Ongoing research; last updated 18 November 2011
1909
This page contains information discovered since the publication of "The Heydays of Selly Oak Park".
10th April 1909 - Birmingham News
Village Gossip
Felling an old Oak
A Selly Oak correspondent of mine writes to tell me that not a little feeling has been aroused amongst the older inhabitants of that go-a-head township by the felling of the old oak tree from which the place is reputed to be named. I know that old oak very well; it stands near the corner of Oak Tree Lane and the Bristol Road, and nearby is a house of refreshment named after it. It has been a good while since I saw it, but I remember one night some years ago visiting Selly Oak to attend a local election meeting – one of the most remarkable by the way I have ever been at. Before the meeting I had a walk round, and going in the direction of the Model Village I stumbled over the roots of that oak, as I have no doubt hundreds of others have done at one time or another. I have, therefore, no great sympathy, I am afraid, with those who complain about its destruction, and my correspondent’s note did not evoke even a passing regret, although, generally speaking, I do not look approvingly of the destruction of old landmarks. That old oak was like Scott’s last minstrel and like him is better at rest. Sentiment is dear at the cost of contused toes and broken bones. By the way, I wonder how much the trunk is worth as timber. It was of a good girth.
----------------------------------
Kings Norton and Northfield District Council
.........................
Mr. Harbun complained of the old oak tree at Selly Oak being felled. He understood that the matter would be brought before the Council before the tree was felled.
Mr. Shann said the question of feling the tree on account of it being a danger to the public was discussed at a meeting of the committee, and the decision to do so was reported to the Council at a meeting at which Mr. Harbun was present. The Council approved the report, and, therefore, approved the committee’s proposal on the point. Their decision was also published in the local papers. Two months passed by without a single word of opposition from anybody, and the committee then proceded to carry out their decision. Many of the branches of the tree were rotten, and a month ago a large branch fell. Had it struck anybody the injury would have been a serious one, but luckily no one was just passing by the tree at the time. In addition the tree blocked the footpath at a very busy corner, and oftentimes compelled pedestrians and the children coming out of school to take to the carriage way. Oak Tree Lane was now a through road for motor traffic to and from the direction of Harborne, and anything which forced people to leave the footway added to their risks of accident. No one respected sentiment more than he did, but he placed a higher value upon human lives, and when the question of human safety was involved sentiment had to be placed on one side.
1st May 1909 – Birmingham News
Village Gossip
The Old Oak
At the old residents’ dinner at Selly Oak on Wednesday it was suggested that a young oak tree should be planted on the spot on which the old one, now felled, stood. If doing so would allay the soreness that has been created by the felling of the old oak it is worthy of consideration, and it would be fitting that Mr. Deaman should be asked to perform the planting ceremony. The tree would have to be protected for a few years with a guard, and to this a small plate might be affixed recording the fact that the tree occupied the site of the old village oak. Two hundred years hence the new tree, if planted, may be as unmitigated a nuisance as the old one was, but District Councillors have enough burdens to bear without thinking for posterity so far ahead, and they may be pardoned if they evince a disposition to serve time and occasion in this little matter. To the crop of suggestions that have been made as to the use to which the old oak timber may be put may I add one; it is that it should be converted into roadside seats. As a variant upon the usual inscription on such seats we might have “Sit on the old oak, rest and be thankful”.
-----------------------------------
Old Selly Oakians at Dinner
Mourning the Felling of the Old Oak
A dinner arranged with the object of bringing together on a social footing the older residents of Selly Oak was held at the Bournbrook Hotel on Wednesday evening. The idea of holding such a function was first mooted some months ago – the late Mr. Joseph Whitehouse being one of the moving spirits in it. The recent felling of the old oak, however, gave a fillip to the project, and brought it to a head. Beside the old residents of the place, invitations were extended to gentlemen who have taken a part in local public affairs, regardless of the length of their connection with Selly Oak, and altogether a company of seventy sat down to dinner. County Councillor A.C. Hayes (the chairman of the District Council) presided, Mr. Andrew Crump occupied the vice-chair, and there were also present: County Councillor F.B. Darling, Councillors B.C. Bednall, G. Shann, C.H. Harbun and T. Thompson, Messrs. A.H. Bellott, J. Draper, C.L. Ray, J. Smith, E. Shephard, G.J. Purser, R.E. Bull, Cragg, W.A. Roberts, T. Fernihough, W.T. Randle, C. Brookes, J. Franklin, F. James, J. Parsonage, G. Follows, C. Bradley, D.A. Clark, Harry Moore, T. Smith, A. Wood, T.G. Pinson, T. Dowling, Harvey, E.J. Harvey, A. Smith, F. Monk, T. Monk, D. Hartwell, J. Felton, J. Edwards, Fellows, W. Haddon, J. Deaman, T. Hall, J. Dowler, T. Horton, W. Hinton, J.W. Harford, A. Flavell, F. Tomkins, J. Dunn, H. Withers, W. Palmer, H. Goodwin, S. Grove, and others. Apologies were received from Messrs. T. Halward, Dr. Garbutt, J. Humphries, J. Smedley, R. Bell, A. Harvey, Councillor Shephard and A. Philp.
An excellent dinner was served by Mr. and Mrs. Hall.
Worthy but not Infallible
Mr. J. Draper proposed the toast of “The Local Authorities” – the County Council, District Council, and Guardians. The representatives of the locality on these bodies, he said, discharged their duties with ability, gave a great deal of time to the work, and he had no doubt were a good deal of money out of pocket by their public service. He considered they were entitled to the thanks of their constituents for the work which they did on their behalf. They often had difficult questions to grapple with; at present they were faced with the problem of deciding between the annexation of the district to Birmingham or the municipal incorporation. He had perfect faith in their wisdom and sound judgment, and so far as he was concerned felt content to leave the matter in their hands. Personally, he was in sympathy with incorporation. He thought they had better look after their own affairs, than turn them over to Birmingham to administer them for them. While they paid tribute to the wisdom of their representatives he should like to suggest that it was possible for them to make a mistake. (The Chairman: Certainly.) The old Highway Board many years ago desired to curb and channel Oak Tree Lane, and to that end proposed to fell the old oak which was considered to be in the way. But not wishing to crush out the sentiment some of the old villagers had for that particular landmark they gave the parishioners an opportunity of saying whether it should remain or not. The parishioners demanded that it should remain, and it was accordingly allowed to. The District Council were faced with the same question, but in their case they did not consult their constituents, as he contended they ought to have done. In that he considered that they had overstepped the mark and were to blame. - The “toast” was heartily drunk, and the Chairman, and Councillors Darling, Bednall and Harbun replied.
A Memorial Suggested
The Chairman said he thought all shared in the sentiment associated with the old oak tree, but in these go-a-head times sentiment had often times to give place to the demands of utility. The Council’s decision was arrived at two months before the tree was actually felled, and it was made public through the “Birmingham News”. Had any objection been made during that period it would undoubtedly have been carefully considered. Personally he respected the sentiments of the old villagers very much and apologised very sincerely if what had been done had hurt their feelings. What had been done could not now be undone, but they would all take a deep interest in any proposal which would have the effect of healing the wound which had unwittingly been caused by the action of the Council. Something might be done, for instance, to mark the spot where the oak stood. They very greatly appreciated the invitation given them by the promoters of the dinner to join them on that festive occasion.
A New Spirit
Mr. Darling, in responding, referred like Mr. Hayes to the spirit animating the promoters of the meeting, and said that it seemed that a new spirit was abroad in Selly Oak. It did credit to the veterans of Selly Oak that they instead of nursing and brooding over the soreness which they felt at the felling of the old oak should meet the young ones as real sports and bury their grievances in that pleasant manner. It seemed to be opening a new chapter in the history of Selly Oak when that kindly spirit could be expressed between friend and foe. It was a great pleasure for him to be present to reciprocate that kindly spirit of the promoters of the dinner. They respected, and admired, and sympathised with the feeling that had been expressed over the removal of such an old landmark as the old oak tree was. As public representatives they made mistakes, but it was in trying to do their best according to their lights for the good of the district. Alluding to the continued state of unemployment in the district Mr. Darling expressed the hope that something further might be done by the District Council Distress Committee to alleviate it.
A Danger to the Public
Mr. Bednall, in responding, took advantage of the opportunity to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy received by him during his illness. Continuing, he said he was pleased to hear what had been said in regard to sentiment. To remove sentiment from life would be to rob it of one of its greatest blessings. He felt deeply with those who were grieved at the loss of an old landmark. At the same time they must remember that a short time ago two ladies were killed by a tree that fell at Northfield, and not long ago a large bough of the old oak fell through being rotten, and it would have meant certain death to anyone whom it had struck. On the occasion of the Northfield accident very strong remarks were made as to why the condition of the trees was not more looked after. If the old oak had been lopped of all its old branches very little beyond the trunk would have been left, and so the Council decided that it was better to remove the whole tree. They might have been wrong – no one was always right – but they acted with the best of intentions. He felt everyone present would give the Council credit for doing what they thought was for the public good, even though they might not agree with their decisions. It occurred to him that the timber of the old oak might be kept in the place by being used for the making of a rostrum in the People’s Hall to be built in Oak Tree Lane. He felt sure that if such an idea were represented to those concerned it would meet with favourable consideration. Such a gathering as that evening’s would, he felt sure, be of very great service in removing differences that existed and cementing them together in friendship. (Hear, hear.)
Suggested Old Boys’ Society
Mr. Harbun, in replying, also referred to the old oak, and agreed with the idea of some local use being made of the timber. He, however, did not agree with Mr. Bednall’s suggestion to that end, as although the place would be called the Peoples’ Hall, it would not belong to the people. He thought it would be far better to use the oak to make furniture for the Council Chamber. Mr. Harbun also suggested that there should be a Selly Oak Old Boys’ Society, and that they should meet together on convenient occaisions for social purposes and the discussion of any local affair in which they were interested.
Reminiscences
“Reminiscences of Selly Oak” formed an item on the programme, and these were given by Captain Crump and Mr. W. Haddon, both of them gentlemen who have been actively identified with the social and public life of Selly Oak for very many years.
Captain Crump said that it was thought that the name “Selly” was handed down to them from Saxon times, and there was certainly traces of a Roman camp to be found in the immediate neighbourhood. Oaktree Lane was no doubt part of the old Roman Road the Saltway. The old manor house of Bournbrook dated back to 1500, whilst the date of Weoley castle no one seemed to know. There were records of the place in the vestry as far back as 200 years ago. The Bristol Road from the Gun Barrels Hotel to Griffin’s Hill formed part of the old coaching road to Bristol. When the old Bell Inn at Northfield was re-built they found underneath doors and windows four feet below the present level of the ground. The canal was cut through the district and opend for traffic in 1794. Prior to the opening of the railway and the trams, between which there was a great race for priority, a brake van ran every Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock to town, putting up at a well-known hostel in Philip Street, and returning about 6 p.m. – with those who got back. (Laughter.) The first factory built in the district was the soap and candle works erected by the Sturge family. One of the stacks he believed was in existence now. Then there was the forge attached to the house which they were in, and which was worked by a water mill. Afterwards came Elliotts Metal Company, the Battery, the Tanyard, Cadburys, Hudsons, Components, Patent Enamel, Westley Richards, and last of all the French firm of Lorraine Dietrich. When he came to Selly Oak it was a very small place indeed, but he liked it and made up his mind to stick to it, and he had done so. (Hear, hear.) Alluding to the question raised as to the future government of the district, Mr. Crump recalled the fight made against Birmingham’s annexation proposals in 1891. He was secretary of the local anti-annexation committee. Years ago there was a feud between Northfield and Selly Oak. The government of the parish was directed from the former place, and the latter thought they did not get the attention they were entitled to. The Selly Oak ratepayers used to go to the vestry meetings at Northfield in wagons hired from the local factories in order to get enough votes to command a majority – which they eventually succeeded in obtaining. Amongst the fights which Selly Oak had had was one over the cemetery, which the Sanitary Authority proposed to have at Longbridge. They defeated that proposal, and the Lodge Hill cemetery was acquired. In his opinion the biggest mistake that had been made had been that of trying to separate Bournbrook from the Selly Oak section. (Hear, hear.)
A Proposal
Mr. Deaman explained the grounds for his personal sentiment for the old oak. He was born in the district in 1862, and had lived in it all his life. His grandfather’s cows grazed beneath the shadow of that old oak, and it was associated also with the building up of his own business. When he commenced he used to place his barrow, containing the bread, underneath a bough of the old oak with a dog tied to it to mind it while he delivered the bread to customers. His mother too, was reared beneath the shade of the old tree. As to it being rotten it took a good many men nine hours to fell it, and when they got the rope on it they could not pull it over – the rope broke and let them all down. (Laughter.) As to it being a nuisance they must not forget that they brought the nuisance to the oak tree. When he first knew it there was a space of 20 yards between the oak tree and the proper road. Had the inhabitants of Selly Oak known what was proposed to have been done he thought enough money would have been raised to have bought the house and everything necessary to have made a road for the public round the tree. In regard to what had been said as to healing the sore he had a proposal to make; a local lady (Mrs. Barrow) who had sympathised with the feeling over the oak had offered to provide a new oak to be planted on the same spot, and he hoped that would be done. He hoped they would have a portion of the old oak back again in the village. For himself he had asked Mr. Shephard to cut a piece for a coffin for him. (Laughter.) There was a well-known song which said that a boy’s best friend was his mother. It was the associations of his parents with the oak tree which gave him his respect for it. (Applause.)
An Election Incident of the Past
Mr. Hadden, who came to Selly Oak thirty-one years ago, recalled a number of incidents with which he had been connected. One of the first public matters in which he took part was the opposition to the efforts of Birmingham to increase the price of gas to Selly Oak. Mr. Crump and himself took part in a house to house canvass, and insisted in getting up such an opposition to the proposal as to secure its withdrawal. He also recollected an election riot that started in that very room. In those days Selly Oak was as Liberal as the sea is salt, and a local Liberal got into that room while a Conservative election meeting was being held. He was unable to restrain himself, and got thrown downstairs by some of the prize fighting gang hired for the meeting. He came up the village and sounded the alarm. The “young Turks” mustered in force – (laughter) – armed with table legs and anything that came handy, and when the “election lambs” emerged from the meeting a pitched battle ensued, and there were serious injuries on both sides. The Icknield Port Road contingent of paid men got the worst of it however, and at the finish were rolled in the brook that ran alongside the road. In those days the sewerage arrangements were not so good as they were today, and the sewage ran into the brook. (Laughter.) To show the advances that had been made since then it was sufficient to mention that the Selly Oak contingent was lead by the local policeman. Another incident recalled by Mr. Haddon he described as the darkest event associated with Selly Oak – the awful poverty brought about by the copper ring. Then Selly Oak depended mainly upon the copper and brass trades, and public soup kitchens had to be opened. Mr. Crump and he were two amongst many who worked to alleviate the distress amongst the inhabitants. Alluding to the political predilections of Selly Oak prior to the Home Rule split, the speaker entertained the audience with accounts of the straits the local Liberals were put to get up a debate. There was no opposition. Mr. Crump and himself and a dozen others tramped the village to find a Conservative, but could not. But if they could not get political strife genuinely they manufactured it. Some of their own side used to take the opposite side for the sake of the debate – he had had to do it, so had the late Mr. Simeon Hill, and so had Mr. Crump. They would be perhaps in a place of public assembly at which there was a Birmingham man present. Encouraged by the talk of those championing Conservatism he would join in, and sometimes he did so with gusto. But not for long; after a while the Selly Oak stalwarts would rise up and devour him. (Loud laughter.) Coming to later times, Mr, Haddon referred to the advent into local life of Mr. Olivieri, and paid warm tribute to his work. In conclusion, he referred to the old oak, identifying himself with the sentiment of the old villagers over the demolition.
Our Hosts
The toast of “Our Hosts” was proposed by Mr. R.E. Bull, and responded to by Councillor Thompson. Amongst the originators of the dinner, it was mentioned, were Messrs. Frank and Tom Monk. Mr. Dunn and Mr. Pinson were also mentioned for their work in connection with its organisation.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall were cordially thanked for their excellent catering.
Councillor Shann, in response to calls for a speech, said a few words expressive of the pleasure it gave him to be present, and commendatory of the excellent spirit which had been shown all round. The movement which had resulted in that dinner promised good things, he thought, for the future.
The evening’s musical programme was contributed by Mr. H. Sawyer, Mr. H. Goodwin, Mr. T. Pinson, the Selly Oak Parish Church Handbell Ringers, Mr. J. Edwards, and Mr. J. Dunn (pianist).
