Ongoing research; last updated 11 January 2014
1st January 1945 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following reports:-
Staff – Women’s Land Army
It is recommended that the wages of Miss Betty Irene Robinson, King’s Heath
Park, ………. who have completed six
months’ satisfactory service be increased from £2-8-0d. to £2-13-0d. per week,
……………… such increases to take effect from this date.
Increases
in Wages – Women’s Land Army
5589 Resolved:-
That the increases in wages of members of the Women’s Land Army, …………,
as set out in Item 3 of the General Manager’s report, be approved.
5th February 1945 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following reports:-
Repainting Greenhouses in various Parks, etc
During the war the greenhouses in the parks have become seriously
dilapidated so far as painting and other work is concerned. An offer was recently received from W.
Richardson & Co. Ltd., Horticutural and Heating Engineers, of London and
Darlington, who have carried out various works for your Department, to
undertake the supervision and carrying out of a certain amount of painting work
by sending one of their principal Foreman Horticultural Painters to organize a
suitable number of painters to be engaged locally by them, and they would also
supply the necessary material. They are
unable under present conditions to quote on a lump sum contract basis, but they
offer to do it at cost price as shown on their books, plus 10% profit. They are, of course, experienced in this type
of work, and I think there is no doubt it would be an economical proposition to
have it carried out now on the terms mentioned, and go a long way to ensure
preservation of the greenhouses. Full
details of the costing would be shown in their accounts. The Architectural Assistant estimates the
total cost at under £500.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Repainting
Greenhouses in various Parks
5617 Resolved:-
That the General Manager be authorized to arrange for W. Richardson
& Co. Ltd. to carry out necessary painting of greenhouses in various parks,
etc. on a cost-plus-profit basis at a total expenditure not exceeding £500, as
referred to in the foregoing report.
The
following report of the Emergency Sub-Committee was received:-
Manual-Staff Salaries 1945-46
Your Sub-Committee have considered a report from the General Manager and
Schedule of the Non-Manual Staff as at 31st March, 1945, and have to
make the following recommendations thereon:-
H.V. Healey – Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park
That, subject to the approval of the Salaries, Wages and Labour
Committee, the position of Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park, be transferred from
the manual to the non-manual staff, Grade “B” Technical Staff, with a maximum
salary of £350, and that the salary of Mr. H.V. Healey, the present holder of
the position, be £250 per annum (plus emoluments) from 1st April,
1945.
H.V.
Healey – Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park
5635 Resolved:-
That, subject to the approval of the Salaries, Wages and Labour
Committee, the position of Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park, be transferred from
the manual to the non-manual staff, Grade “B” Technical Staff, with a maximum
salary of £350, and that the salary of Mr. H.V. Healey, the present holder of
the position, be £250 per annum (plus emoluments) from 1st April,
1945.
The
following report of the Entertainments Sub-Committee was submitted:-
Length of Season and Period at each Park
Your Sub-Committee have given consideration to
this matter and recommend that the season extend from the 16th June
to the 25th August (inclusive), that the following list of parks be
approved, that entertainments be approved at Aston, Cannon Hill, Handsworth,
Lightswood, Small Heath and Ward End Parks, during the whole of the ten weeks’
season (except Cannon Hill, Handsworth and Lightswood Parks during the period
of “Plays in the Parks”), and that in the other parks a full two weeks’ programme
be arranged in addition to the Bank Holiday week in each case:-
Zone 1 Handsworth
Park
Summerfield
Park
Zone 2 Aston
Park
Perry
Hall Playing Fields
Zone 3 Rookery
Park
Pype Hayes Park
Zone 4 Ward
End Park
Glebe
Farm Recreation Ground
Zone 5 Small
Heath Park
Yardley
Recreation Ground
Zone 6 Sparkhill
Park
Fox
Hollies Park
Zone 7 Cannon
Hill Park
Kings
Heath Park
Kings
Norton Park
Zone 8 Lightswood
Park
Queen’
Park
Victoria
Common
Selly
Oak Park
Length
of Season
5641 Resolved:-
That the “Holiday at Home” Entertainments season, 1945, extend from the
16th June to the 25th August inclusive, that
entertainments be provided at Aston, Cannon Hill, Handsworth, Lightswood, Small
Heath and Ward End Parks during the whole of the ten weeks’ season (except
Cannon Hill, Handsworth and Lightswood Parks during the period of “Plays in the
Parks”) and that in the other parks a full two weeks’ programme be arranged, in
addition to the Bank Holiday week in each case.
5th March 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Refreshment Room Tenancies
With reference to your Minute No. 5622, I beg to submit the attached
list of refreshment room tenancies which expire on the 25th instant,
showing the rents offered and accepted for the extension of the tenancies for
the period of one year. It will be noted
that as a result of my negotiations with them, the majority of the tenants are
offering an increased rent as compared with last year. The total amount of the increase is £277.
……………………
List of Refreshment Tenancies
expiring on the 25th March 1945
Park King’s
Heath
Present Tenant Miss Grace
Summers,
Kings Heath House,
King’s Heath Park, 14.
Pre-war period of Tenancy 3 years
Pre-war Rental per annum £70
Present rental per annum £60
Rent offered for year
commencing 26.3.1945 £86
Staff - Appointments
The following appointments have
been made in order to fill vacancies:
Name Pawley, G.R. (15)
Park King’s Heath
Nature of employment Garden Boy
Commencing date 5.2.45
Wages £1-4-0d.
Refreshment
Room Tenancies
5661 Resolved:-
That the renewal of the tenancies of Refreshment Rooms in Parks and
Recreation Grounds for twelve months from 25th March, 1945, on the
terms set out in the list attached to the General Manager’s report, be
confirmed.
Staff
Appointments
5662 Resolved:-
That the staff appointments, ……………….., as set out in Items 13 and 14 of
the foregoing report, be confirmed.
9th April 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
5678 The following resolutions of the Salaries,
Wages and Labour Committee were received:-
Transfer from Manual to Non-Manual Staff - H.V.
Healey, Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park
7521 Resolved:- That the proposal of the Parks Committee to
transfer Mr. H.V. Healey, Park-keeper, King’s Heath Park from the manual to the
non-manual staff at a salary of £250 per annum (plus emoluments) as from 1st
April, 1945 be approved; the maximum
salary for this post being fixed at £350 per annum.
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Staff - Appointments
The following appointments have
been made in order to fill vacancies:
Name Blundell, R.H. (18)
Park King’s Heath
Nature of employment Garden Boy
Commencing date 9.4.45
Wages £2-12-0d.
Staff – Resignations
Name Pawley,
G.R.
Park King’s
Heath
Nature of employment Garden
Boy
Left
own accord, 31.3.45.
………… Appointments
to fill vacancies on the Staff
5690 Resolved:-
That ……………and appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in
Items 10 and 11 of the foregoing report, be confirmed.
27th October 1945 – Birmingham News
9th April 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
The
Entertainments Sub-Committee presented the following report:
Horse Shows
Provisional arrangements are being made for Horse Shows to be held at
Lightswood Park on the 14th July, King’s Heath Park on the 21st
July and Ward End Park or the Metro-Cammell Sports Ground on a date to be
fixed. The shows are being organized by
Local Committees who are familiar with and experienced in making arrangements
for this type of function. The Chairman
of your Sub-Committee is acting as our representative on the Committee for the
Lightswood Show, and your Chairman is acting likewise on the Committee for the
Show at King’s Heath Park.
Councillor Shaw was largely responsible for the organization of the Show
which was held last year under the “Brighter Birmingham” Scheme at the
Metro-Cammell Sports Ground, and negotiations with him are being continued with
a view to a further show being held in that district this year.
The financial and other arrangements in connection with these Shows will
be similar to those in respect of the Athletic Sports Meetings, and it is
recommended that such arrangements be approved.
Horse
Shows
5705 Resloved:-
That the provisional arrangements made for Horse Shows to be held in
Lightswood Park on the 14th July, King’s Heath Park on the 21st
July and Ward End Park or the Metro-Cammell Sports Ground on a date to be fixed
be approved, the financial and other arrangements to be similar to those in
respect of the Athletic Sports Meetings as set out in the foregoing report.
7th May 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:
Manual Employees – Improved Service Pay
I beg to submit a list of further applications received and recommended
for the Committee’s approval, the payments to take effect as from the date
stated, viz:-
Name: Evason,
Harold Walter
Where employed: King’s Heath
Park
Designated Post: Foreman
Gardener
Date of entering service: 29.11.34
Improved Service Pay Grant Recommended: 1/-
Date: 29.11.44
Name: Abbey,
Arthur
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Designated Post: G.S.s
Date of entering service: 12.3.25
Improved Service Pay Grant Recommended: 2/-
Date: 12.3.44
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name: Woodward,
S.
Park: King’s
Heath
Nature of employment: Trained
Gardener (a)
Commencing Date: 23.4.45
Wages: £4-
8- 0d
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
3.6.45 King’s Heath Birmingham
Open Open air meeting
Air
Workers, at 7 p.m.
Manual Employees – Improved Service Pay,........... and
Appointments to fill vacancies
on the Staff
5731 Resolved:-
That the Improved Service Pay to …… Manual Workers, ……………… and
appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, referred to in items 10, 11 and 12
of the foregoing report, be confirmed.
King’s
Heath Park – Salary of Park Superintendent
The General
Manager referred to the effect on the salary of the Park Superintendent at
King’s Heath Park, as a result of his having been transferred from the Manual
to the Non-Manual Staff.
5737 Resolved:-
That the matter be left to the Chairman and General Manager to make any
necessary adjustments and to report.
4th June 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:
H.V. Healey, Park Superintendent, King’s Heath
Park
Referring to your Minute No.5737, I have discussed with the
Superannuation Office officials the question of the effect of the transfer of
Mr. Healey to the Non-Manual Staff, and am informed that as a Manual employee,
Healey was a member of the modified Superannuation Scheme and paid
Superannuation contributions according to his wages, less 7d. per week, and he
was not, therefore, entitled to count his service in full towards
Superannuation allowance. As a
Non-Manual he will pay Superannuation contributions at 5%, and will be
permitted to count his service in full for pension purposes as from the date of
his transfer to the Non-Manual Staff. He
will also have the opportunity of refunding the 7d. a week with interest, which
was not deducted from his wages during the time he was in the modified
Scheme. In that case, he would be able
to count his previous service in full.
He would also be given the option of joining the Widows’ & Orphans’
Pension Scheme. Any additional benefits,
so far as Superannuation is concerned, are counter-balanced by the additional
contributions that have to be made by him.
With regard to Sick Pay, as a Manual employee, Healey was entitled
within any period of twelve consecutive calendar months to an allowance which,
when added to the amount receivable under the National Health Insurance Acts,
would secure him the equivalent of two-thirds of his full wages for a period or
aggregate of periods not exceeding six weeks, followed by an amount which,
similarly calculated, would secure the equivalent of half his wages for a
further period of six weeks. No payment
is made in respect of the first seven days of each absence during
sickness. As a Non-Manual employee, he
is entitled to full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months.
As was mentioned at your last meeting, Healey’s full wages, including
War Bonus at the rate of £62-8-0. per annum prior to transfer to the Non-Manual
Staff were £5-16-6. a week, plus 3/- Improved Service Pay and emoluments. As a Non-Manual employee at a salary of £250
per annum, plus War Bonus of £45-18-10 his wages work out at £5-13-10. per
week. An increase of £15 in the salary
of £250 would give him the equivalent of £5-19-9. per week.
It was intended, however, that his promotion to the position of Park
Superintendent on a Non-Manual basis should carry an appropriate increase in
salary, and, with the authority of your Chairman it is recommended that
Healey’s basic salary should be fixed at £275 per annum. instead of £250 as
from the 1st April last.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
27.5.45 King’s Heath Moseley
Division March Past
Girl
Guides
H.V.
Healey, Park Superintendent, King’s Heath Park
5744 Resolved:-
That the basic salary of Mr. H.V. Healey, Park Superintendent, King’s
Heath Park, be increased to £275 per annum, plus emoluments, as from 1st
April, 1945, and that Minute No. 5635 be varied accordingly.
2nd July 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
1.7.45 King’s Heath Birmingham
Open Open air Service
Air
Workers at 7.15 p.m.
30.6.45 King’s Heath Mr.
H. Hiron Ex-Fireguards’
21,
Bank Street Children’s
King’s
Heath Victory Party
30th July 1945 – BCC Parks Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:
Staff – Women’s Land Army
It is recommended that the wages
of .................Miss Joan Mary Lane, King’s Heath Park, ............. who
have completed six months’ satisfactory service, be increased from £2-8-0d. to
£2-13-0d. per week, such increases to take effect as from this date.
Staff – Women’s Land Army
5809 Resolved:- That the increases in wages of members of
the Women’s Land Army, ..............., as set out in items 13 and 14 of the
foregoing report, be confirmed.
Stonehouse Gang News
Football and a Forum
“The best team I have seen for six years,” said the referee of the Stonehouse Gang’s junior Youth Committee League football eleven during the match against King’s Heath Oak Leaves at King’s Heath Park on Saturday. The Gang won by eight clear goals. Lawrence Schofield, fed by good passes from Ken Hancox on the right wing, scored no fewer than six of the goals. The Stonehouse centre-forward, Graham Garner, netted the other two.
……………………..
29th October 1945 – BCC Parks
Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:
Staff Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name: Walker,
W.T.
Park: King’s
Heath
Nature of employment: Pk. Police
Commencing Date: 1.10.45
Wages: £4-
4- 0d
Name: Robinson,
D.J. (15)
Park: King’s
Heath
Nature of employment: Garden
Boy
Commencing Date: 8.10.45
Wages: £1-
4- 0d
Staff –
Appointments, etc.
5885 Resolved:-
That the appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, …………..as set out
in items Nos. 17 and 20 of the foregoing report, be approved.
3rd December 1945 – BCC Parks
Committee
In
connection with the report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee,
the General Manager submitted the following report:-
“Holidays at Home”, 1945
(This is a very long and detailed report; only
items relevant to this study have been transcribed.)
With regard to the entertainments given in the
parks this year, a very comprehensive programme was arranged, but the
appreciation shown by the public was somewhat disappointing. The abnormal weather conditions which
prevailed during the season were no doubt responsible for the poor attendance
at many of the entertainments. The
following is an analysis of the weather experienced from the 16th
June to the 25th August:-
Weather Conditions Percentage
Very good on 11 days 15.50
Good on
18 25.35
Bad on 42 59.15
71
A further factor to be taken into account was
the relaxation of travelling restrictions and the consequent determination of a
very large number of the citizens to avail themselves of a holiday at the
seaside or elsewhere. A striking effect
of this was that all 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 undoubtedly detracted from the attendances at the
entertainments.
The following is a summary of the “Special
Events” arranged in conjunction with voluntary organizations:-
Date: Jul
21
Place: King’s
Heath
Nature of Event: Horse Show
Weather conditions: Heavy Rain
Paid attendance: 2,436
Statements of the approximate Receipts and
Payments in connection with these “Special Events” are attached.
Staement D
Horse Show – King’s Heath Park, 21st
July 1945
Receipts Payments
£ s d £ s d
Receipts at Entrance Entertainment Tax 91. 4. 3.
Gates 194. 8. 0. Scaffolding 17. 0.
0.
Receipts of Horse Loudspeaker equipment 12. 12. 0.
Show Committee 365. 12. 3. Band
of H.M. Irish Guards 45.
0. 0.
Printing 1. 14. 0.
Payments
by Horse Show
Committee 328. 17. 6.
Outstanding
Acct
For
Refreshments 46. 10. 10.
Balance: Excess of Receipts
Over
Payments 17.
1. 4.
£560.
0. 3. £560.
0. 3.
Paid attendance: 2,436
Weather conditions: Heavy rain
Note: No
charge is brought into this account in respect of marquees, use of Departmental
property and services of permanent staff.
(a)
Special Events
These included sports meetings, horse shows,
dog shows, etc. A profit was made at all
these events except the sports meeting at the Dunlop Sports Ground on the 2nd
June, and in this case your Department was not fully responsible for the
arrangements.
As in the case of the other entertainments, the
organization was made flexible so as to cope with any unexpected contingency,
e.g. :-
(1)
The
attendance at the Horse Show at King’s Heath Park on the 21st July
was about half the anticipated attendance due to heavy rain, but a profit was
made.
Fun Fair Entertainments
Last year the Committee advertised for tenders
for the right of providing fun fairs in the parks for twelve months from 1st
January to the 31st December, 1945, a list of the parks where sites
would be allocated being supplied to the applicants.
Only two tenders were received, one being that
of the present contractor, Mr. Robert Wilson, whose tender amounted to
£8,000. The other tender was £6,500. A list of the parks and recreation grounds
included in the contract is annexed. (N.b.
– King’s Heath Park was included. There
is a note to the effect that King’s Heath Park had not been available during
the period 16th June to 25th August, 1945.)
I was informed by Mr. Wilson sometime ago that
if he obtains the contract for another year, he would be prepared to cut down
the number of parks in which he may give his shows. This aspect of the matter has been considered,
and it is suggested that the places marked with an asterisk should be omitted
from any future contract. (N.b. – King’s
Heath Park was to be omitted.)
The Committee will, no doubt, also consider
whether any future contract should be for one year or be limited to a period of
say six months from the 25th March to the 29th September.
General Comments
…………….
The figures shown on the annexed Summary of
Entertainments (see Statement “K”) give some indication as to the places which
might be used in future seasons. It is
suggested that the main programmes should be at Cannon Hill, Handsworth,
Lightswood, Small Heath, and Ward End Parks.
Aston Park presents a difficulty, as judging from the results of the
past season the programme was not appreciated and lacked support. Of the other parks, I suggest that King’s
Heath, Pype Hayes, Rookery and Sparkhill might receive consideration.
…………………………
Statement K
Summary of Entertainments given during the
Season and receipts therefrom
King’s Heath Park
No. of concerts 19
Total Attendance 24,013
Total Receipts £114.
11. 9.
Local Bands
No of Concerts 1
Attendance 81
Receipts £2.
8. 0.
Variety
No of Concerts 6
Attendance 1377
Receipts £50. 19. 0.
Dancing
No of Concerts 7
Attendance 796
Receipts £30. 4. 6.
Children’s Entertainments
No of Concerts 3
Attendance 1,399
Receipts £17. 9. 9.
Miscellaneous
No of Concerts 2
Attendance 360
Receipts £13. 10. 6.
------------------------------------
Holidays
at Home, 1945
Payment
of Expenses to Officers-in-Charge and others who have rendered voluntary or
unpaid services.
The
Chairman reported that certain persons had rendered extremely good service in
connection with the “Holidays at Home” scheme in the 1945 season, and that they
had incurred considerable out-of-pocket expenses in giving their services. It was therefore moved, seconded, and
5956 Resolved:-
That the following payments in respect of out-of-pocket expenses in
connection with the “Holiday at Home” Scheme in the 1945 season, be paid to the
under-mentioned persons:-
Length
of Park Name Suggested Payment
Service
3 Weeks King’s Heath H.V. Healey £5. 5. 0
3 Weeks King’s Heath F.H. Mapp £5. 5. 0.
