Thursday 23 June 2011

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

 
Ongoing research; last updated 5 January 2015


This volume continues the historical overview of Kings Heath Park; the earlier years having been reported in the previous decade chapters. Again the clippings, listed in the column on the right, contain the more extensive detail upon which it is founded - information from Council committee minutes, newspaper reports, etc. 


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1941

Finance:
In the period 1st April to 20th December 1941 the amount received from the sale of produce grown at King’s Heath Park as part of the war effort was - for tomatoes £76. 6s. 3d.; for potatoes £9. 12s. 0d.; for pig potatoes £1. 18s. 0d.; and for leeks, 10s. 0d.  A report in February 1942 indicated that 1.3 tons of potatoes, 1340 lbs of tomatoes and 490 leeks had been produced in the 1941 season, in addition to 10,000 onion plants which were used (presumably grown on) in other parks and cemeteries during the year.

Staff;
On 6th January, Mr. C.A. Todd commenced work as a Park Labourer on a weekly wage of £3. 2s. 0d.
With effect from 1st April, the wages of Mr. Evason, the Foreman at the Park, with 6 years service, were increased by 2/- to £3. 13s. 0d.
On 14th October, Mr. L.A. Thompson commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3. 13s. 0d.

War time Arrangements:
In February the issue of the cultivation of land in the various Parks, etc in the City for food production came under consideration.  More than 300 acres of park land were identified as being suitable, though none of them in King's Heath Park.  However an area of 6 1/2 acres - an area between the tennis courts and bowling green and the Avenue Road frontage - was handed over to the Allotments Committee on a tenancy basis (a rental of 50/- per annum from 25th March) and ploughed up to be used as wartime allotments, on the understanding that at the end of hostilities the tenancy would be terminated and the land handed back to the Parks Committee without compensation.  Thus several cricket and football pitches were sacrificed.
The next consideration was the possible provision of accommodation for people rendered homeless by enemy action. The south-eastern portion of the park was identified with frontages to Vicarage Road and Avenue Road so that drains could connect to the main sewers, or to the drains serving the Park House.  Attention was drawn to the fact that a large area had already been assigned as wartime allotments, and the surrender of more land would mean a further reduction in recreational areas.
Because the allotments had been established in an area where dogs were permitted to be exercised off leash at certain times of the day, dogs became a problem again, and signs had to be erected requiring dogs to be on a leash at all times.  The allotment holders themselves came under orders too - their misdemeanour was stacking turf on the pathways between plots!
On 15th November a newly erected Nissen Hut was occupied by the Home Guard (No. 8 Sub-Sector).  The War Department Land Agent had requested that the hut be enclosed by chestnut or other suitable fencing, and provided with direct access from Avenue Road.

Park Users:
On Sunday 11th May, the Home Guard, “D” Company, 24th Warwickshire (Birmingham) Battalion held an Inspection and Parade, including a Drumhead Service.
On 11th June, 30th August and 3rd September, Mr. R.G. Parsons held evangelical meetings in the Park.
On the 17th, 24th and 31st August, the Birmingham Open Air Workers (Southern Section) held open-air religious servcies.



This photograph, thought to have been taken in the period 1939-1945,
was posted on Facebook by Tom Burke in January 2015.
It shows the bandstand in the park and the "club" - the shelter to the left of the bandstand had been converted (in 1933) to a room for the "Sons of Rest".
(Thanks to Tom Burke) 


1942

Park Environment:
During the summer of 1941 a high brick wall dividing the Park from the kitchen garden of The Priory had collapsed on to the garden causing some damage to fruit trees and growing crops.  The wall belonged to the Parks Committee, and in the Spring of 1942 as the garden came into use again they were called upon to repair the wall and pay compensation for damage.  Following intervention by the General Manager of the Parks, the claim for compensation was withdrawn and an undertaking was given that the Parks Department would rebuild the wall using the old bricks - an austerity measure?.

Finance:
The tenancy of the Refreshment Rooms was renewed for one year with effect from 25th March, by Miss Grace Summers, of Hazelhurst Road, King's Heath, at an agreed rental of £60 per annum.
In June it was reported that war damage had occurred to some of the buildings in the Park, though some first aid repairs had already been carried out:
  • Greenhouse – broken glass - requiring £10. 0s. 0d. for repair;
  • King’s Heath House – damage to slating and roof - requiring £7. 0s. 0d. for repair; and
  • Lodge – Broken glass - requiring £5. 0s. 0d. for repair.
It was also reported in June - trivial in the context of war, but mighty in the mind of a 12 year old - that on 4th May a boy’s model aeroplane became caught in a tree in the Park, and Parks Police Inspector T.B. Field, with the aid of a rake, disentangled the plane, which fell to the ground and was irreparably damaged. But an appeal to a Councillor worked wonders, for a payment of £2. 2s. 0d. was made as an ex gratia contribution towards the cost of replacing the aeroplane.  If only lost aircraft could have been dealt with so easily!  But at least some humanity prevailed during a very bleak period.
There was a Departmental record at the end of August that the City Treasurer had received an offer of £1. 0s. 0d. per annum compensation in regard to hutting for the Home Guard.

Staff:
With effect from 28th March, the wages of Mr. S. Dafforn, Gardener Labourer, were increased by 2/- to £3. 11s. 0d.; and those of Mr. H.V. Healey, the Park-keeper, were increased by 2/6d. to £5. 12s. 6d.
On 4th August, Mr. J.H. Grinnell (aged 19) commenced work as a Park Labourer on a weekly wage of £2. 5s. 9d.

War time Arrangements:
It was announced in March that onion plants were being grown again under glass at King’s Heath, Ward End and Warley Parks, and it was anticipated that between 70,000 and 80,000 plants would be available for sale and for Departmental use. 
In March, the 40th Battalion, Warwickshire Home Guard, The G.E.C. Magnet Company, Landor Street, Birmingham, was given permission to utilize the men’s messroom as Platoon Headquarters about once a month at night-times, and occasionally at weekends.
In October it was recorded that the No. 4 Sector Home Guard had been given permission to utilize the football dressing rooms adjacent to the Avenue Road entrance to the Park, as an ammunition store.

Park users:
On 10th May, the “D” Company, 24th Warwickshire Battalion held their second Anniversary Parade and Display.
On 10th June, 29th July, and 2nd September, Mr. R.G. Parsons held 3evangelical meetings in the Park.
On Monday, 22nd June, the Stonehouse Gang’s “A” Cricket team played Grove Scouts in the Park - and lost by 28 runs!



1943

Park Environment:
There is a record in October about the glasshouses in the Park.  Because of the war, restrictions were introduced on the use of fuel for heating glasshouses.  Permits could be obtained for all the fuel for heating glasshouses used for food production.  For other glasshouses, permits could only be obtained for fuel for heating 10% of their total cubic content.  Applications were made for appropriate permits for the Park, and, to enable this, measurements were made and recorded relating to its glasshouses.  There were three gla
sshouses - i) 75 ft. x 15 ft.; ii) 50 ft. x 12.5 ft.; and iii) 25 ft. x 14.5 ft. (with cubic capacities of 9580, 4700, and 3415 cu. ft. respectively).  There was also a conservatory measuring 28 ft. x 18 ft. (5560 cu. ft.) and a heated ground frame measuring 54 ft. x 5 ft. (382 cu. ft.).  Total cubic contents were 23,637 cubic feet.

Finance:
Again the tenancy of the Refreshment Rooms was renewed for one year with effect from 25th March, by Miss Grace Summers, of Hazelhurst Road, King's Heath, at an agreed rental of £60 per annum.

On 30th September, £10 was received from the No. 4 Sector Home Guard for their occupation of dressing rooms in the Park.
Similarly, on 24th December, £10 was received from the cashier of the Western Command for the use of dressing rooms.

Staff:
On 22nd February, Mr. L. Martin commenced work as a Park Labourer on a weekly wage of £3. 11s. 6d. - but he resigned just four days later! - leaving on the 26th February of his own accord.
A couple of members of the Women's Land Army (WLA) were employed in the Park.  When first appointed they received the rate of pay offered by the City (£3. 4s. 4d. for the first 26 weeks’ service, and £3. 11s. 6d. after six months’ satisfactory service), which was considerably more favourable than the rate of pay stipulated by the WLA.  When the anomally came to light, and the issue was investigated, it was required that the WLA rates of pay should be applied.  In consequence, the employment of all such ladies was terminated and they were re-engaged on the lower (£2. 3s. 9d.) WLA rates (which were expressed as minimum rates of pay).  Unsurprisingly there was disaffection in the ranks.  To his credit, the General Manager accepted that they were minimum rates, and proposed a scheme whereby both length of service and cases of special merit  could be recognised by a pay increase.  In consequence of this, some redress took place, and Miss E.L. Duckett (d.o.b., 20.12.1921), with 8 months service, received 10/- per week above the basic pay; and Miss J. Jarvis (d.o.b., 15.6.1919), with 7 months service, received a 15/- per week increase; though clearly they were worse off by the new arrangements!  (Pay cuts are not a modern phenomenon!)

Park users:
On the morning of Sunday 11th April, large crowds lined the streets of King’s Heath to watch a combined Services parade march to Cambridge Road Methodist Church, led by a Royal Air Force band.  500 people took part in the parade which assembled at King's Heath Park under the command of Major D. Craig-Browne.  After the service the salute was taken by Lieut.-Col. A.H. Sayer, M.C. at the Kingsway Cinema.
On 21st May, 2nd June, and 25th August, Mr. R.G. Parsons held evangelical meetings in the Park.
On 28th June, Major D. Craig-Browne used the Park as a dispersal point for a parade in connection with the "Wings for Victory" week (a fund-raising week during which people were asked to contribute money for a Spitfire, a Wellington or a Lancaster bomber).

On 1st July, the Home Guard, “D” Company, 51st Warwickshire Birmingham Battalion held a Demonstration in the Park.
On Sunday, 22nd August the bowling greens in the park were used for a fund-raising bowling match in aid of the Red Cross.  Opposing teams were one comprising professional footballers, including many internationals (captained by Joe Bradford, late Birmingham F.C.), and the other a team of star British bowlers, captained by the well-known county player, George Adams.
On 7th November there was a Remembrance Parade and Service at the Cambridge Road Methodist Church, King's Heath under the auspices of the British Legion.  Once again the various detachments assembled in the Park from whence the parade took place.


 
1944

Finance:
Yet again the tenancy of the Refreshment Rooms was renewed for one year with effect from 25th March, in favour of Miss Grace Summers, of Hazelhurst Road, King's Heath, at an agreed rental of £60 per annum - no change for several years.

On 22nd March, £10 was received from the Home Guard for their occupation of dressing rooms in the Park during the March quarter.
In December it was recorded that there were 17 large elm trees, approximately 70 ft. high, on the Avenue Road frontage.  Sadly several trees were dead, and the remainder had been rendered dangerous through recent gales.  Six of the dead trees were only fit for firewood.  A timber merchant from Netherton, near Dudley was employed to fell and remove the trees; being paid £89. 15s. 0d. for the privilege.

Staff:
A number of Improved Service Pay awards came into effect on 1st January.  Mr. H.V. Healey, the Park-keeper (with nearly 16 years service) received an increase of 2/- per week.  His Foreman, Mr. H.W. Evason, (with just over 9 years service) received 1/- a week extra.  Two of the Gardener Labourers received 2/- a week - Mr. A. Abbey, (with nearly 19 years service), and Mr. W. Hancox (with more  than 22 years of service).  Mr. S. Dafforn, a Gardener (with just over 12 years service) also received 2/- a week increase.
The following month, February, Mr Healey received another pay rise - as did several other park-keepers in the City - this time of 7/- per week.  This took his weekly wage, including 19/6d. per week War Bonus, to £6. 8s. 0d., from which was deducted £1. 1s. 0d. for house, fuel and light provided by the City.
This was a bumper year for pay rises!  There seems to have been a strenuous  effort to rationalise pay scales.  In July, as a result of adjustments to the wages of some in the lower grades, it became necessary to adjust those of the more senior grades.  As a consequence, Mr. Healey's basic wage was raised from £4. 7s. 6d. by 5/-; so that with his War Bonus (19/6d.), and the value of his emoluments (21/-) his total renmuneration package was £6. 13s. 0d. per week.  Mr. Evason's basic weekly wage of £3. 7s. 0d. was increased by 6/- per week, to £3. 13. 0d.  These adjustments were back-dated to 3rd April. In October Mr. Evason had yet another small adjustment to ensure that as a foreman he was paid above the top rate for trained gardeners.
On 6th June, Mr. H.O. Heath commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3. 19s. 6d.  He resigned, leaving of his own accord on 14th July after just 6 weeks.
On 24th July, Mr. J.G. Styles commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3. 19s. 6d.
On 31st July, Mr. F. Dare commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3. 19s. 6d.  He too resigned, leaving of his own accord on 14th August after just a fortnight!

In October it was reported that both Mr. Healey and Mr. Evason had applied, unsuccessfully as it turned out, for the post of temporary Park-keeper at Small Heath Park.  But their experience was recorded as follows:-
Mr Harold Victor Healey, age 41 years, having entered the service of the Parks Department on 21.5.1928 had a remuneration package of £5. 18s. 0d. per week (including War Bonus and 2/- Improved Service Pay), plus emoluments valued at 21/- per week.  He was first appointed Foreman at Perry Park on 21.5.1928, then Park-keeper at Bournville Park just over 6 months later on 13.12.1928, and Park-keeper at King’s Heath Park on 1.1.1938.  He had been in the horticultural profession since he left school.  Previous to joining the City he had four years experience at the Manor House Gardens, Northfield, two years at Wenvoe Castle Gardens, Cardiff, and three years at Wychbold Hall Gardens, Droitwich.  He had obtained the R.H.S. Certificate (General Examination) in 1931, and the Horticultural Correspondence College Certificate in 1932.
Mr. Harold Walter Evason, also aged 41 years, having entered the Parks Department service on 29.11.1934 had a weekly remuneration package of £4. 14s. 0d. (including War Bonus), plus 1/- Improved Service Pay.  He had 23 years’ experience in all branches of gardening which included 9 years at Oakly Park Gardens, Ludlow, where he held the position of inside Foreman.  Prior to entering the service of the Corporation he was employed at West Heath House as a Single-handed Gardener.  He entered the service of the Department as a Gardener Labourer at Brandwood End Cemetery, and was appointed Foreman at King’s Heath Park on 14.8.1939.

Park uses:
On 14th June, 19th July, and 23rd August, Mr. R.G. Parsons held afternoon evangelical meetings in the Park.
On Saturday, 8th July, the Moseley and King's Heath Ward Committee held a horse show in the Park as part of the "Brighter Birmingham" programme.  A portable grandstand holding 600 people was erected for the purpose.
On Sundays, 9th July and 6th August, the Birmingham Open Air Workers held open air religious services in the Park.
On the following Saturday, 15th July, the Park was used by the
Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society, for a children's gala - consisting of children’s sports, amusements and an open air tea - in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the foundation of the Co-Operative movement.
On 5th November there was a Remembrance Parade and Service at the Cambridge Road Methodist Church, King's Heath under the auspices of the British Legion. Once again the various detachments, estimated at over 400, assembled in the Park from whence the parade took place.



1945

The end of the Second World War (WWII) occurred with Victory in Europe (VE Day) on 8 May.
 
Park Environment:
During the war the greenhouses in the parks became seriously dilapidated and so during this year arrangements were put in place to repaint the glasshouses in all the Parks, at a total cost of £500.

Finance:
Yet again the tenancy of the Refreshment Rooms was renewed for one year with effect from 25th March, in favour of Miss Grace Summers, at an agreed rental of £86 per annum - the first increase for several years.


Staff:
With effect from 1st January, Miss Betty Irene Robinson, a member of the Women's Land Army, having completed six months’ satisfactory service, had her wages increased from £2. 8s. 0d. to £2. 13s. 0d. per week.
On 5th February, Master G.R. Pawley (aged 15 years) commenced work in the Park as a Garden Boy, on a weekly wage of £1. 4s. 0d.  However he left of his own accord on 31st March.
On 9th April, Pawley's place as a Garden Boy was taken by the 18 year old Mr. R.H. Blundell on a weekly wage of £2. 12s. 0d.
With effect from 1st April, the Park-keeper's post at King's Heath Park was regraded, and moved from the manual to the non-manual staff, and placed in the Grade “B” Technical Staff with a maximum salary of £350.  Consequently Mr. H.V. Healey was placed on a salary, first of £250, and subsequently of £275, as it had been intended that his promotion should include an increase in salary.
On 23rd April, Mr. S. Woodward (aged 29 years) commenced work in the Park as a Trained Gardener on a weekly wage of £4. 8s. 0d.
In May, Improved Service Pay Awards were announced for two Park employees backdated to the anniversay of the start of their service - the Foreman Gardener, Mr. Evason, received 1/- per week backdated to the 29th November (for 10 years service) - and Mr. Arthur Abbey, a Gardener, received 2/- per week backdated to 12th March (for 19 years service).
With effect from 30th July, Miss Joan Mary Lane, a member of the Women's Land Army, having completed six months’satisfactory service, had her wages increased from £2. 8s. 0d. to £2. 13s. 0d. per week.
On 1st October, Mr. W.T. Walker  commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £4. 4s. 0d.
On 8th October, Master D.J. Robinson (aged 15 years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £1. 4s. 0d.
In December it was decided that an honorarium of 5 guineas (£5. 5s. 0d.) be paid to both Mr. H.V. Healey and Mr. F.H. Mapp in recognition of their extra work and expenses associated with the 3 week "Holiday at Home" entertainments in the Park.

Park use:
It was announced in February that the “Holiday at Home” Entertainments season during the year should extend for 10 weeks from the 16th June to the 25th August inclusive, and that entertainments be provided at Aston, Cannon Hill, Handsworth, Lightswood, Small Heath and Ward End Parks during the whole of the ten weeks’ season, and that in the other 13 parks selected  - including King's Heath Park -  a full two weeks’ programme be arranged, in addition to the Bank Holiday week in each case.
At the end of the year it was reported that, despite inclement weather, 19 concerts of one sort or another (1 band, 6 variety, 7 dancing, 3 children's entertainment and 2 unspecified) were attended at King's Heath Park by 24,013 people who had paid £114. 11s. 9d.  Not only had the bad weather affected attendances, it was also observed that the relaxation of travelling restrictions after the war and the large number of people taking a holiday at the seaside or elsewhere were contributory factors.  All of the parks were practically deserted on August Bank Holiday and the following days.  The Peace Celebrations also considerably affected the park attendances by attracting many people to the centre of the City and to festivities held in the streets, etc.  The Parliamentary Election and its various preliminaries also detracted from the attendances at the entertainments.  Despite the disappointing turn-out it was still concluded that King's Heath Park should be considered a venue for future entertainments.

Other uses included:-
On 27th May, the Moseley Division Girl Guides held a march past in the Park.
On 3rd June and 1st July, the Birmingham Open Air Workers held evening services in the Park.
On Saturday, 30th June, Mr. Hiron organised a victory party for the Ex-Fireguards' children.
On 21st July the Park was used for another Horse Show under the auspices of the "Holidays at Home" initiative.  Sadly it was a wet day and only 2,436 paying visitors attended, half the number actually anticipated.  Even so, the event made a small profit.
According to a press report, on Saturday, 20th October, there was a football match in the Park between the Stonehouse Gang’s Junior Youth Committee League football eleven and the King’s Heath Oak Leaves; the former winning 8-0.
1946

Park Environment:
In February it was reported that the Football pitches in the park were in very bad condition owing to the lack of proper drainage.  It was intended to remedy the problem but as time wore on it was decided to defer any action until the autumn as the area would be required for cricket and entertainments during the summer.  In reality it was the Spring of 1947 before remedial action would be taken.

Finance:
At the beginning of the year a claim for £8. 14s. 0d. was submitted to the appropriate Government Department in connection with the derequisition and restoration of the site used in the Park during the war by the Home Guard.  The derequistioningc was completed by the 1st August.
The Refreshment Rooms tenancy was renewed for another year with effect from 25th March, in favour of Miss Grace Summers, at an agreed rental of £86 per annum - the same as 1945.
In July, £225 was allocated for the repair and maintenance of the heating system at the Park. 

Staff:
Not a good start to the year for some, for on the 5th January four Garden Labourers were dismissed, the only reason given being that their services were no longer required - so Messrs. T.P. TurnerW.L. StantonJ.H. Grinnell and R.H. Blundell left the park.
On 12th January, Mr. W.T. Walker, a Park Policeman, resigned, leaving of his own accord.  He  had only started work in the Park in the previous October.
On 4th February, Master J.P. Parr (aged 14 years) started work in the park as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £1. 1s. 6d.  He lasted a little less than 3 months, leaving of his own accord on 19th April.
With effect from 4th March, the wages of Miss Joan Mary Lane, employed at the Park by the Women's Land Army and having completed twelve months’ satisfactory service, were increased from £2. 13s. 0d. to £2. 18s. 0d. per week.
On 12th March, Mr. R.G. Perring commenced duty as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £4. 10s. 0d.  He too lasted a little less than 3 months, leaving of his own accord on 4th June.
With effect from 1st April, the Park-keeper, Mr. Healey, received a £25 per year increase in salary, taking his annual take home salary to £300.
On 17th April, Mr. C. H. Holden (aged 29 years) commenced work as a Games Attendant on a weekly wage of £4. 6s. 0d.
On 29th April, Mr. F.E. Davies (aged 25 years) and Mr. J. Palmer (aged 26 years) commenced work as Garden Labourers on weekly wages of £4. 6s. 0d. (- strange appointments given that four Garden Labourers had been dismissed at the start of the year - one is left wondering what was happening in the background!)
On 13th May, Mr. T.G. Harwood (aged 34 years) commenced work as a Trained Gardener on a weekly wage of £4. 12s. 9d.
On 22nd July, Mr. C.J. Mageney (aged 22 years) commenced work in the Park as a Park Policeman.
On 27th July, Mrs. K.D. Scudamore (aged 28 years), left work in the Park of her own accord.
On 12th August, two more 14 year old Garden Boys - Masters D.J.M. Markham and A.E. Raison - were appointed on a weekly wage of £1. 2s. 6d.
In October it was decided that, as in 1945, an honorarium of 5 guineas (£5. 5s. 0d.) be paid to both Mr. H.V. Healey and Mr. F.H. Mapp in recognition of their extra work and expenses associated with the short but intensive 3 week "Entertainments in the Park" season.

Park use:
In January Mr. Robert Wilson's  tender of £6,500 won him the right to provide fun fair entertainments in a number of City Parks - including King's Heath Park - during the period 26th March to 29th September.  However, by July it was reported that extensive damage to the grass areas of the Park had occurred as a result of a recently held fun fair.  Furthermore, serious damage had been caused at other venues too, so that the Parks Committee resolved that the provision of fun fairs on sites under their control should be discontinued upon the expiry of the contract with Mr. Wilson.

It was decided that the war-time terms “Holidays at Home” and/or “Brighter Birmingham” should be dropped, and that the title “Entertainments in the Parks” should be adopted instead for the scheme of summer entertainments.  It was agreed the 1946 season should be for eight weeks, (it had been 10 weeks in 1945) from 22nd June to 17th August; that Cannon Hill, Handsworth, Lightswood, Small Heath and Ward End Parks should be used for the full period, and that three week periods of entertainments should be given at Rookery, Aston, King’s Heath, Pype Hayes and Sparkhill Parks. These parks were those that gave the best financial results in 1945.  Tenders were sought from bands, concert parties, children’s entertainers, etc., and numerous applications were received.  Catering arrangements were put in place for these parks, but it was noted that for King's Heath Park the park caterers themselves made the necessary special arrangements.
At the end of the year it was reported that, despite inclement weather again (this time described as an "abnormal" summer), 28 concerts of one sort or another (4 military bands, 1 local band, 12 variety, 3 dances, 7 children's entertainment and one unspecified) were attended at King's Heath Park by 6,427 people who had paid £210. 6s. 9d.
Victory celebrations - involving bands, Punch and Judy Shows, organised games and sports for children, and a bonfire (but not fireworks) - were planned and took place in the Park on the 8th June, as they were in several other of the City parks.

Other users included:-
On 23rd June, the Warwickshire County Army Cadet Force used the Park for a morning parade.
On 2nd and 9th July the Evangelical Free Church held early evening Children's Services in the Park.
On 21st July and 18th August the Birmingham Open Air Workers held Religious Services in the Park.
1947

This was the year when King's Heath Park moved into the top group of Birmingham Parks (see Staff below).

Park Environment:
Tile-draining of the football pitches (a need highlighted the previous year) was undertaken in the early part of the year; the work being done in sections to ensure minimum disruption of pitch availability.
In March it was agreed to do some property maintenance in the Park where there were signs of dilapidation.  Externally the roofing, guttering and chimney stacks and pots of the Park House required attention, and its internal structure was "poor and damp"; as for its decoration, externally it was "very poor"; and internally it was "generally very poor".  On the other hand the Park Lodge had poor window casements but otherwise was structurally sound despite its external decoration being "poor"; meanwhile its interior structure was "damp" and in need of "minor repairs", but its interior decoration was "good except for bathroom and kitchen, and slight plastering".  The work was subsequentlly undertaken, and cost £435.
The Park became a centre - one of five in the City - used for the distribution of wood fuel to needy persons - a service organised through the Birmingham Citizens’ Society.  An approx 1 cwt sack of wood cost 2/6d.
There was a gale on Sunday, 16th March, when considerable damage was sustained.  Four trees blew down across a boundary fence, a meter house roof was damaged by another falling tree, greenhouse glass was damaged, part of the thatch roof of the bowls pavilion was blown off, the roofs of the Park Lodge and the Park House were damaged, and the bandstand roof was damaged.  Repairs were put in effect immediately.
From a report in July we learn that Kings' Heath Park had 2 hard, and 4 grass, tennis courts; and that none of them were let to private clubs, but rather were available to the general public.

Finance:
When the estimates for the financial year 1947/48 were prepared, as well as the usual running costs, £200 was allowed for major repairs to the greenhouses and potting shed in the park; £800 was allowed for the conversion of three grass tennis courts into hard courts; and £1,000 was allowed for cleaning out the pool, filling in certain parts and providing a concrete wall.  There was also additional money (part of a parks-wide pot of money) made available for maintenance of the heating system at the Park; £281 eventually being spent of the repairs at King's Heath Park.
In June discussions took place between the Parks Committee and the Civil Defence Committee regarding refreshment rooms in the Parks. During the war the refreshment facilities in many of the parks had not been operational, and now that the war was over there were moves to re-instate those services. It became the agreed intention of the Civil Defence Committee (through its Restaurants Department) to take over responsibility for catering in the majority of the parks. However, catering in King's Heath Park remained outside the scope of these new arrangements, and Miss Summers remained the Parks Committee's tenant at the Park House, albeit when her tenancy was renewed in March of this year it was on a quarterly basis (to accommodate a speedy process should a transfer of responsibility be required). The new arrangements generally were called into question when it was reported that service and value for money under the new regime were less than satisfactory.  For Miss Summers (and many other refreshment room tenants) the axe finally fell on 5th September when she was issued with a notice to quit by the 25th December.  Upon the receipt of these notices there was an outcry from many of the tenants who had given many years of service and the situation was revisited in December, and with just a week to go before eviction, Miss Summers was advised that in her case the notice to quit had been withdrawn and she would have the opportunity of a certain tenancy for another year on the annual terms she had enjoyed hitherto.

Staff:
In February it was announced that, with effect from 3rd February, Messrs. T.G. Harwood and S. Woodward, both Trained Gardeners; Mr. C.J. Mageney, a Park Policeman; Messrs. F.E. Davies and J. Palmer, both Garden Labourers; and Mr. C.H. Holden, a Games Attendant, had been moved on to the permanent staff.  However, it transpires that Mr. J. Palmer had resigned of his own accord on 25th January, and Mr. Holden similarly resigned on 15th February, both of them after less than a year's service.
Mr. W. Hancox, a Gardener at the Park, retired on 14th February having reached the age of 65 years.
On 15th March, Mr. R.R. Street (aged 50 years) was dismissed from his role as Games Assistant at the Park on the basis of unsatisfactory service.


Following a Parks Committee meeting at the end of March a new grading structure was put in place, with effect from 10th January, for Officers-in-charge and Foremen of parks and recreation grounds. To achieve this the City's parks were graded into 6 Grades. The Grade 1 Parks were to be those in the charge of Non-Manual Superintendents. The next three grades would apply to parks and recreation grounds in the charge of Manual Park-keepers. The fifth and sixth grades would apply to recreation grounds only, Grade 5 recreation grounds being those which provided certain horticultural amenities and Grade 6 being those which could be staffed by personnel having no gardening knowledge whatsoever. Salary scales for the officers-in-charge and the foremen were then set for the different grades of parks. The outcome of this was that King's Heath Park became a Grade 1 Park, and that Mr. Healey, the Park-keeper, and Mr. Evason, his Foreman, found themselves on new pay scales. Furthermore, adjustments were made so that those like Mr. Healey who received emoluments (the benefit of the provision of house, fuel and light), were placed on scales which included those emoluments.
Thus at 31st March, Mr. Healey found himself at the minimum point on a new scale, "A.P.T. IV", with a new gross salary (including emoluments and increments) of £420.
And, backdated to 10th January, Mr. Evason found himself with a 7s. 6d. pay rise from £5. 15s. 0d. to £6. 2s. 6d. which was the minimum on a scale rising to £6. 5s. 0d.


On 14th April, Mr. J Matthews (aged 47 years) started work in the Park as a Garden Labourer on a wage of £4. 16s. 0d. a week, and after successfully completing his probationary period he was placed on the permanent staff.
A week later, on 21st April, Mr. P. Mahon started work in the Park as a Games Attendant also on a wage of £4. 16s. 0d. a week.  He similarly completed his probationary period satisfactorily and was placed on the permanent staff.
On 15th September, Miss E MacGregor (aged 18 years) started work in the Park as a "Junior Female Worker" on a weekly wage of £3. 2s. 5d.
In October it was decided that, as in 1946, an honorarium of £6 be paid to Mr. F.H. Mapp in recognition of his voluntary work and expenses associated with the 4 week "Entertainments in the Park" season.

Park use:
At the end of 1946 it was decided that 
the “Entertainments in the Parks” should again be held in the various parks in 1947 and that, instead of activities in King's Heath Park being spread over three weeks as in previous years, they would be spread over four weeks, from 28th July to 23rd August.

At the end of the year it was reported that, with better weather this year, 51 concerts of one sort or another (4 First Class bands, 4 local bands, 22 variety, 17 children's entertainment and two unspecified) were attended at King's Heath Park by 11,894 people who had  paid £485. 8s. 9d.  It was decided, on the basis of the increased attendances that the 1948 season of entertainments in King's Heath Park would extend over 7 weeks.
As part of the ""Entertainments in the Parks" project a "Write a Tune" competition was conceived, opened to all Birmingham residents, and arranged and adjudicated in four areas, with King's Heath Park hosting the South area competition on 1st August.  The four winning tunes from the area competitions were orchestrated by Mr. Hedley Ward (a well-known Birmingham dance band leader of the time), and played by Hedley Ward’s full Broadcasting Band at the Flower Show in Handsworth Park on Friday, 29th August.  A prize of £5 was awarded to the winner of each district competition and the writer of the tune, judged the best at the final, received a further prize of £25.  Interestingly the criteria of success was by the loudness of the applause for an individual tune, as measured by a clapometer!
In July the son of Mr. R.S. Brittle was given permission to take a donkey into the Park on weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays during the summer season to give children rides.  He had to pay 10 shillings for the privilege, and the maximum he could charge was 3d. per child per ride.
On 14th June, the Moseley Division Cubs held their annual sports in the Park.
On the evenings of 6th and 20th July, and on 31st August, the Birmingham Open Air Workers held Religious Meetings in the Park.
On the afternoon of 21st September, the Moseley & King's Heath Labour Party held a meeting in the Park.
1948

Park Environment
The tenancy of the Refreshment Rooms remained with Miss Summers for another season; she paid £86 rental for the premises which comprised a hall, two large refreshment rooms, kitchen, pantry and drawing room, scullery, out offices, 7 bedrooms, box-room, bathroom, and lavatory.

However at the year end (actually on 24th December – what a Christmas present!) the axe fell on this tenancy and the Town Clerk was ordered to obtain possession of the premises.  Many of the catering outlets in the City’s parks had been transferred from the auspices of the Parks Committee to the Catering and Entertainments Committee, and that Committee now wished to assume responsibility for the catering at King’s Heath Park.  This change was the cause of the decision not to renew Miss Summer’s tenancy, but it also drew attention to the sub-letting arrangements which Miss Summers had made – some with approval, some allegedly without.  An investigation into this latter issue was launched by the Parks Committee.
In March authority was given for i) the repossession of 3,600 square yards of land which had been requisitioned for wartime allotments, and ii) the demolition of air raid shelters, in order that a children’s playground could be constructed.  This land fronting Avenue Road was by this time not being intensely cultivated, and could easily be fenced for security reasons; access to the proposed playground could be obtained by the entrance to the park in Avenue Road opposite Grange Road.  The estimated cost of surfacing the playground was £1,331, with another £300 required to cover the cost of gymnastic apparatus.  The Allotments Committee who had requisitioned this area of the Park for wartime food production resisted its repossession (citing the Ministry of Agriculture as the authority for their resistance) and the playground project was put on hold for reconsideration after 12 months.

In May authority was given for expenditure of £835 for the installation of two “no up-keep”, hard Tennis Courts made from a new “Bitumas” “Gray-green” material.
A Cricket Match between teams made up of representatives of the Birmingham Parks Cricket Association took place at the Park on Tuesday afternoon, 18th May, for the purpose of obtaining their views upon the new “Bradman” matting wickets which had been laid experimentally in the Park.  The cricket pitches in the parks were receiving frequent use and consequently becoming badly worn, with little or no time for grass growth or maintenance between matches.  New pitches were designed where a concrete base was overlaid by a playing mat.  King's Heath was one of two parks where the new pitches were installed.  Later in the year it was reported that the experimental matting wickets had been in use all of the season and had been highly commended by clubs playing on them, and also by the Parks Cricket Association.  The pitches played just as well at the end of the season as at the commencement and the mats were very little the worse for wear and so would be available for the following season.

Finance

It was reported in April that a (“Dennis”) 24” motor mower had been purchased for the Park at a cost of £189. 12s. 0d.
In May it was reported that the heating system had been overhauled at a cost of £69. 5s. 11d.

Staff
On 13th February Mr. D.J. Robinson (aged 17 years) resigned his post as Garden Boy.With effect from 1st March, Mr. G.T. Carter (aged 19 years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £3. 12s. 0d.  On 5th July he was moved onto the Permanent Staff.
With effect from 1st May, Mr. H.V. Healey (aged 45 years), the park-keeper at King’s Heath, was appointed to have charge of Cannon Hill Park - a substantial promotion to the premier Birmingham park.
To take Mr. Healey's place, with effect from 1st May, Mr. V.N. Pass (aged 43 years), the General Foreman at Cannon Hill Park, was appointed to be Superintendent at King’s Heath Park, at a salary in accordance with A.P.T. Division IV of the National Scales, namely £420 rising to £465 per annum, including emoluments.
With effect from 14th June, Mr. S. Woodward (aged 32 years) and Mr. T.G. Harwood (aged 37 years), employed as Trained Gardeners (a) at the Park, were regraded as Trained Gardeners (b), and their wages increased from £5. 5s. 11d. to £5. 9s. 3d. per week.
On 3rd August Master D.H. Wiggins (aged 15 years) started work as a Garden Boy in the Park on a weekly wage of £1. 10s. 0d.
On 6th September Mr. P. Honeywell (aged 20 years) also started work as a Garden Boy in the Park on a weekly wage of £4. 5s. 0d.
 

Park Use

It was decided early in the year that the Entertainments in King’s Heath Park during the 1948 season would be held during the 7 weeks, 3rd July to 21st August.  A marquee, 140’ x 40’, seating 600, would be provided.  A set of amplifying equipment – “1 Amplifier approx. 20 watts output, 2 Loudspeakers, 1 Gramophone Unit, 1 Microphone with stand” – was also specified.

A “Write a Tune” Competition would again be held, but his year a Birmingham Pantomime Tune was called for, to be showcased as previously at the Birmingham Show in Handsworth Park in the Summer, but also to feature in the annual pantomime at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.  The prize for the winning tune was increased from £25 to £50.

A very full programme of entertainments was arranged, an event on every day of the 7 week season, sometimes two different events on a given day, and with some nationally recognised performers, e.g. the Band of the Coldstream Guards, the Band of the Royal Marines, the Dagenham Girl Pipers – a detailed list of all the events can be viewed in the “Clippings

Towards the end of the year there was a statistical report about the play staged in the Park - the Crescent Theatre’s presentation of "Mungo’s Mansions", which was deemed well presented and popular with the audiences.  The attendances at the play on 22nd, 23rd and 24th July were respectively 220, 223 and 327.

The Voluntary Chief Marshal at the entertainments in the Park during this summer season – once again Mr. F.H. Mapp – was awarded 7 guineas to cover his subsistence and travelling expenses, etc.

In March, authority was given for the provision of donkey rides in the Park during the summer, if required - but no record of such a service being actually provided has so far been found.
 
Other Park uses included:
On the Sundays 16th May and 22nd August, the Birmingham Open Air Preachers held religious services in the evening.
On 29th May the King’s Heath Cubs used the Park for the Cub Sports.
On 3rd July the Moseley Division Labour Party held an evening meeting in the Park.
 
Several injuries were reported during the year:-
On 21st March, Frank Carter, (aged 20 years) sustained an injury to an eye, and superficial cuts whilst playing football; and Jack Wallace (aged 29 years), sustained a severe head wound, again playing football – one assumes it was a “hard” match that day!
On 2nd May, Master G. Bicknell (aged 14 years) was hit with a cricket ball and sustained an injury to his face.
On 18th May, Mr. C. Bradley also injured his head playing cricket.
On 20th June, Mr. J. Wakelam (aged 39 years) was struck by a ball whilst playing cricket and sustained shock and a bruised head.
Three days later, on 23rd June, Mr. M. Littlehales (aged 37 years) was also struck by a cricket ball, was shocked and damaged an eyelid.

In June the existing arrangement for exercising dogs in the park was re-affirmed; namely that dogs could be exercised off leash up until 10 a.m. and for one hour before the time fixed for the Park’s closing, but only in the “southern area adjoining railway”.



1949
 
Park Environment
The water supply to the park was deemed to be insufficient - the water pressure was too low; the diameter of the main supply was too small for the number of draw-off points which had been made since the original services were laid many years earlier.  The work of installing a new, larger water supply was awarded to E.J. Sands, Ltd., of Handsworth, at a cost of £347. 15s  6d.
It was observed that the concrete cricket wickets which were laid in certain parks and recreation grounds in 1948 had, on the whole, proved to be satisfactory.  It had been found, however, that the constant wear and tear in front of the bowlers crease had caused pot holes which were a constant source of danger to the bowlers who ran the risk of breaking or spraining a leg or ankle every time they bowled.  In order to obviate this risk, it was decided to construct a run-up to the wickets, consisting of green bituminous limestone which would blend with the colour of the surrounding turf.  The park was one of 15 where this modification was made.
 
Finance
Once again, Mr. F.H. Mapp acted as a marshal during the summer season of entertainments in the park and he was paid an honorarium of ten guineas (£10. 10s. 0d.) to cover his expenses during their ten week duration.
 
Staff
In a staff reshuffle to accommodate the gradually failing eyesight of the experienced, successful and appreciated Mr. A. Whiteley, the officer-in-charge at Handsworth Park (a particularly complex and arduous Park to manage), Mr. V.N. Pass, the newly (May 1948) appointed officer-in-charge at Kings Heath Park was moved to Small Heath Park, and Mr. Whiteley was moved to Kings Heath.  (All three parks involved in the reshuffle were of the same grade, and so the staff took with them their current respective salaries.).  Mr. Whiteley took occupancy of the Lodge at the Park on or about 12th February.
With effect from 14th February, Mr. A.L. Fulford (43), a Trained Gardener (b) working with the Department since October 1921 and on a wage of £5. 13s. 3d. plus 5 shillings per week Improved Service Pay, was regraded to Trained Gardener (c) on a wage of £5. 19s. 10d. plus the Improved Service Pay.
Also with effect from 14th February, Mr. P Honeywill (21), a Garden Labourer (a) working with the Department since February 1942 and on a wage of £5. 0s. 0d., was regraded to Gardener (S.s.) on a wage of £5. 7s. 10d.  Later in the year, on 6th October, he resigned this post.
14th February* was also the date from which Mr. S. Dafforn (49), a Trained Gardener (b) who had worked in the Department since June 1931, was paid an Improved Service Grant of 1 shilling per week.  (* A subsequent report suggests that this grant was effective from 21st March.)
In the annual review of salaries Mr. V.N. Pass (aged 44 years, and with almost 30 years of service) was awarded an increment of £15 pa, taking his salary in the APT.IV. grade (£480 - £525), to £495; the increase taking effect from the 1st April.
On 30th May, Master J.S. Cotterill (16) started work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £2. 10s. 0d., but he worked in the park for just one month before resigning on 1st July.
On 16th September, Miss E. MacGregor (20), a Female Worker resigned her post, exactly two years after starting work in the park on 15th September, 1947.
On 3rd October, Miss J.A. Green (17) started work as a Female Worker on a weekly wage of £3. 7s. 6d.
On 5th October, Mr. F.R. Davis (36) started work as a Garden Labourer (a) on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.          
With effect from 10th October, Mr. J. Matthews (50), who had been working in the park as a Garden Labourer (a) since April 1947, was regraded to Gardener (S.s), and received a 10 shilling pay rise, taking his weekly wage to £5. 7s. 10d.
With effect from 14th November, Mr. G. Carter (21), who had been working in the park as a Garden Labourer (a) since August 1942, was regraded to Garden Labourer (b), and received a 3 shillings and 11 pence pay rise, taking his weekly wage to £5. 3s. 11d.
On 23rd December, Mr. F. Upton resigned his post as a Garden Labourer (a).
On 28th December, Mr. J.T. Bottomley (30) started work as a Garden Labourer (a) on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.
On that same day, 28th December, Mr. J.A. Hughes resigned his post as a Park Policeman.                    
 
Park use
Early in the year arrangements were put in place for the now customary Entertainments in the Parks, and Kings Heath Park was nominated for a ten week season between the 13th June and the 20th August.  Tenders were sought for a marquee for the Summer Theatre – the specification was 140’ x 40’ with 7 ft. walls (higher walls if possible), to seat about 500 after allowing stage space and gangways;  Stringers (a firm from Chichester) won the contract with an inclusive tender of £500.  Tenders were also sought for amplification equipment for the entertainments – this specification was for 1 Amplifier (approx. 20 watts output), 2 Loudspeakers, 1 Gramophone Unit, and 1 Microphone with stand: a Birmingham firm, Walker Bros. (Electrical Engineers) Ltd. won this contract with their bid of £123. 10s. 0d. 
We learn that during the first 4 days of the season 1,038 people attended the entertainments in the park, paying £45. 18s. 0d. to do so.  In the 2nd week (ending 23rd June), 2,529 people attended 8 entertainments, paying £104. 13s. 9d.; whilst in the 3rd week, 1,864 people attended 7 events, paying £91. 19s. 0.  The Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art were engaged at a fee of £15. 0. 0. to give a performance of “Fools Rush In” by Kenneth Horne in the Summer Theatre in the Park on 25th June; 435 people and paid £24. 17s. 0d. for tickets.
When considering the Entertainments programme for 1950, it was observed that the 1949 season at the Park had been increased from eight to ten weeks, and whilst the results were good, the park had slipped from second to fourth place in average attendances and takings, and so a nine weeks’ season (25th June to 26th August) was suggested for 1950. 
 
Other uses of the Park included:-
On 22nd May and again on 28th August - The Birmingham Open Air Preachers held evening (7 p.m.) religious services.
On 12th and 26th June, 10th and 24th July, and 11th and 25th September – the King’s Heath Evangelical Church held religious services.
On 11th, 18th and 25th September - the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society held afternoon (3 p.m.) religious meetings.
 
Approval was given for members of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade to be on duty in the vicinity of the cricket area of the Park whilst cricket matches were in progress on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (this was a service to be provided in 15 City parks).  It was also agreed in principle that refreshments would be provided to the Ambulance men attending (or that reasonable expenses in lieu would be paid).
 
Up until this time casual games of football or cricket were played in many of the parks wherever visitors chose.  Strictly this was against the bye laws, which required that specific areas of the parks be allocated for these purposes so that other park users were protected, and flower beds and other amenities were not damaged.  The decision was taken to specify and label authorised areas for this purpose, and accordingly the area of King’s Heath Park “near the railway” was allocated.
 
There was a serious accident in the park, and the patient taken to hospital for treatment; on 14th July, Ronald Mottram (28) sustained a cut over his right eye whilst playing cricket.
 
A prosecution was instituted by the City Police in connection with an offence in King’s Heath Park – at a hearing on 1st March, Robert Hore was fined £5. 0s. 0d. for indecent exposure on 21st February, but another charge of indecent exposure just 4 days earlier, on 17th February, was discharged because of insufficient evidence. 
 


1950
 
Park Environment
Since the bandstand at the Park was rather small, never used, and in very poor condition, it was recommended and approved, in February, that it should be removed, with a view to the space being opened up.  This was the start of the removal of bandstands from a number of parks.
Following a review across the City, it was established that money was collected at 63 places for Parks Department services, of which 24 were provided with safes and 39 were without safes; King’s Heath Park was without a safe.  It was subsequently decided that the best way to resolve the issue was to provide small wall safes, size 8¾ “ x 6¼“ x 4 1/8“ fixed in the wall of brick buildings, or in floor concrete where there were timber buildings.  King’s Heath Park received a safe, but It is not recorded whether the safe was placed in a wall or the floor. 
A communication was received through the City Engineer and Surveyor from a local resident, pointing out the danger to which children were exposed in the Park by the lack of adequate fencing along the Avenue Road frontage near the railway to which access could be gained from the road.  To remedy this it was agreed that 5’ 6” sawn Oak paling be obtained, and 88 yards of this was subsequently ordered and fixed by Rudders & Payne, Ltd. at a cost of £88.
As a result of action initiated at the end of 1948, Miss Summers gave up the tenancy of King’s Heath Park House, and the provision of refreshments there, on 4th July 1950.  The Civic Restaurants Department was then asked to provide refreshments on a week-to-week basis; but after objecting to such an uncertain short-term arrangement, they were asked to provide the service for the remainder of the 1950 summer season, after which the position would be reviewed.  At the turn of the year the situation was still unresolved – there were uncertainties about service provision and the perceived need for redecoration of the refreshment rooms on one hand, and on the other tentative proposals for the conversion of parts of the house into four flats (a project which was initiated but which stalled and was not pursued).
At the end of the year it was agreed to provide a new heated span greenhouse, size 70ft. x 12ft., including a continuous propagating frame along one side, with iron staging; the glazing specified was 24 oz. horticultural glass cut elliptically.  Foster & Pearson, Ltd., Beeston, Nottingham supplied the greenhouse superstructure in Siamese Yang (a durable hardwood which does not require painting), a side frame in precast concrete sections, and 17 loose top lights in Deal, for £1,071. 11s. 3d.  The labour (provided by the departmental Artisan Staff) and materials for the brick foundation walls, etc., cost approximately £120.
In the hope that the Department of Education might be persuaded to underwrite the restoration and maintenance of children’s playground facilities in the parks (which they had done for a handful of parks and recreation grounds in the centre of the City), a survey was undertaken at the end of the year across all the City Parks, to estimate the likely size and cost of such a project.  King’s Heath Park was listed as having in prospect a children’s playground 1,200 sq. ft. in area, which would cost £1,100 and require £90 for annual maintenance.  The proposed site for the playground was on land relinquished by the Allotments Committee on 31st December, land which had been requisitioned from the Parks Committee during the war years for allotment purposes.
In December the provision of illuminated Christmas trees (at a cost of approximately £25. 0s. 0d. per tree for erection and maintenance) at 10 sites under the control of the Parks Committee, and adjacent to main bus routes, was approved; and King’s Heath Park was included in the list.
 
Finance
Purchases were made from the 1950/51 budget early in the year so that the equipment – i) a Ransomes “Ripper” Mower (£20), ii) an “Eziwheel” Truck (£20), and iii) a Ransomes “Astral” 14” Mower (£20) – would be available at the start of the new financial year / season.
One of the rooms at King’s Heath Park House had been let to a Miss Thomas, for 5 shillings per week.  Miss Thomas was reported to be about 94 years of age and suffering from loss of memory, and as a consequence had been moved to a (Christadelphian) Hospital, and was thought unlikely to leave the hospital again.  Her rent was reported to be approximately 28 weeks in arrears and under the circumstances it was suggested and agreed that the tenancy should be terminated.  Efforts were to be made to get Miss Thomas’ co-operation without recourse to the courts.
Yet again, Mr. F.H. Mapp acted as a marshal during the summer season of entertainments in the park and he was paid an honorarium of nine guineas (£9. 9s. 0d.) to cover his expenses during their nine week duration.
 
Staff
On 11th February, Mr. J.T. Bottomley (31) resigned his post of Garden Labourer (a) after just 6 weeks of service.
On 30th March, Mr. P. Mahon (47) resigned his post of Games Attendant, a post he had held since April 1947.
In the annual review of salaries, taking effect on 1st April, Mr. A.A. Whiteley (aged nearly 53 years, and with over 18 years of service) was listed as being at the top of his salary grade - APT.IV. (£480 - £525) – earning £525 per annum.
On 1st April, Mr. L. Martin (56) started work as a Games Attendant on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.; but he resigned his post on the 13th May only six weeks later.
On 10th May, Mr. H. Haycock (23) started work as a Games Attendant on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.
On 30th May, Mr. W. Roberts (49) started work as a Games Attendant on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.  It seems he resigned on the same day!
With effect from 12th June, Mr. H.W. Evason (47), the Foreman Gardener who had started work with the Parks Department in November 1934, received one shilling per week Improved Service Pay.
On 8th July, Ms. J.A. Green (18) resigned her post as a Female Worker, a post she had held for just 9 months.
On 9th August, Mr. H. Clemons (61) started work as a Garden Labourer on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.
On 4th December, Mr. R.F. Crabb started work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £4. 1s. 7d.  He resigned his post at the end of his first week, on 8th December!
 
Park use
The Park was included again in the City’s Entertainments 1950 programme; the 9 weeks from 26th June to 26th August being scheduled.  Early in the year, Mills Scaffold Co. Ltd., with their hire tender of £44. 0s. 0d., won the competition to provide and erect the stage, proscenium arch, dressing room and foyer frames and the flooring for the dressing rooms and back stage for the entertainments.  Walker Bros. (Electrical Engineers) Ltd. won the contract for the hire of amplifiers and equipment once again (though details specific to Kings Heath are not reported).
In July it was reported that an application had been received from the King’s Heath Branch of the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations to arrange for 200 of their members to attend the concert party performance at the Park on Tuesday, 4th July.  The Branch asked for some concession in the price of admission, and suggested that they might have 80 of the 2/- seats at 1/6d. each, and 120 of the 1/- seats at 9d. each.  Generously the Parks Committee resolved to issue the 200 tickets at a total cost of £10. 0s. 0d., irrespective of the value of individual tickets.
In October it was reported that, during the Entertainments in King’s Heath Park, the New Dramatic Company had staged a production of “Clutterbuck” which had been attended by 204 people, yielding receipts of £13. 8s. 6d.  The Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art had also staged their play “The Lady from Edinburgh” which was watched by 169 people, yielding £11. 11s. 6d.
 
In considering Entertainments in the Parks 1951 it was noted that the average attendance during 1950 had been 235.  In the light of these and previous years’ attendances, and the deployment of equipment and available resources, it was suggested that the 1951 season at King’s Heath should be 7 weeks – from 25th June to 11th August – a reduction of two weeks compared with 1950.  It was noted that evening performances were much better supported at King’s Heath Park than the children’s matinees, and in view of this the season was planned to cover only the most popular two weeks of the school holidays.
 
Other park uses included:-
On 10th June, King’s Heath Scout Troop arranged the annual Wolf Cub Sports.
On 12th July, the Elim Gospel Alliance held a religious meeting.
On 27th August, the King’s Heath Evangelical Church also held a religious meeting.
 
A number of injuries occurred during the year, and in each case the patient was taken to hospital for treatment:-
On 7th March, Hilda Nanson (35) suffered a seizure, reported to be due to natural causes.
On 18th June, Colin Powers (14) sustained an injury to his right hand whilst playing cricket.
On 2nd September, Freda Dyson (22) punctured her left ankle with a Putting Green flag.
On 14th September, Mr. A. Whiteley, the Officer-in-charge at the Park, sustained a severe cut to his thumb whilst pruning Dahlias.
 
In 1949 it had been hoped that the St John’s Ambulance Brigade would be able to provide first aid cover at cricket and football matches in parks across the City.  This proved to be an unrealistic expectation, and during 1950 it was declared that such a service could only be provided with certainty at a small number of parks.  King’s Heath Park was listed as a Priority III location - meaning that it would receive attention only during the school holiday period from the  22nd July until the 10th September, only on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and only if games were scheduled.  It was eventually conceded that “efforts would be made to provide assistance at the Priority III parks, but this was rather doubtful”!