Ongoing research; last updated 15 March 2012
15th January 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton & Northfield Districts
Selly Oak & Bournbrook
Suicide at a Farm - A tragic discovery was made at a farm at Selly Oak on Sunday morning, a farm hand being found with a large wound in his throat from which he died. The man, Jas. Thomas Beamond, 54 years of age, was employed by Mr. Baker at Weoley Park Farm, Weoley Park Road. Unable to gain admittance to his room after repeated knocking on Sunday morning the occupier of the farm sent for the police, and Inspector Kitchen attended and forced an entrance, the man being found lying in the room with a shocking gash in his throat. He was quite dead. A blood-stained razor was found near by. An inquest was held on the body at the Selly Oak Fire Station on Tuesday morning by Mr. Edwin Docker, Coroner for North Worcestershire. The body was identified by Robert Wm. Beamond, a farmer of Wood Farm, near Leominster as that of his brother. He said he had been in financial difficulties, and this had worried him very much. He should have appeared at the Leominster County Court on Monday. Inspector Kitchen gave evidence of the finding of the body and medical testimony was adduced by Dr. Cochrane of Selly Oak. The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane”.
(Compilers note - this item is interesting, in that the land that became Selly Oak Park had been part of Weoley Park Farm; and the Farm will feature again in the 1930's)
(Compilers note - this item is interesting, in that the land that became Selly Oak Park had been part of Weoley Park Farm; and the Farm will feature again in the 1930's)
18th March 1916 – Birmingham News
Municipal Notes
The Parks – We suppose there are few men better acquainted with the history of Birmingham than Mr. R.K. Dent, and in selecting him to write the history of the Birmingham public parks and recreation grounds, which has just been published, the Birmingham parks Committee made a wise choice. As the movement for providing open spaces in the city was of comparative recent origin, there is not much material available, but Mr. Dent has made the best possible use of it, and the little volume is rendered all the more interesting by the photographs with which it is embellished. It is well that the public should be induced to think about the “lungs” with which the city has been provided. They represent an asset the value of which cannot be over-estimated, and we hope that time is not far distant when, by gift or otherwise, the number of open spaces will be substantially increased.
5th June 1916 – Parks Committee
The following communication was received from Messrs. Sutton & Sons:-
Reading
May 26th 1916
W.H. Morter, Esq.
Dear Sir,
Referring to your conversation with our Mr. Blaxill at Chelsea, we have very great pleasure in confirming his invitation for you and the gardeners at the Birmingham Public Works to visit our Establishment and Trial Gardens, in July. It is a little early to yet fix an exact date as of course the condition of the annuals, etc. there depends altogether on the weather we have between now and then; but if you will allow us, we will gladly notify you a little nearer the time when the flowers will be at their best.
With kindest regards,
We are, dear Sir,
Yours faithfully
(signed) Sutton & Sons.
1802 Resolved:- That permission be granted to the Park-keepers about 20 in number to accept the invitation of Messrs. Sutton & Sons to visit their Establishment and Trial Grounds at Reading in July next, and that a sum of £10 be contributed by this Committee towards their expenses.
24th July 1916 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Johnson in the unavoidable absence of Councillor Brown through illness, presented the following report of the Administration Sub Committee:-
Water Department. Easements.
Your Sub-Committee have had under consideration the question of easements for inspection chambers and mains laid in various Parks granted to the Water Committee. Up to the present time, no charge has been made for such easements, but in view of the fact that the Water Committee have departed from the arrangement which had been in existence for some years, namely, to charge your Committee a nominal sum for Water Supply in connection with the Parks, in consideration of the easements referred to, and have now given notice that in future the scale of charges will apply to all Parks, the result of which will be to increase the annual charge for water by about £250 per annum, and in these circumstances, your Sub-Committee consider that it is only fair that the Water Department should pay a reasonable sum for the easements granted to them.
There are water mains laid in Selly Oak, Summerfield and Calthorpe Parks as shewn upon the Plan submitted, but with regard to Selly Oak Park, the Water Department state that this easement was acquired from the owner of the ground prior to the Park being presented to the City.
Your Sub Committee accordingly recommend that a charge of £100 per annum be made to the Water Deparement in respect of such easements.
Water Department. Easements.
1837 Resolved:- That the Water Department be charged a sum of £100 per annum in respect of easements for Inspection Chambers and Mains laid in the Parks under the control of the City.
25th September 1916 - Administration Sub-Committee
24th July 1916 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Johnson in the unavoidable absence of Councillor Brown through illness, presented the following report of the Administration Sub Committee:-
Water Department. Easements.
Your Sub-Committee have had under consideration the question of easements for inspection chambers and mains laid in various Parks granted to the Water Committee. Up to the present time, no charge has been made for such easements, but in view of the fact that the Water Committee have departed from the arrangement which had been in existence for some years, namely, to charge your Committee a nominal sum for Water Supply in connection with the Parks, in consideration of the easements referred to, and have now given notice that in future the scale of charges will apply to all Parks, the result of which will be to increase the annual charge for water by about £250 per annum, and in these circumstances, your Sub-Committee consider that it is only fair that the Water Department should pay a reasonable sum for the easements granted to them.
There are water mains laid in Selly Oak, Summerfield and Calthorpe Parks as shewn upon the Plan submitted, but with regard to Selly Oak Park, the Water Department state that this easement was acquired from the owner of the ground prior to the Park being presented to the City.
Your Sub Committee accordingly recommend that a charge of £100 per annum be made to the Water Deparement in respect of such easements.
Water Department. Easements.
1837 Resolved:- That the Water Department be charged a sum of £100 per annum in respect of easements for Inspection Chambers and Mains laid in the Parks under the control of the City.
25th September 1916 - Administration Sub-Committee
Park Keepers Outing
1260 The Superintendent reported that he had been requested by the Members of the Staff who accepted Messrs Sutton & Son’s invitation to Reading to convey to the Committee their best thanks for their kindness in granting permission to accept the invitation and contributing towards their expenses. The Superintendent added that the staff had a most enjoyable day and that it was an educational treat.
30th September 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Selly Oak and Bournbrook
FOOTBALL ITEM – In an interesting football match on Saturday afternoon in Selly Oak Park, under the auspices of the association’s code, Handsworth Unity proved successful against Selly Oak Juniors by four goals to two, their points being scored by Brown, Cross, Gould and Lycett. The afternoon proved delightfully fine.
VICTORIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE – An interesting Association match in connection with the Victoria Football League (Division III) was played on Saturday afternoon at the Park, between Selly Oak Athletic and S. Chad’s Junrs., this being the Athletic’s first home match. The Selly Oak team commenced the present season with two away matches, and so far the club has performed very creditably. The result of the first match was Selly Oak Athletic 7, Newtown Row Wesleyans 0, the match being played at Perry Barr, while the next week they journeyed to Kings Heath and defeated the local combination by 3 goals to 1. Saturday’s match being the Athletic’s first league fixture at home the game was looked forward to with much interest. The beautiful afternoon, too, attracted a fair number of spectators, and the creditable display given by the home side proved very acceptable to the local partisans. The team turned out as advertised. They were:- Selly Oak Athletic: Goal, Brunt; backs, Jones and T. Wood; half-backs, M. Woods, Griffiths and Peasey; forwards, Thompson, W. Tyler, H. Harris, P. Tyler and Newall. St Chad’s: Goal, Daw: backs, Tomnley and Talbot; half-backs, Painting, Pritchett and Cooper; forwards, Davis, Boss, Capener, Straw and O’Dell. Referee: Mr. A. Bamton (Edgbaston). The Athletic having lost the toss, they were set to face the sun and kick uphill. From the kick-off Harris passed out to Thompson who, racing away, sent across to newall. The latter cut in and sent to W. Tyler, who beat the backs and shot, the goalkeeper allowing the ball to pass between his fingers after two minutes’ play. This early reverse stung the saints, and Athletic defence was sorely tired, but Jones saved his side on many occasions. Play now was fairly even. After 35 minutes’ play a corner fell to the home side. Newall took the kick and placed the ball right across goal. Daw, in attempting to clear, put through his own goal. The Saints strove hard to reduce the lead, but failed, and at the interval the score read Selly Oak 2, St. Chad’s 0. Recommencing, the Athletic had the advantage of the slope. Newall, securing raced away, and tricked several opponents. His shot was punched out by Daw, but Peasey meeting the rebound, sent in a terrific shot, which completely beat Daw. Athletic now had the better of the exchanges, and Harris touching out to Thompson, cut in and gave Daw no chance with his shot. Thompson who was in fine form, accepting a pass from F. Tyler, made a brilliant run down the wing, and getting right in gave Daw no chance whatever. The Saints now raised themselves, and Capener, securing, raced away. He gave Brunt no chance with his shot. From the centre kick the Saints got away, and during a scrimmage round the visitors’ goal and, Newall, who was ever on the alert, received and registered number six. Harris, who had been playing a splendid game, scored a seventh, and H. Wood the eighth. St. Chad’s tried hard to reduce the lead, but the Athletic’s defence was quite safe. Result: Selly Oak Athletic 8. St. Chad’s Jnrs. 1. The Athletic’s record in the league up to date is: Played 3, won 2, 24 goals for, 2 goals against, 6 points. This brings them top of the league so far, and the prospects for the season are therefore encouraging.
2nd October 1916 – Parks Committee
Councillor Brown presented the following report of the Administrative Sub Committee.
Park-keeper’s Outing
The members of the Staff desire to convey to your Committee their best thanks for granting permission to accept an invitation of Messrs. Sutton & Sons to Reading, and contributing towards their expenses. Your Sub Committee are informed that the staff had a most enjoyable day, and that it was an educational visit.
8th October 1916 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton and Northfield Districts
Selly Oak and Bournbrook
VICTORIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE (DIV 3) – Selly Oak Athletic entertained Kings Heath Star at Selly Oak Park on Saturday, in their seventh league match. The corresponding game this season at Kings Heath resulted in a win for the Athletic by 2 goals to 1. The teams were: Selly Oak Athletic: Goal, L. Hadley; backs, S. Jones (captain) and T. Wood; half-backs, H. Wood, A. Griffiths and F. Tyler; forwards, O. Rogers, H. Thompson, W. Tyler, E. Feasey and S. Newall. Kings Heath Star: Goal, P. Mutlow; backs, F. Smith and W. Savage; half-backs, Willets, Jenks and Hands; forwards, L. Spiers, Arrowsmith, Clayton, Adams and Vale. Referee: Mr. T. Eaton, Weoley Park. The Athletic won the toss and elected to kick down hill. Rogers securing, passed forward to Thompson, who, racing in, opened the home club’s account in the first minute. Shortly afterwards the same player registered number two. The Selly Oak team combined to hold their own, and following a scrimmage round the Kings Heath goal, Feasey obtaining, sent in a rasping shot, which gave Mutlow no chance whatever. Towards half-time the same player scored the Athletic’s fourth goal, the interval score reading: Selly Oak 4, Kings Heath 0. Resuming, the Athletic bombarded the Star’s goal, but Mutlow was in fine form. Thompson, however, accepted a pass from Newell, cut in, and scored the fifth. Jones missed with a penalty for the Athletic. T. Wood next getting through put the ball well out of Mutlow’s reach. Toward the finish Newell, from a corner, sent the ball in and Mutlow, in attempting to clear, put through his own goal. It was a good, clean game, and Jones, the Athletic captain, gave a capital exhibition. Result: Selly Oak Athletic 7, Kings Heath Star 0. - The Athletic have played seven league matches this season, winning all and obtaining 46 goals as against only three recorded by their opponents. This is a highly creditable record, and brings them top of the league so far. Their good form has proved very encouraging to the supporters of the club.
31st October 1916 – Finance Sub-Committee, reported on
4th December 1916 – Parks Committee
(The following figures are included in a report of the Finance Sub-Committee for the half year ending 30th September 1916.)
Selly Oak Park:
Estimated,1915-16 Actual to 30th Sept 1916
Income £ 20 £ 3. 10. 2
Expenditure £416 £131. 9. 2
