tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37684238371461926052024-02-02T04:57:52.851-08:00The History of Selly Oak Park, 1941-1950FOSOP Historianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11088235979308318282noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3768423837146192605.post-634460210338651092011-02-04T22:16:00.001-08:002018-03-02T07:31:39.310-08:00<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">HISTORICAL OVERVIEW </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Ongoing research; last updated 12 July 2016</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This volume continues the historical overview of Selly Oak Park; the earlier years having been reported in the </span><a href="http://www.thehistoryofsellyoakpark1896-1911.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">previous histories</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (see the column on the right hand side of this page) and in the book, “</span><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1896-1911.blogspot.com/p/1899-1911-clippings.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Heydays of Selly Oak Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">”. 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.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: large;">1941</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>War-time Arrangements</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee enquired what land under the control of the Parks Committee was suitable and available for the <strong>growing of food crops</strong>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A large number of sites in the parks and recreation grounds had already been taken up by the Royal Air Force for barrage balloons, and a number had also been taken over by the military authorities for gun sites, searchlight stations, etc. A considerable number of sites had also been taken for public air raid shelters, report centres, and other civil defence purposes. The Committee was also minded to retain actual playing field areas which were in fairly regular use at that time, together with tennis courts, bowling greens, and children’s playgrounds. They also had in mind the cost of re-instating grassed areas should they be given over for ploughing or allotments. In the end the Parks Committee identified 230 acres which could be cultivated. <strong>Seven acres in Selly Oak Park</strong>, in the "area between tar paved footpath and canal", were eventually listed as being available for the cultivation of potatoes. The remainder of the Park was "unsuitable for cultivation, having a gravelly sub-soil". The cultivation went ahead. This cultivated area was inspected by the Parks Committee in July.<br />
In July the Chief Officer of the Birmingham Fire Brigade was granted permission, under the Fire Prevention Order 1941, to use the Park for <strong>fire pumping training</strong> exercises with Fire Watch parties, whenever he wished.<br />
As part of the Air Raid Precautions there was a proposal by the City's Water Department to lay a <strong>60" water main</strong> for fire fighting purposes through Senneley's Park and Selly Oak Park. It was argued that the line of the proposed main would cross the area that was under potato cultivation, so the pipeline would not be possible. The counter was that that need not prevent the project, it would merely delay progress until after the first harvest in the autumn. In the end, the necessary Government authority for the project was not received, and the project was dropped.<br />
In September, the <strong>Home Guard</strong> was granted use the <strong>dressing rooms</strong> in the Park as operational <strong>Zone Headquarters</strong>, with permission to remove wooden partitions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Staff</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 24th February, <strong>Mr. R. Carter</strong> commenced work as a Park labourer on a weekly wage of £3. 4s. 0d.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 3rd May, <strong>Mr. J. Village</strong> resigned as Park policeman, leaving of his own accord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 13th October, <strong>Mr. A. Caldicott</strong> commenced work as a park labourer on a weekly wage of £3. 7s. 0d.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Park Use</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the year the <strong>Stonehouse Gang</strong> was formed - young people from the new housing estate at California. They made rapid progress and were widely recognised within the City as a model for youth. They formed several sports teams, and by the end of the year Selly Oak Park had become the home venue for their football matches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: large;">1942</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>War-time Arrangements</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">Early in the year it was reported that the 6.5 acres of the Park that had been cultivated had yielded <strong>42 tons of potatoes</strong>; and that it was intended to grow potatoes again this year. A governemnt grant of £10 per acre for growing the potatoes had also been received. Later in the year it was reported that - "Unfortunately, the season has not been a good one for keeping potatoes, and a considerable quantity of the Potatoes grown by the Department has gone bad and had to be disposed of as Pig Potatoes. The disease from which they suffered appears to have been very general throughout the Country. The severe weather also resulted in approximately 5 tons of Ware Potatoes having to be scrapped because of their having been frosted in the clamps.” (A correspondent - Mrs Beatrice Painter (see 1934 history) - in her memories of the Park as a small child remembered the poor quality potatoes that were produced from the Park.) Preparation was made for another potato crop for 1943.<br />
The issue of the removal of <strong>railings</strong> came to the fore again. There was growing pressure from government sources that non-essential ironwork be collected for armament manufacture. It was argued that the gates and fence around Selly Oak Park should be retained since they were protecting the cultivated area of potatoes, and upon this basis strenuous efforts were made to resist their removal. Apart from the issues of trespass, damage and loss, it was also argued that the canal was a cause of danger and therefore another reason why the gates and railings should not be removed. Correspondence flowed thick and fast. But eventually it was all to no avail. Though Selly Oak Park had been the subject of specific objection, the railings and gates on the Gibbins Road frontage were required to be removed. There was a mechanism for limited compensation (- though the Government "hoped that the majority of owners will surrender their railings freely and that claims for compensation will be reduced to a minimum"!), and instructions were given that claims should be made. To the extent that their resources would allow, the City Police agreed to carry out additional supervision of the now unfenced park, meanwhile quotations were obtained for various types of cleft chestnut fencing to go in place of the railings.<br />
Permission was given for Batteries of the <strong>45th Royal Warwickshire Regiment</strong> to carry out rifle and marching exercises in the Park in the hours of daylight.<br />
Last year, on 19th September, the <strong>Home Guard</strong> had requisitioned one set of <strong>dressing rooms</strong> in the Park. On 9th March this year, the Civil Engineering Officer at the University was given permission, for the Home Guard service, to construct a <strong>mortar gun emplacement</strong> approximately 7 feet square on the high ground near the concrete dressing rooms and overlooking the canal, the structure being 4 feet below the ground and 6 inches above the ground. Again compensation in regard of this latter arrangement was sought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Staff</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">On 5th October, a vacancy was filled by the appointment of <strong>Mr. G. Myatt</strong> as a Park Policeman, on a weekly wage of £3 14s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Park Uses</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">The Park remained the home venue for the football teams of the <strong>Stonehouse Gang</strong> and, as the season turned, for their cricket teams too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1942-clippings.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Go to clippings</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: large;">1943</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>War-time Arrangements</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">I</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">n April it was announced that the <strong>Barage Balloon site</strong> in Selly Oak Park had been de-requisitioned, and £95 compensation had been settled.<br />
Whether it was the case in Selly Oak Park or not, there was a report that numerous complaints were being received from the general public and park-keepers of vandalism <strong>and hooliganism</strong> in parks, recreation grounds and street enclosures, especially in those from which the <strong>iron railings</strong> had been removed. Appeals were made for the Police to assist with extra patrolling, and for Head-teachers to give warnings to children against causing damage.<br />
Preparations were made to grow 7 acres of <strong>oats</strong> in the Park in 1944.<br />
During the summer, Government-introduced restrictions were placed on fuel used for heating <strong>glasshouses</strong>, Those used for food production could be heated; but only ten percent of the total cubic contents of those not used for food production could be heated. A survey was made of all glasshouses and heated frames in the City's parks and cemeteries. 78 units were identified; the <strong>smallest</strong> being the 12 ft x 8 ft (574 cubic feet) glasshouse at Selly Oak Park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Staff</u>:<br />
In March, the wages of <strong>Mr. Tarr</strong>, the Park-keeper were increased by 2s. 6d. per week from £5. 8s. 9d. (which included 15s. 6d. War bonus), with 19s. 3d. deducted for house, fuel and light.<br />
There was a heavy turnover of staff in this year:<br />
On 1st March, <strong>Mr. W. Hadley</strong> commenced work as a Park labourer on a wage of £3. 11s. 6d. He resigned on 8th April, leaving of his own accord.<br />
On 19th April, <strong>Mr. J.T. Crow</strong> commenced work as a Park labourer also on a wage of £3. 11s. 6d.<br />
On 13th May, <strong>Mr. G. Myatt</strong>, the Park Policeman, who commenced work only last October, resigned, leaving of his own accord because of ill-health.<br />
On 21st June, <strong>Mr. E.W. West</strong> commenced work as a Park labourer on a weekly wage of £3. 13s. 6d., but by the 1st July he had been dismissed because of unsatisfactory service.<br />
On 30th October, Mr. H. Ferkins, resigned, leaving of his own accord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Park use</u>:<br />
The various sections of the <strong>Stonehouse Gang</strong> continued to hold football and cricket matches in the Park. On 21st August their Junior Sports were held there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1943-clippings.html">Go to clippings<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><strong>1944</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>War-time Arrangements</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">In the autumn it was reported that it was proposed to grow 7 acres of <strong>autumn wheat</strong> in the Park in 1945.<br />
In October, the City began to address the need for more housing. It was declared that 5,000 temporary houses were needed in Birmingham, and that their anticipated life span was no more than ten years, by which time permanent housing would have been provided. The question arose as to where best to build such temporary accommoadation - obviously not on sites which would eventually be required for permanent houses. It was desirable that they should be erected alongside existing roads where services were already provided. Undeveloped open spaces were needed - where better than in parks which bordered roads. And so lists of possible sites were drawn up. Selly Oak Park appeared on the list, the proposed 160 yards of frontage being sufficient for 14 of the so called Portal Houses (which became known as <strong>Prefabs</strong>). However the Park escaped its share of prefabs - it being noted that "this park was a gift to the City, and contains restrictive covenants in regard to buildings. The City Surveyor’s representative has provisionally agreed that it should be omitted from the proposals".<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Staff</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">This year saw more pay rises:<br />
The Park-keeper, <strong>Mr. Tarr</strong>, who had entered the Park's service back in January 1911, received an Imporved Service payment of 2s. per week, as did <strong>Mr. W. Abbey</strong>, a garden labourer, who had entered service in April 1925.<br />
<strong>Mr. J.D. Slater</strong>, a member of the manual staff, a Park labourer, also received a 2s. per week increase on his wage of £3 15s. 6d. (which included 19s. 6d. per week War Bonus).<br />
Having increased the wages of trained gardeners, there was then a perceived need to increase the remuneration of park-keepers and foremen. So at Selly Oak Park, <strong>Mr. Tarr's</strong> wages, listed as £3 16s. 6d (plus emoluments valued at 19/3d.), were increased by a further 3s. 6d.; whilst his foreman, <strong>Mr. Leonard Charlton</strong>, on £3 2s. 0d received an increase of 5s. 3d. It was subsequently realised that Mr. Charlton was amongst a group of foreman who, despite their increases, were still below the specified rate for the highest grade of trained gardeners. So he received a further increase of 6s. per week.<br />
On 17th April, <strong>Mr. W.H. Stanley</strong> commenced work as a Park labourer on a weekly wage of £3 15s. 6d.<br />
On 8th May, <strong>Mr. R. O'Leary</strong> commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3 19s. 6d., but by 17th June he had resigned of his own accord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">On 24th July, <strong>Mr, J.G. Styles</strong>, started work at the Park as a temporary Parks Policeman (his post would be made permanent in February 1947).<br />
On 20th August, <strong>Mr. B. Newman</strong> commenced work as a Park Policeman on a weekly wage of £3 19s. 6d.<br />
On 13th November, <strong>Mr. J. Edney</strong> commenced work as a Garden labourer on a weekly wage of exactly £4.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Park Uses</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">On 17th September, the Park was used between 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. for open-air religious services, held by the <strong>Air Raid Precautions Department</strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1944-clippings.html"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Go to clippings<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: large;">1945</span><br />
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<u>Park Environment</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">In the Spring there was increassing pressure for the release of land which was being cultivated to be restored to its original recreational purposes. The general Government response was to resist the immediate release, expecting the change-over to take place over two or three years when the war with Germany was over. However it was acknowledged that special cases might be made to be considered at the highest Government level on their individual merits. The <strong>restoration and reseeding of Selly Oak Park</strong> was on the first list drawn up for consideration. It was subsequently agreed that an autumn wheat crop could be undersown with grass in preparation for the restoration. In October it was reported that the cropping proposed was for oats and then 2 years ley.<br />
The Water Department was given permission of lay a <strong>1" service pipe</strong> from the main in Gibbins Road across the Park to a Water Department sluice valve chamber.<br />
Selly Oak Park was included in the <strong>annual inspection by members of the Parks Committee</strong> on 22nd August.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Staff</u>:<br />
Another large turnover of staff was reported:<br />
On 5th March, <strong>Mr. Edney</strong>, who had commenced work as a garden labourer only last November, was dismissed because of continual absence owing to illness.<br />
On 16th April, <strong>Mr. S. Wheller</strong> commenced work as a Garden labourer, on a weekly wage of £4 exactly.<br />
On 7th May, <strong>Mr. A.F. Caldicott</strong> resigned his post of Garden labourer of his own accord.<br />
On 22nd May, <strong>Mr. T. Taylor</strong> commenced work as a Garden labourer, again on a weekly wage of just £4.<br />
On 16th June, <strong>Mr. B. Newman</strong> resigned his post of Park Policemen, leaving of his own accord, after less than a year of service.<br />
On 2nd July, <strong>Mr. G.V. James</strong> commenced work as a park policeman, on a weekly wage of 4 guineas (£4. 4s. 0d.).<br />
On 11th August, <strong>Mr. W.H. Stanley</strong> resigned his role of Garden labourer, leaving of his own accord after just about 16 month's service.<br />
On 12th September, <strong>Mr. A.G. Collins</strong> commenced work as a Garden labourer, on the standard wage of £4.<br />
On 10th November, two Garden labourers left of their own accord - <strong>Mr. A. Field</strong> and <strong>Mr. T. Taylor</strong> (the latter having only served for 6 months).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"><u>Park uses</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">Towards the end of 1944 various initiatives, such as “<strong>Brighter Birmingham</strong>”* and “<strong>Holidays at Home</strong>”, were fostered by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham to boost morale in the City during the wartime. The Holidays at Home entertainment season extended over a ten week period, stretching from 16th June until 25th August. During this time, six of the larger Birmingham Parks had a full ten week programme of entertainments, whilst 13 of the smaller ones, including Selly Oak, had a programme stretching over a fortnight. It seems that this two week period variously wrapped around the August Bank Holiday week. Marquees and staging were erected in the parks for the purpose. However, later in the year it was reported that "the appreciation shown by the public was somewhat disappointing". This was ascribed to the relaxation of travelling restrictions, which allowed people to take holidays away from Birmingham and the parks, and the Peace Celebrations which attracted many people to the City centre and the streets. In Selly Oak Park there had been 22 events, drawing a total attendance of only 2,252, with total receipts of £57 6s. Changed days from when the Park accommodated more than 10,000 in one day (e.g. in 1900). Indeed the General Manager of the City Parks commented - "I think it would be inadvisable to continue the entertainments at Acocks Green, King’s Norton, Perry Hall, Queen’s, Selly Oak, Summerfield, Victoria Common, and Yardley, unless a strong and enthusiastic local organization would undertake to assist in carrying out any programme that might be arranged."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;">In December Selly Oak Park was included in a list of 20 parks for which it was agreed to invite tenders for the right of providing <strong>fun fairs</strong> for 6 months from the 25th March to the 29th September, 1946. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">* See: <a href="http://www.search.connectinghistories.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?theme=21&originator=%2Fengine%2Ftheme%2Fdefault.asp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=451&text=0&resource=1715">http://www.search.connectinghistories.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?theme=21&originator=%2Fengine%2Ftheme%2Fdefault.asp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=451&text=0&resource=1715</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 100%;"> <span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1945-clippings.html">Go to clippings</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1946</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Park Environment</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In June it was </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">intimated that the <strong>Air Raid Precaution shelters</strong> in twelve of the parks and
recreation grounds (including Selly Oak Park) had been, or were being <strong>demolished</strong>, and that the sites were being inspected with
a view to claims being prepared for submission to the appropriate Government
Authorities for compensation for the restoration of the disturbed surfaces. It was pointed out that the work of restoration could not be completed for at least twelve months owing to the settlement of the ground disturbed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">At the end of July, the General Manager of the City Parks
received a report that the <strong>Air Raid Precautions Control Centre</strong> in Selly Oak
Park was being used as a Wardens’ Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
He</span> communicated with the Acting Air Raid Precautions Officer, who
confirmed the use of the building for club purposes, and expressed regret that
when the matter had been reported to the Civil Defence Committee the fact that the
building was on Parks Department land had been overlooked. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">It transpired that the Home Office
had notified all Local Authorities that while they were not yet in a position
to give directions regarding the new Civil Defence Service which was proposed to
be set up, such authorities should make every endeavour to maintain contact
with all Civil Defence Clubs and organisations in their area, since it was those
personnel which would have to form the nucleus of the future organisation. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">The Home Office had also asked that
wherever possible, buildings especially constructed for Civil Defence purposes
should be loaned to such clubs on a rent free basis, with the understanding
that the club or organisation bore the cost of all outgoing expenses, such as
rates, lighting, heating, cleaning, etc. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">In view of this, the Civil Defence
Committee had agreed for the “B” Division South, Civil Defence Wardens’ Association,
with a membership of five hundred, to have the use of the A.R.P. Control Centre
in Selly Oak Park in which to hold their meetings. It appears that the Parks Committee took a dim view of this and r</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">esolved that the Civil Defence Committee be informed
that the Parks Committee objected to the use of the A.R.P. Control Centre in Selly
Oak Park as a Wardens’ Club and <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ed. comment - throwing its weight around?)</span></em> that it required the removal of all
existing control centres and other buildings erected for Civil Defence purposes
in Parks and Recreation Grounds in order that these could revert to their proper
use and enjoyment by the public at the earliest possible date. (The Parks Committee would subsequently have to cede on this matter!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">We learn from a report in July that, as proposed last year, 7 acres of the park were <strong>reseeded</strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Staff</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With effect from the 2nd February, the servcies of <strong>Mr. G.V. James</strong>, a Parks Policeman, were no longer required; he had served for exactly 6 months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And on the 4th May, <strong>Mr. A.E. Millward</strong>, another Parks Policeman, left of his own accord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the 13th October, <strong>Mr. A.R.Tarr</strong>, the Park Keeper, reached the age of 65 years and was retired on superannuation. However, with effect from the following day he was temporarily re-engaged in the same post on a wage of £5. 14s. 0d., plus emoluments.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Park uses</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Mr Robert Wilson won a tender, amounting to £6,500, for the
privilege of holding <strong>fun fairs</strong> in the parks and recreation
grounds (including Selly Oak Park) for six months from 25<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> March 1946 to 29<sup>th</sup>
September 1946.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">A <strong>prosecution</strong> was recorded in October. <strong>Mr. Edward E. Smith</strong> was fined 60/- for indecent exposure in the Park on the 25th May.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1946-clippings.html"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;">Go to clippings</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><strong>1947</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>This is the year that Selly Oak Park became a Grade 3 Park within the City's grading scheme</strong> (see Staff)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><u></u></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><u>Park Environment</u>:</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Last year it was announced that various <strong>Air Raid Precaution buildings</strong> were being removed from the parks and <strong>compensation</strong> sought for restoration of the sites to make them fit for recreational use again. In January it was announced that a claim for £52. 18s. 6d. had been submitted in relation to a building listed as "Selly Oak Park, Harborne Lane (T.20)".</span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Carried into this year was the issue of the <strong>A.R.P. Control Centre</strong> being retained for a <strong>Warden's Club</strong> (a move resisted by the Parks Committee - see 1946 above). As early as January 1947 the Parks Committee had to concede that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">the Civil Defence Committee should be authorized to retain the
use of the premises in the Park, for a period not exceeding 5 years, on
the understanding that the Civil Defence Committee immediately proceeded to take the necessary steps to improve the general appearance and state of repair of the premises, to the satisfaction of the Parks Committee <em>(- something of a climb down after the latter's original stance).</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">In March a survey was made of the state of the staff residences in the Parks. <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>Selly Oak Park Lodge (in Gibbins Road)</strong> was shown to be in need of attention to some external brickwork and some window frames, whilst its interior structure was described as "fair". As far as its decoration was concerned, externally it was "fair" and internally it was "generally fair". The <strong>Lodge in Ha</strong></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>rborne Lane</strong> needed a little more attention - some attention to external stone and brickwork was necessary and the window frames needed refitting; the interior structure was "fair". The exterior decoration was "poor", whilst the interior decoration was "f</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">air
except for (the) living room". The Parks Committee decided to put in place arrangements to make </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the properties “wind and water tight” and carry out the necessary decorations.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">There was a <strong>damaging gale on Sunday, 16th March</strong>; Selly Oak Park suffered with two trees being blown down and six panels of fencing destroyed. Remedial work was put in hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><u>Staff</u>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">With effect from the 4th January, <strong>Master A. Kirk</strong> (aged 14 years), resigned his position as a Garden Boy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">With effect from the 27th January, <strong>Mr. W. Abbey</strong>, a Trained Gardener (b), (by now 47 years of age, and having entered service on the 1st April 1925), was awarded 2/- per week Improved Service Pay.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">W</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">ith effect from 3rd February, <strong>Mr. J.G. Styles</strong>, who had entered service in the Park as a Parks Policeman on 24th July, 1944, was moved onto the permanent staff.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">With effect from 10th February, <strong>Mr. L. Gilks</strong> (40), a Garden Labourer (b), who had entered service on 31st October <span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">1938, was regraded to Gardener (S.s).</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Following a Parks Committee meeting at the end of March a <strong>new grading structure</strong> was put in place, with effect from 10th January, for Officers-in-charge and Foremen of parks and recreation grounds. <span style="font-family: "arial";"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To achieve this the City's parks were graded into 6 Grades. <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">The Grade 1 Parks were to be those in the charge of Non-Manual Superintendents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The next three grades would apply to parks and recreation grounds in the charge of Manual Park-keepers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>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 <strong>Selly Oak Park became a Grade 3 Park,</strong> and that <strong>Mr. A.R. Tarr</strong>, the Park-keeper, and <strong>Mr. L. Charlton</strong>, his Foreman, found themselves on new pay scales.</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">Thus backdated to 10th January, <strong>Mr. Tarr</strong> found himself at the minimum point on a new scale, with a weekly wage of £6. 0s. 0d. (plus emoluments of 19s. 3d. per week); the basic scale having increments up to £7. 0s. 0d. per week.</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">And, again backdated to 10th January, <strong>Mr. Charlton</strong> found himself with a 4s. 3d. pay rise from £5. 13. 3d. to £5. 17s. 6d. which was the minimum on a scale rising to £6. 0s. 0d.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;">With effect from the 5th May, <strong>Mr. W. Hunt</strong> (aged 28 years)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
began work in the Park as a Garden labourer (a) on a weekly wage of £4. 16s. 0d. Mr. Hunt was moved on to the permanent staff with effect from the 25th August.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In July it was reported that <strong>Mr. </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>A.R. Tarr</strong> (the Park-keeper, who had retired on superannuation
last year, but had carried on in a temporary capacity) had been absent from work for several
months owing to illness and was unlikely to be fit for duty for a
considerable time. A</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">uthority was granted for his services to be terminated, and for the vacancy to be circularised to all
employees of the Department.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a result of the internal advertising and interviews, <strong>Mr. </strong></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>A.J. Markham</strong> (aged 40 years), who was the Gardener Foreman at Lodge Hill Cemetery, was <strong>appointed Park
Keeper</strong> at Selly Oak Park, and his wages increased from £5. 17. 6. per week to
£6. 19. 3. per week, plus 3/- per week Improved Service Pay.</span></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1947-clippings.html">Go to clippings</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><strong>1948</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>This
is the year in which the Park was regraded to a Grade 2 Park</strong> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">(see
Staff)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Park
Environment</span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
January it was agreed that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">electric
lights</b> should be installed in the Gibbins Road <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lodge</b> and in the staff <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">messroom</b>;
also that a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sink and water supply</b> be
provided for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">messroom.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Concern
was expressed about the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">unfenced
condition of the park at the canal boundary</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was claimed that when ice was on the canal
men, whose services could hardly be spared, had to be detailed to prevent
children gaining access to the canal from the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Permission was granted for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">erection of 4’6” chestnut fencing</b>, with
a single strand of barbed wire along the top, along the boundary of the Park. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
July, the new Park-keeper, Mr. Markham, asked that consideration be given to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">building a bathroom on the lodge</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained that there were only two
bedrooms in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Originally there had
been three, but one was converted to a bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a mixed family – three girls, aged 17,
14 and 4 years, and two boys aged 16 and three months, and the older boy had to
use the bathroom as a bedroom (“which is not good for him owing to the dampness
from the use of the bath, and is a nuisance to the girls using the bathroom”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His case was favourably considered and the
requested conversion took place.</span></span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Staff</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
effect from 5<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> January, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr.
A.J.E. Walker</b> (aged 59 years) was employed as a Garden Labourer on a
salary of £4. 14s. 0d. per week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
effect from 7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> January, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. G.D.
Young</b> (aged 27 years) was employed as a Garden Labourer also on a
salary of £4. 14s. 0d. per week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
effect from 17<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> April, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. A.G.
Watts</b> (aged 22 years) was employed as a Garden Labourer also on a
salary of £4. 14s. 0d. per week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
effect from 1<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup> June, the salary of the Park-keeper, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. A.J. Markham</b> (who had been in post
for just 7 months and was taking home £6. 19s. 3d. [including emoluments] and
3/- per week Improved Service Pay) was increased by 2/6d. per week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With
effect from 5<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> July, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr.
K.G. Boraston, </b>aged 20 years, having entered service at the park as a Garden
Labourer on 24<sup>th</sup> November 1947, was declared to have completed
his probationary period and appointed to the Permanent Staff of the Parks Department;
but by the 6<sup>th</sup> December 1948 it was reported that he had resigned
his post.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With effect from 19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> August, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. R.F. Barker</b> (aged 20 years) was employed as a Garden Labourer on a salary of £5. 0s. 0d. per week.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On
1<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup> November it was reported that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. W. Hunt</b> (aged 29 years) had resigned from his post as a Garden
Labourer; he had only entered service on 7<sup>th</sup> August of this year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With effect from the 7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> December,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. H.J. Salmon</b> (aged 17 years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £2. 5s. 0d. (See 1949 clippings.)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Park
Use</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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 area alongside
the canal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thehistoryofsellyoakpark1941-1950.blogspot.com/p/1948-clippings.html">Go to clippings</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Memories</u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Alton Douglas, Birmingham</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <em><u>Correspondence, 9 July 2010</u></em></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><em>My brother’s late father-in-law was the Park-keeper there in the late 40’s (Mr. Hughes*) and when my father died, in 1948, I was sent there for the funeral period (kids didn’t go to funerals in those days).</em></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(* Compiler's note after research in 2014:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the late 1940s Mr. Markham was park-keeper at Selly Oak; Mr. Hughes (Park-keeper at Bournville Park) was appointed Park-keeper at Selly Oak in June 1950 when Mr. Markham was appointed Superintendent at Highbury Park.)</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><strong>1949</strong></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Finance</span></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Miss M. Richardson</b>
was paid £4. 4s. 0d to cover her subsistence and travelling expenses whilst she
acted as a Chief Marshal during the four week season of Entertainments in the
Park (see below).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Staff</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 5<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
January,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. K.W. Willis</b> (aged 19
years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £3. 15s. 0d.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 14<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
February, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. A.G. Watts</b>, a Garden
Labourer (a) with 10 months service and earning £5. 0s. 0d. per week, was
regraded to Garden Labourer (b), and his weekly wage was increased to £5. 3s.
11d. per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the 5<sup>th</sup>
December he was appointed to the Permanent Staff.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 11<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
April,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. A.N. Meek</b> (aged 29 years)
commenced work as a Garden Labourer (a) on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However at the end of his second week in work
(on 23<sup>rd</sup> April) he resigned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 11<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
May,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. F.J. Dawe</b> (aged 38 years)
commenced work as a Garden Labourer (a) on a weekly wage of £5. 0s. 0d.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">On the 21<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup> May, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. H.J. Salmon</b> (aged 18 years)
resigned his post of Garden Boy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 24<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
July, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. J.G. Styles </b>(aged 54
years), a Parks Policeman with 5 years’ service, received an Improved Service
Pay award of 1/- per week.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The employment of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. J. Shaler</b> (aged 67 years), a night watchman engaged for the
Entertainments in the Park season (see below), ceased on 23<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>rd</sup>
August, since his services were no longer required once all the especially
brought-in equipment had been removed from the park.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 14<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> November,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. J.T. Elliott</b> (aged 16 years)
commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £2. 10s. 0d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Park Uses<o:p></o:p></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Selly Oak Park was included in the City’s annual <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Entertainments in the Park</b> programme
for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The programme
brought a wide range of public entertainment (serious plays, comedies, reviews,
music, etc.) to 9 of the major City parks, and at the most prestigious parks
(e.g. Cannon Hill and Handsworth) the programme ran for 10 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a trial, activities were arranged at Selly
Oak Park for the 4 weeks from 27<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> June to 23<sup>rd</sup> July; it
replaced Lightswood Park where in the last season there had been opposition to
some of the events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">marquee</b>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">140’ x 40’, seating about 500 people after
allowing stage space and gangways, was hired (for £300) from Stringers for the
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Amplifying equipment</b> - 1
Amplifier approx. 20 watts output, 2 Loudspeakers, 1 Gramophone Unit, 1
Microphone with stand – was also hired (for £35. 10s. 0d.) from Walker Bros.
(Electrical Engineers) Ltd. (who had provided equipment for the Entertainments
season in previous years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The New Dramatic Company</b> was engaged (at
a fee of £17. 17s. 0d.) to give a performance of “My Sister Eileen” by Joseph
Fields and Jerome Chodorev, in the park on the 9<sup>th</sup> July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">We eventually learn that 221 people attended
the performance and paid £10. 17s. 0d. for the privilege (which obviously did
not cover the company’s fee, let alone other costs! – not auguring well for any
future provision at the park).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It was reported that by the 30<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>
June – just 4 days into the four week season in the park – there had been 4
events, with a total <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">attendance</b> of
945 (an average of 236 per event) which had yielded £41. 4s. 0d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was reported at the end of the
year that “Selly Oak Park operated for the first time this year for four weeks
during the early part of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Results were below the average of other parks, but it is considered that
a further trial might be made next year for four weeks during the holiday
period” – and accordingly 24<sup>th</sup> July to 19<sup>th</sup> August were
specified for 1950.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Other uses:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On the 7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, 14<sup>th</sup>
and 21<sup>st</sup> August, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society</b> held afternoon (3 p.m.) religious meetings in
the park.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In May approval was given for members of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">St. John’s Ambulance Brigade to be on duty
near the cricket pitches</b> at 15 City parks and recreation grounds - amongst
them Selly Oak Park - whilst cricket matches were in progress on Saturday and
Sunday afternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seems to have
been an offer from the Ambulance Brigade, and was taken up in the light of a
large number of injuries that were being reported in the parks generally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Bye-laws governing the parks only permitted <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">informal games of football and cricket </b>“in
such parts of the park and at such times as may from time to time be prescribed
by a notice or notices affixed or set up by the Council in a conspicuous
position within the park”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
uniform practice in the parks and recreation grounds regarding the areas on
which casual games of cricket and football could be played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In July it was decided that, in view of the
danger to members of the public, particularly small children, and interference
with general recreational facilities, certain areas should be allocated for such
games, and notices should be displayed indicating the areas allocated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Corisande Road side of the park was
identified and signposted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This arrangement
was “not intended to apply to small children playing with a soft ball, which
practice could be left to the discretion of the Officer-in-Charge who would
have to have regard to any nuisance occasioned by such play and the risk of
damage to horticultural features, property, etc.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">A number of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">serious
accidents</b> occurred in the park, following which the injured parties were
sent to hospital for treatment:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On 19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> February, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ronald Fielding</b> (28) sustained a suspected fracture to his right
foot whilst playing football. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On 25<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> July, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joyce Leonard</b> (10) was bitten by a dog whilst trying to stroke it –
her left cheek, and right lower cheek were bitten.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On 26<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> September,<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roger Dearlove</b> (11)
sustained a suspected fractured rib whilst playing football.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On 31<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup> December,<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alan Pritchard</b> (16) fractured
his right wrist whilst playing football.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There was a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">prosecution - Arthur Fridden</b> (14) was fined 5/- for cycling during
prohibited hours in the park on 22<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> August.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A summer theatre in one of Birmingham's parks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- illustrating how the one held in Selly Oak Park may have looked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><strong>1950</strong></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Park Environment</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In April, authority was given for the dismantling of bandstands in 15 City parks – including that in Selly Oak Park – on the basis of their unsuitability for current use, their dilapidated state, and their interference with park layout and recreational needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The description and justification for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">removal of the bandstand</b> at Selly Oak was “18 ft. Octagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too small for normal band concerts or entertainments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheet iron roof and appearance generally non-ornamental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Space could be used for extension of cricket and football area.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of July a tender for the demolition of the bandstands was accepted and the work went ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In May, the Park was included with 38 others, in a list of City parks where monies were collected from various activities, but where there was no appointed place for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">safe-keeping of the money</b> between weekly collections by the Treasurer’s Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any monies had to be kept by the park-keeper or officer–in-charge, and it was considered that this tended to “place unnecessary temptation in the way of low salaried employees and to open up an avenue for defalcations”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To remedy the situation <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">small safes</b> were provided at the parks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In July it was reported that Selly Oak Park was one of ten parks for which the General Manager was authorised to invite tenders by public advertisement for the rights of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">catering by means of mobile canteens.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">At the end of July, Selly Oak Park was listed with 47 other parks as having a children’s playground; the playground area was listed as 310 sq. yds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the Education Act 1944 there appeared to be financial provision for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">maintenance of children’s playgrounds</b>, and the General Manager of the Parks Department was required to liaise with the Chief Education Officer, since it was thought that the Education Department may not be willing to accept the financial responsibility of maintaining such a formidable list of playgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In November it was reported that £194 needed to be spent to restore the equipment in Selly Oak Park, with an annual maintenance requirement of £95.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On the 26<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> September a letter was received from the solicitor representing the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birmingham Battery and Metal Co. Ltd.</b> notifying that the Company was offering a further <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.19 acres of land as another extension of the Park</b>, on the same terms as the previous gifts had been made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an area behind the houses 52-62 Gibbins Road, which had been part of the Battery Company’s Sports Ground.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><u>Finance</u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. D. Jones </b>was paid £4. 4s. 0d. to cover his subsistence and travelling expenses whilst he acted as a Chief Marshal during the evenings of the four week season of Entertainments in the Park (see below).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Amongst the budgeted routine expenditure, £99. 0s. 0d. was spent on 9 cwt. of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">grass seed</b> for the football area in the park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In the autumn, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6 sets of football goal nets</b>, costing £64. 10s. 0d., were bought for the Park.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Staff</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On the 28<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> February,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. J. Dix</b> (aged 58 years), employed as a semi-skilled Gardener at the park, died from Tetanus poisoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Dix had sustained a slight injury at the park on the 10<sup>th</sup> February, which was treated at the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He subsequently attended his own doctor and Selly Oak Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After further treatment he was admitted to Selly Oak Hospital on the 23<sup>rd</sup> February, suffering from Tetanus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coroner returned a verdict of Death by Misadventure.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 10<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> April,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Master J. Eagles</b> (aged 15 years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £2. 0s. 0d.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 13<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> April,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Mr. W.C. Haste</b> (aged 20 years) commenced work as a Garden Boy on a weekly wage of £4. 10s. 0d.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With effect from the 12<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> June, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. A.J. Markham</b>, Park-keeper at Selly Oak Park, was appointed Parks Superintendent at Highbury Park at a salary of £420 including emoluments valued at £70 per annum, in accordance with A.P.T. Division I of the National Scales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a substantial promotion for Mr. Markham who as a consequence would have responsibility for a number of parks in the area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">To fill Mr. Markham’s post, again with effect from the 12<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> June, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. J.E. Hughes</b>, Park-keeper at Bournville Park, was appointed Park-keeper at Selly Oak Park at a wage of £8. 0s. 0d. per week including emoluments valued at £50 per annum. <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Beginning on 22<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> July, and ending on the 20<sup>th</sup> August, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. J. Shaler</b> (67) was employed as a Night Watchman for the Entertainments in the Park; he was paid 15s 3d. per night. This was the second year he had undertaken these duties.</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Park uses<o:p></o:p></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The programme of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Entertainments in the Parks</b> again included Selly Oak Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of 1949 it was reported that Selly Oak Park had operated for the first time that year for four weeks during the early part of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The results were below the average of other parks, but it was considered that a further trial should be made in 1950 for four weeks during the holiday period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so it was that activity occurred this year during the period 24<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> July to 19<sup>th</sup> August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In October it was reported that The New Dramatic Company had staged their play “Clutterbuck”, on two Saturday evenings when the attendances (and receipts) were 147 (and £8. 2s. 0d.) and 658 (and £36. 19s. 0d.) – the former being a wet evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the year it was reported that the average attendance at the summer theatre in the park had been just 201 – and “Selly Oak Park has now operated for two seasons, and both the early and later parts of the summer have been tried with equally disappointing results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is suggested that the entertainments might be withdrawn from this park”!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On a more positive note, at the end of the year, plans were being made for the <strong>1951 programme of entertainments</strong> in the parks, which would be part of the Festival of Britain celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selly Oak Park was listed as one where side shows and light fun fairs (e.g. hand operated apparatus) could be held; and the Selly Oak Carnival was anticipated again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In May an application was made by the residents in Selly Oak for permission to stage certain <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carnival</b> activities in the Park during the week commencing 4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> June - reviving a former custom in the Selly Oak district and raising funds for the Bournbrook branch of the “Sons of Rest” and other charities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked permission to hold a Drumhead service in the bandstand area at the Park at 8 p.m. on Sunday, 4<sup>th</sup> June, and they wished to have the exclusive use of the park from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 10th June, for the purpose of holding children’s sports, a parade of decorated vehicles, a fancy dress parade and a Jazz Band competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wished to have dancing on the Green during the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sought permission to hold a fun fair, consisting of 400 – 500 ft. of side-shows, a cycle roundabout and “dodgem” cars, to operate in the park until 11 p.m. on both Friday, 9<sup>th</sup> June, and Saturday, 10<sup>th</sup> June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 people would attend the activities in the park during the Saturday, and they wanted to make a charge for admission to the park of 6d. for adults and 3d. for children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also asked to be authorised to make their own private arrangements for the provision of light refreshments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Parks Department granted the use of only part of the park for the Carnival; admission could not be charged for entrance to the park, but only to certain enclosures; a general Fun Fair was not allowed, but side-shows were as long as there was no mechanical or amplified gramophone music; refreshment stalls were allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole event was run under the general supervision of the Parks Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In October it was reported that the carnival had been held as part of the Entertainments in the Parks programme, and that the event on the 10<sup>th</sup> June had been a “very successful day ... enjoyed by nearly 16,000 people”.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">During 1949 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">experimental cricket pitches</b> – having a concrete base overlaid with matting (replacing grass pitches which were becoming badly worn as a result of the demand for their use, and the lack of grass recovery time between matches) - were constructed in several parks and their suitability trialled during the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In February 1950, the Birmingham Public Parks Cricket Association announced that they proposed to sponsor a coaching scheme during the coming season, using the experimental pitches, and recommended that such a pitch should also be laid down in Selly Oak Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Parks Committee subsequently approved the construction of a double bay pitch at the park; deciding that an experiment be made with marl instead of concrete in the construction of the pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was argued that by using marl it would be less costly and it would be possible to change the site of the pitch from year to year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having got the pitch, the Association hoped that Warwickshire County Staff Members would act as coaches on the opening evening of their programme, and thereafter assistance would be sought from Professionals attached to the Birmingham League Clubs and the Association’s own leading players.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In May 1949 approval was given for members of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">St. John’s Ambulance Brigade to be on duty near the cricket pitches</b> at 15 City parks and recreation grounds - amongst them Selly Oak Park - whilst cricket matches were in progress on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. In June of 1950 it was observed that this service had not been very successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After discussions the Ambulance Brigade conceded their inability to cope with all the demands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They “hoped” to provide cover for Selly Oak Park on Saturdays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., during the school holiday period from the 22<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> July until the 10<sup>th</sup> September.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>Serious accidents</strong> occurred in the park, following which the injured parties were sent to hospital for treatment:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the 11<sup>th</sup> March, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ronald Nash</b> (24) sustained a compact fracture of his right leg whilst playing football. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On 9th December, also playing football, <strong>Norman Slater</strong> (14) sustained a laceration over his right eyebrow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #1e4e79; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><u>Memories</u></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">In April 2014, <strong>Douglas Salt</strong> shared the following memory of the time around 1950:-</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">"I can remember the Carnival Procession came down Dawlish Road and up the Bristol Road to Selly Oak Park. The procession consisted of floats on the backs of lorries. The horses used by the local milkmen were dressed up and adorned with highly polished brasses. The procession was lead by the Carnival Queen seated on her throne and surrounded by flowers."</span></span></span></div>
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FOSOP Historianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11088235979308318282noreply@blogger.com0