1931 Clippings

Ongoing research; last updated 15 February 2011


5th January 1931 – Parks Committee, and
26th January 1931 – General Purposes Sub-Committee

Memorial re Kiosk, Selly Park Recreation Ground

The Clerk submitted resolution No. 29,248 of the City Council referring the following memorial to the Parks Committee:

We the undersigned, being ratepayers in Selly Oak, wish to protest against the opening of the kiosk recently erected in the recreation ground facing Raddlebarn Road.

The needs of the players or spectators is amply covered and efficiently catered for by 2 shops directly opposite – one within 30 yards of the kiosk and the other within 100 yards.

Both shops are kept by widows who depend upon this addition for their livelihood and as they are ratepayers who are able to supply the demand we strongly protest against this extra competition.

We suggest it is re-erected in Selly Oak Park – Gibbins Road, where there is no provision whatever in the Park for any class of refreshments and the nearest shop is over half a mile away.
                                                (Here follow 302 signatures)
28/11/30.

The Chairman reported that in company with the Superintendent he had inspected the kiosk referred to in the Memorial which had been recently removed from the entrance to Cannon Hill Park in Pershore Road owing to the allocation of a site for a Branch Museum.  He stated that the kiosk was a gift to the Parks Committee by the Birmingham Civic Society and it would be necessary to get their approval to again remove it; moreover, the cost of taking down the kiosk and re-erecting it at Selly Oak Park would be approximately £200.

In these circumstances the Committee could not see their way to accede to the request of the Memorialists that the kiosk should be removed to Selly Oak Park.


26th January 1931 – General Purposes Sub-Committee, reported on
2nd February 1931 – Parks Committee

The General Purposes Sub-Committee presented their report:

Dressing Rooms for Football and Cricket

As your Committee are aware, the sum of £5,000 was included in the current year’s estimates for the erection of dressing rooms for football and cricket in various parks and playing fields, but the work was not proceeded with earlier in view of the possibility of obtaining a Government Grant and carrying out the work as an Unemployment Relief scheme.

That possibility not being likely to materialize, the matter was recently gone into by your Chairman and instructions were given by him that the work should be proceeded with out of the estimates.

After considering various types of buildings, it was decided that the proposed dressing rooms should be constructed of reinforced concrete.  The designs have been prepared in the office and submitted to and approved by the Advisory Art Committee.  A copy of the design will be laid upon the table.

It is proposed to erect these dressing rooms in blocks of two, three or four, the blocks being so arranged that they will not form a straight line.  It will be possible to extend these from time to time as required, if necessary.

The cost of these buildings is estimated at £100 for each cubicle and it is proposed to erect 51 dressing rooms out of the year’s estimates, as follows:

Adderley Park                                            3
Black Patch Rec. Ground                           3
Calthorpe Park                                           3
Greet Recreation Ground                             6
Perry Park                                                  9
Pipe Hayes Park                                         3
Selly Oak  Park                                          9
Selly Park Rec. Ground                               3
Shortheath Park                                          3
Swanshurst Park                                         3
Victoria Common, Northfield                       6

With regard to the location of the sites for the dressing rooms, your Chairman suggested that Mr. William Haywood, the Hon. Secretary of the Advisory Art Committee, should be asked to assist your Architectural Assistant in the selection of suitable sites, and this is being done.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the proposal to proceed with the erection of these dressing rooms out of Revenue Account as before mentioned, be approved.                

9371   Resolved:  That the proposals for the erection of Dressing Rooms for football and cricket, as detailed in the report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee, be approved, and the work proceeded with accordingly.


30th March 1931 – Administration Sub-Committee

The Secretary presented a report:-

Police Report - Serious Accidents:

G. Palmer, 11, of 1/78 Bishop Street, cut mouth Selly Oak Park
D. Howles, 16, of 136 Cape Hill, concussion, Selly Oak Park


13th April 1931 – Parks Committee

Manual Staff – Increases in Wages

The Secretary submitted a list of proposed increases of wages of members of the Manual Staff of the Department:

Recommendations as to the increases in wages of manual staff to be submitted to the Parks Committee on Monday 13th April 1931, and to take effect as from the 1st April, 1931.

            Park      Name of           Designated Post   Length of      Present             Increase
                          Employee                                         Service         Wages              Recommend

Selly     W. Abbey         Park labourer          6 years         £2.11.10.           2/-
Oak      A. R. Tarr          Park-keeper          10 years         £3. 0. 0.            5/-

9432   Resolved:  That the proposed increases in wages of the Manual Staff as set out in detail in the list now submitted be approved and put into operation as from the 1st April, 1931.


22nd June 1931 – General Purposes Sub-Committee, reported on
22nd June 1931 – Administration Sub-Committee, reported on
10th July 1931 – Parks Committee

The Administration Sub-Committee presented their report:

Use of the Parks, etc.

On the authority of your Chairman the use of parks, etc., as mentioned below, has been granted to the organizations on the dates and for the purposes stated:

July 11th        Selly Oak          Selly Oak and Bournbrook         Annual Children’s Festival
                                                 Children’s Summer Party            Park closed to public from
                                                            Fund                                         1-5 p.m.

Confirmation of the action is recommended.

9556   Resolved:  That the granting of the use of various parks, etc. to the organisations and for the purposes mentioned in the foregoing report be confirmed.


Promotions

To fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of William Price at Selly Oak Park (upon his reaching the age of 65 years), G. C. Stagg, gardener at Victoria Park, Small Heath, was appointed foreman at Selly Oak Park as from the 11th June, and his wages increased from £2. 15s. 10d. to £2. 17s. 10d. per week as from that date.

9560   Resolved:  That the various staff promotions, as detailed in the report of the Administration Sub-Committee, be confirmed.


The General Purposes Sub-Committee presented their report:

Damage to Parks by Whirlwind
Sunday, 14th June 1931

A considerable amount of damage was sustained in several parks in the City as a result of the tornado on Sunday, the 14th June last, particularly at Victoria Park, Small Heath, where no less than 108 large trees were blown down or seriously damaged, in addition to a large number of smaller trees.  Buildings were also damaged, the occupants of the Keeper’s Lodge, where the chimney collapsed on to the roof, having a very lucky escape from injury.

Other parks affected were Queen’s Park, Harborne, Bournville Park, Grange Road Recreation ground, the Lickey Hills, Selly Oak Park, and Lightswood Park.

In order that the debris at Victoria Park, Small Heath might be cleared up as expeditiously as possible, and in view of the danger to the public, it was deemed advisable to close the Park.  A large quantity of the debris is being burnt, which has necessitated a considerable amount of labour.  A certain amount of timber has been disposed of for the sum of £20.

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

9565   Resolved:  That the action taken in consequence of the damage caused at Victoria Park, Small Heath, by the tornado on Sunday, the 14th June, 1931, as detailed in the report of the General Purposes Committee, be confirmed.


18th July 1931 – Birmingham News

Children’s Dancing at Selly Oak
Annual Festival
Fancy Dress Winners

The annual Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Festival was held at Selly Oak Park on Saturday.  Headed by Elliott’s Works Band, a procession of two thousand five hundred children marched from Dawlish Road via Bristol Street (sic) to the park.  Mr. A. West was chief marshal.
Maypole dances were given by a party of one hundred children, trained by Miss Garrett.  An exhibition of country and national dancing was given by St. Wulstan’s Girls and the Woodgate Band played during the afternoon.
About one hundred and eighty children took part in the fancy dress competition, results being:
Girls: 1, S. Fox (Golf); 2, D. Drew (Ice Cream); 3, V. Hicklin (Oranges and Lemons); 4, B. Bick (Don’t Bike it – Hike it); 5, B. Southall (Flower Girl); 6, A. Clarke (Old Woman in a Shoe).
Boys: 1, G. Oakley (Going to the Dogs); 2, E. Jones (Flip the Frog); 3, G. Stevenson (Grandma’ goes Hiking); 4, R. Garrett (Chinaman); 5, B. Hardiman (Granpa’ (sic) goes Hiking); 6, L. Pike (Prince of Wales).
Prizes were presented by the judges, Mr. and Mrs. W.N.D. Higgs, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Brazener, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Newton Hyde.
Mrs. Gumbley’s troupe and Raddlebarn girls gave interesting dancing displays, and the numerous sideshows attracted patronage.

Lord Mayor’s visit.
The Lord Mayor (Alderman W.W. Saunders) and the Lady Mayoress paid a visit during the afternoon, expressing satisfaction with the arrangements.
A net ball contest was won by Raddlebarn Road girls, and Raddlebarn Road boys won the tug-of-war.
Officers connected with the festival were:
President, H. Reading; chairman, A. West; vice-chairman, A. Pugh; hon. treasurer, H. Roberts; joint hon. secretaries, W.C. Baldwin and A.W. Butler.


The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak

Hayricks on Fire – Two hayricks, the property of Mr. J.B. Baker, at Weoley Park Farm, were damaged by fire late on Saturday night.  A number of farm implements were destroyed, but apart from that no other damage was done.  Engines turned out from Selly Oak fire station and King’s Norton.


20th July 1931 – Finance Sub-Committee, reported on
28th July 1931 – Parks Committee

The Finance Sub-Committee presented their report, together with the statement of income and expenditure for the financial year ending 31st March 1931, referred to therein.

 Summary of the Income and Expenditure for year ending 31st March 1930

Selly Oak Park              Estimated 1930/31                              Actual for year
Income                                      £85                                           £108. 19. 3
Expenditure                               £920                                         £914.   4. 1

9613   Resolved:-  That the Statement of Income and expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March 1931, as now submitted, be approved.


28th September 1931 – Finance Sub-Committee

The Secretary presented a report:-

Summary of Overtime worked at the various Parks and Cemeteries for the year ended 31st March, 1931.

Selly Oak Park                             £23-16- 3

This total is exclusive of Sunday work and duties connected with music in the parks.


15th October 1931 – Finance Sub-Committee

The City Treasurer presented a report:-

Summary of receipts and payments for the quarter ended 30th September 1931,
in respect of properties managed by the Estates Committee.

The Lodge, Selly Oak Park
Arrears b/fwd from June 1931                            nil
Rent due at September 1931                              £5: 19:  2
Cash received                                                   £5: 19:  2
Amount written off                                             nil
Arrears c/ forward at March 1929                        nil
Rates, taxes, etc.                                              nil
Repairs                                                             nil
Miscellaneous                                                   nil
Commission and Supervision                             6s   0d.
Total expenses                                                  6s   0d


23rd November 1931 – Administration Sub-Committee

The Secretary presented a report:-

Police Report - Serious Accidents:

H. Conway, 17, of 34 Spring Street, fractured arm, Selly Oak Park


23rd November 1931 – Administration Sub-Committee, reported on
7th December 1931 – Parks Committee

The Administration Sub-Committee presented their report:-

Selly Oak Park – Lodge in Harborne Lane

The tenancy of the above-named lodge was recently terminated by the occupant, Mr. Arthur Newbold, who had occupied it for many years, but was not an employee of this Department.

The lodge was in a very dirty and dilapidated condition on the termination of the tenancy, and it was necessary for a considerable amount of repair and decorating work to be carried out.  This has been done, and upon the authority of your chairman, the tenancy has been granted to A. Parker, the foreman in charge of Trees in Streets at a rent of 10/- per week commencing as from the 23rd instant.  The rent paid by Mr. Newbold was 9/2d. per week.

Parker has been living at Longbridge, which was considered to be too far from the centre of the City to enable him to carry out his duties satisfactorily.  A sectional wooden garage has been provided for the departmental car he uses in carrying out his duties at a cost of £19.

Confirmation of the action is recommended.

9723   Resolved:-  That the granting of the tenancy of the Lodge at Selly Oak Park in Harborne Lane to A. Parker (Foreman in charge of Trees in Streets) at a rental of 10/- per week, as from the 23rd November, 1931, and the erection of a sectional wooden garage at a cost of £19, for the departmental car used by him in carrying out his duties, be confirmed.