History of Woodlands Park Hall

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This post is about the history of Woodlands Park Hall, to see current activites at the hall click here.

Woodlands Park Hall was part of the original plan for the Bournville Tenants estate in 1906, and has been used for a variety of activities over the century-and-a-bit since it was built. It was opened in November 1909 by George Cadbury.* In March 1966 Bournville Village Trust took over ownership of the Hall, although the Tenants Committee maintained management.

The School
In the early years of the estate the Hall was used as a school for younger children, and was run by two sisters, Miss. Pane and Mrs. Blanchard, who lived at 34 Kingsley Road and 18 Kingsley Road respectively. The school opened in about 1910, and on the 1911 census Miss. Pane was recorded as a 'School Mistress' suggesting that she was already running Woodlands Park School at this time. It continued until the 1960s, although after Miss. Pane and Mrs. Blanchard, Mrs. Rose was school mistress. Mrs. Rose was still running the school in 1966, when BVT took over ownership of the building, and planned to continue, but it is uncertain how much longer the school continued.

Children who attended, now grown, remember practising during World War II in case there was an air raid while they were at school. They would all traipse across the other side of Woodlands Park Road where there was a shelter large enough for them all.

A rather dubious claim to fame is that a former student was probably Jack Enoch Powell. There is no official evidence, but his attendance is considered to be the case by older local residents, especially as he grew up with his family at 52 Woodlands Park Road, a few doors down.


Children's Parties
Woodlands Park Hall has been the site of hundreds, if not thousands, of private children's parties. On 2nd June 1953, though, it was used for the children's tea-party celebrating the Coronation of Elizabeth II, below (more photos of the Coronation party here).

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Former Caretakers
1940s-1965: Tom Lowrie (lived at 214 Northfield Road)


Notes
* From the Bournville Works Magazine

House by House: 46 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Alfred William Delahay, head, 44, commercial clerk at cocoa and chocolate manufactory, born Birmingham.
• Adeline Eliza Delahay, wife, 45, ---, born B0w-Brickhill in Bedfordshire.
• Albert Francis Morris Delahay, son, 17, commercial clerk at cocoa and chocolate manufactory, born Kings Heath.
• Robert Cecil Delahay, son, 12, school, born Kings Heath.

House by House: 44 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Annie Pinnon, head, 54, ---, born Wincanton in Somerset.
• Annie Maud Pinnon, dau, 30, high school mistress, born Harbourne.
• Harriet Mabel Pinnon, dau, 25, milliner, born Harbourne.
• Henry Charles Pinnon, son, 21, insurance clerk, born Harbourne.

House by House: 42 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• James William Atkinson, head, 58, agent upholstery goods, born Bermondsey in London. 
• Martha Archer Atkinson, wife, 56, ---, born Birmingham. 
• William Atkinson, son, 28, manager (confectionary), born Birmingham. 
• Martha Elizabeth Atkinson, dau, 25, Teacher, born Birmingham.
• Robert Henry Atkinson, son, 20, clerk (brewery), born Birmingham. 
• Dorothy Maud Atkinson, dau, 16, ---, born Birmingham.

House by House: 40 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• William Henry Bennett, head, 34, toolmaker for bone buttons, born Birmingham.
• Julia Alice Bennett, wife, 40, ---, born Birmingham.
• Alec Raymond Bennett, son, 5, ---, born Kings Norton.

House by House: 38 Woodlands Park Road

1911
No 1911 census has been found for this property, which may mean that it was misplaced or that the property was empty in 1911.


1920-1922
On the 1920 and 1922 electoral registers the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Eleanor Esther Eliza Reeves nee Wivell
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)

In 1920 Eleanor E. E. Reeves was about 86. She died in 1923.
She had married Walter Reeves in 1863, who was a landscape artist, and her own father, Abraham, was also an artist.


1927
On the 1927 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Ernest Fullwood
Frances Alberta Weldon Fullwood
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1930
On the 1930 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Maud Mary Passant
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1935
On the 1935 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
William Ernest Passant
Maud Mary Passant
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1939
On the 1939 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Arthur Robert Yardley
Constance Winifred Yardley
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1945-1947
On the 1945 and 1947 electoral registers the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
William H. Yardley
Henrietta Yardley
Winifred L. Yardley
Edith M. Yardley
Arthur R. Yardley
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1950-1952
On the 1950 and 1952 electoral registers the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Henrietta J. Yardley
Winifred L. Yardley
Edith M. Yardley
Arthur R. Yardley
(this register included men and women over 21)


1955
On the 1955 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Edith Yardley
Arthur Yardley
Henrietta Yardley
(this register included men and women over 21)


1957
On the 1957 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Edith M. Yardley
Arthur R. Yardley
Henrietta J. Yardley
Joan M. Yardley
(this register included men and women over 21)


1960
On the 1960 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Edith M. Yardley
Arthur R. Yardley
Henrietta J. Yardley
(this register included men and women over 21)


1962-1965
On the 1962 and 1965 electoral register the residents at 38 Woodlands Park Road were:
Edith M. Yardley
Arthur R. Yardley
(this register included men and women over 21)

House by House: 36 Woodlands Park Road

1911
No 1911 census has been found for this property, which may mean that it was misplaced or that the property was empty in 1911.


1912
On the 1912 electoral register the residents at 36 Woodlands Park Road were:
George Perry
(this register included men over 21)

A George Perry lived at 19 Kingsley Road on the 1911 census.


1920
On the 1920 electoral register the residents at 36 Woodlands Park Road were:
Elsie Bradbear
Wilfred Sheward
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)

Elsie and Wilfred are probably the same individuals as shown below, but either their names have been transcribed incorrectly on the records, or they changed their name for some reason.


1922-1930
On the 1922, 1925, 1927 and 1930 electoral registers the residents at 36 Woodlands Park Road were:
Wilfred J. Aldridge (sometimes Wilfred Henry or Wilfred Henry J.)
Elsie Aldridge (sometimes Elsie Margaret)
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30, until 1928 when women over 21 could vote)


1939-1960
On the 1939, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1955, 1957 and 1960 electoral registers the residents at 36 Woodlands Park Road were:
Arthur Ernest Brown
Helena Maud Brown
Barbara Winslow Brown
(this register included men and women over 21)


1962-1965
On the 1962 and 1965 electoral registers the residents at 36 Woodlands Park Road were:
Harold F. White
Iris R. White
(this register included men and women over 21)

House by House: 34 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• John B. Blackadder, head, 43, insurance cashier, born Lancashire.
• Eleanor Blackadder, wife, 30, ---, born Birmingham.
• John Hugh Blackadder, son, 2, ---, born Kings Norton.

House by House: 32 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Vincent Austin Bagnall, head, 28, ironmonger (shop assistant), born Aston.
• Anne Bagnall, wife, 30, ---, born Loughton in Staffordshire.
• Mary Bagnall, dau, 2, ---, born Kings Norton.
• Joan Bagnall, dau, 1, ---, born Kings Norton.

House by House: 30 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Henry Howell, head, 36, manager for metal brokers and merchants, born Balsall Heath.
• Elizabeth Howell, wife, 36, ---, born Birmingham.
• Lloyd Howell, son, 6,---, born Balsall Heath.
• Beryl Howell, dau, 2,---, born Balsall Heath.

House by House: 28 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• William Edward Barrett, head, 35, commercial traveller - paper makers, born Depford in London.
• Annie Elizabeth Barrett, wife, 35, ---, born Edgbaston.
• Cyril Barrett, son, 5, ---, born Cannon Hill.
• Stanley Barrett, son, 4, ---, born Cannon Hill.
• Reginald Barrett, son, 2, ---, born Kings Norton.
• Elsie Evelyn Baker, sister-in-law, 5, typist - paper makers, born Edgbaston.

House by House: 26 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Hubert William Fervings, head, 42, cashier in office of manufacturer of gas and electrical fittings, born Kington in Herefordshire.
• Elsie Beatrice Fervings, wife, 42, ---, born Lozells in Birmingham.
• Madeline Jessie Fervings, dau, 14, school, born Acocks Green.
• Eunice Mary Fervings, dau, 12, school, born Acocks Green.
• Guy Martin Dale Fervings, son, 14, ---, born Knowle.

Photo: Pear blossom in the rear garden of 26 Woodlands Park Road, 16 May 1956.

House by House: 24 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• James Jones, head, 54, manufacturers cashier at steel rod manufactory, born Tidenham in Gloucestershire.
• Bertha Louise Jones, wife, 56, ---, born Chepstow in Monmouthshire.
• Joseph William Jones, son, 22, ---, born Chepstow in Monmouthshire.
• Sidney Albert Jones, son, 17, sub exchange inspector at National Telephone Co., born Chepstow in Monmouthshire.
• Victor James Jones, son, 15, junior clerk at cocoa & chocolate makers, born Chepstow in Monmouthshire.

House by House: 22 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Frances Downing Vicars, head, 54, none, born Leicester.
• Adeline Maud Vicars, sister, 42, professor of music, born Leicester.
• Olive Greaves, boarder, 26, private secretary, born Mirzapur in India.
• Annie Stevens, servant, 22, domestic servant, born Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire.

House by House: 20 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Frank James, head, 57, lithographic artist, born Birmingham.
• Mary Jane James, wife, 58, lithographic artist, born Gloucester.

Above: Rent and share contribution for Mr. F. Cashmore in December 1953.

House by House: 18 Woodlands Park Road

1911
No 1911 census has been found for this property, which may mean that it was misplaced or that the property was empty in 1911.


1920-1922
On the 1920 and 1922 electoral registers the residents at 18 Woodlands Park Road were:
Sophia Appleton
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1925-1930
On the 1925, 1927 and 1930 electoral registers the residents at 18 Woodlands Park Road were:
Henry William Morgan
Alice Rosina Morgan (sometimes Alice Morgan)
(this register included men over 21 and women over 30)


1935-1945
On the 1935, 1939 and 1945 electoral registers the residents at 18 Woodlands Park Road were:
Ernest Arthur Savory
Florence Ada Savory
  Peter Savory (1939 only)
(this register included men and women over 21)

Peter Savory moved to 51 Kingsley Road, with his wife Barbara, in about 1952.


See conversion plans for 1957, here. 

House by House: 16 Woodlands Park Road

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1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Thomas Brown, head, 43, clerk at looking glass manufactory, born Depford in London.
• Elizabeth Brown, wife, 39, ---, born Birmingham.
• Dorothy Brown, dau, 12, school, born Birmingham.
• William Brown, son, 9, ---, born Birmingham.

House by House: 14 Woodlands Park Road

14 and 12 Woodlands Park Road, c. 1912. Click to enlarge.

Photo: 14 Woodlands Park Road is the house to the left, taken in about 1912.


1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Joseph Galey Nicklin, head, 30, bank clerk, born Handsworth.
• Gertrude May Nicklin, wife, 31, ---, born Aston.

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House by House: 12 Woodlands Park Road

14 and 12 Woodlands Park Road, c. 1912. Click to enlarge.

Photo: 12 Woodlands Park Road is the house to the right, taken in about 1912.

1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• James Charlton, head, 40, illustrator - wood engraver, born Birmingham.
• Sarah Ann Charlton, wife, 38, ---, born Birmingham.
• Margaret Charlton, dau, 14, ---, born Kings Norton.
• Nora Marion Charlton, dau, 5, ---, born Kings Norton.

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The Charlton family lived at 12 Woodlands Park Road until the early 1930s. 

James Charlton designed and produced the promotional brochure of the Bournville Tenants Estate, produced in about 1909 (see here). 

In the early 1930s, the Williams family moved into 12 Woodlands Park Road.

House by House: 10 Woodlands Park Road

10 Woodlands Park Road in about 1909, click to enlarge.

Photo: 10 Woodlands Park Road is the house on the left, taken in about 1909.

1911
The first census recording the houses was taken in 1911, so these were probably the first tenants of the house.

• Charles Blake Green, head, 35, commercial traveller for steel manufacturer, born Stourbridge in Worcestershire.
• Alice [Sheila] Green, wife, 43, ---, born Burton on Trent in Staffordshire.
• Christine Blake Green, dau, 1, ---, born Kings Norton.
• Alice Mary Habbard, mother-in-law, 65, ---, born Derbyshire[?].

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10 and 8 Woodlands Park Road in about 1912, click to enlarge.

Photo: 10 Woodlands Park Road is the house to the left, taken in about 1912.