Events
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Highbury restoration update
The Birmingham Conservation Trust website has a news item and three-minute interview about their options appraisal for the entire Highbury estate. An options appraisal is often a financial analysis, as was done by KPMG some years ago when BCC were thinking of selling the buildings. But in this case, the BCT are taking a broader look at what it would take to make Highbury work as a charitable resource, which necessarily means developing adequate income, but is also about making it available for the benefit of Brummies, such as through a sensitive heritage restoration, through charitable care projects like Four Seasons, or as a venue for educational and community activities.…
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Advance Notice: Chamberlain Family Letters – ‘from Empire to Appeasement’
A date for your diary: Wednesday 26th January, 7pm Chamberlain Family Letters – ‘from Empire to Appeasement’ The Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Road, Kings Heath, B14 7SA Highbury Park Friends present a fascinating talk by Peter Marsh, Honorary Professor of History at Birmingham University, based on his new book – ‘The Chamberlain Litany’ – which is an extraordinary analysis of over 10,000 letters between Chamberlain family members, over a 65 year period, including family discussions of major nineteenth and twentieth century events. This is as close as you can get to observing the lives of this famous local family, who produced three leading statesmen in two generations, an unrivalled…
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Tree Dressing Festivities
Yesterday’s sunny, warm-ish tree-dressing, tree-planting, and woodland walking event was both lots of fun and enjoyed by many. Parks Ranger Penny Marriott and a small crew of energetic volunteers cleared the ground and planted some 25 hawthorn whips alongside the allotments fence, then came over to the festivities tent and helped celebrate! Caroline Jariwala set up a flag-and-bunting stall, where young and old made decorative drawings on coloured fabrics, then hung them from branches and lines. One person, Naima, went so far as to knit purple flowers as well (very speedily, considering the size of them)! These decorations will remain through the holidays. When they are taken down, we are…
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Biodiversity Work Party
Last Saturday’s work party was notable for two things: the amount of work that got done, and the number of people that didn’t turn up. Six parks workers, the council ecologist, and (briefly) one HPF volunteer were in attendance, and did a dramatic amount of work on the east end of the big pond, plus strimming around the Henburys pond. Part of the idea is to change the pH of both pools by clearing laurel and rhododendron from the banks. An extra benefit is that both ponds are now easier to walk around, and have somewhat more light falling on them. The result
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Woodland Wildflower Garden
We’ve been working with Nicola Little of Quadron to identify and develop a patch of native wildflowers next to the apiary. The idea is to do something about the overabundance of Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) whilst also providing something of interest to the bees that’s suited to the location and habitat. The solution is to plant a variety of plant species that are both shade and damp tolerant, such as foxglove, ragged robin, bog primula, and wild garlic. But first, we need to clear a site, and decide what goes where! Volunteers needed So we are looking for volunteers to help with a) pulling up the balsam before it sets…
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Highbury Hall Summer Open Day
The city council catering department is having an Open Day at Highbury Hall, as set out on the Council webpage below. Highbury Hall Summer Open Day – Birmingham City Council Highbury Hall Summer Open DaySunday 13 June 201010.30 – 15.30Free Admission An opportunity to view a splendid Victorian mansion and grounds and have a guided tour. Guided tours available, £3.00 per person. Tours at 11.00, 12.00, 13.30 and 14.30 (subject to availability and change). BBQ in the gardens (weather permitting). Other light refreshments on sale. Families and children welcome. Sign Language: Available on Request Further information:Tel: 0121 449 6549 or email: events@birmingham.gov.uk Address:4 Yew Tree RoadMoseleyWest MidlandsUKB13 8QG Map: multimap…
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Highbury Trust Expressions of Interest & Public Meeting
After a period of confusion and doubt, it appears that the public meeting about Highbury Trust is going ahead. Nearly 3 weeks ago, we received an email with the following text Public Notice The Highbury Trust One of Birmingham’s most famous parliamentarian’s, Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain MP built Highbury Hall as a family home in 1878. The Highbury estate was transferred to trustees in 1919 by the eldest son of Joseph Chamberlain and the estate was finally gifted to Birmingham City Council on trust for the benefit of the citizens of Birmingham in 1932. The estate comprises of Highbury Hall, Chamberlain House and land that is now forms part of…
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‘Plant Hunters, Parks and Gardens’ – University of Birmingham
On Saturday 27th March 2010, from 10:00-4:30, a Day School is being held at the Centre for West Midlands History, University of Birmingham on ‘Plant Hunters, Parks and Gardens’. One of the speakers is Highbury landscape survey author Phillada Ballard, who will be talking about the history of Highbury Park. Other speakers are David Lambert and Simon Gulliver. This lecture responds to the growing momentum to promote the importance of heritage parks in Birmingham. Further details can be found at:Plant Hunters, Parks and Gardens: Developments in Garden History in Birmingham and the Midlands This event is part of the University Of Birmingham Day Schools and Evening Classes programme. A brochure…