Ongoing research; last updated 13 December 2013
5th February 1944 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Stonehouse
Gang News - ……………………………..
On Saturday morning two Gang junior teams met in a football encounter at Selly Oak Park where the Rangers, captained by Les Mitchell, beat The Rest by four goals to nil. Les Mitchell, Ken Bryant, Dennis Nolan and George Harrison scored. In the afternoon there was a keenly contested local “Derby” between the senior teams of the Gang and of Weoley Castle Boys’ Club. The Castle ran out winners by the odd goal of three. Gossage scored for Stonehouse.
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7th February 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Compiler’s note - At this meeting the question of staff succession was considered, since several of the key senior managers in the Parks Department were approaching retirement age together. The General Manager proposed, and the Committee accepted, a reorganization whereby a few experienced middle managers were promoted into senior roles. The existing post of Chief Superintendent was retained. The existing post of Deputy Chief Superintendent, was renamed Assistant Chief Superintendent. An under structure involving four area managers to be called District Superintendents was established. The new posts were each given responsibility for a prescribed list of parks and recreation grounds, etc. Selly Oak Park, with its Park-keeper (Mr. A.R. Tarr) and his staff, was to be overseen by the Assistant Chief Superintendent, Mr. W. Williams who was promoted from the post of Park Superintendent at Cannon Hill Park.
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Manual Employees – Improved Service Report
With reference to your Minute No. 5259, I beg to submit a schedule (which is laid on the table) of applications received and recommended for the Committee’s approval:-
Name: Tarr, A.H.
Where Employed: Selly Oak Park
Designated Post: Park-keeper
Date of entering service: 1.1.11
Improved Service Grant recommended: 2/-
Name: Abbey, W.
Where Employed: Selly Oak Park
Designated Post: Gar. Labr.
Date of entering service: 1.4.25
Improved Service Grant recommended: 2/-
Where Employed: Selly Oak Park
Designated Post: Gar. Labr.
Date of entering service: 1.4.25
Improved Service Grant recommended: 2/-
Manual Employees – Improved Service Report
5278 Resolved:- That the Improved Service pay of workmen, as shown in the list attached to the General Manager’s report, be approved, such increases to take effect from 1st January 1944.
5278 Resolved:- That the Improved Service pay of workmen, as shown in the list attached to the General Manager’s report, be approved, such increases to take effect from 1st January 1944.
4th March 1944 – Birmingham News
Gang News - ……………………………..
One of the most exciting football games of the season in which Gang lads have been egaged was the Chamberlain Memorial Cup tie at Selly Oak Park on Saturday between the Gang and St. George’s. At full-time, the score was 2-2 after a ding-dong struggle. Extra time, however, saw the Saints add another goal after Tony Wassall had saved from a penalty, and a fourth after the Gang goalkeeper had been dazed by a blow between the eyes. Philip Brown and Tommy Rose scored for Stonehouse.
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6th March 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
The Week’s News from the Districts
Stonehouse
Gang News - ……………………………..
One of the most exciting football games of the season in which Gang lads have been egaged was the Chamberlain Memorial Cup tie at Selly Oak Park on Saturday between the Gang and St. George’s. At full-time, the score was 2-2 after a ding-dong struggle. Extra time, however, saw the Saints add another goal after Tony Wassall had saved from a penalty, and a fourth after the Gang goalkeeper had been dazed by a blow between the eyes. Philip Brown and Tommy Rose scored for Stonehouse.
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6th March 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Manual Staff Wages
I submit for the Committee’s consideration the undermentioned recommendations for increases in wages of Manual Staff, viz;-
Name: Slater, J.D., Park Labr.
Park: Selly Oak Pk.
Present Wages: £3-15-6d. (including 19/6d. per week War Bonus)
Increase Recommended: 2/-
Remarks:
Staff – Wages and Appointments
5312 Resolved:- That the increases in wages, as set out in the General Manager’s report, be approved.
22nd March 1944 – Parks Department (Operations Card M1)
£9. 0. 0. sent to C.T. (i.e. City Treasurer) for rent of dressing rooms used by H.G. (i.e. Home Guard).
14th April 1944 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 M1)
Requisition received for storage shelter dated 6.9.43.
22nd March 1944 – Parks Department (Operations Card M1)
£9. 0. 0. sent to C.T. (i.e. City Treasurer) for rent of dressing rooms used by H.G. (i.e. Home Guard).
14th April 1944 – Parks Department (Operations Card 26 M1)
Requisition received for storage shelter dated 6.9.43.
1st May 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name: Stanley, W. H.
Park: Selly Oak
Nature of Employment: Pk. Labr.
Commencing Date: 17.4.44
Park: Selly Oak
Nature of Employment: Pk. Labr.
Commencing Date: 17.4.44
Wages: £3-15- 6d. p.wk.
27th May 1944 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak
Gang News - ……………………………..
The Gang opens its league fixtures at cricket to-day when they meet local rivals in Weoley Castle Boys’ Club at Selly Oak Park.
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5th June 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name: O’Leary, R.
Park: Selly Oak
Nature of Employment: Pk. Police
Commencing Date 8.5.44
Park: Selly Oak
Nature of Employment: Pk. Police
Commencing Date 8.5.44
Wages £3-19- 6d.
Staff – Appointments
5405 Resolved:- That the appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as recommended in the General Manager’s report, be approved.
24th June 1944 – Birmingham News
“Gang” Activities - ……………………………..
Great excitement prevailed at Selly Oak Park on Tuesday, when, in the presence of a good turnout of spectators, the Gang’s Federation League Cricket eleven, challenged by the Rest of the Gang, just managed to win in the last over of the match.
Batting first, the Rest, captained by Frank Jones, knocked up 60 runs, with Jones 19 and Dennis Walker 12 not out as top scorers. Left with 40 minutes to play, the League XI just managed to beat the clock, and thanks largely to a 34 from Edwin Poston, won by two wickets. For the winners, Bert Phipps took five for 12 and John Pettitt four for 11. Stan Baldwin, with three for nine, was the most successful of the Rest’s bowlers.
3rd July 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
24th June 1944 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Stonehouse
“Gang” Activities - ……………………………..
Great excitement prevailed at Selly Oak Park on Tuesday, when, in the presence of a good turnout of spectators, the Gang’s Federation League Cricket eleven, challenged by the Rest of the Gang, just managed to win in the last over of the match.
Batting first, the Rest, captained by Frank Jones, knocked up 60 runs, with Jones 19 and Dennis Walker 12 not out as top scorers. Left with 40 minutes to play, the League XI just managed to beat the clock, and thanks largely to a 34 from Edwin Poston, won by two wickets. For the winners, Bert Phipps took five for 12 and John Pettitt four for 11. Stan Baldwin, with three for nine, was the most successful of the Rest’s bowlers.
3rd July 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Parks and Cemeteries Employees - Wages and Conditions of Service
Referring to my report on the 1st May last with which I submitted a copy of the Revised Conditions of Service of Parks and Cemetery employees, it will be remembered that the revised schedule provides for increases in the wages of Grave-diggers and Cemetery Labourers, Park Gardeners and various other employees, including Juniors. The total cost to your Department of the increases thus involved is £4,103-0-4d.
Referring to my report on the 1st May last with which I submitted a copy of the Revised Conditions of Service of Parks and Cemetery employees, it will be remembered that the revised schedule provides for increases in the wages of Grave-diggers and Cemetery Labourers, Park Gardeners and various other employees, including Juniors. The total cost to your Department of the increases thus involved is £4,103-0-4d.
In the case of trained Gardeners, the increases amount to approximately 6/- per man per week, and in the case of unskilled men to about 3/- per man per week.
In view of these increases, it seems to be essential that consequential increases should be granted to the higher grades of employees, viz. – Park-keepers and Foremen. I have accordingly prepared and submit herewith a schedule of suggested consequential increases, which are recommended for the Committee’s approval. The total of such consequential increases amounts to £890-18-8d.
If this recommendation is approved, it will result in the wages provided for in the Committee’s Estimates of Expenditure for the current Municipal year being increased by the sum of £4,993-19-0d.
The Committee will, however, remember that the revised classification and grading scheme approved by the West Midlands Joint Industrial Council was designed in order to improve the status of the gardening staffs of Municipal parks, etc.
The Committee’s instructions are desired upon the recommendation now submitted.
Name Park Designation Present Increase
Wages recommended pw
Charlton, Leonard Selly Oak Foreman £3. 2. 0d. 5s. 3d.
Tarr, Albert R.T.C.H do. Park-keeper £3. 16. 6d. 3s. 6d.
(plus emoluments valued at 19/3d. p. wk.)
(plus emoluments valued at 19/3d. p. wk.)
Parks and Cemeteries Employees - Wages and Conditions of Service
5424 Resolved:- That the increase in wages of Foremen, Park-keepers, etc. recommended by the General Manager in consequence of the increases granted to Gardeners, etc. as laid down by the West Midlands Joint Industrial Council, be approved, with effect as from 3rd April, 1944.
5424 Resolved:- That the increase in wages of Foremen, Park-keepers, etc. recommended by the General Manager in consequence of the increases granted to Gardeners, etc. as laid down by the West Midlands Joint Industrial Council, be approved, with effect as from 3rd April, 1944.
Land Under Cultivation
The following is the proposed Cropping Programme for 1945 of land under cultivation for agricultural purposes:-
Site Area Cultivated Proposed cropping
The following is the proposed Cropping Programme for 1945 of land under cultivation for agricultural purposes:-
Site Area Cultivated Proposed cropping
including Headlands.
acres.
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Selly Oak Park 7 Autumn Wheat
Staff Resignations
Name Park Nature of
Employment
O’Leary, R. Selly Oak Pk. Police Left own accord, 17.6.44
22nd July 1944 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Stonehouse
Gang Cricket – High spot of the Stonehouse Gang’s cricket season has been the match at Selly Oak Park, in the presence of a large number of spectators, between the Gang and “The Men of Stonehouse” – many of them fathers of the Gang lads.
The “old ‘uns” batted first, and knocked up 32 (Godwin 8, Crowe 6, Barnes 6, Milner 5), Ted Poston, for the Gang, taking three wickets for 4 runs, Bert Phipps five for 17, and John Pettitt two for 11.
When stumps were drawn, the Gang had replied with 68 for seven wickets. Fred Isaacs knocked 26, including four 4s, and Edwin Poston 20.
The fathers have now challenged the Gang lads to a darts match.
23rd September 1944 – Birmingham News
Stonehouse Gang News
…………………
In the afternoon the headquarters gang football team met the West Heath Stonehouse Gang in a friendly match at Selly Oak Park. West Heath won by six goals to two.
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2nd October 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Wages of Park-keepers and Park Foremen
Referring to your Minute No. 5424 approving of special increases to Park-keepers and Foremen consequent upon the regrading of Gardeners, etc. by the West Midlands Joint Industrial Council, attention has been called to the fact that some of such increases still leave the wages of the men concerned below the specified rate for the highest grade of trained Gardeners. In order to correct such discrepancies, certain further increases, as specified on the attached list are recommended to take effect from the 3rd April last.
Name Park Designation Basic Wage Increase Further
as at 3rd already Increase
April, 1944 Approved Recommend
Charlton, L Selly Oak Pk. Foreman £3- 2-0. 5/3 6/-
Wages of Park-keepers and Park Foremen
5476 Resolved:- That the additional increase in the wages of Foremen, Park-keepers, etc., as set out in the list appended to the General Manager’s report consequent on increases granted to Gardeners, etc. as laid down by the West Midlands Joint Industrial Council, be approved, as from 3rd April, 1944, and that Minute No. 5424 be amended accordingly.
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name Park Nature of Commencing
Employment Date Wages
Newman, B. Selly Oak Pk. Police 20.8.44 £3-19- 6d.
Staff – Appointments
5485 Resolved:- That the appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
17.9.44 Selly Oak Air Raid Precautions Officer, Open Air Religious services
Air Raid Precautions from 2 p.m. to 4-30 p.m.
Department
11th October 1944 - Special Meeting of the BCC Parks Committee
Government Temporary Houses
Sites in Parks, Recreation Grounds, etc.
The General Manager submitted the following report, together with a letter from the City Surveyor:-
Government Temporary Houses - Sites in Parks, Recreation Grounds, etc.
I beg to report that on the 6th instant, a conference was held at the Council House at the request of the Public Works Committee, between representatives of that Committee and various other Committees, to discuss the question of the use of sites in the ownership of various Committees of the Council for Temporary Housing purposes.
The following Committees were represented, in addition to the Public Works Comiitee and the Parks Committee, viz:-
Mental Deficiency Act, Baths, Education, Estates, Public Health, Public Assistance, Water, General Purposes, Watch, Gas, and Allotments.
The Chairman of the Public Works Committee explained that the Government were anxious that steps should be taken by Local Authorities in the immediate future for the provision of temporary houses of the Portal or other similar type, which the Government would be prepared to supply, in accordance with Local Authorities requirements. It was, therefore, considered to be imperative that the Public Works Committee, in conjunction with the Estates Committee, should accept an allocation of approximately 5,000 of such temporary houses, with a view to meeting housing needs in the City, prior to the erection and completion of permanent houses. It was anticipated that the life of the temporary houses would be not more than ten years, and it was the intention of the Public Works Committee that the occupants would be transferred from these temporary houses to the permanent houses, as and when the permanent structures should become available for occupation. The question of the sites for the temporary houses had been under consideration, and it was thought to be undesirable that they should be erected on sites which would eventually be required for permanent houses. It was desirable also, that they should be erected alongside existing roads wherever possible, thereby having the advantage of the road works and services already provided, and it was pointed out that a considerable number of sites were available where such houses could be accommodated, being mainly the road frontages of undeveloped open spaces. The various Committees concerned were asked to assist the Public Works Committee in every way possible, in regard to the provision of such sites.
A schedule of suggested sites was then handed to the Chairman of each Committee concerned, and generally speaking, the Committees represented gave tentative general support to the request of the Public Works Committee.
The Committees mainly affected are, of course, the Parks Committee and the Allotments Committee.
Your Chairman, on behalf of the Parks Committee, expressed the view that your Committee would help in this matter, so far as might be possible, providing certain points were agreed to beforehand, viz:-
(a) That adequate machinery should be provided by which the clearing and restoration of the sites to their present state at the end of the ten years’ period should be assured.
(b) That no land should be taken which is developed or laid out for park purposes or playing fields, or under cultivation for food production, or plantations, nursery gardens, or shrubberies.
(c) That the depth of the sites from front to rear should be limited to such as would comply with the Building By-laws, and that no extra area for gardens should be asked for.
He pointed out that the Public Works Committee would be well aware of the extent to which available open spaces in the City are shrinking all the time, and that whenever a site is required for some Council building covetous eyes are thrown upon the public open spaces. It was stated on behalf of the Public Works Committee, that the depth of the sites from front to rear would be approximately 70 feet.
On going through the list of suggested sites forming part of the public parks and open spaces after the conference, it was found that many of them form part of parks and playing fields which have been fully developed by your Committee, and that others consist of parts of frontages to open spaces which are under cultivation for food production, pursuant to orders issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the agency of the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee and/or sites transferred to the Allotments Committee for War-time allotments.
Since the conference, I have had an interview with the City Surveyor’s representative, who has provisionally agreed that some of the sites in developed parks and playing fields, etc., should not be used for the purpose in question.
With regard to sites under cultivation for food production, he stated that if this Committee is prepared to agree to their use as temporary housing sites, it will be for the Government Authorities concerned, viz. - the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, to decide between them as to whether they are to be used for the temporary houses or retained under cultivation, and the Public Works Committee would have to accept the Government’s decision in such cases. The total are of such land is approximately 20 acres.
I submit herewith, a schedule of the sites suggested by the Public Works Committee, which schedule contains in the Remarks Column the present position, so far as this Committee is concerned.
It will be noted that a number of sites are proposed to be inspected with the City Surveyor’s representative, and that the final decision is such cases cannot very well be given until after such inspections have been made.
As a result of the revisions already tentatively agreed with the City Surveyor’s representative, the Public Works Committee will lose sites for 276 houses. He has suggested, therefore, that alternative sites might be found at the following places, viz:-
Calthorpe Park – black patch area, frontage to Edward Road.
Cocks Moors Woods Golf Course – Alcester Road frontage.
Farm, Sparkbrook – all available road frontages.
Highgate Park – Moseley Road, Alcester Street and Chandos Road frontages.
Chinn brook Rec, Ground – any available road frontage.
Fox Hollies Park – Shirley Road frontage.
There would seem to be no reasonable grounds for objection to these cases.
As further alternatives, I have suggested that consideration might be given to existing raod frontages at Daffodil park, Northfield; a vacant site at the corner of Bristol Road South and South Road, Northfield; a vacant site in Millhouse Road, Hay Mills; a vacant site at Cartland Road, King’s Heath, (all three of which belong to this Committee) and to Bordesley Green Road frontage to Burman Recreation Ground. This Recreation Ground has been closed to the public since the “blitz” periods in 1940 and 1941.
At the conference mentioned above, a question was raised in regard to ground Rents, but it was stated that the Public Works Committee were not in a position to give any information on this question at the present time.
In addition to land in Corporation ownership, it is understood that the Public Works Committee also have under consideration the use for the purpose in question of land in private ownership, consisting of agricultural land, privately owned allotments, and certain sports and recreation grounds.
The matter is submitted for the Committee’s consideration and for such decisions and instructions thereon as they may think desirable.
Suggested Sites for Portal Houses Referred to in the General Manager’s Report
Ref.No. Situation Park Proposed No. of Remarks
Length Houses
of frontage
Lin. Yds.
W. 7. Gibbins Rd. Selly 160 14 This park was a gift to the City, and
Oak contains restrictive covenants in re- Park gard to buildings. The City
Surveyor’s representative has
provisionally agreed that it should
be omitted from the proposals.
5498 Resolved:- That, with a view to assisting in the provision of houses in the immediate post-war period, this Committee concur generally in the proposal for the temporary appropriation of frontage lands at present under their control for the accommodation of temporary houses to be provided by the Government pursuant to the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill now before Parliament, subject to :-
(a) Any restrictive covenant limiting the use of the lands;
(b) Any necessary Government sanctions to the changed use of lands;
(c) The arrangement of satisfactory terms by way of rent or otherwise;
(d) Adequate machinery being provided by which the clearing and restoration to the Parks Committee of the lands in their present state at the end of the ten year period will be assured, and
(e) No land being taken which is developed or laid out for park or playing field purposes, under cultivation for food production or used as plantations, nursery gardens or shrubberies;
Further, that the Chairman be authorized to decide any question which may arise regarding the inclusion of any particular site consequent on inspection and consultation with the Public Works Department.
4th December 1944 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Appointments
The following appointments have been made in order to fill vacancies:-
Name Park Nature of Commencing
Employment Date Wages
Edney, J. Selly Oak Pk. Garden Labr. 13.11.44 £4-0-0d.
Staff – Appointments
5485 Resolved:- That the appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved.
