Ongoing research; last updated 7 February 2011
8th December 1913 – Finance Sub-Committee, reported on
5th January 1914 – Parks Committee
Mr. Councillor Brown presented the following report of the Administration Sub Committee:-
Music in the Parks[1]
(Amongst the list of proposals which were subsequently approved there is:-)
Estimated cost if recommendations of Sub-Committee are approved:-
Selly Oak 1 Band each Month £30
Mr. Councillor Auster presented the following report of the Finance Sub Committee:-
Capital expenditure in excess of Loans sanctioned
The attention of your Sub-Committee has been called by the City Treasurer to the excess of Capital expenditure over Loans sanctioned as follows:
Amount of Park Purpose of Loan Amount of excess
Sanction Expenditure
--- Selly Oak Laying Out 58. 19. 3
12th January 1914 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the Superintendent was read:-
Statements of the estimated amounts required for work proposed to be undertaken during the coming financial year as laid before you for consideration.
Suggested amounts to be included in the Estimates for the Financial Year 1914-1915
Park Purpose Amount
Selly Oak New Closets £200
172 Resolved:- That the report be received and entered on the Minutes.
13th January 1914 - General Purposes Sub-Committee
As to Minute No. 368
Dressing Room Accommodation - Parks Generally. The Superintendent submitted the following report upon the provision of dressing room accommodation at the various Parks:-
Park Dressing Number of Pitches
Accommodation Cricket Football Tennis Bowls
Selly Oak None 4 4 2 1
394 Resolved:- That the question of dressing room accommodation in the various Parks be referred to the Chairman of the General Committee, the Chairman of this Sub-Committee and the Superintendent to consider and submit a recommendation thereon to this Committee.
22nd January 1914 – Special Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee
179 Resolved:- That the tender of Val de Travers Paving Co. for the maintenance of the following Recreation Grounds, Communication Row, Coventry Street, St. Mary’s, St. Paul’s, St. George’s, St. Mark’s, Summerfield, Walmer, Stirchley, Rookery Park, Selly Oak Park, Oxygen Street, Aston Park and Sparkhill Park be accepted for a period of 10 years from the 1st January 1914 at an annual payment of £245.
27th April 1914 - Administration Sub-Committee
The following report of the Superintendent was read:-
Cricket in the Parks
The number of clubs registered to play in the various parks are as follows:-
Park Senior Junior Total
Selly Oak 7 - 7
30th April 1914 – Special Meeting of the Parks Committee
1127 The Committee proceeded to consider the following scheme of Organised Games in the Parks and Recreation grounds for the year 1914:-
Organised Games in the Parks
Suggested Scheme for 1914
Evening Play during the months of May, June and July. Teachers to attend Tuesday and Thursday of each week from about 6-o’clock until dusk.
Two Teachers – Male and Female at each of the following 14 parks:-
Adderley Park Digby Park
Balsall Heath Park Selly Oak Park
Burbury St. Rec. Gd. Calthorpe Park
Black Patch Summerfield Park
Highgate Park Ward End Park
Walmer Rec. Gd. Victoria Park
Garrison Lane Aston Park
There then follows the costs, which include:-
Summer Evening Play
2 Teachers at each of 14 Parks @ £10 each £280 0 0
The Report was presented by:-
John Adams,
Superintendent
1128 Resolved:- That the scheme of Organised Games in the Parks and Recreation Grounds for the year 1914 as now submitted and amended be approved.
14th May 1914 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the Superintendent was read:-
Statement of Income and Expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March 1914
Selly Oak Park:
Estimated Actual
£469 Expenditure £363 13 3
£ 12 Income £ 21 17 6
201 Resolved:- That the Report be received, and entered upon the Minutes.
6th June 1914 – Birmingham News
Village Gossip – Cricket Pitches in the Parks
I wonder why it is that in most of our public parks the cricket pitches which are just at this time so much in use, are only mown to the exact size of the pitch and the grass is allowed to grow many inches high all round? At Lightswood Park last Saturday I hear one club won their match by one run simply owing to the ball being lost in the long grass. Probably they will not grumble at the practice of the parks authorities, but the views of the opposing side may not coincide with theirs.
11th July 1914 – Birmingham News
District News
Regimental Band at Selly Oak – At 3.30 and 7 p.m. tomorrow the band of the 5th and 6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment is to play in Gibbin’s Park (sic), Selly Oak.
A Musical Treat – Visitors to Selly Oak Park, Gibbons (sic) Road, on Sunday afternoon, will enjoy a treat as arrangements have been made for the band of the 5th and 6th Royal Warwicks to play during the afternoon, commencing at 3.30, and in the evening, commencing at 7 o’clock, under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Mr. H. Bradley. A very attractive programme has been arranged, including one of the Russian Suites which have become so popular in this country. Admission to the enclosure will be by silver collection. This is the first time that the popular Royal Warwicks Band has played in Selly Oak Park.
13th July 1914 – Parks Committee
As to Minute 854 (sic – actually 859) Guide Book and Map of Parks
The Superintendent reported that he had seen Mr. Dent who had offered to prepare a Guide Book and Map at an inclusive fee of Ten Guineas.
1221 Resolved:- That the Superintendent be instructed to ask Mr. Dent to give the Committee a sketch of what he proposed to do, for their guidance.
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At a special meeting of the Parks Committee on 10th August 1914, “The Parks Superintendent reported that 15 members of the Department’s staff had been called up for active service” – this was the start of the First (1914-1918) World War.
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5th October 1914 – Parks Committee
Minute 1221 Record of Parks
The following communication was received from Mr. R.K. Dent (Compilers note - The communication is not reproduced in the minute):-
1299 Resolved:- That the offer of Mr. Dent to prepare a report of the Parks, for a fee of £10 be accepted, the details being left to him, and the Chairmen of the Sub-Committees.
7th December 1914 – Parks Committee
Mr. Councillor Brown presented the following report of the Music Sub-Committee:-
Sunday Concerts
That the ordinary concerts be continued, and that local bands be engaged, concerts to (sic) given at Sparkhill, Kings Heath and Summerfield Parks fortnightly instead of each week. Concerts to be given at Rookery Park each Sunday instead of fortnightly, and discontinued at Brookvale and Short Heath Parks. At Balsall Heath, Digby, Cotteridge, Highgate, Queens and Selly Oak Parks monthly instead of fortnightly. That, inasmuch as they are not patronised, the concerts be discontinued at Adderley, Muntz, Black Patch, Burbury Street, Victoria Common and Walmley Recreation Grounds. That the Police Band be engaged to give concerts in the better class parks only.
1363 Resolved:- That the report be approved.
[1] There is a general (i.e. non-specific to Selly Oak Park) report on this item, in the Birmingham News, 10th January 1914
