Ongoing research; last updated 5 February 2011
Proposals for the provision and development of a recreation area for the people of Selly Oak were first discussed by the Northfield (Civil) Parish Council. Progress can be traced through their Minute books[1].
9th May 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
Moved by Mr. S. Hill, seconded by Mr. W. Holmes
57 That a Recreation Ground Committee be appointed with a view to the provision of a suitable recreation ground for Selly Oak, Bournbrook and Ten Acres.
The motion was supported by Mr. Haddon and Mr. Loud and carried unanimously; it being suggested that one Councillor from each ward should form the Committee and the following were proposed, seconded and carried unanimously, viz:
58
Ward | Member Elected | Proposed by: | Seconded by: |
Bournbrook | Mr. S. Hill | Mr. Roberts | Mr. Thompson |
Selly Oak | Mr. M. Loud | Mr. W. Haddon | Mr. R. Roberts |
Northfield | Mr. J. Barnes | Mr. S. Hill | Mr. M. Loud |
Bartley Green | Mr. W. Hall | Mr. J. Payne | Mr. Hallwood |
Selly Park | Mr. J.C. Aston | Mr. J. Barnes | Mr. W. Holmes |
13th June 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
The Recreation Ground Committee report was read by Mr. S. Hill, as follows:
380 The Recreation Ground Committee met on Tuesday June 2nd for the transaction of business. The appointment of Chairman was the first question to be considered. Mr. J. Barnes moved that Mr. S. Hill be Chairman and Mr. M. Loud seconded. This was carried unanimously. The Clerk pointed out the uncertain meaning attaching to the word “acquire” as applied to the hiring or purchase of land and as there seemed a general wish to have the matter definitely and finally cleared up the Clerk was instructed to write the Local Government Board. This has been done, and the Clerk is now in possession of the reply which (no doubt) he will read to the Council.
The Clerk then read the letter referred to which was as follows:-
Local Government Board
Whitehall. SW
10th June 1896
Sir,
I am directed by the Local Governemnt Board to advert to your letter of the 3rd instant, with reference to the proposal of the Parish Council of Northield to provide recreation grounds, and to state that, subject to the restrictions of the Local Government Act 1894, as to expenditure, the Parish Council have power to hire or purchase one or more recreation grounds.
If the Parish Council propose to incur any capital expenditure for the purpose which they think should be defrayed out of a loan, they will require the consent of the Parish Meeting, the County Council, and of the Local Government Board.
I am to add that any application for the Board’s consent to a loan should be accompanied by copies of the consents of the Parish Meeting and the County Council, a copy of the resolution of the Parish Council directing the application, a map of the Parish showing the position of the proposed recreation ground or grounds, plans and detailed estimates of the cost of any works proposed to be carried out, and the financial particulars indicated in the enclosed form.
I am, Sir
Your Obedient Servant
(signed) C.L. Dalton
Assistant Secretary
Moved by Mr. S. Hill, seconded by Mr. J.C. Aston,
381 That the report be adopted. (Carrd unanly)
11th July 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
Recreation Ground
397 The Clerk produced the following report which had been handed to him by Mr. S. Hill and it was read by the Chairman.
Recreation Ground
I wish to state that this Committee have again met in reference to the above and altho’ matters are not in as forward a state as we would wish I may fairly say that some progress has been made. We are in communication with a number of gentlemen in reference to the hire or purchase of land and from one of these we have received a reply that may lead to the deired end, so that while waiting further replies we shall take steps to make ourselves thoroughly acquainted with such offers as we have before us.
(signed) S. Hill
Chairman of Committee
Moved by Mr. J. Thompson, seconded by Mr. W. Hall,
398 That the minutes be confirmed and signed. (Carried unanly.)
10th October 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
Recreation Ground Committee
Moved by Mr. Hiil, seconded by Mr.J.C. Aston,
433 That the report of the Recreation Ground Committee be deferred to the end of the meeting and then be considered by the Council in Committee. (carried unanly.)
Meeting of the Committee of the Council to consider the report of the Recreation Ground Committee.
Mr. S. Hill, Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee read the report of the Committee as follows:-
439 In giving a short report of our work I wish to state for the information of the Council that we have made several applications for land which have been unsuccessful, viz: to Messrs. xxxx Docker and Tarleton for land bordering the Heeley and Exeter Roads, to G. F. Muntz Esq. for land on the other side of Raddle Barn Lane, and to Mr. Middlemore for land at the top end of the village.
We have been able to come to terms with Mr. Ledsam of Weoley Park Farm for 8 acres of land in a field bordering the Old Lane, and commonly known as the “Old Park”.
The price is £200 per acre.
It will be necessary to explain to the Council that Messrs. Ledsam and Middlemore are under an obligation to put the Old Road into thorough repair by channelling, kerbing, guttering and lighting. Each gentleman is responsible for one half of the road, which however may not be done until the year 1900. There are at a rough computation about 250 yeards of this road running alongside our land. As a condition of purchase we have undertaken Mr. Ledsam’s part of this 250 yards of road. The cost per yard will probably be from three to four pounds. At any rate the total cost will not be more than £500.
There is another stipulation, that the whole of the eight acres of the land shall be enclosed by a dwarf brick wall with ornamental iron fencing on top. There will be required somewhere around 800 yards of fencing at a price between seven and ten shillings per yard or say £300 total.
This total cost may be got at in the following way:
£
8 acres of land at £200 per acre 1600
Making our part of Old Road 500
800 yards fencing 300
2400
These figures will leave a balance of 600
3000
to be used for extras, say a shelter for the children, cutting roads, planting shrubs, etc.
Gentlemen, we have come to the conclusion that the situation is all that can be wished and will prove a healthy resort for our young people.
We are also satisfied that the scheme cannot be regarded (even by those who are opposed to it) as an extravagant one as the whole outlay will be covered by a fraction over a halfpenny rate.
In conclusion we recommend the scheme in all confidence to the Council hoping and believing they will not fail to note that a splendid opportunity is now afforded of doing lasting good to the children of Selly Oak and District.
(Signed) S. Hill
October 10th 1896
The above report was supplemented by further details by the Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee and the Clerk as to particulars of the negotiations with Mr. Ledsam and interviews with Mr. Ledsam’s Solicitor. A rough pencil tracing from the Ordnance 1/2500th map was produced showing the approximate situation of the proposed Recreation Ground. It was further explained that the new road to be made was to be 42 ft wide, and properly metalled, serviced, etc. in accordance with sections and plan already prepared and to the entire satisfaction of the Surveyor to the Rural District Council.
After a discussion and questions having been asked and answered, it was moved by Mr. Haddon, seconded by Mr. W. Holmes,
440 That this Council approves the report of the Recreation Ground Committee and requests them to continue their labours and report to the next Council meeting.
14th November 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
Recreation Ground Committee Report
454 Mr. S. Hill reported that negotiations with Mr. J. G. Ledsam had been continued and as a result a Draft Agreement had been prepared (with which there was a plan of the Land) embodying particulars of the arrangements provisionally entered into by the Committee, subject to the approval of the Council.
The Draft Agreement was then read by the Clerk and after a slight discussion it was moved by Mr. S. Hill, seconded by Mr. J.C. Aston,
455 That the Draft Agreement for the purchase of Land from Mr. J.G. Ledsam for the purpose of a Recreation Ground, be accepted by this Council. (Carried unanimously)
Moved by Mr. S. Hill, seconded by Mr. Mark Loud,
456 That the Recreation Ground Committee be instructed and empowered to procure all necessary plans and detailed estimates according to the Local Government Board’s letter of 10th June 1896 (No. 75854 K1) for the purpose (of) laying same before the Parish Meeting and County Council and Local Government Board.
12th December 1896 – Northfield Parish Council
470 Mr. S. Hill (Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee) read the minutes of the meetings of November 26th 1896 and December 12th 1896, giving full particulars of estimated expenditure with respect to the proposed Recreation Ground.
Moved by Mr. S. Hill, seconded by Mr. J.R. Green,
471 That the report of the Recreation Ground Committee be adopted. (Carried unanly)
[1] In the Archive and Heritage Section of Birmingham Central Library: Currently Refs MS 291 (Northfield Civil Parish). These documents were not available when I wrote "The Heydays of Selly Oak Park", but were subsequently found amongst a number of uncatalogued volumes in the library archives (note - when catalogued their reference details may change). The information from these early years which was subsequently referred to in the press, and included in the "Heydays", happily is verified and explained by these "unearthed" documents.
