NOVEMBER 2023 ISSUE 546 £2.00 + BH B12 AND KH B14. LOCAL AND VOCAL SINCE 1973 PLUS LOCAL STORIES: Moseley has been "De-banked": Why this Matters | Moseley B13 Magazine at 50:The Moseley Railway | Mystic Village: From Moseley Bog to Paris| Lieutenant Thomas Ewart Mitton: Cousin of J.R.R. Tolkien | Moseley Village Station Update MOSELEY B13 magazine FEATURING SKYLARKS COMMUNITY CHOIR: 10th Anniversary & Christmas Song
EDITOR Mark Baxter ([email protected]) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ellie Mellor ([email protected]) THE TEAM Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Maria Arroja Ferreira, Tipton, Martin Jeffers, Jobe Baker-Sullivan, Izzy Knowles, Jenny Gwynne, Craig Pullen CONTRIBUTORS Ellie Jones, Edwina Rees for Moseley Society History Group, Ceol Agency, Judith Fleetword-Walker, Tessa Lowe BUSINESS MANAGER Martin Jeffers SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Baxter TREASURER Leanne Holloway ([email protected]) PROOFREADER Pam Rutter DISTRIBUTION Izzy Knowles, Martin Jeffers BOARD David Isgrove (Chair), Stephanie Silk (Editorial) COVER IMAGE: Courtesy of Skylarks Choir MAIL Moseley Publishing House Ltd/Moseley B13 Magazine, ℅ Moseley Exchange, 149 - 153 Alcester Road, B13 8JP ONLINE facebook.com/ MoseleyB13Magazine twitter.com/MoseleyB13Mag instagram.com/moseleyb13mag LEGAL STUFF Moseley Publishing House Ltd is a non-profit voluntary run company based in England and Wales. Company No. 07786560. No part of this magazine is to be reproduced without express permission. All material is believed to be correct at the time of going to print OUTLETS Moseley Farmers’ Market (Moseley Village Green) / A & R News (320 Yardley Wood Road) / Drinksville (23 Woodbridge Road) / Greenhill Garage (89-91 Billesley Lane) / Indigo Foods (50-52 St Mary’s Row) / Maison Mayci (148 Alcester Road) / Moseley Post Office (149 Alcester Road) / Newslink (3 Alcester Road) / One Stop (117 Alcester Road) / Oxfam Books and Music (101 Alcester Road) / Palmyra (13 St Mary’s Row) / O.A.K Superstore (Ladypool Road) / 5 a Day fruit and veg stall (Moseley Village) / Moseley Exchange (147-153 Alcester Road) / Hungry Hob, (Swanshurst Lane) / Greenhill Galleries (Billesley Lane) / The Shires (Wake Green Rd) / Kitchen Garden Cafe (York Rd) 2023 PUBLICATION DATES December issue - copy deadline 13 November - on sale 25 November CREDITS 02 MOSELEY B13 magazine
EDITOR'S LETTER 03 HIGHLIGHTS EDITORIAL Welcome to November! I find that the bright and vivid colours of autumn have been washed away as I write this, due to the solid rain from the tailend of Storm Babet. I hope that things are a little more settled by the time this issue hits the newsstands. So what’s in this edition, I hear you ask? We take a look at Skylarks community choir and their 10th anniversary Christmas song (pages 12-14). Ian Cook not only delivers our Newshound pages (4-8) with a little help, of course, from Tipton the B13 Newshound, but he also delves into how Moseley has been “debanked” and why it matters (16-17). We take a trip with Mystic Village band as they travel from Moseley to Paris for some festival fun (19), and there’s the penultimate instalment in our year-long Moseley B13 at 50 feature. This time it covers an article from 1980 on the history of the Moseley railway station and the hope that it would one day return to serve the local community (22-23). I’ll see you next month for our very (gulp!) festive issue. Where did 2023 go? Mark Baxter 04 / NEWSHOUND A round-up of the local news 9 / MOSELEY VILLAGE STATION UPDATE Consultation at Moseley Exchange 12 / SKYLARKS COMMUNITY CHOIR 10th Anniversary & Christmas Song 16 / MOSELEY HAS BEEN "DEBANKED" Why this Matters 19 / MYSTIC VILLAGE From Moseley Bog to Paris 20 / MOSELEY MUNCH: SEASONAL VEGGIE Two seasonal recipes from The Salty Chilli 22 / MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE AT 50 The Moseley Railway 24/ GARDENING AT UFFCLUME Judith Fleetwood-Walker documents her experience 25 / THE GUIDE TO NOVEMBER Best Events in B12, B13 & B14 28 / MOSELEY SOCIETY HISTORY GROUP Lieutenant Thomas Ewart Mitton and his cousin J. R.R. Tolkien
NEWSHOUND 04 MAC CLOSES MAIN THEATRE AFTER RAAC FOUND IN ROOF Words by Ian Cook The Midlands Art Centre (MAC) has shut its main theatre to the public as a precautionary measure after potentially dangerous RAAC concrete was found in its roof. Essential building work is being carried out to rectify the problem. The Weston Studio and Painting and Drawing Studio were also closed after the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in isolated sections of the old roof in the affected spaces. The arts centre will remain open as usual with other spaces being used to limit disruption to its programme. A message on the MAC's website read: "We have recently identified the presence of RAAC in isolated sections of our old roof in our Main Theatre, Weston Studio, and Painting and Drawing Studio. As a sensible, precautionary measure, we have temporarily closed these spaces and we will undertake the essential building work required, in line with the latest government guidelines. “MAC remains open as usual to the public – from 9am to late. We will be making use of our other flexible, unique spaces to limit disruption to our programme and will reschedule or move events that are affected where possible. “We are liaising closely with our partner companies, artists and performers. Due to venue capacity and artist availability, we may need to cancel or reschedule specific events. “Please note that our Sales and Events team are contacting customers who have purchased tickets for affected events or courses to inform them about available options. For relocated or rescheduled events, tickets will be automatically transferred to the new location or date. “We will offer ticket holders for any cancelled or rescheduled events the opportunity to exchange their tickets for MAC credit, or a full refund.” For further details of the RAAC problem see the MAC website at https://tinyurl.com/cywjzp8j Newshound is bought to you by Tipton, the B13 Newshound. Follow Tipton on Twitter @B13newshound, and Instagram @TiptonB13 NEWSHOUND
NEWSHOUND 05 PLANS TO CONVERT DERELICT FORMER MOSELEY ROAD TRAM DEPOT INTO FLATS Words by Ian Cook Councillors are set to vote on plans to convert one of Moseley Road’s most historic buildings, the derelict former Moseley tram depot, at 582 Moseley Road, into nine self-contained apartments. The derelict tram depot building, which is Grade II listed and dates back to 1907, has stood empty for around 40 years and is significantly decayed in places. The plans state “there is opportunity to repair and reinstate the exterior to its former grandeur”. If passed, the plans will see the ground floor subdivided into five flats, each consisting of a ground floor living/kitchen space and a mezzanine bedroom with ensuite shower room. On the first floor there would be four flats with a living/ kitchen space, bedroom and shower room. The building remained in use for most of the 20th century, but has now stood empty for around 40 years. The building is located within the “Moseley Road Corridor” alongside a number of listed buildings that reflect the civic pride of the era in which they were built such as the historic Moseley Road Baths and former Moseley School of Art. A heritage statement said: "Conversion to flats will unlock the potential of the site to generate some income for the owner and enable previously considered works – removal of vegetation, roof, rainwater goods, wall and window repairs to be funded. The history of the building since the 1970s has been one of long, slow decline. "The current proposals will remove some of the damaged materials to the currently jumbled, damaged and incoherent rear elevation and provide some unity. The building has suffered from decades of neglect and the longer it is left derelict the more original fabric will continue to deteriorate. "The current proposals allow the building to be brought back into use and will facilitate the repairs to the structure and fabric that are so desperately needed." Creation Skatepark, a skate venue and social hub located behind the proposed redevelopment, told us they are concerned about the plans and were lodging an objection regarding the arrangement of the proposed parking layout in the plans. The proposed re-development is just 30ft from Creation’s busy leisure facility. To see the full plans go to https://tinyurl. com/bdhkya49
NEWSHOUND 06 PRISON SENTENCE FOR “THREE STRIKES” MOSELEY BURGLAR Words by Ian Cook A Moseley burglar who had committed nearly 40 previous offences, including two separate burglaries, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison after committing a third burglary, this time at his neighbour’s house. Earlier this year Mark Liburd (49) of Alcester Road broke into his neighbour’s property around the corner from his home. Liburd smashed his way into the property through a bedroom window and stole a MacBook computer, jewellery and passport among other items. He left blood at the scene which ultimately led to his identification. But it was another detail which led the victim to realise she had been burgled when she returned home on May 9. Prosecutor Matilda Robinson-Murphy said: "On opening the front door, one of the internal doors slammed shut which she thought was odd. As she made her way through her home she noticed her personal belongings had been stolen. "Her drawers had been emptied, a box containing her passport and loyalty card had been tipped out. Items from the kitchen window sill had been knocked over. "Her attention was drawn to the rear bedroom. The window had been smashed." Liburd was found guilty of burglary after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. The court was told he had committed nearly 40 previous offences, including two separate burglaries which made him a 'third strike' offender attracting a minimum term of three years. Liburd refused to attend his sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, September 19. Judge Simon Drew KC increased his punishment from the minimum term due to his other 'dishonesty' related crimes. He passed a sentence of three years and six months. Photo: Mark Liburd, Moseley burglar thanks to West Midlands Police
NEWSHOUND 07 Words by Ian Cook Moseley’s Sorrento Lounge is looking to reach out to local groups to offer a free space for them to use. Chelsey Lauren Wheeler, the new community manager for Sorrento Lounge at 91a Alcester Road Moseley and Loco Lounge 32-34 High Street, Kings Heath says: “If you are a small event business or are looking for somewhere to host a workshop/class, then please get in touch. “Some of our other venues use the space for wool workshops, paint nights, live mic nights, parent and baby groups and loads more. Our space is safe, and free to use and so want our communities to know this. We love to support local business, whilst creating great experiences for our guests. I'm really hoping we can help and look forward to hearing all of your wonderful ideas If you have any ideas, please email [email protected] SORRENTO LOUNGE: FREE SPACE FOR LOCAL GROUPS TO HOST EVENTS
NEWSHOUND 08 St Mary’s Church will be holding an open Christmas Tree Festival between 7th and 10th December, 11am and 4pm, and the deadline for booking your tree is Friday November 17th. See below. The church will be open for set up on Wednesday 6th December between 11.am-5pm. There will be a short service of Dedication on Thursday 7th December at 6pm where the trees and their creators will be blessed, followed by hot drinks and mince pies. You are invited to bring a tree (real or artificial) and can use your tree to advertise your business, celebrate your community group, to express gratitude or promote a theme. Lights can be included but need to be battery operated. There is a suggested donation of £10 per tree which can be donated through the parish website or by cash. Mini trees are also welcome and the maximum height of any tree is 5ft. There are spaces for 30 trees. Trees will need to be taken down on Monday 11th December. Please book in your tree by Friday November 17th by contacting the Parish Office with your details office@ moseleychurch.org.uk The phone number for the church office is (0121) 449 2243. This is a great opportunity for both individuals and community groups to enjoy our historic parish church and for the church to support the community Thanks to Revd Magdalen Smith, Associate Vicar. Picture: Thanks to Felicia Buitenwer, Unsplash Words by Ian Cook ST MARY’S TO HOLD CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
09 UPDATE Words by David Isgrove, Chair of Moseley Forum MOSELEY VILLAGE STATION UPDATE Behind the boards, things are progressing. By January, we’ll be feeling the effects of this development as they start on the roundel and approaches to the station. This will cause major disruption for a time. But let’s backtrack (excuse the pun)! It was delayed due to the discovery of a badger sett, a protected species, in December 2022 during tree clearance works. This caused a 30m radius exclusion zone for heavy plant activity. By July 2022, the badgers were successfully relocated further along the embankment. However in January 2023, a second badger sett was found. Was it a returning badger? We don’t know. But it then took until June to obtain a licence again from Natural England. In July, installation of ‘one-way’ gates to sett entrances and a subsequent 21 day monitoring occurred before the sett was closed. Progress resumed in August. This caused a revision of the Project Timetable: Meet the people behind its planning and development for a major update and questioning: WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 7.30pm. Moseley Exchange. Hosted by Moseley Forum There are a number of key issues important to Moseley: Will Wake Green Rd be closed for 2/3 months with the major constructions and Highway works going on? Will power and water points be supplied for us to use the forecourt for Flower tubs, market stalls and the like? Will the materials (blue bricks etc) reflect the character of Moseley? These are just some of the questions we need to ask the project manager and developers. Q&A will follow a brief update presentation. We’ve also started to look at the possibility of an iconic sculpture on the forecourt and are helping to form a ‘Friends of Moseley Village Station’ group. With limited tickets (free) available, book in for this consultation through Moseleyforum.org.uk ASAP.
10 The role will need an individual able to commit to the production of 11 monthly magazines a year, with the week leading up to the printing deadline (usually the Monday/Tuesday before the Saturday of the Moseley Farmers’ Market) as a time for receiving/editing articles and working alongside our designer, proofreaders and team members. A passion for local matters, alongside creativity and the ability to help curate each issue with the input of our volunteer team and the community, is desirable. The role is also a fantastic opportunity to gain experience as an Editor/in journalism or simply to help give a voice to individuals and community projects in Moseley, Balsall Heath and Kings Heath. Email editor@ moseleymagazine.co.uk to find out more. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW VOLUNTEER EDITOR FOR JAN 2024 MOSELEY FARMERS’ MARKET SATURDAYS AT.... Photos by Tessa Lowe Image left: Yale from Birmingham First time at the market. She always dresses interestingly. It makes her happy and she feels it makes other people happy, too. Image right: Colin Nimmo Another bit of colour at the market! He dresses like that when demonstrating, which he had just come from in Erdington. Colin had been protesting for Safer Streets for Birmingham.
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12 FEATURE Skylarks, a community choir in Birmingham who actively promote the healing combination of community, harmony, and song, are celebrating their 10th anniversary by releasing a Christmas song called ‘Carousel’. This song was penned by Choir Leader Ness Parava, at a difficult time in her life and acknowledges that Christmas can sometimes be a struggle. Teacher Ness Parava set up Skylarks in 2013 with the help of friend and experienced community choir leader Shelley Atkinson. The choir is for everyone; there are no auditions and the rules around attendance and commitment are kept deliberately relaxed. From the outset Ness planned for the choir to be an uplifting experience and provide a creative outlet and a positive way to reflect on life’s struggles. Choir leader Nessa Parava said: “I started the choir after I’d had a long break from having any musical outlet, as I was just at home with my 3 children and times were tough. “I’d always been very interested in music and solos, harmonies and singing and was very aware of the medicinal qualities of it; research has shown that it’s a form of therapy as the act of singing itself in a controlled way is meditative. “The choir was built out of wanting to be a therapeutic outlet, and because it’s about working together and the blend of voices, a supportive community has built up too. Skylarks choir is where you can go to let it all out, without necessarily having to talk about what you’re going through, and experience a real and obvious upshift in mood. It’s the song, the harmony, and the community; those three working hand in hand that is so uplifting.” The group started small, with just four people and Ness playing keyboard, meeting at south Birmingham venues in Moseley and Kings Heath and has built up slowly over time. Ness feels it was when musician Wesley J Bowen joined in 2015 that Skylarks really started to flourish. Wesley accompanied the choir on acoustic guitar and this meant Ness could step away from an instrument to become the conductor. Jo Watson who joined the choir in 2014 said: “Being part of Skylarks choir gives me a sense of community that can be hard to find elsewhere nowadays. As well as enjoying singing in the choir, it’s always a joy to hear Wes play the guitar; his fantastic accompaniment gives Skylarks that magic musical edge.” Another member Laura Palmer said: “Post Covid I had burnout and had lost all my joy. Coming to Skylarks, it was like SKYLARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS SONG Words by Ellie Jones
13 FEATURE I’d found my soul again. I rediscovered my voice and my authentic self. It’s the cheapest form of therapy I’ve ever found.” Skylarks choir, whose 10-year repertoire covers a wide range of recent and more classic pop hits such as ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers, ‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Chaka Khan and ‘Hold Back the River’ by James Bay, have also come together to perform at various local festivals, and through biannual concerts have raised close to a thousand pounds every year for local charities chosen by members of the choir.
FEATURE 14 CHRISTMAS SONG In honour of Skylarks 10th anniversary, the choir have recorded and are releasing a Christmas song which Ness penned not long after starting the choir. It aims to acknowledge that for some, Christmas can be a struggle. The song, called ‘Carousel’, starts off at a steady pace but then speeds up and finishes with a bridge and layering sections of the choir singing different parts, aiming to mirror the busyness and pressure of Christmas. Ness said: “The song relates to the neighbourhood I lived in at the time in South Birmingham; every house had their Christmas tree and decorations in their front windows and kept their curtains open so walking past, you’d have this glimpse into people’s lives and what looked like the picture-perfect Christmas. The song also mentions ‘peace’ because Christmas is also a time when you want healing, particularly within your family or relationships and when you hope Christmas could maybe achieve that.” Please follow ‘Skylarks choir bham’ on Facebook and Instagram. Also on YouTube @skylarkschoir7867. Skylarks are holding a 10th anniversary concert too on Tuesday 12th December at the mac, Birmingham. Tickets will go on sale on 23rd October 2023. Images: Courtesy of Skylarks choir
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16 Once upon a time we had four banks, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds and HSBC. We also had a branch of the West Bromwich Building Society. For the past few years we have had none. And I, for one, think this is a problem. Although there are several cashpoints around, there is no branch service so there are no banks for Moseley businesses to “bank” their cash takings or get a cash float. And what about the rest of us? Where do we go locally if we want to do something more financially complex than use a “hole in the wall”? You may say that these days everyone does everything online, by smartphone or by plastic, whether by debit, or credit cards, but even those of us who do most things in this way still find ourselves occasionally having to get a new card reader, apply for a mortgage or open an account. You can’t do these things through a hole in the wall. Then there is cash. Sadly, cashpoints aren’t always working and many find themselves having to write a cheque for small services offered by tradespeople. Cheques, it is widely acknowledged, are very 20th century and therefore aren’t the solution to a 21st century problem. So, in response to the widespread closure of bank branches, a new 21st century institution has been set up. This is “a banking hub” which provides easy, faceto-face access to cash and banking in the heart of UK communities – whoever you bank with. Banking hubs are owned by Cash Access UK and operated by the Post Office, with community bankers from major banks available on different days of the week to meet customers face to face. And if you, your business or your area needs one, you can request one. You do this by contacting LINK, the people who operate free cashpoints nationwide. So, I did just that. I contacted LINK asking if Moseley could have a banking hub given the closure of all our bank branches and perhaps LINK could liaise with Alcester Road’s Post Office. LINK got back to me commendably quickly but not with news I wanted to hear. The LINK spokesperson said: “LINK have undertaken a thorough review of the community (Moseley) including analysis of population data, vulnerability measures, current free access to cash, and the level of provision of banking facilities within the immediate area. Our findings have been measured against set criteria given to us by Cash Action Group to ensure that all requests are treated equally and fairly. This can be found here https://tinyurl.com/8bf5dfpy" I looked closely at the LINK criteria and MOSELEY HAS BEEN “DE-BANKED” WHY THIS MATTERS FEATURE It’s a term usually applied to people rather than places, but Moseley has been “de-banked”. Words by Ian Cook
17 FEATURE Images (L-R): Former HSBC site / Moseley Post Office one area Moseley failed to meet was: “How close the nearest banking facilities are and how easy it is to travel there.” LINK look at the time taken to get to the nearest banking facility on public transport. If the journey takes more than 15 minutes in each direction, involves changing bus or train, or is further than 5km as the crow flies, this indicates to LINK that new cash services might be needed. So, I was not hugely surprised when Link said the following: “Looking at the criteria has resulted in the current level of access to cash provision in Moseley being assessed as being suitable for the community and therefore a new solution is not considered to be necessary in this location.” Given Moseley’s failure to meet the LINK criteria for a banking hub, one solution might be to simply open a current account with the Post Office and use the Post Office as my bank. Sadly, it’s not that simple as you will find if you visit the Post Office website. Under “Current Accounts” it says: “Post Office Money Current Accounts are currently unavailable. Following a review by our current account provider, Bank of Ireland UK, a decision has been made to no longer offer Post Office Money Current Accounts.” Oh dear. Is this really a problem without a solution? And before you say: “why not do everything online?” it’s worth remembering that 1.5m (6%) of UK households have no internet access so online may not be answer for everyone, particularly older and disabled people who also often face mobility problems which makes travelling to branches difficult. A friend who is blind tells me many of the two million UK blind and partially sighted people have difficulties using cashpoints, even “talking cashpoints” where she can find one. And as 12% of UK adults don’t have a smartphone, neither online or smartphones are necessarily the solution to the problem of a growing “digital disenfranchisement” of disabled and older people. I wish someone could come up with a solution to this problem but speaking as an older disabled person I am not banking on it. What's your view? Do get in touch with the Editor by email or post (information on page 2) and let us know.
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19 FEATURE From the city of canals to the city of love (and bedbugs) with five hippies and a Dacia Logan, it's fair to say that the band Mystic Village went on a trip of a lifetime. Mystic Village performed to a full room of people who attended 'Popfest' which has been running for half a decade in Paris, calling in an international roster. It all came about initially when the organisers from Popfest contacted Robert Cooksey, who was previously in a band called The Sea Urchins (they have their own wikipedia page and everything!). Rob had another band brewing, Mystic Village, which has a chameleon roster of musicians depending on availability. They set about performing a handful of times - at Moseley Bog, at Oikos Cafe (Erdington), at Cocomad festival, at Holy Cross in Billesley - then before he knew it he was billowing across the French countryside ready to strike the hearts of avid indie listeners at 'Le Hasard Ludique' in North Paris. Bala, leadsinger from Mystic Village, recounts her experience: “The last time I was in Paris I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that my next trip would involve performing at a festival. Playing with the band was an honour, made even more special by the fantastic organisers and wonderful audience. We walked through Parisian markets, stopped at the beach, and even (managed to) fit in a rehearsal on our hotel roof! I managed to do some university work in a fabulous little cafe while I snacked on a pain au chocolat. It’s great working with Rob and being part of his process. It was a pleasure to sing his words at Pop Fest. We hope lots of people can come see us in Tamworth (Mystic Village’s gig at The Cavern Room on 29th October).” Meanwhile, Jobe Sullivan, who joined the band as roadie-come-flute player, found some time to play in front of Notre Dame with a fantastic manouche-style guitarist friend of his, Gael Guelda. “We’re planning to have some concerts next year in Moseley, Paris, and South France. Any chance we get to play together is really precious. I really hope you can come and see our concert!”. Follow Mystic Village on Facebook at: Mystic Village Band Page MYSTIC VILLAGE: FROM MOSELEY BOG TO PARIS Words: Ceol Creatives
MOSELEY MUNCH 20 SEASONAL VEGGIE Words by Jenny Gwynne, The Salty Chilli The earliest record of vegetarianism comes from the 9th century BCE in the religion Jainism which advocated vegetarianism in a link to non-violence... At around 580 BC the Greek philosopher Pythagoras promoted vegetarianism because he believed it to be healthier and played a role in creating a peaceful life on earth. Growing up in the 80s or 90s, the reason for being veggie was either for religious, humane or health reasons. But now we live in a world of accessibility where most areas of the Western world have Wagyu beef or Norwegian Salmon on offer. Livestock farming is a major source of methane emissions and meat production requires a significant amount of water and land; therefore, it is a fact that over farming is negatively affecting our planet. If everyone were to eat vegetarian just two days a week it would lower our emission rates significantly. As a cook, I am personally omnivorous/flexitarian, but I am a complete vegetable lover. Vegetables are healthy, versatile and easy. Sometimes one can stare at a vegetable and wonder what on earth to do with it. But think of the humble potato – from soup to chips, it can be transformed into so many delicious plates. Lettuce isn’t just for salad - it can be braised, sauteed or used as a bread replacement. We are so accustomed to having a protein as a “main” that sometimes it’s just about thinking outside the box and putting a vegetable at the forefront. So here I have created two easy seasonal vegetarian dishes for you to cook and enjoy as the main event.
MOSELEY MUNCH 21 Roasted Aubergine with Creamy Tahini Harissa Dressing & Feta (pictured left) This is honestly one of my most favourite meals ever – roasting an eggplant then smothering it in a zingy baba ghanoush style dressing makes for an insanely delicious vegetarian meal (just omit the feta if you are vegan) – it’s healthy, hands off, easy and gourmet! Ingredients: • 2 aubergines split lengthways and scored on the diagonal • 125ml extra virgin olive oil •Flaky salt For the dressing whisk together: • 2 tbsp tahini • Juice of 1 lemon • 1 small piece garlic grated • 1 tsp harissa paste • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil •Pinch of salt To serve: • Sesame seeds • feta • torn herbs like basil & coriander Method: Preheat the oven to 200C. Rub the oil all over the aubergine and top with flaky salt, place cut side down on a baking dish and roast for 45 minutes until extremely soft. Carefully flip them over then place under the grill to caramelise for an additional few minutes. Serve on plates with drizzles of the dressing, herbs and crumbled feta. Roasted Garlic & Sweet Potato Coconut Soup with Chilli, Coriander and Toasted Bread (pictured right) THE most delicious soup and it’s very easypeasy. Sweet potato and garlic is roasted to maximise flavour and the ingredients are minimal and vegan. Ingredients: • 1 kg sweet potato peeled and cut into 4cm pieces • 1 head garlic, top sliced off • 115g white part leek sliced into 2 cm pieces • 1 tbsp coconut oil • 1 tbsp olive oil, divided •1 small piece ginger grated • 1 can coconut milk (400ml)• 3 tbsp of the cream reserved • 500 ml vegetable stock • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom To serve: • Coconut cream • olive oil • red chilli, •coriander • pan fried baguette Method: Preheat the oven to 200C – Wrap the garlic in foil, drizzle ½ tbsp of the oil over the top then cover. Mix the sweet potato with the coconut oil – top with flaky salt. Place on a large baking sheet along with the garlic bulb and roast for 35 minutes or until fork tender. In a stock pot saute the leek in the remaining olive oil until soft. Add the sweet potato, squeeze out the roasted garlic, fresh ginger, veg stock, coconut milk and cardamom to the pot. Blitz with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Plate in warm bowls with drizzles of coconut cream, olive oil, chilli, coriander and toasted rounds.
22 THE MOSELEY RAILWAY Words by Mark Baxter “In 1838 they were staking out the line of the new Birmingham and Bristol Railway as it was to pass through Kings Heath (open fields), Moseley (a village of 300 households) and Balsall Heath (in process of being covered with small villas),” was how the article began. “During the next two years the peace of St Mary’s, the Fighting Cocks and the Bull’s Head, all three of which looked very different from now, was disturbed by the excavation of the cutting through Moseley. There was a station at Camp Hill and, on the extreme edge of the village beyond the park of Moor Green Gall was “Moseley” station - later renamed more honestly Kings Heath. In 1847 only the 6am train out of Birmingham stopped at “Moseley”. Thankfully, Moseley would eventually get a station of its own. “The railway was crossed by a wooden bridge on Blayney Street which was popularly renamed Woodbridge Road (and a more permanent bridge erected there in 1894). It was from either end of this bridge that steep paths sloped down to the platforms of the new Moseley station which was opened in 1867. Another station was built at the bridge over Brighton Road (Balsall Heath) in 1875. “In 1892 a short curve of additional rail at Lifford created the Inner Circle route from New Street through Moseley, Lifford (station in the Cotteridge area - three Lifford stations at different times in the vicinity), Selly Oak and back to New Street. Bradshaw (railway guide) of 1910 shows at least 25 trains in each direction calling at Moseley every weekday. “Coronations and jubilees saw the station appropriately bedecked. Many can remember a busy and punctual preMOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE AT 50 The September 1980 edition of birmingham 13 (as the magazine was titled at the time) looked back at “The Moseley Railway”. At that point the station had been closed for 39 years but the piece contained a seed of hope that it would one day reopen.
23 Images: The September 1980 edition of Birmingham B13 with editorial covering the Moseley Railway MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE AT 50 war service and how the guard would sportingly hold back the train for tardy regulars running down the slope. One week in 1939 the platforms were packed with evacuees and December 4th 1940 heard the explosion of a landmine above the track, near the church. As an economic measure, Moseley and other stations were closed in 1941 but the track was kept busy with freight to and from the Austin works. “When peace came the passenger service was not restored due to ‘lack of demand’ in an area well-served by bus and tram. Only freight trains between Bristol, Derby and points beyond, desirous of avoiding New Street, now pass through Moseley cutting. They kept the rails burnished against the time when a reopening of the local service may be deemed justified by the potential passenger traffic.” 43 years on from the article with many false starts and some recent setbacks, we are close to the reopening of Moseley station, or Moseley village station as it will be named. The demand and passenger traffic has been calling out for it for many, many years. Article taken from the birmingham 13/ Moseley B13 Magazine archive. Details of the writer were not included with the article
24 GARDENING AT UFFCULME FEATURE Walking down Queensbridge Road from the Alcester Road, on the left hand side after Uffculme School, you will find the Uffculme. Words by Judith Fleetwood-Walker It’s been the mental health headquarters for many years. The house was built for Richard Cadbury in 1890 and he stayed there until his wife died in 1906. The building is huge and Jacobean in style, and was once a hospital, with huge, high windows, a great presence, and in the drive are many trees, mostly coniferous. They reach up high, towering above. You carry on going until you get past the entrance, and turn left at the end of the house, and bear left until you see a polythene greenhouse, and a bit further on is a gate, opening on to a garden, and if you walk past that, then there is an orchard where there is a commemorative plaque describing how all the staff who died of the Covid virus are remembered there. There is a little bench where you can sit and ponder or chat with friends. My first experience was to meet Gary who is in charge. He showed me around and I also met a man called Steve sitting outside the greenhouse on a chair, working on his laptop. He seemed very pleasant, and before long we were chatting. The greenhouse was open, and soon, Gary, “an expert by experience”, came along and showed me the plants, mainly vegetables in the greenhouse, as well as the equipment, gloves and water butts. He’s a bearded, hearty sort of man. He showed me the pumpkin plants, courgettes, beans, beetroots, radishes, tomatoes and kale, all growing there! The tomatoes look quite big, and the beans were hanging precariously off the plants! Beetroot seems very happy growing there. The pumpkins were soon to flower. Gary seemed very proud of the produce there, and introduced me to Ann, a colleague, and a bespectacled lady called Stephanie who I’d met already from attending one of their workshops. Stephanie is a clever, hard-working gardener, like Ann and Gary. Before long, I was attending every Tuesday and really enjoyed the gardening, with Gary supervising. I planted seeds, dug up weeds, repotted plants, and dug some in compost in the greenhouse. It was exciting to take produce home to cook and eat including beans, radishes, kale and new potatoes! I enjoyed sharing conversations with friendly Ann, as we got the weeds out of the old, strawberry patch. Gary sees his vision of the garden next to the greenhouse as being cleared of invading weeds and looking more cultivated so that wildlife can also thrive. Sitting down in the greenhouse is a revitalising experience, being surrounded by growth. Attendees sometimes come to look round and share the gardening, pulling up weeds and helping to water the green. It’s therapeutic to see things coming up, and take part in tending and caring for them.
EVENTS GUIDE 25 MUSIC THE SOUTH AT CASTLE AND FALCON / Moseley Road, Balsall Heath on Saturday 4 November, 7:30pm. Paul Heaton (who, let us not forget, put money behind the bar of Patrick Kavanagh and the Hare and Hounds last year as well as many other pubs around the country in a very generous act so people could celebrate his 60th birthday) was a member of The Beautiful South until the band came to an end in 2007. Heaton went on to have a solo career while former members continue to fly the flag and play the songs in The South. THE LOST NOTES / Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath on Thursday 9 November, 7:15pm. Moseley based and former Moseley B13 Magazine cover stars bring their mix of bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues, pop and 3-part harmonies to the Hare. MARTHA TILSTON / Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath on Thursday 16 November, 8pm. Don’t miss Martha’s appearance in Kings Heath. “She has the power to draw an audience into her world, leaving all those present with a smile, and a few issues to ponder, too,” was how Time Out summed up the singer's beautiful voice, mesmerising stage presence and captivating lyrics. EXHIBITIONS MADGE GILL: THE CLOUDS WILL BURST THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN / MAC, Cannon Hill Park until Sunday 26 November, daily 9am - late in the Arena Gallery. A journey through the beautiful work of celebrated, self-taught artist Madge Gill (1882- 1961). Gill’s prolific work was born from a difficult life and the discovery of enduring inspiration from art, spirituality and nature. Drawings, paintings, embroidery and archival material explore the struggles she faced and the moments of experimentation, joy and hope. THE GUIDE TO NOVEMBER The Best Events in Moseley, Balsall Heath and Kings Heath
26 POETRY/SPOKEN WORD POETRY TO END POVERTY EVENING / Oxfam Books and Music, Moseley Village on Tuesday, 28th November, 6:30pm. Gives people an opportunity to read and listen to Poetry. There will be an excellent selection of poetry books, as well as new goods and books on all subjects for sale on the night. Tickets available from the shop. COMEDY MY COMEDY / The Kitchen Garden on Wednesday 8 November, 7:30pm. Bostin’ night of comedy featuring Jo Enright (Kings Heath housewife Mrs Barbara Nice, Phoenix Nights, I’m Alan Partridge), Shazia Mirza (Have I got News for You, Jonathan Ross Show) and Karen Bayley (Brummie comedian, writer and first ever female winner of the prestigious Comedy Store King Gong Award). Hosted by the hilarious Maureen Younger. FML FUNNY MUSLIM LADIES STANDUP COMEDY SHOW / MAC on Friday 24 November, 7pm. Ola Labib (Comedy Central, Channel 4), Fathiya Saleh (BBC), Nadz The Comedienne, and Shaheen make up this bill of brilliant and funny women from Muslim backgrounds. THEATRE THE BARBER OF BOURNVILLE / MAC on Thursday 16 - Saturday 18 November, 7:15pm. This opera is a modern version of Rossini’s famous comedy The Barber of Seville but retaining the original music of the composer’s score. CREATIVE SOCIALS / Balsall Heath Second Saturday at Old Print Works on Saturday 11 November, 10am - 9pm. Monthly mini-festival celebrating making, creativity, community, local culture and the arts with lots of workshops, talks, demos and beautiful things to buy. MARKETS KINGS HEATH FARMERS’ MARKET / Kings Heath (All Saints) Village Square on 4 November, 9am-2pm. A Slice of foodie heaven in the centre of Kings Heath.
27 ARTS MARKET / MAC on Sunday 5 November, 11am-2pm. Quality handmade products in the MAC’s bustling foyer. Perfect for Christmas shopping. MOSELEY FARMERS’ MARKET / Moseley Village on Saturday 25 November, 9am-2pm. Visit the award winning market and pick up the festive edition of Moseley B13 Magazine! FAMILY EVENTS SUPPER CLUB PUMPKIN RISOTTO AND DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION / Moseley Hive, Moseley Village on Thursday 2 November, 6pm. Who said Halloween is over? Experience some spooky shenanigans at the Moseley Hive. CINEMA All films screened at MAC cinema. BRUM ON THE BOX WITH CHRIS & SHAZIA / Saturday 4 November, 5.45pm. Second appearance from Shazia Mirza in this month’s The Guide! She teams up with Chris Beanland to present the best, worst and truly cringe-inducing examples of Midlands television from across the decades. Includes footage from Pebble Mill and ATV. Part of Square Eyes TV Festival. STABLES THEATRE COMPANY: ROMEO & JULIET / Sunday 12 November, 12pm. Not the controversial Roman Polanski movie version of Shakespeare’s play but reconstructed studio tapes of an untransmitted version that the Stables Theatre Company for Granada Television produced in 1969. Can be seen as a rough and ready precursor to today’s popular NT Live screenings. GREAT ESCAPER / Until Wednesday 15 November, various times. The film that has been billed as Michael Caine’s swansong after recent news of his retirement (Caine did say he had signed on to do one more film playing Charles Darwin, but he has since gone back on that statement). The film is the true story of a veteran who staged a ‘great escape’ from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, and features the final performance of the wonderful Glenda Jackson who passed away earlier this year.
28 MOSELEY SOCIETY HSTORY GROUP FEATURE LIEUTENANT THOMAS EWART MITTON & HIS COUSIN J.R.R. TOLKIEN Researched and written by Edwina Rees The association with Moseley of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (known as Ronald by the family) is well known. Ronald was a major scholar of the English language, specialising in Old and Middle English. He was twice Professor of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) at the University of Oxford, and also wrote a number of stories, including most famously The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955). What is lesser known is his wider family connections with Moseley. His aunt, Mabel Tolkien, the sister of his father, Arthur Reuel Tolkien, married Thomas Evans Mitton in 1880. By 1891, Thomas and Mabel and their three children had moved to 16 Church Road, Moseley. Mabel’s mother, Mary Jane Tolkien, at the time the census was taken, lived next door at No. 15. Mary had arrived in England on what was intended to be a lengthy family visit. Her husband, however, died in South Africa of rheumatic fever in 1892 before he could join the family. On 26th April 1897, Thomas Ewart Mitton was born, known as Ewart but
29 MOSELEY SOCIETY HSTORY GROUP FEATURE Images (L-R): A photograph of Thomas Ewart Mitton from the KES archive / J. R. R. Tolkien taken in the 1920s Image above: 264 Wake Green Road (property on the right), Moseley the home of J. R. R. Tolkien
30 MOSELEY SOCIETY HSTORY GROUP FEATURE also by the acronym Tem. He was the fifth of six children. By 1901 Thomas, Mabel and their five surviving children had moved to ‘Carisbrooke’ in Anderton Park Road, Moseley, before finally moving to Abbotsford, 69 Wake Green Road, not far from the home of his cousin, Ronald at 264 Wake Green Road, (previously known as 5 Gracewell Cottages). Despite their five year age difference, the two cousins Ronald and Ewart had much in common. They both attended King Edward’s School (KES) in New Street, Ewart joining at the start of the new term in January 1911, the same year that his cousin J.R.R. Tolkien was leaving the school for Oxford. Ewart’s school days emulated that of his cousin, a talented all-rounder. Ewart played for the 1st XV, and was described as ‘a good hooker but inclined to lose his head when gets the ball’. Both cousins excelled academically, studying under the tutelage of the Headmaster himself. And like his cousin, Ewart was also a poet. Both cousins also served in the First World War. Ronald served with 11th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers from 5 June 1916. Arriving at the Somme in early July 1916 he survived the initial onslaught only to contact Trench Fever at the end of October and was invalided home. Ronald spent the remainder of the war between hospitals and garrison duties, being deemed medically unfit for general service. Ewart, on leaving school, enlisted immediately in the Royal Engineers Signal Section. In his application he described his occupation as a ‘mechanical engineer’. Because of his previous enlistment in the OTC, Ewart was granted a temporary commission (on probation) a month later, on 10th February 1916. Just six months into his training, Ewart reported sick. He was diagnosed as having neurasthenia which today would have been described as PTSD. A subsequent Medical Board review held at Bedford on 27th September reported Ewart ‘as fit for general service’ and, as a result, he was posted to the Signal Depot at Houghton Regis, Dunstable. On 1st March 1917, Ewart embarked for France. From there he was transferred to Belgium. It was while serving in the Ypres sector that he was run over by a train on Christmas Eve. At the time of his death he was commanding No 10 Motor Airline Section, attached to ‘B’ Corps whose task was to string up and connect the wires between telegraph poles. The subsequent Court of Enquiry was held on 5th January 1918 and concluded that ‘every precaution had been taken by the men in charge of the engine and no blame was attached to them. The deceased was on duty, which took him unavoidably close to the railway line. The actual cause of his death was that he slipped on rough ground and fell under the engine’. Ewart was buried at Dunhallow Advanced Dressing Station (ADS) Cemetery, Ypres. His headstone reads ‘A workman that needeth not be ashamed.’ There is a heart-rending tribute to Ewart written by his sister Ethel Grace Mitton, on April 26th 1918, at Abbotsford, Moseley. To read this and learn more about the Mitton family and their close relationship with J.R.R.Tolkien go to: https://moseley-society.org.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2018/03/29.- Lieutenant-T-Ewart-Mitton-2.pdf In 2009, Patrick Fuller, the great grandson of Mabel Mitton, published a reprint of Ewart’s poetry (originally published in 1918) and the Moseley Society History Group was fortunate to receive it as a gift. A copy of the book is available, by request, from our archive library.
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