Kings Heath Horse Showground

[florence butler]

I have been given a letter written to my uncle in Canada, (now deceased), from a young lady friend living in Birmingham dated May 1929. Here is an extract: 'On the Kings Heath show ground, they are holding a Torchlight Tattoo. It is a splendid display. The horses and airplanes are thrilling. It would have been a great success had the trams been running...'
This event took place during the General strike...I am curious to know what a Torchlight Tattoo was and if the location would be where Kings Heath park is now. Does anyone know?

Many thanks....Florence

 

[Mike Fisher]

see https://www.kingsheathhorseshow.com

 

[Bernard67Arnold]

Hi Floence, As a boy I lived at Yardley Wood and went to several Horse Show in Kings Heath Park. My Dad was a carter for the GWR and we always went. Touchlight tattoo are military parades held in the evening and night, they
used the AA Searchlights to light up the Paradeground.Very exciting when you are young.I spent five years in the
Guards and took part in several Tattoos on Horse Guards Parade, not Touchlight I might add. The nearest we have
nowadays is the one at Edinbrough Castle which is on TV every year, Aug/Sept time. Bernard

 

[ColinB]

I have some on the Kings Heath Horse Show on my website, the Kings Heath Showground at Alcester Lanes End was used from 1923, previously it had taken place at Highbury Hall and later The Priory. The Showground became Kings Heath Dog Track, and is now an housing estata.

https://www.bhamb14.co.uk/index_files/ALCESTERLANESEND.htm

Colin

 

[florence butler]

Thanks all...I never gave it a thought to google for the Horse Show, as I usually try other means before asking on the forum. It was nice however to hear that you enjoyed these events so much Bernard. Must try and catch the Edinburgh castle one.

Kind regards, Florence

 

[Vivienne14]

A couple of press cuttings of the dog track. Sadly it had burnt down in a matter of weeks after the first photo. Viv.

 

[joe 90]

A couple of press cuttings of the dog track. Sadly it had burnt down in a matter of weeks after the first photo. Viv.

View attachment 123923 View attachment 123924

Hi Vivienne, where was this dog track please joe90

 

[mikejee]

Shown here on map c1937

 

[joe 90]

Thanks Mike,joe90

 

[pjmburns]

Still marked in the 1960s but houses now.

 

[Vivienne14]

Could someone confirm please that the dog track and the horse show ground are the same place (obviously at different times) as per post #4. Thanks. Viv.

 

[maypolebaz]

Shown here on map c1937
View attachment 123928

I remember seeing the Dog Track from the top of the bus, as a child.
There was a bus terminus in that area too, which I allways thought was originally to take tram passengers from The Nob on to the Maypole. I hope someone can put me right on that.

 

[pjmburns]

This site might help - it seems to suggest the Showground and Dog track are the same place https://www.kingsheathhorseshow.com/history.html

 

[Vivienne14]

The greyhound track in 1939. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Here is an article from Carl Chinn's Old Brum mag from 1999