Ongoing research; last updated 16 June 2011
21st January 1941 – Emergency Sub-Committee, reported on
3rd February 1941 – Parks Committee
3rd February 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D1)
Cultivation of Lands
(See report of Emergency Sub-Committee and Minute No. 4328 thereon.)
Report of the Emergency Sub-Committee
Cultivation of Lands
At your meeting on the 6th January last, your Committee, by Minute No. 4304, instructed the General Manager “to consider and report to this Sub-Committee what additional lands under the control of the Parks Committee are suitable and available for the growing of food crops”, and appointed Councillors Baragwanath and Dare to act with the existing members of the Sub-Committee for this purpose.
Your Sub-Committee accordingly met on the 21st ultimo, when they had before them the following report of the General Manager, together with the schedule referred to therein:-
“Cultivation of Lands
With reference to Minute No. 4304 of the General Committee, I submit herewith a schedule of the whole of the Parks and Recreation Grounds under the control of the Committee, containing suggestions as to areas that may be cultivated.
I may say that the day after the meeting of the General Committee, I received a communication from Alderman Sir Ernest Canning, J.P., the Chairman of the new Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee asking for a list of the Parks and Recreation Grounds to assist his Committee in considering the question of cultivation. This list was supplied to him, in accordance with his request.
It will be noted that a total area of 302 acres is suggested as being available for cultivation, if the Committee so decide.
After sending the list to Alderman Sir Ernest Canning, I received a communication from the Allotments Committee enclosing a list of further sites belonging to your Committee, which it was stated the Allotments Committee were prepared in the majority instances to take over for immediate cultivation as allotments. The list includes a number of the sites which it was anticipated might be cultivated by your Department in response to suggestions by the Agricultural Committee. The sites mentioned by the Allotments Committee are noted in the schedule.
The Allotments Superintendent pointed out in a recent communication to me that if your Committee could see their way to clear to surrender the areas asked for by this Committee, they would be meeting a very urgent need for land which is required for the production of food stuffs for home consumption by the respective individuals.
As this Sub-Committee is aware, a large number of sites in the parks and recreation grounds have been taken up by the Royal Air Force for Barrage Balloons, and a number have also been taken over by the Military Authorities for gun sites, Searchlight Stations, etc. A considerable number of sites have also been taken for public air raid shelters, report centres, and other civil defence purposes.
It will be noted from the schedule that it is proposed in a number of cases to retain actual playing field areas which are in fairly regular use at the present time, together with tennis courts, bowling greens, and children’s playgrounds.
In regard to the ploughing up for cultivation of playing field areas, I would point out that some time ago every County Agricultural Committee received direct instructions from the Minister of Agriculture that his express consent in writing should be obtained before directions were issued to plough up land reserved mainly or exclusively for sport or recreation. This instruction apparently applies to cases where compulsory powers are proposed to be exercised, and would not apply in a case where a mutual agreement is arrived at. It emphasizes, however, the Minister of Agriculture’s views in regard to the need for the preservation of playing fields where they are still required for the purpose for which they are ordinarily used. This aspect of the matter has been borne in mind in submitting the suggestions contained in the accompanying schedule. The Sub-Committee will also no doubt have regard to the desirability of preserving all reasonable recreational facilities in the public parks and recreation grounds in the City for the general public, who, under present conditions, cannot enjoy visits to the country or seaside at holiday and other times.
It has recently been pointed out by Lord Cavan, the President of the National Playing Fields Association, that when land has been specially prepared at considerable cost for the playing of team and other games, it would not be economically sound to break it up for cultivation for allotments or otherwise. He pointed out at the same time, that such grounds are of vital importance for maintaining public health and morale, and even recreation grounds for troops under training. He pointed out further, that the eventual cost of restoring the grounds for playing field purposes would involve very serious outlay. In this connection, I should perhaps also point out that as a general rule, sports grounds and playing fields do not fall within the definition of unoccupied land, within the meaning of the recent Agricultural and Allotments Orders.
The Committee’s decision on the suggestions contained in the accompanying schedule is desired.
In connection with this matter, I have to report that subsequently to sending to Alderman Sir Ernest Canning a list of the various parks and recreation grounds, I received from him an invitation to join the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee, and after consulting the Chairman of the General Committee, I accepted such invitation. I should like the Committee’s approval of this.
The total area already let to the Allotments Committee since the outbreak of war is approximately 80 acres.”
(Schedules were attached to this report – see below)
The General Manager further reported that he had discussed the various sites with representatives of the Allotments Committee and the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee when certain modifications were provisionally agreed upon subject to the approval of your Sub-Committee, and these have been taken in consideration by your Sub-Committee in arriving at a decision in each case, as indicated on the schedule.
Areas to be cultivated by the Parks Department
As a result of their detailed consideration of the various sites set out in the schedule, your Sub-Committee have agreed to the under-mentioned areas being placed under cultivation by the Parks Department for the growing of crops stated:
Schedule of Areas to be Cultivated for Production of Food
Name of Park Situation and Description of Area Crop Remarks[1]
Areas available for Cultivation Acres
Selly Oak Area between tar paved footpath 6½ Potatoes
and canal.
It will be observed that the total area to be cultivated by the Parks Committee is 230¼ acres and by the Allotments Committee 110¼ acres.
The Allotments Committee will arrange for the immediate ploughing up of the area to be taken over by them. The basis of transfer will be by way of tenancy at a rental of 50/- per acre per annum, as from the 25th March, 1941; the sites to be used as wartime allotments only and to be handed back to the Parks Committee without compensation on the termination of the tenancies at the end of hostilities.
It will be seen from the schedule attached that out of a total area of 63.2 acres at Handsworth Park only 5 acres were proposed to be used as allotments, and that there was no proposal for any portion of Warley Park to be so used. Your Sub-Committee have referred these two cases back to the General Manager for further consideration.
The General Manager has also been instructed to consider the possibility of grazing at Billesley Common, and at Cocks Moor Woods, Harborne, and Pype Hayes Golf Courses.
Your Sub-Committee recommend that the proposals for the cultivation of Parks lands and for the granting of the use of various sites to the Allotments Committee as wartime allotments on the basis stated, be approved and their action in the matter confirmed.
Your Sub-Committee further recommend that the action of the Chairman in authorizing the General Manager to accept the invitation to become a member of the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee be confirmed.
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
2 Cultivation of Lands
……………… I submit herewith revised Schedules of the further areas proposed to be let to the Allotments Committee for war-time allotments, and of the areas proposed to be cultivated departmentally.
…………….. It is proposed to obtain Seed Potatoes and Seed Oats from Messrs. W.H. Simpson & Sons. The Committee’s approval is desired.
The ploughing of the various sites will be carried out by contract, and quotations for this work are being obtained from the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee and various ploughing contractors. As far as possible departmental employees will be employed on subsequent cultivation and harvesting, but some part of this work may also have to be carried out by contract.
Schedule of Areas to be Cultivated for Production of Food
Name of Park Situation and Description of Area Crop
Areas available for Cultivation Acres
Selly Oak Area between tar paved footpath 7 Potatoes
And canal.
4328 Resolved:- That the proposals for the cultivation of Parks lands and for the granting of the use of various sites to the Allotments Committee as wartime allotments, on the basis set out in the report of the Emergency Sub-Committee, as varied by the further report of the General Manager, be approved, and the action taken by the Sub-Committee in the matter confirmed.
(Nb - The Parks Department Operations Card records – “The actual area sown with potatoes was 6½ acres.)
3rd March 1941 – Parks Committee
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Staff - Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies on the staff:-
Name Park Nature of Commencing Wages
Employment Date
Carter, R. Selly Oak Pk. Labr. 24. 2. 41 £3-4-0. p. wk.
Staff – Appointments
4351 Resolved:- That the various appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
9th June 1941 – Parks Committee
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Staff - Resignations
Name Park Nature of Employment
Village, J. Selly Oak Pk. Pk. Police Left own accord, 3.5.41
18th June 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 M1)
The Water Dept propose laying a 60” Main for Fire Fighting purposes through the park, also the erection of a chamber underground – not to be proceeded with.
7th July 1941 – Parks Committee
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Fire Prevention Order, 1941
Facilities have been granted to the following Fire Watching parties, to enable them to carry out their duties:-
Selly Oak Park: Chief Officer, Birmingham Fire Brigade.
Permission for fire pumping exercises to be carried out
at such times as they desired.
The Committee’s confirmation is desired.
Fire Prevention Order, 1941
4486 Resolved:- That the facilities granted to various Fire Watching parties, as set out in the foregoing report, be confirmed.
Air Raid Precautions – Proposed Laying of 60” Water Main for Fire Fighting Purposes through Senneley’s Park and Selly Oak Park.
The General Manager submitted the following correspondence with the Acting General Manager and Secretary of the Water Department:-
City of Birmingham Water (Secretary) Dept.
Ref. GS/EBC
To Parks & Cemeteries Dept. 18.6.1941
Air Raid Precautions
Laying of 60” Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
A scheme has been provisionally approved by the Emergency Committee for the laying of a 60” diameter water main for fire fighting purposes, and, subject to the settlement of the financial arrangements, it is hoped to commence mainlaying in the near future.
The proposed route of the main lies through Senneley’s Park and Selly Oak Park, and indicated on the enclosed plans. At this stage the line shown should be regarded as approximate, in view of the short time which has been available for investigation, and also the fact that the location of the main in adjacent properties will be the subject of negotiations with the owners.
I shall be glad if you will kindly ask the Parks Committee to give their authority for the laying of the mains in the situations indicated, subject to any deviations which may be necessary to meet the requirements of both parties.
The proposals include the construction of two chambers in Senneley’s Park and one in Selly Oak Park, but in each case no permanent structure would project above ground level. The work will be carried out with as little inconvenience as possible and the Department undertake to restore the surface of the ground disturbed as nearly as possible to its former condition to the satisfaction of the Parks Committee. The Department will also make good any damage caused by the main laying operations. In view of the extreme importance of this scheme at the present stage, I shall be glad if you can deal with the matter as soon as possible.
(Sgd.) A.E. Fordham
Acting General Manager and Secretary
E.S. White, Esq.,
General Manager,
Parks & Cemeteries Department,
161, Corporation Street,
Birmingham, 4.
GS/EBC
ESW/MEL 19th June, 1941
Dear Sir,
Air Raid Precautions
Proposed 60” Water Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
I have received your communication of yesterday’s date and the accompanying plans.
I note that a scheme has been provisionally approved by the Emergency Committee for the laying of a 60” diameter water main for fire fighting purposes, and that the route passes through Senneley’s Park and Selly Oak Park, as indicated on the plans.
I have to point out immediately that the land in both of the parks through which the proposed route passes has been cultivated for the Parks Committee by the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee. At Selly Oak Park the whole of the area between the canal and the main drive leading from Harborne Lane has been planted with Potatoes, and at Senneley’s Park practically the whole of the area is cropped with Oats. I am afraid, therefore, it is impossible for the Parks Committee to accede to your request and give their authority for the laying of the mains to be proceeded with on the line indicated. I assume the Emergency Committee when provisionally approving of the scheme were unaware of the fact that much of the land forming the site of the proposed main is now under cultivation for the production of food.
If you are prepared to consider alternative routes which will not interfere with land under cultivation, I should be pleased to arrange for a representative of this Department to meet a representative of your Department on the sites, with a view to discussing the question.
I also venture to point out that at Senneley’s Park, the line of the proposed main passes through land which is occupied by the Royal Air Force as a Barrage Balloon site, and that at Selly Oak the line passes through land upon which public Air Raid Shelters have been constructed.
In the circumstances, and so far as this Department and the cultivation of land for the production of food are concerned, I am sending a copy of your communication and of this reply to Alderman Ernest Canning, the Chairman of the Birmingham District Committee of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee.
Yours faithfully,
General Manager
A.E. Fordham, Esq.,
Acting General Manager & Secretary,
Water Dept., Council House, B’ham.
City of Birmingham Water (Secretary) Dept.
Ref. GS/MLD
To Parks & Cemeteries Dept. 30.6.1941
Air Raid Precautions
Laying of 60” Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
In reply to your letter of 19th instant which was followed by a letter from Alderman Ernest Canning, it was realized that a part of the main would pass through land which was being cultivated, and the Department’s intention as far as possible is to wait until the crops have been gathered before laying the pipes in the particular positions concerned.
It is pointed out that even if the programme cannot entirely be arranged to prevent interference with crops the amount of land occupied would probably not exceed a strip 50 feet wide.
As regards your reference to the Balloon Barrage Site in Senneley’s Park and the public air raid shelters in Selly Oak Park it will be possible in each case to avoid interference with these.
I am writing direct to Sir Ernest Canning in reply to his letter.
(Sgd.) A.E. Fordham
Acting General Manager & Secretary
E.S. White, Esq.,
General Manager,
Parks & Cemeteries Dept., B’ham.
ESW/MEL
Your ref.: GS/MLD 1st July, 1941
Dear Sir,
Air Raid Precautions
60” Water Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
I have received your communication of yesterday’s date.
As you are, of course, aware immediately the present crop has been harvested, it will be necessary for the land to be recultivated for next year’s crops. I assume, however, arrangements could be made for the pegging out of the line of the proposed main to be carried out with any deviations that may be agreed immediately the present crops have been harvested. The site of the proposed main would then be left uncultivated.
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.) E.S. White
General Manager
The Acting General Manager & Secretary,
Water Department,
Council House, B’ham.
City of Birmingham Water (Secretary) Dept.
Ref. GFB/VMS
Your ref.: ESW/MEL
To Parks & Cemeteries Dept. 2.7.1941
Air Raid Precautions
Laying of 60” Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
Adverting to your letter of yesterday, the Chief Engineer will be very happy to make arrangements on the lines you suggest, and we will get into touch with your Department nearer the time.
(Sgd.) A.E. Fordham
Acting General Manager & Secretary
E.S. White, Esq.,
General Manager,
Parks & Cemeteries Department,
161, Corporation Street,
Birmingham, 4.
4501 Resolved:- That, subject to arrangements being made in all respects satisfactory to this Committee, no objection be raised to the proposed laying of a 60” Water Main through Senneley’s Park and Selly Oak Park, and that the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman and General Manager for the time being.
14th July 1941 – Parks Committee
The Committee met at the Council House and proceeded to inspect the lands under cultivation by the Department at the following Parks, recreation grounds, etc.:-
Warley Park
Perry Park
Aldridge Road Site
Perry Common Road Site
Glebe Farm Recreation Ground
Sycamores Recreation Ground
Billesley Common Recreation Ground
Daisy Farm Recreation Ground
King’s Norton Playing Fields
Selly Oak Park
Senneley’s Park
Cofton Park
19th September 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 M1)
H.G. granted permission to use the timber dressing-rooms as operational Headquarters in the event of actual Military operations. Requisition dated 19.9.41, Area of 400 sq. yds to be enclosed.
6th October 1941 – Parks Committee
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Cultivation of Lands – Food Production
I received a communication from Dr. P.D. Innes, the Chief Education Officer in July last, stating that the Air Raid Precautions Committee was establishing a number of British Restaurants throughout the City, four of which were already in operation. He enquired whether it would be possible for your Department to supply these Restaurants with some of the vegetables they would require.
The estimated quantity of vegetables being produced on land under cultivation by your Department is as follows:-
Potatoes - 1,000 tons
Onions - 2 cwts
Parsnips - 1 ton
Carrots - 2 tons
Swedes - ½ ton
A number of Beetroot, Leeks and green vegetables will also be produced.
After negotiation with the Chief Education Officer, it was ultimately agreed that these vegetables should be reserved for the British Restaurants and School Clinics, the purchase price being that which would be paid by the Education Department, if the vegetables were purchased by them through the Central Purchasing Department, in accordance with their usual custom. This arrangement was approved by your Chairman, and a considerable quantity of Potatoes and other vegetables has already been supplied, your Department arranging transport and delivering as necessary.
The Price of the Potatoes is somewhat less than the maximum controlled price for growers, but in disposing of them in this way, it has not been necessary to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Food, and moreover, the arrangement is a considerable help to the Air Raids After Care Sub-Committee and the Chief Education Officer, who is at present acting on their behalf in this particular matter. I may add that the whole of the Department’s Potato crop is now in course of being lifted, and in accordance with the request of Dr. Innes, a number of them will be clamped or otherwise stored and kept in reserve for use, in case of an emergency.
The Committee’s approval of this arrangement is desired.
Cultivation of Lands – Food Production
4549 Resolved:- That the arrangements made for the disposal of food crops for use in the British Restaurants and School Clinics, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved; and further, that the City Treasurer be requested to submit a statement showing in detail the income derived from the sale of the various crops produced by the Parks Department.
Home Guard
Since your last meeting, further facilities have been granted to various units of the Home Guard, as follows:-
Selly Oak Park Zone Headquarters. Granted use of dressing rooms
as operational headquarters, with permission to remove
wooden partitions in the dressing rooms.
The Committee’s confirmation is desired.
Home Guard
4555 Resolved:- That the granting of facilities to various units of the Home Guard for training purposes etc., as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
A.R.P. – Proposed 60” Water Main for Fire Fighting Purposes
4569 On Minute No. 4501, the General Manager submitted at letter, dated 12th August, 1941, from the Acting General Manager and Secretary of the Water Department stating that, as the necessary Government authority had not been received, the scheme for the laying of a 60” main through Senneley’s Park and Selly Oak Park would not be proceeded with.
19th November 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 M1)
Set of goalposts loaned to Capt, Bryant, garrison Headquarters, 20, Norfolk Road.
1st December 1941 – Parks Committee
The General Manager submitted the following report:
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies on the staff:-
Name Park Nature of Commencing Wages
Employment Date
Caldicott, A Selly Oak Pk. Pk. Labr. 13.10.41 £3–7–0.
Appointments
4623 Resolved:- That the various appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
6th December 1941 – Birmingham News
Local Rivals – Selly Oak Park was the scene of a keen J.O.C. League game on Saturday between local rivals, Weoley Castle Boys’ Club beating the Stonehouse Gang by five goals to two. Johnny Thatcher played a good game for the home team, for whom Arthur Gossage and Bill Flint (from a penalty) scored, and Cornelius was the best of the Castle eleven. Mr. B. Hadden refereed.
The Stonehouse team to meet Beeches Old Boys, away today, is: - Jones, Flint, Hickling; Crockett, Norton, Nicholls; Thatcher, Gossage, Hadden, Cattier, Taylor (D.J.).
20th December 1941 – Birmingham News
Stonehouse Gang - ……………………….. Today the Stonehouse Gang Juniors meet Bishop Gore Boys’ Club at Selly Oak park, the Gang team having been chosen as follows: - ……………………….
10th December 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D1)
On the 19th December 1941 permission was granted to the P.M.G. (i.e. Post Master General) for the erection of a telegraph pole in the park, subject to the standing agreement. Plan No. A.1713.
27th December 1941 – Birmingham News
The Gang Wins – A football match between the junior members of two Selly Oak boys’ clubs aroused a great deal of interest at Selly Oak Park, where the Stonehouse Gang beat Bishop Gore Boys’ Club by seven clear goals.
6th December 1941 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak
Local Rivals – Selly Oak Park was the scene of a keen J.O.C. League game on Saturday between local rivals, Weoley Castle Boys’ Club beating the Stonehouse Gang by five goals to two. Johnny Thatcher played a good game for the home team, for whom Arthur Gossage and Bill Flint (from a penalty) scored, and Cornelius was the best of the Castle eleven. Mr. B. Hadden refereed.
The Stonehouse team to meet Beeches Old Boys, away today, is: - Jones, Flint, Hickling; Crockett, Norton, Nicholls; Thatcher, Gossage, Hadden, Cattier, Taylor (D.J.).
20th December 1941 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak
Stonehouse Gang - ……………………….. Today the Stonehouse Gang Juniors meet Bishop Gore Boys’ Club at Selly Oak park, the Gang team having been chosen as follows: - ……………………….
10th December 1941 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D1)
On the 19th December 1941 permission was granted to the P.M.G. (i.e. Post Master General) for the erection of a telegraph pole in the park, subject to the standing agreement. Plan No. A.1713.
27th December 1941 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak
The Gang Wins – A football match between the junior members of two Selly Oak boys’ clubs aroused a great deal of interest at Selly Oak Park, where the Stonehouse Gang beat Bishop Gore Boys’ Club by seven clear goals.
The scorers were Edwin Poston (3), Les Mitchall (2), Stan Bushell and John Pettitt.
[1] The Schedule submitted at the Emergency Sub-Committee meeting contained a note here:– “The remainder of the park is considered unsuitable for cultivation, having a gravelly sub-soil.”
