Ongoing research; last updated 2 December 2013
6th January 1941 – 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 Park Nature of Commencing Wages
Employment Date
Richards, H. King’s Heath Pk. Labr. 30.12.40 £3-2-0.
Taylor, S. King’s
Heath Pk. Labr. 9.12.40 £3-2-0.
Todd, C.A. King’s Heath Pk. Labr. 6.1.41 £3-2-0.
Staff
Appointments
4280 Resolved:-
That the various appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out
in the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
There is a report
included in this Minute, as follows:-
Report of General Manager
Damage caused by Air Raids
During
recent air raids, damage has been caused as a result of enemy action to various
parks, recreation grounds, and cemeteries, as detailed below, in addition to
that already reported:-
(There is
then a list of 60 entries, two of which relate to King’s Heath Park:-)
Date of Particulars of damage Estimated
cost
Air Raid of
making good
22/23rd
Nov High explosive bomb damaged the
wooden boundary fence £3
11/12th
Decr 2 high explosive bombs dropped
in park, casuing damage
to hard courts,
boundary netting,
drains, etc. £15
The
question of compensation is under consideration by the Ministry of Heath, and
particulars of the damage are being forwarded to the Town Clerk for submission
to the Ministry of Heath, so that a record of the damage may be available when
required.
21st January 1941 – Emergency
Sub-Committee, reported on
3rd February 1941 – Parks Committee
3rd February 1941 – Parks Department
(Operations Card 26 D1)
Cultivation
of Lands
(See report
of Emergency Sub-Committee and Minute No. 4328 thereon.)
Report of the Emergency
Sub-Committee
Cultivation of Lands
At your meeting on the 6th January
last, your Committee, by Minute No. 4304, instructed the General Manager “to
consider and report to this Sub-Committee what additional lands under the
control of the Parks Committee are suitable and available for the growing of
food crops”, and appointed Councillors Baragwanath and Dare to act with the
existing members of the Sub-Committee for this purpose.
Your Sub-Committee accordingly met on the 21st
ultimo, when they had before them the following report of the General Manager,
together with the schedule referred to therein:-
“Cultivation of Lands
With reference to Minute No. 4304 of the General
Committee, I submit herewith a schedule of the whole of the Parks and
Recreation Grounds under the control of the Committee, containing suggestions
as to areas that may be cultivated.
I may say that the day after the meeting of the
General Committee, I received a communication from Alderman Sir Ernest Canning,
J.P., the Chairman of the new Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire
War Agricultural Executive Committee asking for a list of the Parks and
Recreation Grounds to assist his Committee in considering the question of
cultivation. This list was supplied to
him, in accordance with his request.
It will be noted that a total area of 302 acres
is suggested as being available for cultivation, if the Committee so decide.
After sending the list to Alderman Sir Ernest
Canning, I received a communication from the Allotments Committee enclosing a
list of further sites belonging to your Committee, which it was stated the
Allotments Committee were prepared in the majority instances to take over for immediate
cultivation as allotments. The list
includes a number of the sites which it was anticipated might be cultivated by
your Department in response to suggestions by the Agricultural Committee. The sites mentioned by the Allotments
Committee are noted in the schedule.
The Allotments Superintendent pointed out in a
recent communication to me that if your Committee could see their way to clear
to surrender the areas asked for by this Committee, they would be meeting a
very urgent need for land which is required for the production of food stuffs
for home consumption by the respective individuals.
As this Sub-Committee is aware, a large number
of sites in the parks and recreation grounds have been taken up by the Royal
Air Force for Barrage Balloons, and a number have also been taken over by the
Military Authorities for gun sites, Searchlight Stations, etc. A considerable number of sites have also been
taken for public air raid shelters, report centres, and other civil defence
purposes.
It will be noted from the schedule that it is
proposed in a number of cases to retain actual playing field areas which are in
fairly regular use at the present time, together with tennis courts, bowling
greens, and children’s playgrounds.
In regard to the ploughing up for cultivation
of playing field areas, I would point out that some time ago every County
Agricultural Committee received direct instructions from the Minister of
Agriculture that his express consent in writing should be obtained before
directions were issued to plough up land reserved mainly or exclusively for
sport or recreation. This instruction
apparently applies to cases where compulsory powers are proposed to be
exercised, and would not apply in a case where a mutual agreement is arrived
at. It emphasizes, however, the Minister
of Agriculture’s views in regard to the need for the preservation of playing
fields where they are still required for the purpose for which they are
ordinarily used. This aspect of the matter
has been borne in mind in submitting the suggestions contained in the
accompanying schedule. The Sub-Committee
will also no doubt have regard to the desirability of preserving all reasonable
recreational facilities in the public parks and recreation grounds in the City
for the general public, who, under present conditions, cannot enjoy visits to
the country or seaside at holiday and other times.
It has recently been pointed out by Lord Cavan,
the President of the National Playing Fields Association, that when land has
been specially prepared at considerable cost for the playing of team and other
games, it would not be economically sound to break it up for cultivation for
allotments or otherwise. He pointed out
at the same time, that such grounds are of vital importance for maintaining
public health and morale, and even recreation grounds for troops under
training. He pointed out further, that
the eventual cost of restoring the grounds for playing field purposes would
involve very serious outlay. In this
connection, I should perhaps also point out that as a general rule, sports
grounds and playing fields do not fall within the definition of unoccupied
land, within the meaning of the recent Agricultural and Allotments Orders.
The Committee’s decision on the suggestions
contained in the accompanying schedule is desired.
In connection with this matter, I have to
report that subsequently to sending to Alderman Sir Ernest Canning a list of
the various parks and recreation grounds, I received from him an invitation to
join the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural
Executive Committee, and after consulting the Chairman of the General
Committee, I accepted such invitation. I
should like the Committee’s approval of this.
The total area already let to the Allotments
Committee since the outbreak of war is approximately 80 acres.”
(Schedules were attached to this
report – see below)
The General Manager further reported that he
had discussed the various sites with representatives of the Allotments
Committee and the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War
Agricultural Executive Committee when certain modifications were provisionally
agreed upon subject to the approval of your Sub-Committee, and these have been
taken in consideration by your Sub-Committee in arriving at a decision in each
case, as indicated on the schedule.
Areas to be handed over to Allotments
Department
Your Sub-Committee have further agreed to the
undermentioned areas being forthwith handed over to the Allotments Committee
for use as wartime allotments:-
(From a long list)
Name of Park Situation
and Description of Approx.
Area
Acres
King’s Heath Area
between tennis courts and bowling 6½
green
and Avenue Rd. frontage.
It will be observed that the total area to be
cultivated by the Parks Committee is 230¼ acres and by the Allotments Committee
110¼ acres.
The Allotments Committee will arrange for the
immediate ploughing up of the area to be taken over by them. The basis of transfer will be by way of
tenancy at a rental of 50/- per acre per annum, as from the 25th
March, 1941; the sites to be used as wartime allotments only and to be handed
back to the Parks Committee without compensation on the termination of the
tenancies at the end of hostilities.
It will be seen from the schedule attached that
out of a total area of 63.2 acres at Handsworth Park only 5 acres were proposed
to be used as allotments, and that there was no proposal for any portion of
Warley Park to be so used. Your
Sub-Committee have referred these two cases back to the General Manager for
further consideration.
The General Manager has also been instructed to
consider the possibility of grazing at Billesley Common, and at Cocks Moor
Woods, Harborne, and Pype Hayes Golf Courses.
Your Sub-Committee recommend that the proposals
for the cultivation of Parks lands and for the granting of the use of various
sites to the Allotments Committee as wartime allotments on the basis stated, be
approved and their action in the matter confirmed.
Your Sub-Committee further recommend that the
action of the Chairman in authorizing the General Manager to accept the
invitation to become a member of the Birmingham District Committee of the
Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee be confirmed.
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
2 Cultivation
of Lands
……………… I
submit herewith revised Schedules of the further areas proposed to be let to
the Allotments Committee for war-time allotments, and of the areas proposed to
be cultivated departmentally.
……………..
It is proposed to obtain Seed Potatoes and Seed Oats from Messrs. W.H.
Simpson & Sons. The Committee’s
approval is desired.
The ploughing of the various sites will be
carried out by contract, and quotations for this work are being obtained from
the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee and various ploughing
contractors. As far as possible
departmental employees will be employed on subsequent cultivation and harvesting,
but some part of this work may also have to be carried out by contract.
Schedule of Further Areas in Parks
and Recreation Grounds agreed to be transferred to Allotments Committee for
War-time Allotments
Name of Park Situation
and Description of Approx.
Area
Acres
(From a long list:-)
King’s Heath Area
between tennis courts and bowling 6½
green
and Avenue Rd. frontage.
4328 Resolved:-
That the proposals for the cultivation of Parks lands and for the
granting of the use of various sites to the Allotments Committee as wartime
allotments, on the basis set out in the report of the Emergency Sub-Committee,
as varied by the further report of the General Manager, be approved, and the
action taken by the Sub-Committee in the matter confirmed.
3rd March 1941 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The
following report of the Emergency Sub-Committee was submitted:-
Temporary Accommodation for Persons dispossessed
by Enemy Action
…………………
On the instructions of your Chairman, a meeting of the Emergency Sub-Committee
was called for 12th February, when a list supplied by the City
Surveyor of sites which were under consideration was placed before them in
conjunction with observations by the General Manager with regard to certain of
the sites. After giving careful
consideration to each site separately, your Sub-Committee arrived at the
decisions shown in the schedule hereto.
In arriving at their decision your Sub-Committee have had regard to the
availability of the various sites rather than to their suitability for the
purposes required, which, of course, is a matter of policy to be decided by the
A.R.P. Committee. At the same time, your
Sub-Committee wish to emphasise the fact that the utilization of the sites by
the A.R.P. Committee will seriously restrict the privileges and amenities
enjoyed by the public in the use of the parks etc.; but, in view of the
paramount importance of providing accommodation for those rendered homeless by
enemy action, the proposals of the A.R.P. Committee have been agreed to wherever
possible.
In accordance with the request in Minute 149 of the A.R.P. After-Care
Sub-Committee, your Sub-Committee have instructed the General Manager to inform
the City Surveyor of any further proposals for the utilization of sites in
parks for other than parks purposes, in order that consideration may be given
to the question of utilising such sites for the provision of temporary
accommodation for persons rendered homeless by enemy action.
Your Sub-Committee recommend that their action in these matters be
confirmed.
Schedule
Proposed Sites for Hutments on Park
Lands
No. 6
Description King’s Heath Park, south-eastern portion.
Frontages to Vicarage Road and Avenue Road where drains could connect, or to
the old hall refreshment-buildings drain.
Underground shelters, level turf land.
General Manager’s Observations
An
area of 6½ acres between the tennis courts and bowling green, and the Avenue
Road frontage has already been let to the Allotments Committee for war-time
allotments. This meant cutting out several
cricket and football pitches. If the
further area of 6½ acres is used for hutments, no cricket or football pitches
will be available in this park.
Emergency Sub-Committee Decision
Agreed,
excepting portion let to Allotments Committee.
Temporary
Accommodation in Parks, etc. for Persons rendered homeless by Enemy Action
4362 Resolved:-
That the action of the Emergency Sub-Committee in agreeing to certain
sites in Parks and Recreation Grounds being used for the provision of temporary
accommodation of persons dispossessed by enemy action, as set out in the
foregoing report and the schedule thereto, be confirmed.
7th April 1941 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Wages – Manual Staff
I beg to report that the question of increases in wages of the Manual
Staff of the Department to come into operation as from the 1st
instant has been considered, and the following recommendations are submitted
for the Committee’s approval:-
Park King’s
Heath
Name of Employee Evason,
H.W.
Designated Post Foreman
Length of Service 6
years
Present wages £3-11-0
Increase recommended 2/-
Wages –
Manual Staff
4380 Resolved:-
That the various increases in wages of manual employees of the Department,
as set out in the foregoing report, be approved, such increases to take effect
from 1st April, 1941.
9th June 1941 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Home Guard
Since your last meeting, further facilities have been granted to various
units of the Home Guard, as follows:-
King’s Heath Park - “D” Company, 24th Warwickshire
(Birmingham) Battalion.
Permssion
to hold an Inspection and Parade, including a Drumhead Service on Sunday, the
11th May.
The Committee’s confiormation is desired.
Home
Guard
4449 Resolved:-
That the permission granted to Units of the Home Guard for the use of
various Parks and Recreation Grounds, as set out in the foregoing report, be
confirmed.
7th July 1941 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Nuisance
from Dogs, etc, on Allotments in Parks
The
following resolution of the Allotments Committee was received:-
“In connection with his report upon this matter the Superintendent
referred the Committee to a recent Order made to prohibit nuisance from dogs on
Allotments, upon which the Ministry had prepared a draft form of notice to be
exhibited on allotment sites.
“4960 Resolved:- That the Superintendent be authorised and
instructed to prepare notices in the form proposed by the Ministry and to arrange
for their exhibition on all allotment sites in the City; that the Parks
Committee be acquainted with the difficulty experienced by allotment holders in
public parks and requested to take all precautions possible to avoid damage or
nuisance to such sites.
The General
Manager submitted copies of two letters of instruction which he had addressed
to the Officers in charge of the Parks and Recreation Grounds in which wartime
allotments are provided –
Parks and Cemeteries Department,
161 Corporation Street,
Birmingham 4.
16th June, 1941
ESW/MEL.
Dear Sir,
Cultivation of Lands
Wartime Allotments
The Allotments Committee have recently had before them the question of
prohibiting the nuisance caused by dogs on allotment plots in the parks and
elsewhere. I understand the Allotments
Committee are arranging for notices to be exhibited on all allotment sites in
the City pursuant to an order recently made by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries.
The Allotments Committee have, however, requested the Parks Committee to
take all precautions possible to avoid damage or nuisance to the sites in the
public parks and recreation grounds.
Officers in charge of all parks and recreation grounds in which wartime
allotments are provided are, therefore, instructed to exercise the utmost
possible supervision accordingly, and in particular to take steps to enforce
the By-laws and notices in respect of dogs in the parks.
Yours faithfully,
(sgd) E.S. White.
General Manager.
Sent to Parks and Rc. Gds. In which wartime allotments are provided (see
list below – [Compiler’s note – the list included King’s Heath Park].)
-------------------------------
Parks and Cemeteries Department,
161 Corporation Street,
Birmingham 4.
20th June, 1941
ESW/MEL.
Dear Sir,
Cultivation of Lands
Wartime Allotments
Referring to my letter of the 16th instant, I have to inform
you that in parks and recreation grounds where notices are exhibited stating
that dogs are permitted to exercise in the parks at certain times, such notices
are to be removed, and in substitution therefor the usual notices are to be
exhibited that dogs are not permitted in the poarks unless securely held on a
leash.
Please arrange accordingly.
The Allotments Committee are also perturbed regarding the practice of
plot holders in not conforming to their regulations, particularly in regard to
the stacking of turf on the pathways between the plots.
If any breach of the Regulations in respect of the plots in the parks
should come to the notice of Officers-in-Charge, they should report the fact to
me immediately, and I will then notify the Allotments Committee.
This applies to the stacking of turf or any other matter.
Yours faithfully,
(sgd) E.S. White.
General Manager.
Sent to the following: (Compiler’s note – the list includes King’s Heath
Park.)
4475 Resolved:-
That the instructions issued by the General Manager with regard to the
admission of dogs in Parks and Recreation Grounds and the observance of
regulations by allotment holders be confirmed.
The Town
Clerk submitted the following report:-
Refreshment Rooms
(Minutes 4002 and 4063)
I have to report that in accordance with the above Minutes I have
completed an Agreement with Miss Grace Summers for the tenancy of the above
refreshment rooms.
4479 Resolved:-
That the Town Clerk’s reports be approved and the respective Minutes
discharged.
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Use of Parks
Use of parks has been granted as
follows upon the authority of your Chairman, and confirmation of the Committee is
desired:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
11.6.41 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
4490 Resolved:- That permission for the use of parks and
recreation grounds for the various purposes set out in the foregoing report,
be confirmed.
28th July
1941 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Use of Parks
Use of parks has been granted as
follows upon the authority of your Chairman, and confirmation of the Committee
is desired:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
30.7.41 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
4520 Resolved:- That the permission given for the use of
various parks and recreation grounds for the purposes set out in the foregoiong
report, be confirmed.
6th October
1941 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Use of Parks
Use of parks has been granted as
follows upon the authority of your Chairman, and confirmation of the Committee
is desired:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
3.9.41 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
17.8.41 ) Birmingham
Open
24.8.41 ) King’s
Heath Air Workers, Open air religious services
31.8.41 ) South
Section
4543 Resolved:- That the granting of the use of various
parks and recreation grounds for the purposes set out in the foregoiong report,
be confirmed.
1st
December 1941 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
National Defence Operations
Since my report to your meeting on
7th October, 1940, sites and buildings in various parks, etc., have
been taken over for defence purposes as follows:-
Park King’s Heath Park
Service Home Guard No. 8 Sub-Sector
Particulars of
Land etc. in use
Nissen hut
erected. War Dept. Land Agent requested
to arrange for hut to be enclosed by chestnut or other suitable fencing, and to
provide direct access from Avenue Road.
Date of
Occupation
15.11.41
In accordance with the
arrangements made by the General Purposes Committee, details of the sites and
buildings taken over for defence purposes have been forwarded to the City
Treasurer for inclusion in a comprehensive claim for compensation to be made by
the Corporation in due course.
Appointments
The following appointments have
been made in order to fill vacancies on the staff:-
Name Thompson, L.A.
Park King’s Heath
Nature of Employment Pk.Police
Commencing Date 14.10.41
Wages £3-13-0.
Appointments
4625 Resolved:- That the various appointments to fill
vacancies on the Staff, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved,
.......................
15th November 1941 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
H.G. No. 8. sub-sector erected Nissen Hut.
