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Sutton Park History

  • Thread starter Thread starter O.C.
  • Start date Start date
I've only just discovered this lovely long thread (yet another BHF gem!). So far I've really enjoyed Cromwell's excellent introduction, explaining the British, Roman and Anglo-Saxon (or rather Angle) history of Sutton Park.

In 1959 my family moved to Sutton Coldfield, where we lived at 121 Darnick Road. This was at the bottom of the hill leading down from New Oscott, not far from Monmouth Drive, which ran along the boundary of the park. I attended Banners Gate Primary School (Chester Road?), which was presumably named after one of the park gates. There certainly was a gate nearby, as we used to walk from school into the park on nature study expeditions, which I remember to this day as wonderful adventures. Happy days indeed!

Thanks everyone for the history, pictures and commentary. I'm looking forward to reading through the thread in the coming days.

[Cromwell's account of the ancient kingdom of Mercia (which the Angles called Mierce - the people of the March or Borderlands) has made me think. There are many who believe that England (Angle Land) should be more autonomous within the UK. I have no argument with them: my home is 12,000 miles away! But when I see how Birmingham is relegated to "the provinces" by many Londoners and other "southerners", I wonder if there isn't a case for reviving the kingdom of Mercia! View attachment 52793]
 
G G Jean said:
Thanks Dek but would that bring me to Wyndley?. Jean.
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Yes Jean but the route is restricted to walking only as there is a gate across the road but you can turn right at he top of the hill towards Keepers Pool the entrance to the donkey center is on the right a little way along. Dek
 
Thylacine in 1959 my family moved to Sutton Coldfield, where we lived at 121 Darnick Road. This was at the bottom of the hill leading down from New Oscott, not far from Monmouth Drive, which ran along the boundary of the park. I attended Banners Gate Primary School (Chester Road?), which was presumably named after one of the park gates. There certainly was a gate nearby, as we used to walk from school into the park on nature study expeditions, which I remember to this day as wonderful adventures. Happy days indeed!

My lovely aunt and uncle lived in Darnick Road at this time until around 1969 when they moved to a lovely village in retirement named Croperdy. Their family name was Hook and they had one daughter my cousin Patricia (Pat) I don't remember the number but I do remember many happy times there on our family visits.....small world!
 
Indeed, Wendy! I don't remember the Hooks, but I probably delivered their newspaper in 1961-1963 (I used to deliver my own "Beano"!). I'm sure they were very generous at Christmas time!

I've learned all about Banners Gate now from the thread (and seen a lovely picture of it, which brought the memories flooding back!). I'm loving this thread, which has become my "book at bedtime".
 
Hi Wendy i know Croperdy (it always reminds me of cowboy films i,m sure there is one with this name mentioned )it,s on the way to Banbury from Southam it,s a lovely place they have built the M40 quite near but i don,t think it has been affected. Dek
 
I went to visit them in Croperdy a couple of times and about five years ago we went there on a canal boat. We walked to the local pub and there was my son and his wife who had come to join us on Mothering Sunday. I loved the village they lived near the duck pond. They later moved to a bungalow at the top Edge Hill it was beautiful! My uncle Tom was the Post Master at Sutton Post Office.
 
Wendy said:
Thylacine in 1959 my family moved to Sutton Coldfield, where we lived at 121 Darnick Road. This was at the bottom of the hill leading down from New Oscott, not far from Monmouth Drive, which ran along the boundary of the park. I attended Banners Gate Primary School (Chester Road?), which was presumably named after one of the park gates. There certainly was a gate nearby, as we used to walk from school into the park on nature study expeditions, which I remember to this day as wonderful adventures. Happy days indeed!

My lovely aunt and uncle lived in Darnick Road at this time until around 1969 when they moved to a lovely village in retirement named Croperdy. Their family name was Hook and they had one daughter my cousin Patricia (Pat) I don't remember the number but I do remember many happy times there on our family visits.....small world!
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Hi Wendy, we used to to Cropedy quite often, my wife had relations in the village. It was the site of a famous battle in
the Civil War, The Battle of Croperdy Bridge, I remember taking a photo of the Post Office, hope you are well, have got lots of
plants, Bernie
 
Nice photo Bernard yes I still have a couple of your plants. Sorry for being off topic not a very good example. I love Sutton Park and get a lovely warm feeling when I visit. I suppose it's because It was where I spent a lot of my childhood.
 
Wendy we are going to visit the donkeys next week and you could always pay Bernard a visit via Sutton Park of course, he would make you so welcome. Jean.
 
Wendy said:
Nice photo Bernard yes I still have a couple of your plants. Sorry for being off topic not a very good example. I love Sutton Park and get a lovely warm feeling when I visit. I suppose it's because It was where I spent a lot of my childhood.
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Sorry Wendy, I really must remember to keep on thread, it must be my youthful exuberance, sorry, Bernard
 
My problem is I have to work in the week Jean.

Don't worry Bernard I am the worst culprit!!
 
Today in the park, Elisabeth Svendsen Trust held their annual summer fair, lots of people attended while I was there with the little one, the South Souths Dog Training put on a good show,
 
Does anyone know anything about the First World War tank that was once inside the main gate of the Park but removed for scrap in the Second World War?
 
Alan Tucker said:
Does anyone know anything about the First World War tank that was once inside the main gate of the Park but removed for scrap in the Second World War?
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Don,t remember that but i do remember a pool down Barnard Rd Whitehouse Common that was used to test Amphibian Tanks it had a concrete ramp leading into it. When we were kids we used to fish it all the time 1950s. Dek
 
Nice photos Dave (it,s years since i,ve been in the park about time i returned) 2 off the Donkey centre one of the Dam wall at Windley the other is just past the Donkey Centre at the top of the hill on the way to Keepers. Dek
 
dek carr said:
Nice photos Dave (it,s years since i,ve been in the park about time i returned) 2 off the Donkey centre one of the Dam wall at Windley the other is just past the Donkey Centre at the top of the hill on the way to Keepers. Dek
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Dek well done, apart from the road island, left out of the Donkey centre heading towards the visitor centre/main gate Dave
 
Your right Dave i used to know the Park like the back of my hand it,s time i returned had a walk round and recalled some of the good fun i had in there as a child and with my children. Dek i think i,ll take the grand children
 
You must go Dek. I don't go often but when I do I am so drawn to the place and those lovely carefree days come flooding back.
 
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