Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
A short while ago, a friend suggested as a special treat, a visit to Winterbourne House in Edgbaston Park Road, next door to King Edward’s High School, and opposite the University. Now I had worked at the University site, up the road at the Maternity Hospital, for 37 years, and knew the surroundings quite well, having attended many meetings in neighbouring educational centres, and been an active member of Edgbaston Golf Club just across the Lake, but never visited it. I had been vaguely aware that it might be worth a stroll round for some time, and it was on our ‘bucket list’ of places to check out, so we did…and boy was it worth it! Steeped in history, and a lovely testament to another great old philanthropic Brummie import, John Nettlefold. Here’s a little biopic culled from various sources….well worth a visit…
John Sutton Nettlefold, JP (1866–1930) was the fourth son of Edward John Nettlefold (the son of John Sutton Nettlefold, 1792–1866) and was born in London in 1866. In 1878, he came to Birmingham and after leaving school entered the Broad Street offices of Messrs. Nettlefold and Co. (later GKN). Subsequently he resigned his post and became managing director of Kynoch Ltd, a position he retained for many years. He was also chairman of Thomas Smith's Stampings Ltd, and a director of Henry Hope and Sons Ltd for a considerable period.
In 1898 he entered the City Council as a representative of Edgbaston and Harborne Ward, and remained a Councillor until 1911.
In addition to his work for social reform Nettlefold was interested in charitable and philanthropic movements. For several years he was honorary secretary, and afterwards chairman of the Women’s Hospital, and a liberal subscriber to its funds. He was also at one time honorary treasurer of the Graham Street Charity School, and took a keen interest in the work of the Fazeley Street Mission. Nettlefold was a Justice of the Peace for Worcestershire, and also a magistrate for the city of Birmingham.
Whilst living in Birmingham Nettlefold commissioned a home for his family from the architect Joseph Lancaster Ball. The resulting Arts and Crafts style house was called Winterbourne and is currently open to the public.
Family story
Nettlefold family tree
Winterbourne House frontage
Interior fireplace
Nettlefold's most notable contribution was to the improvement of public housing in Birmingham for the working classes. In 1901, as the chairman of Birmingham's new Housing Committee he extended the city's slum clearance works. His publications on urban planning included "Slum Reform and Town Planning", and "Practical Housing". His greatest mark of success is the Moor Pool Estate in Harborne, which was completed in 1912.
Part of the large Birmingham Unitarian community, Nettlefold and his family attended the Church of Messiah on Broad Street, where he met his future wife, Margaret Chamberlain. He married Margaret on 14-09-1891 at the Church of Messiah on Broad Street, Birmingham. Father of Evelyn, Annie (Nina), John Kenrick, Beatrice, Lois and Valerie Nettlefold. Also father of Lousia and Robert Nettlefold who died in childhood.
Garden Design Text
Back of House
John Sutton Nettlefold, JP (1866–1930) was the fourth son of Edward John Nettlefold (the son of John Sutton Nettlefold, 1792–1866) and was born in London in 1866. In 1878, he came to Birmingham and after leaving school entered the Broad Street offices of Messrs. Nettlefold and Co. (later GKN). Subsequently he resigned his post and became managing director of Kynoch Ltd, a position he retained for many years. He was also chairman of Thomas Smith's Stampings Ltd, and a director of Henry Hope and Sons Ltd for a considerable period.
In 1898 he entered the City Council as a representative of Edgbaston and Harborne Ward, and remained a Councillor until 1911.
In addition to his work for social reform Nettlefold was interested in charitable and philanthropic movements. For several years he was honorary secretary, and afterwards chairman of the Women’s Hospital, and a liberal subscriber to its funds. He was also at one time honorary treasurer of the Graham Street Charity School, and took a keen interest in the work of the Fazeley Street Mission. Nettlefold was a Justice of the Peace for Worcestershire, and also a magistrate for the city of Birmingham.
Whilst living in Birmingham Nettlefold commissioned a home for his family from the architect Joseph Lancaster Ball. The resulting Arts and Crafts style house was called Winterbourne and is currently open to the public.
Family story
Nettlefold family tree
Winterbourne House frontage
Interior fireplace
Nettlefold's most notable contribution was to the improvement of public housing in Birmingham for the working classes. In 1901, as the chairman of Birmingham's new Housing Committee he extended the city's slum clearance works. His publications on urban planning included "Slum Reform and Town Planning", and "Practical Housing". His greatest mark of success is the Moor Pool Estate in Harborne, which was completed in 1912.
Part of the large Birmingham Unitarian community, Nettlefold and his family attended the Church of Messiah on Broad Street, where he met his future wife, Margaret Chamberlain. He married Margaret on 14-09-1891 at the Church of Messiah on Broad Street, Birmingham. Father of Evelyn, Annie (Nina), John Kenrick, Beatrice, Lois and Valerie Nettlefold. Also father of Lousia and Robert Nettlefold who died in childhood.
Garden Design Text
Back of House