Ongoing Research - Last update 7 March 2014
5th January 1948 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
Alderman
Mrs. Hyde presented the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments
Sub-Committee:-
“Write a Tune” Contest, 1948
With reference to the proposal that the “Write a Tune” Contest for 1948
should take the form of writing a Birmingham pantomime tune, Mr. Derek Salberg
of the Alexandra Theatre has been approached with a view to obtaining a promise
to co-operate and to include the winning tune in his 1948-49 pantomime. Mr. Salberg has agreed, in principle, and has
requested that he be approached again in April when he will be in a position to
give full details of his 1948-49 pantomime.
Last season a first prize of £25 and four district prizes of £5 each
were awarded. It is suggested that for
the 1948 contest, prizes of £5 each be awarded for district competitions to be
staged at each of the nine parks where a season of entertainments is to be
given and that the winner of the final at the City of Birmingham Flower Show
shall receive a prize of £50. It is
considered that the larger prize will add to the publicity value of the
Contest, and also attract a higher standard of entries.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
“Write a
Tune” Contest, 1948
7701 Resolved:-
That for the reasons set out in the foregoing report, prizes of £5 each
be awarded for district competitions to be staged at each of the nine parks
where a season of entertainments is to be given, and that the winner of the
final at the City of Birmingham Show be awarded a prize of £50.
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
(N.b. – With this Minute there is a parallel Supplementary Report of the
Catering Sub-Committee (of the Catering and Entertainments Committee) which
records the same process and decisions.)
Refreshment Tenancies in Parks
Upon the 11th December last, I received a communication from the
Secretary of the Birmingham Restaurants Department, stating that as certain
cases involving serious hardship upon a number of tenants who had given good
service to the public in the past, and who had been served with notice to quit,
had been brought to the attention of the appropriate Sub-Committee of the
Committee, they had decided to review the situation forthwith.
The communication proceeded to inform me that the Catering Sub-Committee
of the Catering and Entertainments Committee were of the opinion that it would
be desirable that full and detailed information concerning the standard of
catering, the question of living accommodation and other relevant information
concerning the circumstances of the caterer, and also the possibility of
employing him or her as an employee of the Department, should be prepared in
the form of a report by officers of the Restaurants Department in consultation
with officers of the Parks Department, and that the Chairman of the
Entertainments Committee and the Chairman of their appropriate Sub-Committee
should be empowered to discuss such information with representatives of the
Parks Committee, with a view to the Entertainments Committee giving further
consideration to the question as to which Parks Restaurants their Department
should take over, and which should be run by private caterers on an annual
tenancy until such time as it is considered expedient for the Restaurants
Department to take over the catering rights.
In company with the Secretary of the City of Birmingham Restaurants
Department, I therefore visited the seventeen premises in respect of which
notices to quit expiring on the 25th December had been served, and
attached hereto, for the information of this Committee, is a copy of the agreed
report upon the inspection made, including our joint recommendations.
From a list:-
Refreshment Room: King’s Heath Park
Tenant: Miss G. Summers
Rental: £86 p.a.
Particulars of Accommodation: Hall, two large refreshment rooms,
kitchen, pantry and drawing room, scullery, usual out offices, 7 bedrooms,
box-room, bathroom, lavatory.
Length of Occupation: 5 years
Recommendations: (Was held previous 2
years by Mrs. Summers.)
Present
arrangement to continue, and notice to be withdrawn.
Present
tenant dependent upon business for livelihood.
This report was submitted to your Chairman and to the Chairman of the General
Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee, and upon the 18th December your
Chairman conferred with the representatives of the Catering and Entertainments
Committee, and joint agreement was reached to the effect that, for the reasons
indicated, the notices to quit should be withdrawn where so recommended.
Upon the authority of your Chairman, I accordingly wrote to the tenants
of the undermentioned refreshment rooms upon the 18th December,
informing them that the notices to quit had been withdrawn, and that your
Committee would be prepared to renew the tenancy for a further period of one
year certain upon the same terms and conditions as at present appertaining.
Cofton Tea Room
Cofton Park
Cocks Moor Woods Golf Course
King’s Heath Park
Daisy Farm Recreation Ground
Fox Hollies Park
Yardley Recreation Ground
Perry Hall Playing Fields
The Catering and Entertainments Committee will therefore, be assuming
responsibility for catering at the undermentioned establishments only:-
Lightswood Park
Harborne Golf Course
Swanhurst Park
Trittiford Mill
Pype Hayes Park
Salford Park
Perry Park
Black Patch Recreation Ground
…………………..
The Committee’s confirmation of the action that has been taken in this
matter is desired, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to enter into any
necessary agreement with such tenants as accept the Committee’s offer to renew
their tenancy.
7718 Resolved:-
That the action taken in withdrawing the Notices to Quit served upon the
tenants of the refreshment premises more particularly detailed in the foregoing
report be confirmed, and that the arrangements in regard to the future
responsibility for the refreshment premises mentioned therein be approved, and
the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare, and if necessary, seal agreements with
such tenants as desire to renew their tenancies with this Committee; ……………
1st January 1948 - Parks Department (Operations
Card 55 C/H1/1)
Tenancy
– The Lodge
Tenancy continued – H.V.
Healey; Rent free; Minute No. 11023 dated 8/10/1934; Emols increased to £65 p.a.
2nd February 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted
the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Tentage and Marquees
In parallel with the
appropriate portion of the foregoing report the following report of the General
Manager was also considered:-
Plays and Entertainments – Marquees
Thirteen firms were
invited to tender for the hire of marquees required for the summer season of
Plays and Entertainments, but owing to the shortage of materials and labour,
etc., only three were in a position to do so.
The following are the
tenders received and now submitted for the decision of the Committee:-
Name of Firm Inclusive Tender
Tent & Canvas
Industries Ltd.,
Bloxwich Road,
Walsall. £3,215.
12. 6.
Tentmasters (C.H. McRae)
King Alfred’s Place,
Broad Street, Birmingham 1. £2,680. 0. 0.
Stringers, 18 North Street, Chichester. £3,570. 0. 0.
Exact details of the
tenders are shown on the attached schedule “A”.
Schedule “A”
Plays and Entertainments in the Parks, 1948
Inclusive Tenders for Hire of Marquees
Park and Period: King’s
Heath, 3rd July – 21st Aug.
Total No of weeks: 7
Approx size of
marquee required: 140’ x 40’
(seating 600)
Tent & Canvas Industries Ltd.
Size of marquee to be
supplied: 140’ x 40’
Inclusive tender: £350
Tentmasters (C.H. McRae)
Size of marquee to be
supplied: 120’ x 40’
Inclusive tender: £280
Stringers
Size of marquee to be
supplied: 140’ x 40’
(square ends)
Inclusive tender: £350
7775
Resolved:- That for the reasons
set out in the foregoing report the principle of hiring the tentage necessary
in connection with the Plays and Entertainments in the Parks for the
forthcoming season be approved, and that authority be given for the acceptance
of the tender of Tentmasters (C.H. McRae) for the supply of tentage as more
particularly defined in the report of
the General Manager in the sum of £2,680, and that the Town Clerk be instructed
to prepare and seal any necessary documents.
1st March 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Alderman Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Ponies and Donkeys in Parks
Applications have been received from the undermentioned persons for
permission to take ponies and donkeys in the parks for the Summer Season, from
the 1st May to the 30th September, 1948, for the purpose
of giving rides to children.
Applicant No
of Ponies and Donkeys Parks Applied
For
W. Chipman 4 Donkeys Perry Hall
Playing Fields
C. Williams 2 Donkeys Pype Hayes Park
W. Rogers 6 Ponies Small Heath,
Ward End and Aston Parks
Each of these applicants was granted permission last year to operate in
the parks stated. They pay 10/- per
animal for the privilege and accept the usual conditions, namely, that the
maximum charge shall be 3d. per child per ride; that the rides shall be
confined to weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays, that the
applicant or some other responsible person shall be in charge of the animals,
and that he accepts full responsibility for any damage, accidents or injuries
that may occur.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Ponies
and Donkeys in Parks
7819 Resolved:-
That for the reasons set out in the foregoing report, permission be
granted to the applicants named therein, to take ponies and donkeys in the
Parks mentioned for the Summer Season from the 1st May to the 30th
September, 1948, upon the conditions specified, and that authority be granted
in respect of King’s Heath Park if required.
Alderman
Alldridge submitted the following report of the Sites and Buildings
Sub-Committee:-
King’s Heath Park – Children’s Playground
By Minute No. 345 passed at your meeting upon the 24th
November last, I was instructed to consider and report upon the question of
provision of a children’s playground at King’ s Heath Park. I have gone carefully into the question of
selecting a site for this purpose, and both from the point of view of lay-out
and accessibility from the closely populated locality, I recommend an area
fronting to Avenue Road at present under the control of the Allotments
Department, in a position indicated on the plan which will be available at your
meeting. It does not appear that the
allotments in this area are being intensely cultivated, and a portion of the
site is occupied by undemolished underground shelters. The frontage to Avenue Road could be kept in
a securely fenced condition for safety reasons, and access to the playground
could be obtained by the entrance to the park in Avenue Road opposite Grange
Road.
Subject to your instructions in the matter, I will approach the
Allotments Superintendent with a view to obtaining the surrender of the land
affected, and take the necessary steps to have the shelters demolished as soon
as possible. The estimated cost of
surfacing the playground is £1,331, and the cost of gymnastic apparatus would
involve a further expenditure of £300.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
King’s
Heath Park – Children’s Playground
7851 Resolved:-
That subject to the Allotment Committee agreeing to surrender 3,600
square yards of land in King’s Heath Park fronting to Avenue Road as more particularly
detailed in the foregoing report and delineated on the plan now submitted,
approval in principle be given to the carrying out of the work of resurfacing
the land in question for use as a children’s playground at an estimated cost of
£1,331 and for the provision of gymnastic apparatus amounting to approximately
£300.
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted
the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Plays and Entertainments – Amplifying Equipment
Eleven firms were
invited to tender for the hire of Amplifying Equipment for the Summer season of
plays and entertainments, and quotations have been received from three of these
firms:-
Name of Firm Inclusive
Tender
Express Radio Co.,
45 Herbert Road,
Handsworth, 20. £948.
0. 0.
Hadley Sound
Equipments
587-9 Bearwood Road,
Smethwick. £1.034.
0. 0.
Walker Bros.
(Electrical Engineers) Ltd.,
Temple Row, B’ham 2. £744.
15. 0.
Exact details of the
tenders are shown on the attached schedule.
It may be necessary to arrange some adjustment in price with the firm
whose tender is accepted, in view of the proposal to tour the plays instead of
having them at Cannon Hill Park for the whole season.
Plays and Entertainments in the Parks, 1948
Inclusive Tenders for Hire of Amplifying Equipment
From a list:-
Park and Period: King’s
Heath, 3rd July – 21st Aug.
Total No of weeks: 7
Details of Equipment to be Supplied: 1
Amplifier approx. 20 watts output, 2 Loudspeakers, 1 Gramophone Unit, 1
Microphone with stand.
8 sets of Equipment required in
use at any one time.
Express Radio Company.
Inclusive tender: £91.
0. 0.
Hadley Sound Equipments
Inclusive tender: £98.
0. 0.
Walker Bros. (Electrical Engineers) Ltd.
Inclusive tender: £63.
0. 0.
7873 Resolved:-
That authority be given for the acceptance of the tender of Walker Bros.
(Electrical Engineers) Ltd., for the provision of the necessary amplifying
equipment in connection with the Plays and Entertainments in the Parks for the
1948 Season at a cost of £744. 15. 0. subject to any necessary adjustment in
this price occasioned by the proposal to tour the plays instead of
concentrating the whole of the presentations at Cannon Hill Park and that the
Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and seal any necessary documents.
1st March 1948 – Parks Department
(Operations Card 55 D1)
Subject to
the Allotments Committee agreeing to surrender 3,600 sq.yds. of their wartime
allotments area, the Parks Committee on the 1st March 1948, by
Minute No. 7851, approved a proposal to re-surface the land in question for use
as a children’s playground at an estimated cost of £1,331, and to provide
gymnastic apparatus amounting to approximately £300.
5th April 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Oragnisation Purpose
29.5.48 King’s Heath King’s Heath Cubs Cub Sports
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name & Age: Carter,
G.T. (19)
Nature of employment: Garden
Boy
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Commencing date: 1.3.48
Wages: £3.
12. 0. p.w.
Resignations
Name & Age: Robinson,
D.J. (17)
Nature of employment: Garden
Boy
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date: 13.2.48
Special Orders
Since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, the following special
orders have been placed:-
King’s Heath Park
Dennis Bros., Ltd. – “Dennis” Motor Mower, 24” -
£189. 12. 0.
Provision for the expenditure is made in either this or next years’
Estimates.
The Committee’s approval is desired.
Use of
Parks
7450 Resolved:-
That the use of Parks granted since the last meeting of the Committee,
as detailed in the attached report, be approved.
Staff - Appointments
7921 Resolved:-
That the various appointments made to fill existing vacancies, as
detailed in the foregoing report, be approved.
Special
Orders
7925 Resolved:-
That the action of the General Manager in relation to the special orders
detailed in th foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
3rd May 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Birmingham and District Bee Keepers Association
- Demonstration Apiary
In February, 1940, your Committee, by Resolution No. 3904, allocated a
site in King’s Heath Park to this Association for demonstration purposes in
connection with the appeal for greater food production. The site was fenced off by your Department.
The Association now asks if the Apiary can be moved to Highbury Park, as
this would be more convenient for persons interested in bee-keeping. Further, difficulties are being experienced
at King’s Heath Park, due partly to the noise from the adjacent railway
interfering with lectures, and partly from the damage being caused to the hives
by children.
The site suggested in Highbury Park is situate on the north side of the
pool and adjoins the boundary fencing of “Highbury”. It is 15 yards by 15 yards, and would require
to be fenced with 4 ft. 6 ins. chestnut fencing, the cost of which, including a
small gate, is approximately £18.
The District Superintendent has inspected the site and reports that it
is a satisfactory one, and the location is such that there will be very little
interference with the amenities of the park.
The Association organizes the Honey section of the City of Birmingham
Show for your Committee.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Use of Parks
Since your last meeting the use of parks has been granted as follows:-
Date Park Oragnisation Purpose
16.5.48 ) King’s Heath Birmingham Open Religious Services at 7.15 p.m.
22.8.48 ) Air Preachers
22.8.48 ) Air Preachers
Police Report – Accidents and Minor Offences
During the month of March, there were 19 serious accidents dealt with in
the parks and the patients sent to hospital.
Details of these accidents are as follows:-
Park Date Name & Age Nature of Injury Cause
of Injury
King’s Heath 21.3.48 Carter, Frank (20) Injury to eye. Playing
football
Superficial
cuts.
King’s Heath 21.3.48 Wallace, Jack (29) Severe head wound Playing
football
Special orders
Since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, the following special
orders have been placed:-
Overhaul of Heating Apparatus
W. Richardson & Co. Ltd.:-
King’s Heath Park £69.
5. 11.
Provision for this expenditure is provided for in the current year’s
Estimates, and the Committee’s confirmation is desired.
Appointment of Park Superintendents at Aston,
Cannon Hill and Ward End Parks
By Minute No. 7756 of the Parks Committee, of the 2nd
February last, your Committee authorized the creation of three new posts of
Superintendent at Cannon Hill, Aston and Ward End Parks, in accordance with
A.P.T. Division IV of the National Scales of Salary, viz., £420. rising to
£465. per annum, including emoluments.
These proposals subsequently received the approval of the Salaries,
Wages & Labour Committee.
Particulars of the vacancies were circularised throughout the Department
and 17 applications were received. Five
applicants were selected for interview by your Chairman and the Chairman of
your Sub-Committee, and after due consideration the undermentioned appointments
were made:-
Cannon Hill Park
Mr. H.V. Healey, aged 45, at present Superintendent at King’s Heath
Park, remunerated at the same scale of salary.
Mr. Healey has had 20 years’ service with your Department.
………………….
The appointment of Mr. Healey to have charge of Cannon Hill Park has
resulted in a vacancy at King’s Heath Park, and Mr. V.N. Pass, General Foreman
at Cannon Hill Park, aged 43 1/12, with 29 years’ service with the Department,
has been appointed to take Mr. Healey’s place.
The post of Superintendent at King’s Heath Park is a Non-Manual
appointment, which carries with it the same salary grading as the other parks
now under review.
It is asked that the above appointments referred to be confirmed, and
that authority be given to circularise the Department in regard to the
vacancies thereby created.
Birmingham
and District Bee Keepers Association Demonstration Apiary
7986 Resolved:-
That for the reasons set out in the foregoing report the request of the
Birmingham and District Bee Keepers Association for their demonstration Apiary
to be moved from King’s Heath Park to Highbury Park be approved and that
authority be given for the site in Highbury Park to be fenced with 4-ft.
6-inch. chestnut fencing at an estimated cost of £18.
Use of
Parks
7991 Resolved:-
That the use of Parks granted since the last meeting of the Committee,
as detailed in the attached report, be approved.
Special
Orders
8007 Resolved:-
That the action of the General Manager in relation to the special orders
detailed in the foregoing report, be approved, …………….
Cannon
Hill Park
8009 Resolved:-
That the action taken in appointing Mr. H.V. Healey (45) at present
Superintendent at King’s Heath Park to be Parks Superintendent at Cannon Hill
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 the 1st May, 1948, be
approved and confirmed.
King’s
Heath Park - Superintendent
8011 Resolved:-
That the action taken in appointing V.N. Pass (43.1/12) General Foreman
at Cannon Hill Park 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 the 1st May, 1948, be approved and
confirmed, and that authority be given for applications to be invited from
employees of the Parks Department for the purpose of filling the vacancy hereby
created.
Alderman
Mrs. Hyde presented the following report of the Sites and Buildings
Sub-Committee:-
Hard Tennis Courts
In accordance with provisions made in the current year’s estimates,
tenders have been received from the En-Tout-Cas Co. Ltd., Syston, near
Leicester, for the site preparation, laying and completion of new “Bitumas”
“Gray-green” No up-keep hard Tennis Courts as follows.
Brookvale Park 2
courts £778-10- 6.
Pype Hayes Park 2
courts £835- 0- 6.
King’s Heath Park 2
courts £835- 0- 6.
Sandwell Rec. Ground 2
courts £785-11-
6.
£3,234- 3- 0.
This type of court has proved to be very serviceable, and the
construction would be similar to the two courts recently laid at Victoria
Common, Northfield.
As the courts suggested are of a proprietary type of construction,
acceptance of the tender may reasonably be treated as an exception to Standing
Order No. XXXIV relating to public advertisement in regard to contracts.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Hard
Tennis Courts
8020 Resolved:-
That for the reasons set out in the foregoing report, the tender of
En-Tout-Cas Co. Ltd. for site preparation, laying and completion of new
“Bitumas” gray-green no up-keep hard Tennis Courts at the various parks,
detailed therein, at a total cost of £3,234. 3. 0d. be accepted, and further
that the matter be reported to the City Council as an exception to Standing
Order No. XXXIII, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and seal any
necessary documents.
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Plays and Entertainments in the Parks –
Programme for 1948
………………….
Full details of the programmes are given in the attached schedule, and
this programme is now complete except for Sunday, 1st August at
Cannon Hill Park.
Entertainments in the Parks, 1948
King’s Heath Park
July
Mon. 5th “Search
for Stars” Contest 7-30
p.m.
Tues. 6th Kathleen
Duncan’s “Radio and Variety Stars” 7-30
p.m.
Wed. 7th “Summer
Revellers on Parade” 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 8th “Pot
Pourri” – A Variety Cocktail 7-30
p.m.
Fri. 9th “Write
a Tune” Contest and
“Gems of Variety” Concert Party 7-30 p.m.
Sat. 10th The
”Tip Toppers” – Modernistic Entertainers 7-30
p.m.
Sun. 11th Langley
Prize Band 7
p.m.
Mon. 12th Jack
Cooper’s “Kabaret Follies” 7-30
p.m.
Tues. 13th BAND OF THE
COLDSTREAM GUARDS 7-30
p.m.
Wed. 14th “Stars
on Parade” 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 15th ) Ted
and Barbara Andrews
to ) in Daily
at 7-30 p.m.
Sat. 17th ) “WE’LL B.B.C.-ING YOU”
Sun. 18th Bournville
Works Silver Band 7
p.m.
Mon. 19th “Search
for Stars” Contest 7-30
p.m.
Tues. 20th BAND OF THE
WELSH GUARDS 7-30
p.m.
Wed. 21st “SILVER
STARS” starring Helena Millais
and
Ronald Gourlay 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 22nd ) The
Crescent Theatre present
to ) “MUNGO’S MANSIONS” by Walter Macken Daily at 7-30 p.m.
Sat. 24th ) (A Grand Irish Comedy)
Sun. 25th Birmingham
City Transport Military Band 7
p.m.
Mon. 26th Punch
and Judy (“Masko”) 3
p.m.
“Search
for Stars” Contest 7-30
p.m.
Tues. 27th Jack Cooper’s
“Kabaret Folloies” 3
p.m.
DAGENHAM
GIRL PIPERS 7-30
p.m.
Wed. 28th Punch
and Judy (“Masko”) 3
p.m.
Daphne
Glenn’s “Snappidrome” 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 29th “STEPPING
OUT WITH THE KIDDIES” 3
p.m.
“STEPPING
OUT” 7-30
p.m.
Fri. 30th Punch
and Judy (Professor Roche) 3
p.m.
“THE
ROOSTERS” – Famous Army and Radio
Favourites 7-30
p.m.
Sat 31st Jean
Beryl’s School of Dance in a Revue 3
p.m.
“Variety
Parade” 7-30
p.m.
August
Sun. 1st British
Legion (Austin Branch) Military Band 7
p.m.
Mon. 2nd Punch
and Judy (Professor Roche) 3
p.m.
“Arabian
Nights” – Music, Mirth and Mystery 7-30
p.m.
Tues. 3rd BAND
OF THE ROYAL MARINES
(Chatham Division) 3 p.m. and 7-30
p.m.
Wed. 4th Dorothy
Paynes 1948 Juvenile Starlets 3
p.m.
Billy
Williams’ “Birmingham Brighteners” 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 5th Punch
and Judy (Professor Roche) 3
p.m.
“The
Midland Regional Revellers” 7-30
p.m.
Fri. 6th ) “STEPPING OUT WITH THE KIDDIES” Daily at 3 p.m.
and ) and
Sat. 7th ) “STEPPING
OUT” Daily
at 7-30 p.m.
Sun. 8th Aston
Hippodrome Broadcasting Orchestra 7
p.m.
Mon. 9th Punch
and Judy (“Masko”) 3
p.m.
“Search
for Stars” Contest 7-30
p.m.
Tues 10th Betty
Barnes’ “Sunshine Follies” 3
p.m.
BAND OF
THE LIFE GUARDS 7-30
p.m.
Wed 11th Beatrice
Keelings’ “Rainbow Revue” 3
p.m.
The
Krazy Nite” Revue - (Ex – R.A.F. Show) 7-30
p.m.
Thurs. 12th ) “CHILDREN’S
PLAYTIME” ) From the Daily
at 3 p.m.
to ) and ) Argylle
Sat. 14th ) “SUMMER REVELS” ) Theatre, Daily at 7-30 p.m.
Birkenhead
Sun. 15th The
Shirley Silver Band 7
p.m.
Mon. 16th ) “CHILDREN’S
SHOWTIME ) Brighton’s Daily
at 3 p.m.
and ) and
) Breeziest
Tues. 17th ) “SHOWTIME” ) Shows Daily at 7 p.m.
Wed 18th “STEPPING
OUT WITH THE KIDDIES” 3
p.m.
“STEPPING
OUT” 7
p.m.
Thurs. 19th ) “CHILDREN’S
VARIETY” ) From the Daily
at 3 p.m.
to )
and ) Argylle
Sat. 21st ) “VARIETY STARS” ) Theatre, Daily at 7 p.m.
Birkenhead
(Nb – In a Parks Committee report
to the Council dated 9 November 1948, we learn that the attendances at the
Crescent Theatre’s presentation of Mungo’s Mansions on 22nd, 23rd
and 24th July were respectively 220, 223 and 327.)
Plays
and Entertainments in the Parks – Programme for 1948
8039 Resolved:-
That the detailed programme of Plays and Entertainments in the Parks for
1948 Season as now submitted, be approved and confirmed, and further that a
copy thereof be forwarded for the information of the Catering and
Entertainments Committee.
3rd May 1948 - Parks Department
(Operations Card 55 EF/4)
Kings
Heath Park - Layout
2 hard
tennis courts Grey Green. Contractor:
En-tout-Cas. Cost £835. 0. 6. Parks Committee Minute 8020 dated 3.5.48.
18th May 1948 – Parks Department
(Operations Card 55 D1)
By Minute
No. 8115, the Parks Committee approved the action taken in authorizing the
provision of tea on the 18th May 1948, at the expense of the
Committee for the Cricket teams.
By Minute
No. 8163, it was resolved by the Parks Committee, that due to the present
urgent food situation and the opinion expressed by the Minister of Agriculture
and Fisheries that the return of land cultivated as allotments, to recreation
and sports purposes, can only be justified in cases of most exceptional
hardship, to defer the matter for a period of 12 months.
7th June 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Kings Heath Park – Representatives Cricket
Match
Your Sub-Committee were informed that a Cricket Match between teams made
up of representatives of the Birmingham Parks Cricket Association had been
arranged to take place at Kings Heath Park on Tuesday afternoon, the 18th
May, 1948, for the purpose of obtaining their views upon the new matting
wickets laid experimentally in that Park.
Authority has been given for tea to be provided for the Cricket teams at
the expense of the Parks Committee, and a confirmation of this action is sought
accordingly.
(N.b. – There is a
subsequent report on the performance of the playing surface in the Parks
Committee Minute dated 5th July, 1948.)
Dogs in Parks
In 1939, by Minutes Nos. 3522 and 3560 your Committee decided to allow
dogs to be exercised off the leash up to 10 a.m. in the mornings and for one
hour before the time fixed for closing in the whole or some parts of selected
parks and recreation grounds.
Some of these areas are no longer available for this purpose, the land
having been taken over for food production, the erection of prefabricated
bungalows, allotments, etc.
I have now received a request from several residents in the Perry Barr
area that permission be granted for dogs to be exercised off the leash in the
recently tipped area on the north side of the river at Perry Hall Playing
Fields, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays each week.
Your Committee may wish to review their policy in this matter, and I
submit a revised list of areas suitable at the present time for the exercising
of dogs.
Park or Recreation Ground Portion to be Used
District
2
King’s Heath Park Southern
area adjoining railway
Dogs in
Parks
8092 Resolved:-
That the request that dogs to be exercised off the leash in the tipped
area at Perry Hall Playing Fields, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from Mondays to
Fridays each week, be not acceded to and that the revised list of areas in
various Parks and Recreation Grounds as detailed in the foregoing report, where
the exercising of dogs off leash is permitted up to 10 a.m. in the morning and
for one hour before the time fixed for closing, be approved.
Kings
Heath Park – Matting Wickets
8115 Resolved:-
That the action taken in authorising the provision of tea on the 18th
May 1948, at the expense of this Committee for the Cricket teams referred to in
the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
5th July 1948 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
Allotments
– King’s Heath Park
On Minute
No.7851 the following resolution of the Allotments Committee was received:-
6412 Resolved:- That having regard to the circumstances
referred to in the General Manager’s report, the present urgent food situation
and the opinion expressed by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries that the
return of cultivated land as allotments to recreation and sports purposes can
only be justified in cases of most exceptional hardships, the Parks Committee
be asked to defer for a period of twelve months their request for the surrender
of the 3,600 square yards of land in King’s Heath Park fronting to Avenue Road
on the understanding that further consideration will be given thereto at the
expiration of such period.
8163 Resolved:-
That having regard to the circumstances more particularly detailed in
the foregoing resolution of the Allotments Committee consideration of this
matter be deferred for a period of 12 months, the matter to be further reviewed
at the end of that period.
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Staff – Regrading
…………….
I further recommend that S. Woodward (32) and T.G. Harwood (37) employed
as Trained Gardeners (a) at King’s Heath Park, be regraded Trained Gardeners
(b), and their wages increased from £5. 5. 11. to £5. 9. 3. per week, with
effect from the date of this meeting.
Woodward entered the service of the Department on the 23rd
April, 1945, and Harwood entered the service of the Department on the 13th
May, 1946. The services of both these
employees have been satisfactory.
Temporary Manual Employees – Appointments to
the Permanent Staff
The following employees have now completed a probationary period on the
temporary staff. The services of these
employees have been satisfactory, and I recommend that they be appointed to the
Permanent Staff of the Department, with effect from the 5th July,
1948:-
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Carter,
G.T. (19)
Designation: Garden
Boy
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date Entered Service: 10.8.42
Police Report – Accidents and Minor Offences
During the month of May, there were 25 serious accidents dealt with in
the parks and the patients sent to hospital.
Details of these accidents are as follows:-
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 2.5.48
Name & Age: Bicknell
, G. (14)
Nature of Injury: Injury
to face
Cause of Injury: Hit
with cricket ball
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 18.5.48
Name & Age: Bradley,
C.
Nature of Injury: Injury
to head
Cause of Injury: Playing
cricket
King’s
Heath Park – S. Woodward
8181 Resolved:-
That S. Woodward (32) employed as a Trained Gardener (a) at King’s Heath
Park, be regraded Trained Gardener (b) and his wages increased from £5. 5s.
11d. to £5. 9s. 3d. per week, with effect from the 14th June, 1948.
King’s
Heath Park – T. G. Harwood
8181 Resolved:-
That T. G. Harwood (37) employed as a Trained Gardener (a) at King’s
Heath Park, be regraded Trained Gardener (b) and his wages increased from £5.
5s. 11d. to £5. 9s. 3d. per week, with effect from the 14th June,
1948.
Temporary
Manual Employees – Appointments to the Permanent Staff
8190 Resolved:-
That the temporary manual employees named in the foregoing report be
appointed to the permanent staff with effect from the 5th July, 1948.
26th July 1948 – Bcc Parks Committee
Minute
Alderman Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes
and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted as follows, since your last meeting:-
Date Park Oragnisation Purpose
3.7.48 King’s Heath Moseley Div. Labour Party Meeting at 7 p.m.
Police Report – Accidents and Minor Offences
During the month of June, there were thirteen serious accidents dealt
with in the parks and the patients sent to hospital.
Details of these accidents are as follows:-
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 20.6.48
Name & Age: Wakelam,
J. (39)
Nature of Injury: Shock
and bruised head
Cause of Injury: Whilst
playing cricket, struck by ball
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 23.6.48
Name & Age: Littlehales,
M. (37)
Nature of Injury: Shock
and damaged eyelid
Cause of Injury: Struck
by cricket ball
Use of
Parks
8284 Resolved:-
That the use of Parks granted since the last meeting of this Committee,
as more particularly detailed in the foregoing report, be approved.
Alderman
Alldridge submitted the following report of the Sites and Buildings
Sub-Committee:-
Various Parks – Provision of Hard Tennis Courts
In view of the continued demand for hard Tennis Courts from various parts
of the City, En-Tout-Cas Co. Ltd. of Syston, near Leicester, were recently asked
to submit tenders for the construction of a further series of their “Bitumas” No-Upkeep
Courts, and these are quoted as follows:-
………………
An amount of £5,250 is allowed in the current year’s Estimates for this class
of work, of which £3,234-3-0 was authorized by your Committee on the 3rd
May last in respect of similar type courts at Brookvale, King’s Heath and Pype Hayes
Parks and the Sandwell Recreation Ground. These are now in course of construction.
………………………..
1st November 1948 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Staff - Appointments
District
No. 2
Name & Age: Wiggins,
D.H. (15)
Designation: Garden
Boy
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date of Entering Service: 3.8.48
Wages: £1.
10. 0.
Name & Age: Honeywell,
P. (20)
Designation: Garden
Boy
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date of Entering Service: 6.9.48
Wages: £4.
5. 0.
Staff
Appointments
8424 Resolved:-
That the various appointments made to fill the existing vacancies, as detailed
in the foregoing report, be approved.
Alderman Mrs.
Hyde submitted the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments
Sub-Committee:-
Cricket in the Parks, 1949
………………..
The experimental matting wickets that have been in use this season at
King’s Heath Park and Lightswood Park have been highly commended by clubs
playing on same, also by the Parks Cricket Association.
These 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 will be
available for next season.
Don Bradman said at his farewell luncheon in London that concrete
pitches had proved most efficacious in teaching stroke play and bowling in
Australia and “Bradman” pitches in the parks and playing fields throughout this
Country would be of immeasurable benefit to young Britain.
………………..
Plays and Entertainments in the Parks
(i) Season 1948 - Report
(This is a very long and detailed report; only items relevant to this
study have been transcribed.)
This year your Committee organized an eleven weeks’ season of plays and
entertainments at ten of the principal parks commencing on the 12th
June and terminating on the 28th August. The plays and entertainments were performed
at the various parks and for periods varying from four to ten weeks.
The weather conditions play a very important part in the success or
otherwise of any kind of entertainment provide in the parks.
The following is an analysis of the weather conditions this season and
it will be observed that for more than two-thirds of the season they were very
indifferent. In fact, the weather was
the worst experienced since the Committee took over the organization of the
plays and entertainments:-
(a)
Weather Conditions Percentage
Good on 17 days 22.37%
Fair on 8 days 10.53%
Bad on 51 days 67.10%
The Crescent Theatre
The play staged by the Crescent Theatre was an Irish comedy “Mungo’s
Mansion” by Walter Macken, and it was performed at:-
………………..
King’s Heath Park – 22nd to 24th July.
The play was well presented and popular with the audiences, but the
attendances were disappointing. This was
due probably to the bad weather experienced at the first three parks, as there
was an improved attendance at King’s Heath Park when the weather was fine.
(There is a table presented in this report showing that the attendances
at the Crescent Theatre’s presentation of Mungo’s Mansions in King’s Heath Park
on 22nd, 23rd and 24th July were respectively
220, 223 and 327.)
(ii) Voluntary Chief Marshals
Valuable assistance was rendered at certain parks during the past season
by the Voluntary Chief Marshals and others.
The following schedule of suggested payments for subsistence and
travelling expenses, etc., is submitted for the Committee’s consideration:-
Park: King’s
Heath
Name: Mr.
F.H. Mapp
Period of Service: 7
weeks
Suggested payment: £7. 7. 0.
Payment last year: £6. 6.
0.
Plays and
Entertainments in the Parks 1948 - Voluntary Chief Marshals
8471 Resolved:-
That the schedule of suggested payments for subsistence and travelling
expenses to Voluntary Chief Marshals and others acting in connection with the
entertainments in the Parks, 1948, totaling £80. 19. 0d, be approved.
6th December 1948 – BCC Parks
Committee Minute
Alderman
Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee:-
Refreshment Tenancies – Private Caterers
On the 18th December, 1947, upon the authority of the
Chairman of the General Committee, notices to quit served upon certain private
refreshment caterers were withdrawn, and the caterers were offered a renewal of
their tenancies for a period of twelve months from the 25th
December, 1947, this being the date of expiry of their current tenancies. The following caterers were affected:-
From a list:-
Name of Caterer: Miss
G. Summers
Park: King’s
Heath Park
Annual rental: £86
The tenancies were renewed on the grounds that notice to quit would
inevitably involve serious hardship upon tenants who in the past had rendered
good service to the public. The
tenancies were subject to the same terms and conditions as were then appertaining,
one of the conditions being that your Committee reserved the right to supply under
their own arrangements refreshments to patrons of such plays and entertainments
as may be organized in the park or recreation ground in respect of which the
normal catering rights are enjoyed by the tenant. The caterers were informed that any further
extension of the tenancies at any future date will be reviewed in the light of
the standard of catering service to the public being maintained by them on the
Committee’s behalf.
No complaints have been received by my Department regarding the catering
service rendered during the past twelve months by the tenants concerned, and
subject to this being confirmed by members of the Committee, I recommend that
they be offered a renewal of their tenancies for a further period of twelve
months.
Should your Committee approve this recommendation, it would be necessary
to instruct the Town Clerk to prepare and seal agreements with such tenants as
desire to renew their tenancies with your Committee.
Police Report – Accidents and Minor Offences
During the month of October there were 49 minor injuries dealt with in
the parks and the patients sent home for further treatment. There were 19 serious accidents dealt with in
the parks and the patients sent to hospital.
Details of these accidents are as follows:-
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 10.10.48
Name & Age: Lyons,
P. (69)
Nature of Injury: Fractured
thigh
Cause of Injury: Collided
into by Football player
Park: King’s
Heath Pk.
Date: 10.10.48
Name & Age: Pankhurst,
C. (18)
Nature of Injury: Fractured
left ankle
Cause of Injury: Playing
Football
Refreshment
Tenancies – Private Caterers
In
connection with the above, the Committee considered the following report of the
General Manager:-
Refreshment Tenancies in Parks
In the report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee
submitted to your meeting, it will be noticed that a recommendation is made
that no action should be taken for the time being in regard to the renewal of
the tenancies of private caterers, as detailed in the report, until the
observations of the catering and Entertainments Committee had been received.
For the purposes of easy reference, I reproduce hereunder the relevant
extract of the report indicating those private caterers who remain tenants of
your Committee for a period of one year certain, expiring on the 25th
instant.
From a list:-
Name of Caterer: Miss
G. Summers
Park: King’s
Heath Park
Annual rental: £86
As instructed, I have obtained the observations of the Catering and
Entertainments Committee in the matter, and copies of their relative
resolutions are set out hereunder:-
288 Resolved:- That the General Committee be recommended to
inform the Parks Committee as follows:-
(a)
That
in view of the unsuitable nature of the accommodation and/or doubtful trading
prospects this Committee do not desire at present to assume responsibility for
catering in the following parks:-
Lickey Hills (Cofton tea Rooms)
Cofton Park
Daisy Farm Recreation Ground
Fox Hollies Park
(b)
That
having regard to the hardship which otherwise would be occasioned to the
present occupants of the refreshment rooms at Yardley Recreation Ground, this
Committee do not at present desire to assume responsibility for catering at the
park.
(c)
That
having regard to the satisfactory catering service at present provided at Cocks
Moors Woods Golf Course, the Parks Committee be asked to continue the existing
arrangement.
(d)
That
this Committee desire to take over the provision of catering facilities at
King’s Heath Park in the event of the Parks Committee being able to make such
an arrangement possible.
418 Resolved:- That, subject to the trading prospects being
satisfactory, the Chairman and the Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee be
authorised to approve an application to the Parks Committee for the transfer of
the catering rights at Perry Hall Playing Fields.
It will be noted that for various reasons, the Catering and
Entertainments Committee do not wish to ask your Committee for the release of
any further refreshment rooms for the time being, with the exception of the
refreshment rooms at King’s Heath Park and Perry Hall Playing Fields.
In this connection, it will be recalled that I have been instructed to
ascertain the position in connection with the living accommodation at the
refreshment premises at King’s Heath Park.
An accommodation plan incorporated in the tenancy agreement will be
available at your meeting, from which it will be seen that the premises at
King’s Heath are divided up into accommodation allocated for refreshment
purposes, living accommodation for the refreshment caterer, living
accommodation for one of your Department’s former employees, one room allocated
to a Miss Thomas (who, I am informed is 92 years of age) and accommodation for
the “Sons of Rest”.
So far as I can gather, no specific permission has been given to Miss
Summers, the refreshment caterer, to sub-let, but I am informed as a result of
a visit of a member of my staff, that she has at present four rooms
sub-let. One other room is sub-let with
the permission of your Committee from the accommodation allocated to him, by a
former employee of your Department – A. Lusher – who has occupied the premises
since 1929, and who retired on the 5th May this year. As the occupation of Mr. Lusher is by way of
a normal tenancy of 12/6d. per week and not by way of an emolument, I should
say that he is probably protected under the Rents Acts. Miss Thomas previously referred to, (who I
understand the Welfare Authorities are anxious to accommodate in a home) has a
direct tenancy from your Committee of one room at a rent of 5/- a week
authorised by your Committee on the 24th May, 1940.
As previously stated, Miss Summers’ tenancy expires on the 25th
instant. I should imagine that if the
Committee so desires, some difficulty will be experienced in obtaining vacant
possession of the premises.
……………… (Continues regarding Perry Hall Playing Fields)
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Refreshment
Tenancies in Parks
Kings
Heath Park
8530 Resolved:-
That the refreshment tenancy agreement with Miss G. Summers in respect
of King’s Heath Park expiring on the 25th December 1948 be not
renewed, that the Town Clerk be and he is hereby instructed to take all
necessary steps to obtain possession of the premises; and that consideration as
to the future arrangements for the provision of refreshments at this park be
deferred for the time being.
6th December 1948 – Parks Department
(Operations Card 55 D1)
The
Refreshment tenancy to Miss G. Summers not to be renewed after the 25th
December 1948, and the Town Clerk to obtain possession of the premises. Min No. 8530, 6/12/48 refers.
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