Ongoing research; last updated on 30 November 2013
1st January 1940 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Wartime Food Production in Allotments, etc
In September last, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries issued a
circular letter to County Boroughs regarding steps to be taken to encourage war
time food production in allotments and private gardens, and this communication
was referred by the Town Clerk to the Allotments Committee. It contains a suggestion that a Horticulture
Committee should be set up which should be charged with the work of encouraging
food production, and suggested the appointment of a Technical Instructor, and that
amongst others, the Parks staff of the Authority should be represented on the
Committee.
The Chairman of the Allotments Committee subsequently approached your
Chairman on this point, and with the latter’s approval, it was agreed that the
General Manager of your Department should be appointed on the Committee, which
comprises the Chairman and two other members of the Allotments Committee, the
Allotments Superintendent, the Chairman of the Birmingham Chrysanthemum
Society (Mr. E.J. Keeling) and a representative of the local Horticultural
Trades Association (Mr. David Simpson).
A meeting of the Committee was held on the 14th December, at
which a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture was present, when Mr.
E.J. Keeling was appointed Chairman and certain arrangements as to procedure
were adopted, and a Technical Instructor appointed. This is Mr. Dyffri Jones, who for some years
past has acted as Horticultural Instructor to the Education Committee, and
towards whose salary and expenses a grant is made to the Education Committee by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
He will be responsible for giving instruction and advice to allotment
holders and others when required, and for giving certain lectures.
It may be desired that some of the Parks Department’s technical staff
should give technical advice to allotment holders and others from time to time,
supplementary to the instruction and advice given by the Horticultural
Instructor.
It is also desired that the Parks Committee should arrange for plots of
300 square yards each, to be provided in twelve of the City Parks for demonstration
and instructional purposes. These plots
would be planted in accordance with a scheme to be prepared by the
Horticultural Instructor, based upon suggestions made by the Ministry of
Agriculture, but the work would be carried out by the Parks staffs and the
necessary seeds would have to be supplied by this Committee, who would take
over crops. A formal resolution as to
this will be forthcoming from the Allotments Committee, and the Committee’s
approval is recommended together with confirmation of the appointment of the
General Manager as the Parks Department’s representative on the Horticulture
Committee.
If the Committee agree, the following parks and recreation grounds are
suggested as being suitable, viz:-
Pype Hayes Park )
Perry Park ) North
Handsworth Park )
Cotteridge Park )
King’s Heath Park ) South
Daisy Farm Rec. Ground )
Fox Hollies Park )
Ward End Park ) East
Yardley Rec. Ground )
Queen’s Park )
Victoria Common ) West
Senneley’s Park )
Wartime
Food Production in Allotments, etc
3819 Resolved:-
That the proposal to allocate
three plots of land, each of 300 square yards, for demonstration and
instructional purposes, in each of the twelve Parks in connection with wartime
food production, as set out in the foregoing report be approved, and the
appointment of the General Manager upon the Horticulture Committee be
confirmed.
1st January 1940 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
The Parks Committee, on the 1st January 1940, accepted the proposal to provide a demonstration allotment plot in connection with the scheme for wartime food production in King’s Heath Park. It was agreed that the plot of 300 sqr. yds. would be planted in accordance with the scheme to be prepared by the Horticultural Instructor, that the cultivation would be carried out by the Park’s staff, and the Parks Committee would supply the necessary seeds and take over the crops. (See also Allotments Committee Res. 4529).
16th January 1940 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
Access will be made direct to the ARP Trenches from Avenue Rd at a point between Grange Rd & Station Rd and enclosed with a Chestnut fencing.
5th February 1940 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Estimates, 1940-41
With reference to the report of the
Emergency Sub-Committee on this matter, I have to point out that, in accordance
with the special request of the Finance Committee, the most rigid economy has
been observed in the preparartion of the Estimates and all expenditure other
than that of a vital and pressing nature and bare maintenance costs has been
eliminated. The following items in
favour of which resolutions have been passed by the Committee prior to the
outbreak of War have accordingly been excluded from the Estimates of
Expenditure, viz:-
(From a list)
King’s Heath Park – extension of existing “Sons of Rest” shelter –
minute No. 3625
King’s Heath Park – “Sons of Rest”
As stated in my report on the Estimates for 1940-41, the allowance for
the extension of the existing “Sons of Rest” shelter at this park has not been
included in such Estimates, and I would suggest that the “Sons of Rest” should
be allocated a suitable room in King’s Heath Park House. The refreshment rooms at that house have been
vacant for some time, and it appears to be unlikely that a suitable tenant will
be obtained at present. There is a large
room in the back portion of the house formerly used as a billiard room and
which was included in the refreshment caterer’s quarters which would be very
suitable. There is a cloak room with two
lavatory basins and a w.c. adjoining.
These rooms can be entirely shut off from the rest of the building, and
there is a separate entrance from the yard.
The large room is centrally heated from the conservatory boiler, and
there is also a fireplace. If these
rooms are allocated to the “Sons of Rest”, there will still be sufficient
accommodation for a refreshment caterer if one should be forthcoming.
Internal repairs and decorations only are necessary to make the rooms
fit for the purpose in question, and the estimated cost of carrying out this
work is under £10, which can be covered by the current year’s estimate.
If the Committee agree to this proposal, the public shelter, a part of
which is screened off and used by the “Sons of Rest”, can be restored to its
original use.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
I have also to report that two old ladies are still occupying separate
rooms in King’s Heath Park House which they use as bed-sitting rooms. These ladies were originally sub-tenants of
the late Mrs.Blake and their sub-tenancies were continued by the subsequent
tenants of the refreshment rooms. Since
the last tenant left however, on the 26th May last, they have paid
no rent.
If they are to be allowed to contuinue to occupy these rooms, I suggest
that the City Treasurer should be instructed to arrange for the collection of
the rents due as from the end of May last.
I am informed that the rent paid by them to the last tenant of the
refreshment rooms was 10/- per week. If
the rent is collected, it is desirable, of course, that the occupants should be
informed that their tenancies of the rooms are on a weekly basis only, and that
occupation on any other basis cannot be guaranteed. Both ladies, I understand, are over 80 years
of age.
Birmingham and District Bee-Keepers Association
A communication (Compiler’s note – not included in the Minute Book) from this Association will be
submitted enquiring whether the Committee will allocate to them a space in one
of the parks for the establishment of an apiary for demonstration purposes, and
to encourage would-be Bee-keepers in connection with the appeal for greater
food production.
King’s
Heath Park – “Sons of Rest”
3878 Resolved:-
That the proposal to allocate a room in King’s Heath Park House for the
“Sons of Rest”, and the carrying out of the necessary work for this purpose at
an estimated cost of £10 be approved and the cost charged to the revenue
Account.
3879 Resolved:-
That the City Treasurer be instructed to arrange for the collection of
the rent due from the two old ladies occupying separate rooms in King’s Heath
Park House, as mentioned in the foregoing report.
Birmingham
and District Bee-Keepers Association
3904 Resolved:-
That a space at King’s Heath Park be allocated to the Birmingham and
District Bee-Keepers’ Association, for the establishment of an Apiary for
demonstration purposes.
5th February 1940 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1 & 55 EF/1)
By Minute 3878, the Parks Committee on the 5th February 1940 approved the proposal that a room in King’s Heath Park House should be allocated to the “Sons of Rest”, and the carrying out of the necessary work for this purpose at an estimated cost of £10 – the cost being charged to the Revenue Account.
By Minute 3879, the Parks Committee on the 5th February 1940 instructed the City Treasurer to arrange for the collection of the rents due from the two old ladies occupying separate rooms in King’s Heath Park House. These ladies were originally sub-tenants of the late Mrs. Blake, and their sub-tenancies were continued by the subsequent tenants of the refreshment rooms. No tenant had been obtained for the refreshment rooms, however, since the 26th May 1939.
By Minute 3904, the Parks Committee on the 5th February 1940 agreed that a space should be allocated at King’s Heath Park to the Birmingham & District Bee Keepers’ Association for the establishment of an apiary for demonstration purposes in connection with the appeal for greater food production.
4th March 1940 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Air Raid Precautions – Trench Shelters in Parks
As the Committee is aware, a number of parks in which Trench Shelters
are provided have been open at night times since the declaration of War, and
certain men have been employed on night duty.
This has also involved the Park-keepers concerned in extra duties, as in
many cases they have had to do patrol duty themselves, in addition to working
with a reduced staff during the day times.
Some of the Park-keepers have not had their usual day off for some time.
As these park-keepers are not entitled to overtime, I suggest that their
extra services should be recognized by an ex gratia payment of five guineas to
cover the period from the outbreak of war to the 31st instant. The park-keepers I recommend for this payment
are those in charge of the following parks and recreation grounds, viz:-
Adderley Park Calthorpe Park
Cotteridge “ Digby “
Highbury “ Highgate “
King’s Heath “ Sparkhill “
Black Patch Rec. Gd. Garrison Lane Rec. Gd.
Kingston Hill “ Oaklands “
I also suggest the payment of 2½
guineas each to the park-keepers in charge of Eliot Street Recreation Ground
and Victoria Common, Northfield, where extra duties have had to be performed by
them, but not to the same extent as in the other cases.
In most of the parks the Trench
Shelters are now being or have already been fenced off from the remainder of
the park, and separate access thereto is being given from the adjacent
roadways, so that as from the end of this month, it will probably not be
necessary for any of them to be kept open all night.
The Committee’s decision is desired.
Air Raid
Precautions – Trench Shelters in Parks
3946 Resolved:-
That ex gratia payments be made to park-keepers for extra duties in
connection with trench shelters in parks to cover the period from the outbreak
of war to the 31st March, 1940 as set out in the foregoing report.
Attached to
the Minute of this meeting there is a cutting from the Birmingham Post, 2nd
March 1940:-
City Parks in War Time
Provision of Essential
Recreation
With the
approach of spring activity in the Birmingham municipal parks is daily
increasing and is scarcely, if at all, abated by war-time demands. In fact, the parks are being prepared for an
outdoor season that is likely to find the population of the city more than ever
attracted to them in search of recreation.
In the
coming spring and summer – and particularly because of the extra hour of
daylight available this year in the early months – workers and their families
are expected to use the parks more frequently than before. Petrol rationing and the reduced transport
facilities will make holiday-making and day excursions to the country pleasures
more rarely experienced, and the parks are bound to be more patronized by them
in search of fresh air.
For these
reasons it is the intention of the Parks Department to maintain all possible
facilities for pleasure-making, in the belief that they are a necessity and not
a luxury. Boating, swimming and games
will not be interfered with, except where the use of the parks for direct
war-time measures is enforced.
The Parks
Department has given a helping hand to agriculture by arranging demonstration
plots for the benefit of allotment holders, but it is not at the moment
embarking on any course of extensive digging for food production, as has been
done at Manchester. Nor are the
greenhouses yet being diverted to the growing of produce. It is desired to keep up the high standard of
floriculture for which the city parks have a reputation, though war-time
economy will be duly observed.
7th March 1940 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
On the 7th March 1940, it was decided that, owing to the unsatisfactory soil conditions at King’s Heath Park, the demonstration allotment plot should be transferred to Highbury Park.
6th May 1940 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
A.R.P. Trench Shelters in Parks, etc.
As the Committee is aware, many cases exist
where public air raid shelters are situated within the boundary of an enclosed
park, the gates of which are normally closed at dusk. In some cases, it has been found possible to
provide separate access from the street to such shelters without giving the
public access to the park. In other
cases, this has not been possible, and in the event of an air raid warning
being given, it would be necessary for the Park-keeper to open the park gates
with his keys.
The City Engineer and Surveyor recently
reported, however, that he had arranged for locks to be fitted to all entrances
to public shelters, (except those which give access to private buildings), and
he suggested that the present locks on those park gates which give access to
public trench shelters should be taken off and replaced by locks which would
pass the standard key, which are issued to the Police and Air Raid
wardens. This suggestion has been agreed
to, and it has been arranged that the park-keepers concerned shall be supplied
with a standard key.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
King’s Heath Park - Refreshment Rooms etc.
Since I reported to the Committee at their
meeting on the 5th February last regarding the tenancies of certain
rooms in King’s Heath Park House, an application for the tenancy of the
refreshment caterer’s quarters has been received from a Mrs. Summers and her
two daughters of 16, Hazelhurst Road, King’s Heath. The applicants however made a condition of their
application that they should be given possession of the rooms now occupied by
Mrs. Jones and Miss Thomas, and that the tenancy should include certain rooms
on the second floor which have been vacant for many years.
As a result of negotiation, it has now been
provisionally agreed that Mrs. Summers shall be granted a tenancy up to the 25th
March, 1942 in the first instance, at a rent after the rate of £60 per annum,
of the following accommodation:-
Ground Floor - Hall
and two large refreshment rooms, one with servery. Kitchen, pantry and drawing room. Scullery with boiler and sink and coalhouse.
First Floor - Three
large bedrooms and two smaller ones.
Bathroom and lavatory with separate w.c. adjoining. Main staircase from the hall and landing,
also tank room over the bathroom.
Second Floor - Three
bedrooms and boxroom.
It has also been arranged that Miss Thomas
shall take over the room which was formerly occupied by Miss Palmer at the
reduced rent of 5/- a week, and that Mrs Jones shall become a sub-tenant of
Mrs. Lusher and take over one of the rooms comprised in Mrs. Lusher’s tenancy.
In connection with these arrangements, it is
necessary for certain internal repairs and alterations to be carried out
including the installation of a new bath, lavatory and w.c. and a re-arrangement
of the gas supplies. The estimated cost
of such repairs and alterations (including decorations) is approximately £100.
The present rentals of Mrs. Jones and Miss
Thomas amount to £52 per annum, and if the proposed new lettings and
re-arrangements are approved, the rents of the refreshment caterers and Miss
Thomas will amount to £73 per annum. In
their present unoccupied condition, the rooms proposed to be allocated to the
refreshment caterers are rapidly deteriorating, and they would be far better if
occupied. There is distinct evidence of
a demand for refereshments at this park, particularly by bowls players
(including ladies bowls players), and tennis players, and this demand will probably
be increased when the Bee-keepers’ Demonstration Apiary is in operation.
I understand the applicants for the
refereshment caterer’s quarters can furnish satisfactory references and
guarantors, and they are agreeable to the rental being payable quarterly in
advance. They desire permission,
however, to sublet the rooms on the second floor to a schoolmaster and his wife
who are at present living with them, and permission to convert one of such
rooms into a kitchen-scullery, with necessary water and gas supplies. This work the proposed sub-tenants are
willing to have carried out at their expense.
A plan is submitted herewith (Compiler’s note -
not included in the minute) showing the various lettings at this house by
distinctive colourings, if the proposals set out above are approved.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
A.R.P.
Trench Shelters in Parks, etc.
4014 Resolved:-
That the replacing of locks on park gates with the standard lock as
issued to the Police and Air Raid wardens to give access to public trench shelters
in the parks be approved.
King’s
Heath Park Refreshment Rooms etc. – Mrs. Summers
4024 Resolved:-
That the arrangements made by the General Manager in respect of a
tenancy by Mrs. Summers for certain rooms in King’s Heath Park House, at a rent
of £60 per annum, as set out in his report, be approved and he be authorised to
carry out internal repairs and alterations at an approximate cost of £100, and
that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to
the necessary documents.
21st May 1940 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
P.W. Dept to construct a further ARP Shelter.
1st June 1940 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Moseley & Kings Heath
New Rest Room for Sons of Rest – A new rest room for the Sons of Rest was opened in Kings Heath Park on Saturday. The room was given by the Parks Committee, and the furniture was presented by Mr. H. Cope in memory of his wife.
3rd June 1940 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
King’s Heath Park
In connection with the Apiary which has been installed at this park by
the Birmingham and District Bee-Keepers’ Association, the Association have
applied for the use of a portion of the public shelter which was recently
vacated by the “Sons of Rest” as a store room for smokers, veils, and other
incidentals and for holding meetings and lectures. Arrangements have, therefore, been made
accordingly, the Association to pay a nominal rental of £5 per annum as from
the 1st June next and to pay for any lighting or heating that may be
required and undertake responsibility for any other outgoings.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
King’s Heath Park – Refreshment Rooms
With reference to your Minute No. 4024 granting the tenancy of these
refreshment rooms to Mrs. Summers, of 16 Hazelhurst Road, King’s Heath, I beg
to report that Mrs. Summers has since died, and it is recommended that the
tenancy be granted to her daughter, Miss Grace D. Summers, on the same terms
and conditions, viz., the tenancy be up to the 25th March, 1942 in
the first instance, at a rental after the rate of £60 per annum, and that the
Town Clerk be instructed accordingly.
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
5.6.40 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
9.6.40 Kings’ Heath B’ham
Open Air Open air Religious meeting
Workers
The confirmation of the Committee
is desired.
King’s Heath Park – Wages of Park-Keeper
The park-keeper at this park, H.V. Healey, was appointed to his position
on 1st January, 1938 at the commencing rate of pay of £3-10-0. per
week, plus emoluments (consisting of the lodge at the park and free fuel and
light) which are valued for superannuation purposes at £55 per annum. He has had no increase since his appointment,
apart from a general 2/- increase authorized by the West Midlands Joint Industrial
Council for manual employees and the recent cost of living increases amounting
to 6/- per week. His present wages are
therefore £3-18-0. plus emoluments, but as this is the most important of the
second grade parks, it is recommended that as from this date his wages should
be adjusted to £5-5-0. a week, including the recent cost of living increases of
6/- and the value of his emoluments in respect of which the sum of 21/- per
week is to be deducted from the wages.
Healey is 37 years of age, and has been in the employment of the
Department 12 years. He was previously
Park-keeper at Bournville Park and is carrying out his duties most
satisfactorily.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
King’s
Heath Park
4060 Resolved:-
That the application of the Birmingham and District Bee Keepers’
Association for permission to use a portion of the public shelter recently
vacated by the “Sons of Rest” be acceded to without any charge, for the
duration of the war.
King’s
Heath Park – Refreshment Rooms
On Minute
No. 4024 it was:-
4063 Resolved:-
That in view of the death of Mrs. Summers, the tenancy of the
Refreshment Rooms in King’s Heath Park be granted to her daughter, Miss Grace
D. Summers, on the same terms and conditions, and the Town Clerk be instructed
accordingly.
Use of Parks
4064 Resolved:-
That permission for various organisations to use the Parks, as set out
in the foregoing report, be granted.
King’s
Heath Park – H.V. Healey, Park-Keeper
4074 Resolved:-
That the wages of Mr. H.V. Healey, Park-Keeper, King’s Heath Park, be
increased to £5. 5. 0. per week, inclusive of 21/- per week emoluments.
-----------------------------
The General
Manager’s report to this Committee meeting and a Minute (No 4075) record the
appointment of a Park Keeper at Pype Hayes Park – a vacancy arising due to
retirement. A schedule attached to the
General Manager’s report gives details of the 23 candidates who applied for the
post in response to advertisement internally within the Department.
The
following details are recorded for Mr. Evason, one of the unsuccessful
candidiates.
Name: Evason, H.W.
Designated
Post & where employed Foreman,
King’s Heath Park
Age 37
Date
entered Service 29.11.34
Present
wages £3-6-0
Particulars of experience Has been
employed in the Dept. for 5 years and was appointed Foreman at King’s Heath
Park on 14.8.39. He claims 20 years
experience in all branches of horticulture.
Previous experience, 9 years at Oakly Park Gardens, Ludlow.
Testimonials J.R.
Francis,
Head Gardener,
Lt. Col. G. Windsor Clive, M.P.,
G.M.C.,
Oakly Park,
Ludlow.
-------------------------------
There is
also a Minute:-
Iron
Railings
4091 The General Manager told the Committee for
their information that in and around the parks there was approximately 35 miles
of iron fencing.
3rd June 1940 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
The Parks Committee on the 3rd June 1940, agreed to let the Birmingham & District Bee-Keepers’ Association have the use of a portion of the public shelter which was recently vacated by the “Sons of Rest”, free of charge, for the period of the war; the Association to undertake responsibility for all heating and lighting charges and any other outgoings. (This was discontinued W.E.F. 1948.)
8th June 1940 – Birmingham News
Apiary Opened in Kings Heath Park
Kings Heath Park now boasts the only apiary in England to be started in collaboration with municipal departments. The apiary was officially opened on Saturday by the Lord Mayor, who was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress.
For five years the Birmingham and District Beekeepers’ Association have been trying to make the city “bee-minded”, and the grant of a site for an apiary by the Parks Committee should help to arouse the interest of the public.
It contains six hives to be used for demonstration purposes, and a dozen belonging to members and learners.
The Lord Mayor, welcomed by Mr. G.V. Wilson, president of the Association, told the gathering that his own hives produce as much as 80 lbs. of honey in a season. He went on to say that bee-keeping could be turned to a very profitable service if it were put on a very large scale basis.
Each member of the Association presented the Lady Mayoress with a pot of honey, which were afterwards sent to a hospital.
Mr. R. Gamble, the Kings Lynn expert, gave an address on the art of bee-keeping.
4th July 1940 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
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
17.7.40 King’s Heath R.G. Parsons Evangelistic meetings
The confirmation of the Committee is desired.
Prosecutions – Offences in Parks
Departmental Prosecution
Date 28.5.40
Name Sawell, A. (15½)
Offence Cycling, King’s Heath Park
Result Fined 5/-
Use of Parks
4103 Resolved:- That the granting of permission for various organisations to use the Parks, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
4th July 1940 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
ARP Dept. to provide a car park adjacent to the site of the underground Report Centre. This will entail ashing the site concerned, and, perhaps, providing ingress from the road.
6th July 1940 – Birmingham News
Seen and Heard in the Suburbs
Late Major Cartland was, as residents of King’s Heath know, great lover of horses – but he loved horses not better than his horses loved him. Here is pathetic incident that happened last Saturday when the funeral of the sportsman was taking place.
As cortege left the house the Major’s favourite pony, “Kingfisher”, was looking from his box in an adjoining paddock. When he saw the procession he pricked up his ears, stared a moment, then whinnied loudly. A few seconds later he seemed to grasp the situation. He galloped to the far corner of the field from where he could see the last of the master he had loved for more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Howard Weston, nephew of the Major, told me that many people seemed to think the Major lived at the Priory, King’s Heath, all his life. This was no so.
He was born in a fine Georgian residence in Weaman Street, Birmingham, in 1849, then a “select” district of the city.
His father, the late John Cartland, brought the Priory, in Bleak Lane – which some years afterwards became Vicarage Road, when All Saints Vicarage was built.
The house originally stood in eleven acres of land, but whenever land was available, the late Mr. Cartland bought it, until he eventually owned 150 acres.. In 1909 part of this acreage became King’s Heath Park.
At one time this land extended from King’s Heath Park, across to Avenue Road, up to Hazelwell Station, taking in Newlands Road, on down to the River Rea, and back again to the Station.
In 1925, however, the Corporation took over part of it for Dads Lane Estate.
The Priory has seen some changes in the once rural district of King’s Heath. When it was built it stood among miles of open fields, and now the fields that immediately surround it are the last of the rural area.
29th July 1940 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
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
28.8.40 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
21.7.40 King’s Heath South
Section, Open air religious
service
B’ham
Open Air
Workers
27.7.40 King’s Heath National
Young Open air religious
service
Life
Campaign
7th October 1940 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Civil Defence - Surface Air Raid
Shelters
I beg to report that permission
has been granted to the Public Works department to erect Surface Shelters Type
“B” at or near land under the control of your Committee, as follows:-
(From a list:-)
Site No Situation
33
King’s Heath Park,
Vicarage Road
Plans of the sites are submitted
herewith (Compilers note – plans no included with the Minute) for the
Committee’s information.
Removal and Sale of Iron Railings, etc.
I received from the Town Clerk early in August,
a copy of a letter he had received from the Ministry of Supply, Iron and Steel
Control, of which the following is a copy:-
“Steel House,
Tothill Street,
Westminster, S.W.1.
24th July, 1940.
Dear Sir,
The national interest requires that all
available scrap metal must immediately be realized for armament
manufacture. Many iron railings,
bollards and refuge posts in and around parks and gardens in our streets have
no important aesthetic value, and are not serving so essential a purpose that they
may not be removed for scrap. With a
view to drawing equally upon the full resources of the whole country, this
Control is carrying out a survey of all such iron, both publicly and privately
owned, with the intention of formulating a comprehensive scheme for removing
everything that is considered unnecessary.
It is essential that immediate action should be
taken wherever possible, and it is requested that all Public Authorities
co-operate by taking the necessary steps, on receipt of this letter, to remove
all railings, etc. under their care which are not clearly needed for public
safety. In this connection you will be
interested to learn that H.M. Office of Works have instructed their Parks
Superintendents to disregard the preservation of grass borders and flower-beds
in deciding the removal of railings. To
date, the office of Works have been able to contribute over 1,200 tons of metal
from two of the Royal parks.
I should be glad if you would please inform
this Control as soon as possible of the tonnage which you intend to remove and
what arrangements you propose to make for disposal.
Yours truly,
(sgd.) S. ROWLAND PIERCE
For DIRECTOR OF SCRAP SUPPLIES”
I understand this letter was submitted to the
General Purposes Committee, and that they called in the City Engineer &
Surveyor thereon. He reported to that
Committee as follows:-
“The largest supply of iron railings in the
City is, of course, surrounding our public parks where I should think several
thousand tons must exist. If these are
removed the parks will immediately become unprotected and no substitute can be
found at the present time. Further it
must not be forgotten that the capital value of these railings, estimated for
the cost of replacement, would probably be in the neighbourhood of £20 to £30
per ton, whereas the scrap value at the present time, although on a very high
level, is only in the neighbourhood of £3-10-0. to £4. per ton, from which must
be deducted the cost of removal and cartage.
There can be no doubt that unless the Corporation are prepared to leave
the whole of the parks unfenced as a permanent policy they will have to incur a
very considerable expenditure after the war for refencing.”
The City Engineer and Surveyor sent me a copy
of his report and stated that he had noticed recently in London that no effort
whatever was being made to take down the miles of heavy cast iron railings
around such places as Hyde Park, etc. but they were, on the other hand, taking
up the railing around internal paths where this action actually resulted in an
improvement of amenities, and where presumably they would never require to be
replaced.
After consultation with your Chairman and the
City Engineer & Surveyor, it was decided to prepare a schedule of internal
fencing in the various parks, recreation grounds and open spaces that could be
removed and disposed of without unduly involving the public in danger, and of
external fencing in the smaller recreation grounds and closed Churchyards where
the amenities would not suffer by the removal.
The following is a copy of the schedule as finally settled, from which
it will be noted that the total tonnage amounted to 504.44:-
King’s Heath Park - 8.9
tons ( - part of a list of 29 sites in all)
This schedule having been prepared, and at the
suggestion of the City Engineer & Surveyor I communicated with the Local
Liaison Office of the Ministry of Supply, Iron & Steel Control, with a view
to obtaining the names of Contractors who might be invited to tender for the
removal and purchase of the fencing. I
received a reply from Mr. H.V. Cashmore, the District Representative for Iron
& Steel Control, who gave the names of Cox & Danks Ltd., Langley Green,
Oldbury; T.W. Ward Ltd., Belmont Row, Birmingham, and John Cashmore Ltd., Eagle
Works, Great Bridge, Staffs.
He also informed me that the price obtained for
the railings removed from St. Philips Churchyard was somewhere in the region of
£3 per ton on the site, dismantling to be done by the Contractors. He also suggested that the approximate
tonnage of 500 should be divided into two separate tenders, as owing to the
shortage of labour, it might be more profitable to accept two different
Contractors to undertake the work. He
said that when tenders were received, he would advise whether the offers were
reasonable. Tenders were accordingly
invited from the firms mentioned, but only two tenders were received. These were as follows:-
John Cashmore Ltd.
-
Railings
North side of the City - £375
-
“
South “ “
“ “ - £360
Cox & Danks Ltd.
-
Railings
North side of the City - £350
-
“ South
“ “ “
“ - £320
It will be noted that these tenders work out
considerably less per ton than the amount which was apparently obtained for the
railings around St. Philips Churchyard.
I have consulted Mr. H.V. Cashmore on the tenders, and he expressed the
view that, in all the circumstances, and particularly having regard to the
shortage of labour, the prices were reasonable.
I may say, however, that the Ministry of Supply issued a schedule of
approximate prices of all kinds of metal, from which it would appear that the
general price for Cast Iron is 74/6d. per ton delivered, and for Wrought Iron,
Steel, etc. 53/6d. per ton delivered.
There is only a small proportion of Cast Iron among the fencing included
in the above schedule, most of which is Wrought Iron. Furthermore, it was stipulated in the
invitation for tenders that the successful Contractors should make good any
damage done by the removal of the fencing, but both Contractors who have
tendered refuse to undertake this work, which would, therefore, devolve upon
your Department. This, of course, is an
extremely costly item.
In the circumstances, the decision of the
Committee is requested as to whether the removal and disposal of the fencing
included in the schedule should be proceeded with, and if so, whether the
tender of John Cashmore, Ltd. is to be accepted, subject to any necessary
adjustment of weights and to their being relieved of responsibility for making
good damage.
I understand that the General Purposes
Committee decided that the matter of the removal and disposal of the railings
in and around the parks should be left entirely to the discretion of this
Committee, but they wish to be informed of this Committee’s decision.
Surface Air Raid Shelters
4173 Resolved:- That the granting of permission to the
Public Works Committee to erect surface shelters, as set out in the General Manager’s
report, be approved.
Removal
and Sale of Iron Railings etc.
4197 Resolved:-
That no further action be taken at present for the removal and disposal
of the internal iron fencing in various parks, recreation grounds and open
spaces, set out in the report of the General Manager, and the General Purposes
Committee be informed accordingly.
12th November 1940 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Staff Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies on
the staff:-
Name Carter,
A.E. (14)
Park King’s
Heath
Nature of employment Ticket
Boy
Commencing Date 28.10.40
Wages 15-9.
Staff
Appointments
4235 Resolved:-
That the various appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out
in the foregoing report, be confirmed.
Removal
and Sale of Iron Railings etc.
The General
Manager submitted further correspondence (Compiler's note - Not included in the minute) from
the Director of Scrap Supplies, Ministry of Supply, and after discussion it was
–
4243 Resolved:-
That the General Manager be authorized to accept the quotation of John
Cashmore Limited, amounting to £735, for the purchase and removal of iron
railings etc. from parks and recreation grounds, and the Town Clerk instructed
to prepare and seal the necessary documents.
