Ongoing research; last updated on 8 February 2011
7th February 1920 – The Birmingham News
Elliott’s and a Model Village
Welfare Scheme Developing
In connection with the Welfare Department of Elliott’s Metal Company, Selly Oak, a beginning is being made with an important scheme for providing recreation facilities for the employees, and later on, housing some of them.
Football and cricket teams have been in existence for the past year or more, and a scheme is now in process of development which will largely add to the sports’ accommodation in Frederick Road during the coming season.
A contract has been placed with Messrs. Hewitt and Co., of Solihull, for the laying out of three tennis courts and a bowling green. This is part of a larger scheme which has been under consideration for a long time, and it is hoped that in the near future operations may be commenced and a model village built for the work people.
A large site in Frederick Road with a frontage to Bristol Road, and overlooking Selly Oak Park, in Gibbins Road is owned by the firm, and there is accommodation there for about 150 houses. Probably, these will be erected on each side of the triangle formed by the three roads, and sports grounds - football, cricket, bowling, and tennis - will be enclosed by the rows of houses, eventually.
The house building project is not yet in its final form, but when the dwellings are erected they will be made available for the workpeople to purchase them through a public utility facility. Whatever is done in this direction will help to solve the housing problem. The estate has the recommendation that it is within seven minutes’ walk of the works and is very near to the Selly Oak shopping centre.
26th April 1920 - Administration Sub-Committee
Summary of repairs to Gymnasia at the various Parks and Recreation Grounds
The following report of the Superintendent was read:-
The Gymnasia at many of the Parks and Recreation Grounds are in a very bad state of repair and dangerous to children using the apparatus.
It is quite impossible to get a contractor to give a definite price for this class of work, as it is only when the repairs are actually carried out that the extent of the wear and tear is realized.
Under existing conditions day work is very unsatisfactory, and I have therefore obtained approximate estimates to carry out the most urgent works to repair and put in proper working order.
Swings Chains badly worn, seats broken or gone altogether.
Swing boats Heavy cumbersome and dangerous to small children too young to appreciate the danger of a swinging boat, this has been the cause of several accidents, sometimes serious.
Giant Stride Chairs partly worn out, capping broken, pole worn thin by swinging chains and quite out of working order.
Parallel Bars The woodwork in most cases is perished beyond repair, supports and brackets broken.
See-Saws The woodwork is badly worn, pins strained and stop blocks gone.
Joy-Wheels These Joy-Wheels were much appreciated by the small children when in working order, at present the one at Walmer is in use, but needs overhauling, whilst the one from Oxygen Street is lying at Park Street Gardens almost hopelessly broken and many parts missing.
Estimate for Repairs as follows:
Estimate
£. s. d.
Selly Oak Park 39. 10. 0.
Total 697. 12. 6.
1952 Resolved:- That it be an instruction to the Chief Superintendent to have the necessary repairs to gymnasia executed at the various parks and recreation grounds at an estimated cost of £697-12-6.
5th June 1920 - Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield, and Harborne Districts
Selly Oak & Bournbrook
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS AND SUMMER PARTY FUND – At the general meeting of the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Christmas Tree and Summer Party Fund, the following officers and committee members were elected:- President, Mr. A.A. James, J.P.; vice-president, Mr. C.J.L. Kay; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. Roberts; hon. general secretary, Mr. W.A. Davies; hon. assistant secretary, Mr. W.C. Baldwin. The sub-committees will be:- Catering arrangements, Mrs. K. Bowcott; secretary, Mr. J. Wheatley; entertainments and sports, chairman, Mr. Mr. W. Clarke, secretary, Mr. H.C. Hill; procession arrangements, Mr. Jarvis Jones, secretary, Mr. T. Pinson. Much regret was expressed at the receipt of the resignation of Mr. C.A. Lucas[1] who had, for more than 20 years, so ably filled the position of president.
The annual cost of the Christmas Tree and Summer Festival amounted to £500. By the kind permission of the Bournbrook Electric Theatre (Grange Road) a special matinee performance will be given on Wednesday, June 23rd, at 2.30 p.m. in aid of the fund, for which there will be provided special star pictures comprising an entirely new programme.. Tickets may be had from the Institute.
The annual festival will take place on August 18, when all kinds of sports will be arranged, including round-abouts and side-shows, and it is hoped that permission will be given for the use of Selly Oak Park (Gibbons (sic) Road) for the occasion. The committee are inviting the cooperation of factory works, religious bodies, and friendly societies to come forward as stewards and helpers. Those willing to assist are requested to communicate with Mr. W.A. Davis, secretary, Selly Oak Institute, at an early date. An appeal is being made for subscriptions to the fund, which will be gratefully received by the secretary.
The annual cost of the Christmas Tree and Summer Festival amounted to £500. By the kind permission of the Bournbrook Electric Theatre (Grange Road) a special matinee performance will be given on Wednesday, June 23rd, at 2.30 p.m. in aid of the fund, for which there will be provided special star pictures comprising an entirely new programme.. Tickets may be had from the Institute.
The annual festival will take place on August 18, when all kinds of sports will be arranged, including round-abouts and side-shows, and it is hoped that permission will be given for the use of Selly Oak Park (Gibbons (sic) Road) for the occasion. The committee are inviting the cooperation of factory works, religious bodies, and friendly societies to come forward as stewards and helpers. Those willing to assist are requested to communicate with Mr. W.A. Davis, secretary, Selly Oak Institute, at an early date. An appeal is being made for subscriptions to the fund, which will be gratefully received by the secretary.
28th June 1920 - Administration Sub-Committee
A communication was read from Councillor Hart urging the Committee to reconsider their decision in reference to the application from the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Party Summer Fund for the use and closing of Selly Oak Park on August 18th.
2002 Resolved:- That the use of Selly Oak Park be granted to the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Summer Party Fund on August 18th 1920 and that the Park be closed for this purpose on this occasion and that Mr. Councillor Hart be informed that this must not be taken as a precedent.
3rd July 1920 – Birmingham News
Northfield and Haborne Districts
Selly Oak & Bournbrook
Children’s Party – The arrangements for the annual children’s summer party are being steadily completed. This year the party will be held under the auspices of the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Christmas and Summer Party Fund, the two organizations having combined to carry on the work more effectively and to prevent overlapping. The 18th of August has been selected for the party, which will be held in the Selly Oak Park and every effort will be made to ensure the complete success of the function. The traders of the district will lend their motor vehicles for the conveyance of the infants and younger children to the park, and the programme, which is only in a provisional form at present, will include a high tea of the kind dear to the juvenile heart and suitable pastimes. Various local boys’ and girls’ organizations will contribute to the entertainments side, among others the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and the Selly Oak Girls’ Club. The work calls for generous financial support, and it is hoped that the public of the Selly Oak district will join in “doing their bit” to gladden the hearts of the little ones on the great day. Mr. Davis of the Selly Oak Institute, is an indefatigable and zealous worker on behalf of the children, and he has done a great deal in the way of securing support. The committee express their warm thanks to the directors of the Electric Theatre for their kindness in giving a matinee in aid of the fund. The proceeds exceeded £10. The proprietor of the Selly Oak Picturedrome, Mr. Gathercole, has promised to give a picture show on behalf of the fund. It is hoped the general public will respond generously.
13th July 1920 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the Chief Superintendent was read:-
Detailed Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st March 1920.
Selly Oak Park:
Estimated,1919-20 Actual to 31st March 1920
Income £ 25 £ 86. 10. 10
Expenditure £746 £811. 16. 3
Resolved:- That the report of the Chief Superintendent be received and entered on the Minutes.
7th August 1920 – Birmingham News
Kings Norton, Northfield and Harborne Districts
Selly Oak & Bournbrook
Children’ Summer Outing – The final arrangements and plans in connection with the annual summer outing to be held in the Selly Oak Park on Wednesday, 18 August, under the auspices of the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Poor Children’s Christmas Tree and Summer Outing Fund Committees are being completed. Details of organization will be dealt with at an important meeting of the committees on Tuesday next.
14th August 1920 – Birmingham News
Children’s Summer Party
Final Arrangements for Selly Oak Function
Important business in connection with the children’s festival which will be held in Selly Oak Park, Gibbins Lane (sic), on Wednesday next, was transacted at a special meeting of the committee of the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Children’s Christmas Tree and Summer Outing Fund at Selly Oak Institute, on Tuesday night. Mr. A.A. James presided over a good attendance.
Mr. W.A. Davis, general secretary, said they had invited 100 children from the Selly Oak Homes, and had received a reply thanking them and inquiring if the invitation referred to the children in the Cottage Homes, Shenley Fields, as there were very few children of school age in the Selly Oak Institution. In Shenley Fields Homes, there were 250, nearly all, if not all, of whom were of school age. Mr. Davis thereupon had invited the 250 children at Shenley Fields, on condition that those responsible for the homes would undertake to convey the children to and from the park. That invitation was accepted with much pleasure. Since then, however, it had been found that a large number of the children were going away to Llandudno on the 12th August, and, consequently, only 100 boys would be able to attend. Those boys would be accompanied by an attendant and would arrive at the park at 2 o’clock. They would be due back at the Homes at 9 p.m. Warm thanks had been tendered to the committee by the Shenley Homes authorities.
Mr. James said it was very satisfactory and nice to be able to entertain these children in particular. And it showed the broad spirit of the festival Committee.
It was stated that, as the distance from the Homes to the park was not very great, arrangements had been made for the Shenley Fields boys to walk; but, in consideration of this, they would not take part in the procession to the park.
Mr. Davis announced that a matinee given by Mr. Gathercole at the Selly Oak Picture House on the previous Wednesday had yielded £12 12s. (Applause).
A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Gathercole.
On the question of printing and distribution of programmes, Mr. Davis protested. He understood, he said, that both Mr. W.C. Clark and himself had been appointed to look after the matter. That morning he went to the printer to see how things were going, and he was definitely told he had nothing to do with it. What was he (Mr. Davis) acting as general secretary for? He (Mr. Davis) wanted an explanation.
Mr. W.C. Clark failed to see what Mr. Davis’s grievances were in that respect. By resolution of the Finance Committee, the matter of the programmes was left in his hands, and he was simply acting under instructions.
Mr. James said it was very unfortunate that question arose. He believed everything had been done in good faith and in the best interests of the festival. The Finance Committee, at a meeting during Mr. Davis’s absence on holiday, decided that the programmes ought to be pushed on and they had no alternative but to ask Mr. Clark to put the matter in hand. There was nothing personal in it; they thought they were doing the best thing for everybody concerned.
Mr. Davis said he could not let it rest there. He felt perfectly justified in vindicating his own position, as he held that the programmes should have been dealt with by the general secretary. He wanted some apology. He was nonplussed when the printer told him that morning that Mr. Clark had said no one else was to have them.
Mr. Davis moved that the committee be asked to distribute the prorammes.
Mr. James said he must make a firmer stand. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, he was responsible for the work of that committee. If that general committee felt that the Finance Committee did wrong, he was quite open to a vote or resolution on the point. But, up to then, he failed to see that the Finance Committee did anything wrong. If nothing wrong had been done, then, as far as he was concerned the matter was ended.
Mr. Twyne, who, described the whole matter “more a child’s play than anything else”, moved that they should proceed to the next business, and this was seconded and approved.
Mr. Davis stated that there had been no response to his appeal, through the Press, for the loan of milk churns. Some had been promised, and he could provide two, but 27 were needed. They would obtain some idea of the magnitude of the task before them when he said that 475 gallons of tea would have to be made. Arrangements had been made for cutting up bread, etc., in the park shelter.
Mrs. Bowcott said she had forty lady helpers for cutting up, and they were all good workers.
The need of more clothes baskets was emphasized, as there were not half enough. It was suggested that, as in former years, the Board of Guardians, the Co-operative Society, and the Manor Farm would help if applied to.
It was reported that as roundabouts could not be obtained except at very high charges, it had been decided to substitute a boys and girls sports programme, and a committee had been hard at work making the arrangements.
Mr. James said when it was found that roundabouts were unobtainable on reasonable terms and a sports programme was decided on, the Finance Committee allotted £20 to the Sports Committee for the purchase of prizes. They believed that a sports programme would satisfy the children. The sports would be held in the playing ground, not in the park proper.
Mr. Jarvis Jones suggested that ladies should serve on the committee entrusted with buying prizes as girls would take part in the races and the ladies could choose appropriate prizes.
This was approved.
For the Processions Committee, Mr. Pinson said, as the Shenley Fields children would be away at Llandudno, the band on which they had relied for maypole dance music and other items would not be available. The Erdington Boys’ Band would take the place of the Shenley Fields Band.
Mr. Davis said the same bandmaster would come, so that there would be no variation in the music to be played. There would be three bands.
The reports of the Finance, Sports, Catering and Procession Committees were unanimously adopted.
Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Sheppard volunteered to co-operate with the Sports Committee in selecting prizes.
It was decided that stewards and workers generally on Festival Day should wear white ribands, on which the official stamp of the fund would be imprinted. These will be issued by the General Secretary, Mr. Davis.
Mr. H. Robertson (Honorary Treasurer) announced that since the effort began nearly £120 had been subscribed and there was more money to come in.
Mr. Davis calculated the expenditure would amount to £210.
The Treasurer said they could count on £140 towards that sum, so that they needed £70 more.
Mr. James urged that they did not want to encroach upon £90 which was on their deposit account at the bank. They wished to hold that over as a nucleus for future events.
The Treasurer said that Bournbrook had done splendidly, but Selly Oak had made a very, very poor response. The whole of Oak Tree Lane subscribed 3s. 4½d., everyone either saying that they had given already, or something of the sort. That compared with a contribution of £9 from the lower end of Dawlish Road! (Loud applause).
A lady collector congratulated the Treasurer on this year’s Oak Tree Lane result. Last year, she said, she spent two nights collecting in that road, and raised the glorious sum of 2s. 9d. (Laugher).
It was explained, however, that many people resident in Oak Tree Lane had given through the books and to collections in the local works.
Mr. James suggested the use of collecting boxes along the route, and Mr. Jarvis Jones said the matter was in hand.
Mr. Jarvis Jones said, as Chairman of the Procession Committee, naturally he assumed the office of chief marshal and ten others had agreed to act as section leaders. Each would take charge of a school.
A previous decision to buy butter instead of margarine was referred to, and it was agreed to accept Mr. A.W. Clark’s offer to supply butter at 3s. a pound. Fifty six pounds will be required.
Mr. A.W. Clark made the interesting statement that “Government” butter may have been in cold storage for three or four years, whereas free butter was fresh from the farmers’ dairies.
It was specifically ruled that the best quality butter should be purchased.
The final general meeting of the committee will be held at the Selly Oak Institute on Monday evening next at 7 o’clock.
21st August 1920 – Birmingham News
Children’s Festival
Four Thousand Entertained at Selly Oak
The festival in connection with the Selly Oak and Bournbrook Christmas Tree and Summer Outing Fund, which was to have taken place on Wednesday, was postponed until Thursday, on account of the inclement weather. The procession was arranged to start at one o’clock. Unfortunately another disappointment was experienced, when at 12.30 a very heavy downpour of rain and hail compelled the Committee to decide that, in view of the risk in taking the children to a wet field, the tea and sports would be held in the several schools in the district, the result was a thorough disorganization of all the arrangements, which the several committees had worked so hard to carry through. At 1.45, the procession of some 4,000 children paraded the principal street of the district, headed by the band of the Harborne Boys’ Cadet Corps, assisted by the 14th Company, Boys Life Brigade, with drums; after which sections of the procession marched to their respective schools for tea. The streets of Selly Oak, which bore quite a festive appearance, with flags flying from business and private houses, were crowded with spectators anxious to see the long and interesting procession. Motor and other vehicles, cycles, push chairs and perambulators, were all gaily decorated for the great event, representing various interesting subjects, trades, etc. Fancy dresses and costumes also brightened the procession from end to end. The procession had been judged prior to the start, and the judges must have experienced some difficulty in deciding the winners in the fancy dresses and other novelties for the prize competition.
The following competitors won prizes:- Girls’ fancy dress: 1st N. Delaney, “Indian”; 2nd N. Colman, “Bo-Peep”; 3rd D. D’Oyly, “Jockey”; 4th N. Brooks, “Britannia”; consolation prizes were won by A, Turrell, Winnie Cluckerbuck, Mary Hardiman, Dolly Palser, Adelaide Silvester, Ellis Cassell, Lily Smith, Hilda Spencer. Boys’ fancy dress: 1st F. Green; 2nd E. Downing; 3rd L. Nicholls; 4th E. Hogwood; consolation prizes were awarded to T. Wallison, A. Cook, E. Tupham, L. Roberts, R. Dillon, T. Wilkinson, and B. Riley. Novelties: 1st J. Knowles; 2nd C. Delay; 3rd J. Rose; 4th D. Boylin; consolation prizes, F. Smith and A. Durrall. Boys’ and girls’ fancy costume: 1st L. Doyly; 2nd J. Andrews; 3rd L. Grainger; 4th A. Stanley; consolation prize, W. Darcy. Decorated push chair: 1st Cyril Wattison, “Coster (True to Life)”; 2nd Mabel Tyrell, “House-hunting”; consolation prize, T. Hawkes, “Rag and Bone Man”. Decorated perambulator: 1st Margaret Nicholls; 2nd Dorothy Taylor. Decorated cycle: 1st Irene Hicklin; 2nd M. Turrell; 3rd A. Cook. The judges in the fancy dress section were Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Rawson and Mr. and Mrs. A. Davies, all of Hall Green. The prizes will be distributed on Wednesday next[2] at the Picture House, Grange Road, Bournbrook, prior to the evening performance, by the kind permission of Mr. A.A. James, J.P.
The order of procession from the place of assembly was:- Band, Wigmore School; Dawlish Road School Juniors; Dawlish Road School Seniors; Maypole dancers; Hubert Road School, Boys; fancy dress; Raddlebarn Road School, Boys; band, Harborne Boys’ cadets; Raddlebarn Road School, Juniors; Raddlebarn Road School, Girls; decorated prams and pushchairs; Selly Oak Junior Gymnastic Girls; Tiverton Road School, Juniors; Tiverton Road School, Seniors; band, Harborne School Cadets; St. Edward’s School, Juniors; St. Edward’s School, Seniors; Selly Oak Tiny Dancers; St. Mary’s School, Juniors; St. Mary’s School, Seniors; fancy dress; Harborne Lane School, Boys; decorated cycles; out scholars; 14th Coy. Boys’ Life Brigade with drums; vehicles for children. The Procession Committee were: Mr. Jarvis Jones (Chairman), Mr. Tom. G. Pinson (secretary), Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. Kimberley; Councillor J. Hart, Messrs. H. Bates, J. Bland, Blackwell, W. Clarke, T. Connelly, F. Cooper, W. Dufficey, Forty, B. Ingram, T. Miles, Pugh, and H. Wright.
At school, every child received a packet of buttered rolls and cake, and each was served with tea in cups provided by themselves. The division of labour brought about extra pressure for the members of the Catering Committee, but, thanks to British pluck and willing hands, everything passed off very satisfactorily.
After tea races were arranged in the respective schoolyards, and prizes were awarded after each race. Following the racing came interesting performances by the Selly Oak tiny dancers, after which the arrival of Punch and Judy caused the merry crowds to clamour with excitement for the best positions to view the performance of their old friends Punch and Judy, under the conductorship of Professor Alexander, with which the children were all highly amused.
The Sports and Entertainments Committee included: Mr. W.C. Clarke (chairman), Mr. Hill (secretary), Councillor J. Hart, Messrs. B. Ingram, A.E. West, J. Jones, Batchelor, Pugh, Bates, Forty, Davis, Dufficey, A.W. Clarke, Twine, and Sallis. The Finance Committee consisted of Messrs. James (chairman), Ray (vice-chairman), Mrs. Bowcott, Messrs J. Jones, T. Pinson, Wheatley, W.C. Clarke, Hill, H. Roberts (treasurer), Davis (secretary), and W. Baldwin (assistant secretary).
The children dispersed at seven o’clock, after which the Committee retired to the Selly Oak Institute for a well-deserved tea after an arduous task. A musical evening was spent when the Bournville Orchestral Band rendered some interesting selections. A troupe of pierrots added to the evening’s amusement.
[1] The same edition of the newspaper reports that Mr. C.A. Lucas, of Middle Park Farm, Selly Oak, had relinquished other public duties “in consequence of the summer time business calls upon his time”. An edition of the paper earlier in the year had also reported that he had relinquished his role as Alderman of the City, on account of age and health.
[2] The prize-giving was reported in the Birmingham News on 28 August 2010.
