12^th October from the Town Clerk to all operational Committees, was made “with a view to saving the time of members and effecting economies in stationery and in other directions”. From this time, Committee minutes generally were supported by shorter reports.

The following reports of the General Manager were received:-

Cotteridge Park – Appointment of Park-keeper

I beg to report that applicatons were recently invited from employees of the Department for the position of park-keeper at Cotteridge Park rendered vacant by retirement, and thirty seven applications were received.

With the approval of the Chairman of the General Committee, John Fox, Foreman at King’s Heath Park, was appointed to the position as from the 14^th August 1939, at a wage of £3-15-0. per week.

Fox is 49 years of age, and has been employed in the Department since the 20^th March 1919. He had previous experience at Lodge Hill and Handsworth Cemeteries, and Small Heath Park, and has carried out his duties in a satisfactory manner.

The Committee’s confirmation is desired.

King’s Heath Park – Appointment of foreman

In order to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of J. Fox as Park-keeper at Cotteridge Park, H.W. Evason, previously employed as a Gardener at Brandwood End Cemetery, has been appointed Foreman at King’s Heath Park as from the 14^th August 1939, at a wage of £3-3-0. per week.

Evason is 36 years of age, and has been in the service of the Department since the 29^th November 1934. He has carried out his duties in a satisfactory manner.

The Committee’s confirmation of this appointment is desired.

Use of Parks

I beg to report that permission has been granted to the following organisations to have the use of parks mentioned below on the dates and for the purposes stated:-

Date Park Organisation Purpose

30.8.39 King’s Heath R. Parsons Evangelistic meetings

13.8.39 King’s Heath Kings Heath Open air meeting

Baptist Church

The confirmation of the Committee is desired.

Cotteridge Park – Appointment of Park-keeper

3680 Resolved:- That the appointment of John Fox at Park-keeper at Cotteridge PPark as from the 14^th August 1939 at the wage of £3. 15. 0. per week be approved.

King’s Heath Park – Appointment of Foreman

3681 Resolved:- That the appointment of H.W. Evason as foreman at King’s Heath Park as from the 14^th August, 1939 at a wage of £3. 3. 0. per week be approved.

Use of Parks

3688 Resolved:- That the action of the General Manager in granting permission for use of the various parks and recreation grounds as set out in the foregoing report be approved.

23^rd October 1939 – BCC Parks Committee Minute

3740 The General Manager submitted a letter (Compiler’s note – letter not included in the Minute Book) from the Town Clerk asking for permission to erect hutments for canteens and rest room facilities at Report and Control Centres in various parks and recreation grounds to which the Committee agreed.

23^rd October 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1) and

23^rd October 1939 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)

By minute No. 3740, the Parks Committee on the 23^rd October 1939, gave permission to the Public Works Department to erect hutments for canteens and restroom facilities at the underground A.R.P. Control and report centre.