Manor Farm Park, Birmingham B31 2AB. 1966-67
Taken during the winter of 1966-7, I remember capturing this photograph as if it were yesterday. My father had promised me the use of his trusty Rolleiflex and my mum, brother and I trooped off around the 'Manor', looking for a shot.
In the far distance, the roof of Northfield Manor House can just be glimpsed. * The building conveniently burnt down a few years ago (2014) to make way for yet more executive housing . If I had turned a few degrees to the right, the Cadbury barn would have come into view, built in 1895 and burnt down in an arson attack in July 2017. The boathouse can be seen in the distant centre of the photograph, and yes, if you're picking up on a pattern....
Those of you who want to get ahead of the game and find out what might mysteriously burn down next, can look at the comments on b31.org.uk/2020/11/last-chance-to-comment-on-king-george-...
(esp. the comment from Zola and I quote ...'Call me a cynic, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a “mysterious fire” should burn the place down, thus making any future planning app an easier process.
Obviously the “mysterious fire” events for “awkward” planning applications at the Cock Inn pub and North Worcester golf club house have absolutely no bearing on my cynicism'.)
In the early 1960s, the Birmingham Parks Police** had offices and kennels (they kept about eight to ten dogs, mostly alsatians and I think the odd doberman and rottweiler ) next to the barn. The 'Parkies' were for the most part, vigilant, friendly, and approachable, unlike their canine charges, a couple of which were just surly, the rest extremely vicious. I'm not sure how the dogs were recruited, but I am sure it wasn't from a petting corner.
The upshot was that the 'Parkies' kept the Parks safe, clean and tidy, as very few failed to heed the warning 'you get one more chance to clear off or I'm going to let the dog off the leash' .I know the ''ealth-and-safety' and social worker brigade will be aghast, but it worked.
Info on the barn here; www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/2017/08/07/the-cadbur...
Info on the Manor House here;
b31.org.uk/2010/11/northfield-manor-house-ever-heard-of-it/
and here;
b31.org.uk/2016/10/local-history-looking-back-at-northfie...
A history of the Park can be found here;
www.friendsofmanorfarmpark.org.uk/fomfp/index.php/history
* The Manor House Hall of Residence was used as a filming location for an episode of the BBC TV crime drama 'Dalziel and Pascoe', appearing as 'Holm Coltram University' in Season 1 Episode 2, 'An Advancement of Learning', first broadcast 23 March 1996
** Birmingham Parks Police was a small police force maintained by Birmingham Corporation to police the parks and open spaces of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Formed in 1912 and disbanded in the Sixties.
Manor Farm Park, Birmingham B31 2AB. 1966-67
Taken during the winter of 1966-7, I remember capturing this photograph as if it were yesterday. My father had promised me the use of his trusty Rolleiflex and my mum, brother and I trooped off around the 'Manor', looking for a shot.
In the far distance, the roof of Northfield Manor House can just be glimpsed. * The building conveniently burnt down a few years ago (2014) to make way for yet more executive housing . If I had turned a few degrees to the right, the Cadbury barn would have come into view, built in 1895 and burnt down in an arson attack in July 2017. The boathouse can be seen in the distant centre of the photograph, and yes, if you're picking up on a pattern....
Those of you who want to get ahead of the game and find out what might mysteriously burn down next, can look at the comments on b31.org.uk/2020/11/last-chance-to-comment-on-king-george-...
(esp. the comment from Zola and I quote ...'Call me a cynic, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a “mysterious fire” should burn the place down, thus making any future planning app an easier process.
Obviously the “mysterious fire” events for “awkward” planning applications at the Cock Inn pub and North Worcester golf club house have absolutely no bearing on my cynicism'.)
In the early 1960s, the Birmingham Parks Police** had offices and kennels (they kept about eight to ten dogs, mostly alsatians and I think the odd doberman and rottweiler ) next to the barn. The 'Parkies' were for the most part, vigilant, friendly, and approachable, unlike their canine charges, a couple of which were just surly, the rest extremely vicious. I'm not sure how the dogs were recruited, but I am sure it wasn't from a petting corner.
The upshot was that the 'Parkies' kept the Parks safe, clean and tidy, as very few failed to heed the warning 'you get one more chance to clear off or I'm going to let the dog off the leash' .I know the ''ealth-and-safety' and social worker brigade will be aghast, but it worked.
Info on the barn here; www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/2017/08/07/the-cadbur...
Info on the Manor House here;
b31.org.uk/2010/11/northfield-manor-house-ever-heard-of-it/
and here;
b31.org.uk/2016/10/local-history-looking-back-at-northfie...
A history of the Park can be found here;
www.friendsofmanorfarmpark.org.uk/fomfp/index.php/history
* The Manor House Hall of Residence was used as a filming location for an episode of the BBC TV crime drama 'Dalziel and Pascoe', appearing as 'Holm Coltram University' in Season 1 Episode 2, 'An Advancement of Learning', first broadcast 23 March 1996
** Birmingham Parks Police was a small police force maintained by Birmingham Corporation to police the parks and open spaces of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Formed in 1912 and disbanded in the Sixties.