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Handsworth Park Victoria Park Handsworth
- Thread starter Oisin
- Start date
A great collection of photos. Makes you realise there were once many more occupations associated with parks of this size. The Rangers house looks very prestigious. And in photo #34 the boat keepers seem to have a special naval uniform. Or is it the uniform if a boating club? Viv.
Jayell
master brummie
No Jayell, the picture is correct. The entrance to the baths was on the same side of Grove Lane as the park main entrance. Don't forget there was another ( smaller ) entrance in the road around the corner of the baths ( can't remember the name of the road ).............Mal[/QUOTE]
Thanks Mal. Yes I realised the photo was correct but its just that it's such a long time ago since I used to go to the baths on a Sunday morning and then from there into the park with my pals, and I had completely forgotten that the entrance was on the same side. Loved the photo as it brought back many happy memories, and I am enjoying seeing all the pictures of the park. They are great! Judy
Thanks Mal. Yes I realised the photo was correct but its just that it's such a long time ago since I used to go to the baths on a Sunday morning and then from there into the park with my pals, and I had completely forgotten that the entrance was on the same side. Loved the photo as it brought back many happy memories, and I am enjoying seeing all the pictures of the park. They are great! Judy
Peg Monkey
master brummie
Hi Folks, in my 5th year when I should have been revising during my afternoon free periods (especially maths) I could often be found (with my close associates) on the boating pool in Handsworth Park. My chosen vessel: canoe. Not a craft, it would seem, available in 1910 (pic attached) when it also appears, judging by the expression on the guy's face, having the biggest oar wasn't something to celebrate.
Do they still host a fantastic flower show there?
Regards,
Peg.
Do they still host a fantastic flower show there?
Regards,
Peg.
Lady Penelope
master brummie
There's a lovely description of Handsworth Flower Show on the thread of that name started by jennyann. It really takes you there. Well worth a read but sorry I can't do links. I've got a feeling that the show, renamed Birmingham Show, moved to Perry Barr but not absolutely sure.
Just had a look at that link lady p and, yes, there's a lovely description and other memories on there. Well worth a browse. Link below. Thanks. Viv.
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/the-handsworth-flower-show.112/#post-2171
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/the-handsworth-flower-show.112/#post-2171
Lady Penelope
master brummie
Thanks Viv.
Peg Monkey
master brummie
Hi Folks, when aged 5 (1954) and living in Heaton Street, Hockley a trip to Handsworth Park was like a day out, always special, but one Sunday even more so when the day culminated with my mum buying me a pork sandwich at The Endwood, I can remember it like it was yesterday - a pub long gone, I guess.
Ah! Happy Days.
Regards,
Peg.
PS What a mansion the park keeper lived in?!
Ah! Happy Days.
Regards,
Peg.
PS What a mansion the park keeper lived in?!
A Sparks
master brummie
The Endwood pub building is still there but it's been closed for some time, according to this article from 2015 it is to be turned into a Mosque https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/bu...historic-handsworth-pub-become-mosque-9805375
However, I was in Birmingham last week and nothing seems to have been done to it yet.
However, I was in Birmingham last week and nothing seems to have been done to it yet.
Lady Penelope
master brummie
Pegmonkey, I went to the Endwood a few years back to listen to a folk concert. I think the folk club used to meet there on a Friday night. Do hope we don't lose another Grade II listed building. This ones coming up for it's 200th birthday soon. I believe the Muntz family had some connection to it.
S
Stitcher
Guest
Two
master brummie
#56 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#57 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#58 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#59 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#60 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#57 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#58 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#59 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
#60 - Handsworth Park - Visit by Mayor and Mayoress - 1913
Hi Oldbrit. Here are a couple of press cuttings. Viv.
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
Thanks Great stuff where did you get them?
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
Can you get any clippings from 1950 1951 I am in Parker Colorado USA
Radiorails
master brummie
Lyn, in posts 150 and 151, of this thread, there are a few photos of this building. They might help you to place it.
Hi Oldbrit. The press cuttings are from the British Newspaper Archive, subscription needed https://www.britishnewspaperarchive...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKGq3N3MjtoCFUsaGwodxaoPoA
I've looked through the 1950/51 dates. Can't find any further reports. I wonder if this is because the cycle facilities in parks were just being developed in Birmingham. The focus in the papers at this time seems to be on the Salford track which was widely reported - it was in the process of being agreed and developed in September 1950. I've seen a press cutting which talks about the need for more cycle facilities in Birmingham parks at the start of the 1950s. Viv.
I've looked through the 1950/51 dates. Can't find any further reports. I wonder if this is because the cycle facilities in parks were just being developed in Birmingham. The focus in the papers at this time seems to be on the Salford track which was widely reported - it was in the process of being agreed and developed in September 1950. I've seen a press cutting which talks about the need for more cycle facilities in Birmingham parks at the start of the 1950s. Viv.
thanks alan had a look but im still none the wiser as to the exact location of this building within the park i certainly cant remember seeing it before
lyn
According to this Historic England extract a villa existed there in 1780 built by Mr Bratt (presumably the husband of Mrs Bratt who lost her Pointer in the extract in #179) and is described as having a pleasure ground:
The Grove Estate comprised some 20 acres (c 8ha) of mid and late C19 pleasure grounds and meadows associated with a villa built in 1780 by William Bratt, a Birmingham steel toy manufacturer (ibid). The property had been improved by various owners in the 1870s and early 1880s, and a sale catalogue of 1883 describes pleasure grounds comprising shrubberies, a tennis lawn, conservatory, vineries, aviaries, an aquarium and fishpond, and a kitchen garden.
Following the purchase of The Grove, R H Vertegans of the Chad Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston, was approached to provide a plan 'shewing the way in which he would recommend the committee to lay out and plant the [estate] as public pleasure grounds' (Local Board Minute 284). Vertegans had already laid out several parks and recreation grounds in and around Birmingham, including, in 1879-81, West Park, Wolverhampton (qv).
At Handsworth, the new park incorporated The Grove and its gardens, the former walled garden and tennis lawn becoming a bowling green; a terrace walk and cricket ground were also provided (Birmingham Mail 1888). The planting of the park was undertaken by the Sheffield nursery of Fisher, Son and Sibray, and the completed park was opened on 20 June 1888, a year after Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee; by permission of the Queen, the park was known as Victoria Park. In the mid and late C20 the park has been known as Handsworth Park.
Link to Handsworth/Victoria Park's Historic England listing is here https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001473
Viv.
The Grove Estate comprised some 20 acres (c 8ha) of mid and late C19 pleasure grounds and meadows associated with a villa built in 1780 by William Bratt, a Birmingham steel toy manufacturer (ibid). The property had been improved by various owners in the 1870s and early 1880s, and a sale catalogue of 1883 describes pleasure grounds comprising shrubberies, a tennis lawn, conservatory, vineries, aviaries, an aquarium and fishpond, and a kitchen garden.
Following the purchase of The Grove, R H Vertegans of the Chad Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston, was approached to provide a plan 'shewing the way in which he would recommend the committee to lay out and plant the [estate] as public pleasure grounds' (Local Board Minute 284). Vertegans had already laid out several parks and recreation grounds in and around Birmingham, including, in 1879-81, West Park, Wolverhampton (qv).
At Handsworth, the new park incorporated The Grove and its gardens, the former walled garden and tennis lawn becoming a bowling green; a terrace walk and cricket ground were also provided (Birmingham Mail 1888). The planting of the park was undertaken by the Sheffield nursery of Fisher, Son and Sibray, and the completed park was opened on 20 June 1888, a year after Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee; by permission of the Queen, the park was known as Victoria Park. In the mid and late C20 the park has been known as Handsworth Park.
Link to Handsworth/Victoria Park's Historic England listing is here https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001473
Viv.