Kings Heath Park - a much loved green space in the Birmingham suburbs

Take the full post for a selection of photos looking at the life of Kings Heath Park throughout the seasons. 

The park is managed by Birmingham City Council, with the help of a team of local volunteers, the 'Friends of Kings Heath Park'.

All photography by Christine Wright.

Find out more about the 'Friends of Kings Heath Park' by connecting here.

Kings Heath Park is centered on the Park House which was built in 1832 for the MP, William Congreve Russell. In 1880, it was bought by John Cartland (ancestor of the author Barbara Cartland, lover of pinkness and author of  romantic novels!).

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath-14.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The land was sold to the council and opened as a public park in 1908. The building houses council offices and the Cartland Tea Rooms.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-5.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-17.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Plants are available for sale in the nursery at Kings Heath Park.

Let's take a look at the Park though the seasons :

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/christine 170518.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath-11.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-13.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in autumn.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in autumn-6.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in autumn-2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in autumn (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park 2 Christine Wright 030318.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in snow Dec 2017-1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park. March 2018-1-2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in snow Dec 2017-4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Highbury Park in snow Dec 2017-1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Christine Wright Kings Heath Pics 2018-3775 .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Christine Wright Kings Heath Pics 2018-3750 .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park in snow Dec 2017-2(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/christine kings heath park.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-6.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park 310318.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath-8.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-15.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Rhododendron in Kings Heath park.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath-10.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath-13.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Late spring flowers in Kings Heath park.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-22.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Christine Wright.

Halloween Decorations around Kings Heath on the 31st October 2020

We are closer to a Covid Christmas now than Halloween. But on the afternoon of the 31st October 2020, I had one last walk around Kings Heath before the 2nd lockdown announcment. Mainly to see those flower planters on closed roads. But also saw Halloween decorations in front of houses, in windows etc. Pumpkins, skeletons, cobwebs!

HALLOWEEN KINGS HEATH, 31ST OCTOBER 2020

A month late, but Happy Halloween! The Nightmare Before Christmas! It was heavily raining on the morning of the 31st October 2020, and with a dry spell in the afternoon, I got the 11C bus to Kings Heath. Mainly to see the Low Traffic Neighbourhood around Kings Heath. But couldn't help notice some houses had Halloween decorations out at the time. It was rumoured that another lockdown was coming, but it wasn't confirmed until later that day.

 

Halloween bunting spotted on a hedge on Colmore Road in Kings Heath.

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Passing Vicarage Road and Kings Heath Park and onto Avenue Road. Saw this window with these decorations inside. The Day of the Dead!

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Then onto Highbury Road. Social Distance Trick or Treaters Welcome Here! Skeleton on the wall.

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Later after seeing the last of the LTN flower planters went down Springfield Road to get the 11A bus home.

Various Halloween decorations around this tree plus a hand!

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Cobwebs around this telegraph pole and on the bushes.

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More Halloween decorations in this window with the blue plaque for Miss Minnie May (who was a Teacher of Dressmaking that lived here in 1939).

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of the road was this pair of carved pumpkins. Looks like a bat.

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A more traditional scary Halloween pumpkin carving!

dndimg alt="Halloween Kings Heath" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Halloween Kings Heath (Oct 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

It's your community (Kings Heath & Moseley) - an interview with Fareeda Khan - PCSO with West Midlands Police

Jonathan from Birmingham We Are caught up with Fareeda Khan, a PCSO with West Midlands Police operating in the Moseley and Kings Heath Neighbourhood. Here’s a brief insight to Fareeda’s work with community and how she feels Kings Heath and Moseley can really benefit from Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022. 

Q.  Can you tell me a little about your work as a PCSO Fareeda?

“As a PCSO we are very visible in the community.  Our role is very much community based and we are the eyes and ears of the community. 

I particularly enjoy engaging with young people through schools and youth clubs.  Young people now understand our role a lot more and I like to think they have a lot more trust in us and are more forthcoming in approaching us.”

Q.  Fareeda, you cover Moseley and Kings Heath.  Can you tell me a little about your patch and the community?

“Moseley and Kings Heath are sometimes referred to as bohemian neighborhoods.  There’s a lot of culture and a lot of community get-togethers with street parties and festivals. They are very creative places to live and visit. People are always helping each other out.

It is a very friendly and inviting part of the city and a great place for people to visit.”

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Welcome to KH.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Welcome to Kings Heath courtesy Christine Wright

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (April 2020) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Moseley Bog courtesy Elliott Brown

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Highbury Hall (May 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Highbury Hall in Moseley courtesy Elliott Brown

Q. How can we ensure that these communities are best able to benefit from the City attracting more visitors with events coming up such as the Commonwealth Games?

“I think more awareness and more outreach work in the community. Raise awareness as some communities may feel a little isolated and that it’s not for them.  Perhaps there could be a showcase of the opportunities for younger people and parents and information on how they can get involved.

Perhaps opportunities via schools and colleges nearer the time so that young people can understand how they can get involved.”

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/art school.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Young people on National Citizen Service visit Art Rooms in Kings Heath 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Autumn in Highbury Park-2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: The Orchard, Highbury Park courtesy Christine Wright

Q. Do you think the police could have a big role to play in helping the local community maximize the opportunities presented by the Commonwealth Games?

“Because we do a lot of work with the community and work with many different agencies to build trust and confidence, people know they can come to us.  Another way they can connect with us is through something like sport and different types of outreach work.  If the police can get more involved, we can help community get more involved.”

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley and Kings Heath shed stall-2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Woodworkers from the Moseley and Kings Heath Shed courtesy Christine Wright

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/damo.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: St Mary's Church, Moseley courtesy Damien Walmsley.

Q. How important are community leaders to the work that you do?

“We have different types of leaders in the community.

We have business leaders, religious leaders, leaders in education and other community leaders such as neighborhood watch co-coordinators etc. We have done a lot work around active citizens and identifying those key people in the community that have a special role as the voice of a local group who can make a real difference. 

The Active Citizens Fund managed by the Police is there to support the work of such groups.”

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Park-20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Kings Heath Park courtesy Christine Wright

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Farmers Market Moseley Village (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo: Moseley Farmers Market courtesy Elliott Brown

Q.  Would you be able to help our work at Birmingham We Are in introducing young people on programs such as the national citizen’s service to the culture within the local community?

“I would be delighted to help in any way I can. Moseley and Kings Heath are certainly places to experience and enjoy the culture of Birmingham.”

Thank you for your time Fareeda. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Fareeda 1.png" style="width: 100%;" />

This is one of a series of discussions taking place by Birmingham We Are as an introduction to people as influencers who can make a massive difference to the City and the community in which they live or work. 

Our interviews with PCSOs operating across the City has the full support of West Midlands Police. 

For further details on our work contact Jonathan.Bostock@PeopleMattersNetwork.com.

An Indian Summer in Kings Heath Park during September 2020

A Sunday afternoon visit to Kings Heath Park during September 2020, on award winning person with passion Elliott's 38th birthday. It was sunny afternoon, plenty of people about. Cartlands Tea Room was open again where you could buy ice cream. Hopefully people were sticking to the "Rule of Six". Households can't mix at home so instead they have public parks.

September 2020, means that during the month, Elliott (that's me) would have another birthday. On the Sunday afternoon, we headed to Kings Heath Park, for a bit of a walk around. The walk was a bit slow at times (I'm usually a fast walker, but wasn't on my own). On a Sunday in September with sunshine and fine weather, was a lot of people out in the park. Both car parks were full (personally I prefer to get the 11C bus there if I was on my own).

Since my last visit, Cartlands Tea Room has reopened. And you can buy a 99 ice cream with a Flake. The garden centre is open again, but only Monday's to Friday's. The TV Garden was still closed to the public. Kids playing on the basketball court, others having a kick about with a football, or at the two play areas. Or having a picnic on the lawn.

 

Sign / banner seen on Vicarage Road in Kings Heath, Saying that Cartlands Tea Room is now reopened.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The large open field from the path near the drive. The odd couple sitting on the grass.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A stunning blue sky and more people sitting on the grass.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Floral display near the School of Horticultural Training. How home to the Cartlands Tea Room.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some people took their own foldable chairs to sit amongst the floral displays for a chat.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Kings Heath Garden Centre. Not open at weekends. But if you go Monday to Friday, wear your mask, and stay 2m apart.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another field near the bottom of the park. At least one person sitting on the lawn. Perfect blue sky.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Steps into the field to the bottom of the park.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tall thin trees near the bottom end of the park.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More people sitting on the lawn near or having a kick about.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View towards the play area near Avenue Road.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back near the School of Horticultural Training, home of Cartlands Tea Room (now reopened).

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the signs on the noticedboard of interest: Don't litter, if the bins are full please take it home!

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Entrance to Cartlands Tea Room. Was later a socially distanced queue of people queuing for ice cream or coffee or tea.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They also had these sky blue chairs outside.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Moorhen in the pond.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Robin on the bench around a tree.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also spotted a squirrel climbing up a tree.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few more bits and pieces before leaving. One of the short woodland paths off the main path to the bottom of the park.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another peek at the TV Garden through the locked gate. I've not been able to go into here in over 6 years now.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Never Give Up. Yarn bombing. This was on the fence even during the earlier part of the last lockdown.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (21).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The pond, none of the fountain water jets were on. Hose pipe exposed above the water.

dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (22).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

The Classic Car Meet at Kings Heath Village Square on the August Bank Holiday Monday 2019

On Monday 26th August 2019, I was changing buses from the 50 to 11A, when I spotted a Classic Car Meet at Kings Heath Village Square near All Saints Church, so went to check it out, before walking to the next 11A bus stop on the Vicarage Road. Was a variety of classic cars there that day. It was the August Bank Holiday Monday.

Classic Car Meet at Kings Heath Village Square

Kings Heath Village Square opened in October 2011, and is suitable for any kind of event. During normal times, the square was available for hire. The square is at the corner of Vicarage Road and High Street in Kings Heath near All Saints Church.

On Monday the 26th August 2019, it was the August Bank Holiday Monday, and one such event was using the square. There was a Classic Car Meet on that day.

I had got off the no 50 bus and was going to switch to an 11A when I spotted this car meet and went to check it out before getting my bus home that day.

This view was taken from the 11A bus as it waited at the lights. Wythall Transport Museum were also having their usual Bank Holiday Weekend heritage bus rides up and down the Alcester Road. There was an old Metrobus to the right. Which I didn't notice until I first saw this photo on my computer.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

When I first arrived I saw this Ford F 150 pick up truck, made in 1977. It originally came from Texas.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view of the Ford F150 from the 11A bus.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is a Austin Six from 1929.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This Riley Elf was near the bushes close to Vicarage Road.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This old car was either a Rover 2000 or the Rover P6.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Various old cars near the All Saints Centre including the T48 Corsa Spyder.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A line of about 5 classic cars. The red car to the left was a 1977 Triumph Stag Mk II.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On the Labyrinth in the middle of the square at the time was this live band. With a drum kit and a guitar.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close to All Saints Church was a 1966 Volvo Amazon.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The orange car with the boot open was a 1972 MGB GT.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up was this Volkswagen Type 2.

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A classic Volkswagen Beetle

dndimg alt="Classic Car Meet" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Classic Car Meet Kings Heath Village Square (Aug 2019) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For a similar post click: Austin Seven's in Victoria Square (April 2012).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.