History Bournbrook

1 history

1.1 bourn brook mills
1.2 farms
1.3 kerby s pools
1.4 selly oak institute
1.5 selly oak water pumping station

history

prehistoric

along bourn brook evidence has been found of bronze age burnt mounds. these have been interpreted having domestic use, beer-making, or saunas implication there may have been prehistoric settlement nearby. small pieces of prehistoric, iron age, pottery , piece of worked flint found on selly park recreation ground in 1996 may indicate site of iron age farmstead in vicinity.

roman

metchley fort occupied site nearby distributing goods such salt droitwich places further north , west. probable upgraded existing tracks. @ point have needed ford brook , bournbrook seems place possibility of local support periods when area flooded.

anglo-saxon

until 1911 bourn brook ancient anglo-saxon boundary between worcestershire , staffordshire (harborne), , warwickshire (edgbaston). boundaries of midland shires possibly established during reign of danish kings 1016-1042 based on former tribal kingdoms. physical features used identify boundary of region or estate. hamlet of bournbrook developed @ crossing point of bourn brook. potentially meeting place nobility of each of shires. bourn brook, flows river rea near in cannon hill park, ward boundary.

bourn brook mills

the bourn brook in continuous use power mills several centuries. harborne mill in staffordshire until 1891. pebble mill , edgbaston mill both in warwickshire. mill shown in 1787-9 on westerly of streams edgbaston pool joined bourn brook near bristol road. may old silver rolling mill owned mr spurrier referred leonard, located near present eastern road fed brook ran edgbaston pool.

a miller mentioned in lechmere tax rolls weleye , selleye in 1276-82. archaeological excavation identified straightening of bourn brook , construction of mill leat suggests site of bourn brook mill medieval in origin , mill or mills had existed in same location 500–600 years. deposits relict water channels radiocarbon dated 15th , 16th centuries. fishponds leat drained have of late medieval date. further opportunity discover location of medieval mill useful inform local , regional research cycles.

in 16th century king family had fulling mill on bourn brook. henry cambden elder, knife cutler, built blade mill on part of gower’s farm in 1707. in 1727 mill assigned henry carver, brass founder. gunsmiths, heeley , company, recorded occupying mill in 1816. tithe map of 1839 shows land owned james kerby included forge. 1861 advertisement sale of bourn brook estate (worcestershire) describes rolling mill in occupation of bourne brook iron company within short distance of mining district. iron founder , metal roller, noah fellows occupied in 1863. arthur holden, paint manufacturer occupant in 1873. 1880 frederick spurrier worked mill rolling joined in 1908 henry spurrier.

farms

the tithe map shows in 1839 there 7 farms in selly oak. selly farm on corner of warwards lane , st stephen’s road. referred in 1809. replaced petrol filling station in 1970s , st stephen’s court, students’ apartments. raddlebarn farm formerly raddle barn doors farm in reference of 1776. had 50 acres , used grazing cattle. farmhouse survived until 1974 when replaced row of modern terraced houses. cowshed remained until 1990s being used fabric shop , kaplan’s. bournbrook farm @ junction of exeter , dawlish roads. owned john heeley, gunmaker owned bournbrook forge , mill. track became road extending far bristol road before development of estate began in 1870s. other farms gradually disappeared under pressure of increasing industrialisation , demand building land. selly hill farm converted selly hill house minor country residence , langleys farm became ‘the langleys’.

kerby s pools

the 1839 tithe map , apportionments northfield parish, worcestershire, show in bournbrook james kerby owned 43 acres of land included pools, forge, , bell , shovel inn. kerby’s pools victorian pleasure resort in bournbrook. 3 pools devoted boating , fishing , there leisure garden. people travel in great numbers enjoy entertainment , facilities resort offered. showell describes “a well-known , favourite resort on outskirt of borough, on bristol road, , formerly 1 of celebrated taverns , tea gardens of past days”. there variety of attractions , events fireworks displays. 1 of few spots fishing within walking distance of birmingham. sadly there accidents: on 17 may 1875 lawrence joyce drowned when boat upset, , 2 men drowned 23 july 1876.

the pools filled in during 1880s spread of heavy industry , construction of terraced housing workers diminished rural attractiveness of location. in 1878 cricket match played @ bournbrook. @ least 3,000 spectators present when game commenced @ noon on wednesday 25 june 1878. number had risen 12,000 close of play. first 2 days batting, bowling, , fielding excellent. sadly, thunderstorm on final day resulted in pitch being flooding , game abandoned.

selly oak institute

george cadbury teacher adult school movement. when moved chocolate factory bournville created purpose built institutes in selly oak, stirchley, , northfield serve working community. in 1894 extended coffee house had built workers of selly oak , bournbrook villages include meeting place society of friends, , use other groups. when elliott needed workman’s hall manager of elliott’s metal company ltd adult school moved selly oak institute located in bournbrook. institute listed building. described having large club room containing 3 billiard tables, 3 committee rooms, , large hall suited concerts , dramatic performance. various groups met there including choir , band. institute used others including traders , ratepayers association, , police held court there twice month. in 1899 boasted temperance tavern ‘the cyclists arms’. in 1937 address of relieving officer , registrar of births, marriages, , deaths, men’s social club, girls’ gymnastic club, selly oak choral union , miss christine boyse taught dancing. institute continued hold adult education courses , facilitate community groups have been relocated hubert road premises.

selly oak water pumping station

the tall brick , terracotta building resembles french gothic chapel selly oak water pumping station. in middle of 19th century piped water gradually became available throughout birmingham area due 6 wells built on outskirts of city. although built in 1870s birmingham corporation water department wasn’t opened until 1879 joseph chamberlain. following successful construction, in 1904, of elan valley pipeline retained in case of emergencies capped in 1920. beam engine built messrs. james watt , co. , produced 1¼ million gallons each day. site owned western power.