AUGUST 2023 ISSUE 543 £2.00 MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE + BH B12 AND KH B14. LOCAL AND VOCAL SINCE 1973 MOSELEY B13 magazine Forever Lida: Supporting Ukraine / Roots Communal: Moor Green Allotments at 90 / A Moseley Artist: Parliamentary Art / Moseley Munch: Summer Garden / Moseley Magazine at 50: Wake Green Windmill
EDITOR Mark Baxter ([email protected]) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ellie Mellor (hello@elliemellordesign. co.uk) THE TEAM Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Maria Arroja Ferreira, Tipton, Martin Jeffers, Jobe BakerSullivan, Izzy Knowles, Jenny Gwynne, Craig Pullen CONTRIBUTORS Edwina Rees for Moseley Society History Group, Aida Khakizadeh for Ceol Agency, Alec Lom, Tessa Lowe BUSINESS MANAGER Martin Jeffers SOCIAL MEDIA Maria Arroja Ferreira TREASURER Leanne Holloway ([email protected]) PROOFREADER Pam Rutter DISTRIBUTION Izzy Knowles, Martin Jeffers BOARD David Isgrove (Chair), Stephanie Silk (Editorial) COVER IMAGE: Courtesy of Irene Sheyko 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 September issue - copy deadline 14 August - on sale 26 August October issue - copy deadline 11 September - on sale 23 September November issue - copy deadline 16 October - on sale 28 October December issue - copy deadline 13 November - on sale 25 November 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 02
EDITOR'S LETTER 03 CONTENTS 04 / NEWSHOUND A round-up of the local news 12 / FOREVER LIDA: SUPPORTING UKRAINE An interview with the founder of the Birmingham-based community group 16 / CRAIG PULLEN'S NEWSDESK Opinion, commentary and musings from Moseley's Craig Pullen 19 / ROOTS COMMUNAL: MOOR GREEN ALLOTMENTS A feature about the history of one of Birmingham's most signifigcant inner city open spaces 22 / MOSELEY SCHOOL: 100 YEARS A look at a Moseley institution 23 / MOSELEY MUNCH: THE SUMMER GARDEN Two seasonal pasta recipes from The Salty Chilli 26 / A MOSELEY ARTIST MAKES PARLIAMENTARY ART DEBUT The story of Rick Garland's thoughtprovoking painting 28 / B13 MAGAZINE AT 50: THE 10s PART ONE Remembering the Wake Green Windmill 30 / LOCAL LEGENDS Details of The Spotted Dog's not-to-be missed upcoming event EDITORIAL Welcome to August! We hope the major downfalls of rain haven’t dampened your enthusiasm for summer after the recent difficulties for Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival and Moseley Community Festival. People still had an amazing time at the events by all accounts and the show must go on as a Mr Frederick of Mercury once said. And the show certainly goes on for Moseley B13 Magazine in its 50th year with this latest issue (too slick a link?). We feature cover stars Irene Sheyko’s Birmingham-based community ‘Forever Lida’ on pages 12-15. The organisation provides support for those caught up in the Russian occupation of Ukraine and was set up in honour of Irene’s grandmother Lida who was tragically killed at the start of the invasion. Moseley Society History Group takes a look at Moor Green Allotments and the 90 years that they’ve been growing their own (18 - 20). Moseley School surpasses the fine legacy of Moor Green Allotments with their celebration of 100 years (22). We also continue another milestone with the next in the series ‘Moseley B13 Magazine at 50’, this time around looking at the 2010s decade during which ‘Lost Moseley’ was published. We feature an early article from the series on the long demolished Wake Green Windmill (28 - 29). See you for a super September with Moseley Folk & Arts Festival and much, much more! Mark Baxter
NEWSHOUND 04 TWO NEW RESTAURANTS FOR MOSELEY AMORE PIZZERIA A new pizzeria, called ‘Amore Pizzeria and Caffetteria’, is opening at 25 St Mary’s Row in premises where the highly rated I&M Café Deli was previously located until two years ago. The new pizzeria which has previously been operating as a street food vendor across Birmingham and Solihull known as ‘That’s Amore Pizza Napoletana’ will now serve up its Italian fare from its new permanent restaurant on St Mary’s Row. Amore Pizzeria boss Alessandro Amore is teaming up with one of the owners of the former I&M café, Giorgio Winkler, to launch the new venture. It will be a ‘bring your own booze’ restaurant so guests can enjoy their own wine with the food. As well as pizza the restaurant will be serving up cicchetti (small plates), traditional Italian cakes and more. Melting Wheel Pasta, the company’s sister street food vendor, may also appear in pop-up events, serving melted cheesy pasta dishes. A spokesperson for the new restaurant said: “We’re super excited to be opening up in Moseley, we love the people and the vibe of the village, it’s such a supportive, friendly community. “We always loved the spot at 25 St Mary’s Row. We are friends of the previous owners and the owners before that. We feel that our style fits in well with the usual small independent places in Moseley.” The previous restaurateurs at I&M had a high reputation among local foodies for freshly made pizzas with delicate and fluffy crust made using finely ground milled flour ideal for pizza. Hopes are high for the new venture and pizza lovers in Moseley. Words by Ian Cook A new pizzeria, 'Amore', and a Peruvian restaurant named Nazca have opened in St Mary's Row
NEWSHOUND 05 NAZCA Nazca is the name of a Peruvian Café/ Restaurant opening at 31 St Mary's Row, in premises previously occupied by De Maines. Nazca will serve authentic Peruvian teas, as well as traditional Peruvian lunch dishes and there is a mini launch opening/taster on Saturday 29th July to coincide with the Farmers’ Market. On the Nazca menu will be a selection of teas as well as some Peruvian classic dishes including ‘Lomo Saltado’ - a stir fry that combines sirloin steak, red onions, tomatoes, peppers and other ingredients and served with rice and homemade chips. Other authentic dishes include a classic Peruvian appetiser originally from Huancayo, Peru, made of boiled potatoes, in a spicy sauce with queso fresco (cheese) and grilled aji amarillo (yellow chili) and garlic served with boiled egg. When it comes to creating an authentic South American experience, diners will see traditional Peruvian cloths covering the tables whilst they drink, eat, chat and chill. The cloths are made to stunning and traditional Peruvian patterns which will brighten up the cafe - and are beautiful as each one is made by hand. Finally, more enlightened readers will know that the restaurant takes its name from the Nazca Desert and its famous `lines”, mysterious markings made in the desert in southern Peru. The Nazca designs, which include animal, human, and plant shapes, are up to 1,200 feet long and were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE. They have long fascinated and delighted people, as will a trip to Nazca in St Mary’s Row.
NEWSHOUND 06 MOSELEY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR NOW ON SATURDAY AUGUST 19 A combination of very strong winds, rain and thunder meant that the Moseley Festival Street Fair (part of Moseley Festival 2023) did not take place on Saturday 15 July but instead will be held on Saturday 19 August from 11am – 4pm. Moseley Festival is a not-for-profit community festival that’s been going for over 40 years but due to waterlogged ground, some of the other events that should have taken place in Moseley Park at this year’s festival were cancelled or rearranged. For more information on the latest plans for these cancelled or re-arranged events check the festival's Facebook page www.facebook. com/MoseleyFestival Meanwhile down in Cannon Hill Park Big John’s Birmingham Mela returns on Sunday, 6 August celebrating the diversity of the city’s South Asian community through its culture, food, sport, art and entertainment. Big John’s Birmingham Mela is an annual event organised in partnership with the Birmingham City Council and Big Johns a regional fast-food chain. It is the largest Asian outdoor event in the UK. The event runs from 12pm to 8pm and free public car parking is available at Edgbaston Stadium, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Ground, although visitors are encouraged to use public transport where possible. Various parking restrictions will be in place during the day affecting roads around Cannon Hill Park. There is limited free car parking at an area located at Calthorpe Park and Holders Lane. All car parks will be fully posted with traffic management staff in place but those living near the park should expect roads to be busy. Further information on Big John’s Birmingham Mela is available by visiting www.bigjohnsbirminghammela.com. WEATHER DISRUPTS ANNUAL EVENTS Words by Ian Cook Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul is praised for how it dealt with a 'Bibical turn" of events at the 2023 festival while Moseley Street Fair was forced to postpone for a month
NEWSHOUND 07 ‘BIBLICAL’ LIGHTNING STORM AND DELUGE HITS MOSTLY JAZZ Lightning storms and a deluge of almost “Biblical” proportions at Moseley Park & Pool led to the suspension of music and other events for a few hours on Saturday July 8, the second day of the park’s ‘Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul’ festival. But the festival started again following a rapid response from organisers who responded with admirable speed as a month’s rain fell in a matter of hours submerging much of Moseley and surrounding areas including Moseley Park & Pool. The “mother of all thunderstorms” happened around 5pm on Saturday July 8 (the three-day festival’s middle day) and meant artists and musicians were unable to perform for a period around late afternoon. During an hour-long deluge and thunderstorm the sheer weight of water pushed tents and storage units down the slope and some items even fell into the lake. Festival goers had to head for the exits as a month’s worth of rain deluged the Park & Pool. Lightning struck a residential area in nearby Balsall Heath, less than a mile from the festival site, so there was a real risk of lightning strikes endangering those in a nearby open space like a park. The marquees were not safe refuges in such a fierce storm. A series of announcements on the festival’s Facebook page kept festival goers updated on the rapidly developing extreme weather event. The first was titled “EVAC ANNOUNCEMENT” and said: “This is a safety announcement. We have been tracking a storm and with lightning strikes nearby it’s not safe to stay in the park, even under the marquees. You must evacuate now using the nearest exit. We suggest seeking shelter in the cafes and pubs of Moseley Village until the storm passes.” A second announcement later on said: “The site is now safe to return. Thank you for all your cooperation, thankfully it was just a short storm cloud and the site is now ready for your return. You may come and go as you please. Please bear in mind there are a few of you so queues are likely.” A final announcement assured festival goers that the third day (Sunday July 9) would go ahead as planned. It said: “Day three, doors 11 am. We have worked through the night to repair the site. Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul will take place today.” Organisers said they were “absolutely devastated” about the “Biblical turn” of events on the second day. Festival-goers told Newshound the extreme weather event and evacuation had been well handled by the organisers and thanked them for their handling of an extremely difficult and potentially dangerous situation.
NEWSHOUND 08 NOTICEBOARD Carters in Summer re-location from St Mary’s Row Carters, Moseley’s Michelin Star restaurant, is temporarily moving out of St Mary’s Row from July until September. Bosses Brad and Holly Carter are taking their restaurant to the location of one of its key suppliers, Westlands UK, to serve food in one of its glasshouses. The Carters homepage succinctly says: “Summer 2023 we take the Carters Experience to Westlands UK.” It goes on; “We’re taking our plates to their source. From July 19th we will move the restaurant, entire team and experience to Evesham for the warmer months and the experience will be supported by Gusbourne, the award-winning sparkling wine producer from our list!” Surrounded by living herbs, flowers and fauna, guests will be able to enjoy a menu inspired by the area’s natural bounty and Carter’s ethos of ‘ultra-British seasonality”.► Carters at Westlands will be based at Westlands Station Road, Offenham, Worcestershire, WR11 8LW and bookings are now open for summer. For further details check out the Carters website: https:// wearecarters.co.uk ■ Community Support Needed to Locate Missing Memorial Bench The Board of Moseley Park and Pool Trust wishes to appeal to park users and the wider Moseley community for any information regarding the following. A memorial bench in memory of Owen Long was taken from the park towards the end of June. It’s believed it went missing on the afternoon/ evening of June 16 when there was a gathering of teenagers following the end of GCSEs. We have carried out searches of the park including in the water and all park buildings but to no avail. Whilst the bench is not of great financial value it is of enormous sentimental value to Owen’s family for obvious reasons. The bench was sited in the area of the park known as the swing meadow. It was the newest bench ►
NEWSHOUND 09 in the park and highly varnished with a brass plaque on the backrest. We are appealing to anyone who has any information that could lead to its return to contact the park on info@ moseleypark.co.uk or anonymously by text if preferred on 07471 675553. Whilst it was probably the action of pranksters meaning no serious harm it has caused massive distress to Owen’s family. Can we please urge you to speak to your family members including young people to see if they can help? We are searching CCTV footage to assist in a police enquiry but the family’s preference would be for the bench to be returned without such recourse. The park can assist with collecting and relocating the bench. ■ Prison for Moseley man who stalked woman he was “infatuated” with A Moseley man has been found guilty of stalking causing serious alarm or distress after launching a campaign of harassment against a woman a year after his release from prison. Desmond Finnegan,77, became “infatuated” with his victim and pestered her to go out for a drink with him after first meeting her on the bus in Moseley, near where they both lived. She took desperate steps to avoid him as he turned “aggressive” before finding him on Facebook and then making the horrifying discovery that he had previously been sentenced to life for killing his girlfriend in the 1970s. The victim then resorted to more drastic measures including changing her hair, wearing a wig and overcoat disguise in the street as well as even hiding in a bush. Finnegan started to angrily confront the woman for ignoring him and even blamed her for his lack of confidence, while in one chilling incident he told her he knew where she lived. Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court he was found guilty of stalking causing serious alarm and distress. Finnegan was sentenced to three years► and six months but having already been recalled to prison on his life sentence he will not be released unless a parole board believes it safe to do so. Finnegan was also effectively banned from Birmingham under an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim. Judge Samantha Crabb said: “You were plainly infatuated with her and concerned only for your own needs. You simply didn’t care about the devastating impact you had on her.” ■ Badgers cause long delay to Moseley Village Station re-opening Moseley Village Station’s opening has been postponed from late 2023 to late 2024. This is longer than delays to neighbouring new stations at Kings Heath and Pineapple Road which will likely open in early 2024. The longer delay at Moseley Village is due to the discovery of badger setts in the surrounding woodland and other technical problems. Explaining the specific problems at Moseley Village Station a spokesperson from Transport for West Midlands and West Midlands Rail Executive said: “At Moseley Village we have removed undergrowth and trees around the railway line and are securing the steep cutting slopes ahead of excavating the platform foundations. “Regrettably, the challenges have had an impact on our overall schedule. You will ►
see Pineapple Road and Kings Heath Stations taking shape in early 2024 and we continue to investigate opportunities to speed up construction or open the stations sooner . . . We are also exploring whether trains could stop at Kings Heath and Pineapple Road stations before Moseley Village station is complete.” The problems at Moseley Village Station are greater than those encountered at either Pineapple Road or Kings Heath. Moseley’s issues include the depth of the very steep cutting and the discovery of badgers - a protected species. Badger setts can only be moved at a certain time of year and contractors are unable to start the majority of work until the badgers have been safely relocated. At Pineapple Road a historic unstable wall bordering a listed building needs to be rebuilt brick by brick, whilst the previously undocumented Victorian well at the Kings Heath site, linked to the historic Highbury Hall, has meant a redesign of the area. These problems are quicker to fix than those at Moseley Village. Once the various problems on the line are solved, the three new stations will be able to open and restore passenger services in South Birmingham which were closed during the Second World War and never restarted afterwards. The £61 million project to re-open the line to stopping passenger traffic after 80 years is being carried out in partnership with Birmingham Council, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway and the Department for Transport. Plans to reopen the line to passengers were first announced over a decade ago, but after various delays, the scheme was eventually shelved in 2012. However, last year, work began to get the long-promised project going with the original prospect of all three stations opening in late 2023. The new Moseley Village Station is badly needed as local commuters have great difficulty in accessing the city centre by road with long delays for those using the 35 and 50 bus services. The estimated journey time from the new Moseley station to Birmingham New Street is eight minutes - saving up to 21 minutes for commuters who often travel by car. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “After more than 70 years without a train service, people in Kings Heath, Moseley, and Stirchley can see the progress that is being made - the ground has been strengthened, platforms and stations are taking shape, and we have already carried out timetable testing runs on the line. “It is of course disappointing that it will take a little longer than we previously planned to get the line open, but with our contractors and partners we are working tirelessly to look at options to reduce that timescale and bring the benefits of the Camp Hill line as soon as possible. “Once open people will have the option of swapping their journey along the busy Alcester Road for a convenient and quick train ride, and the city will enjoy the benefits of the Camp Hill line train services for generations to come.” Moseley Village station will have two platforms, lifts, ticket machines, information screens, and secure bike parking when we are finally able to use it. ■ Major setback for Balsall Heath neighbourhood council plan Balsall Heath looks unlikely to get a ► NEWSHOUND 10
NEWSHOUND 11 Neighbourhood Council following a residents’ re-ballot which ended in July. In order for the Neighbourhood Council to be established a majority of Balsall Heath residents had to vote in favour of the proposal in the re-ballot. There also had to be a turnout of 25% of those eligible to vote. In the June/July re-ballot a clear majority of those voting were once again in favour of the Neighbourhood Council with 1,672 (74.14%) voting in favour and just 579 (25.67%) voting against. However, the turnout was just 21.09%, which was once again well short of the 25% turnout required by the council. The re-ballot was the second attempt to settle the issue of whether enough Balsall Heath residents support the idea of a Neighbourhood Council. In December 2022 Balsall Heath residents voted for the first time the proposal with 78% voting in favour. However, the number of votes cast in the original 2022 ballot was just 22% and did not meet the 25% turnout threshold set by Birmingham City Council. The latest June/ July 2023 poll showed a similar majority in favour of the proposal but once again the turnout failed to reach the 25% threshold. Turnouts in local polls are usually on the low side (usually around 30%) and the first ballot took place during industrial action by postal workers last year which made community activists hope for a higher turnout in the June/July re-ballot so the result will be a bitter disappointment for many. The additional cost of a Neighbourhood Council may be one reason why many residents chose not to take part in the poll. Parish/neighbourhood councils can raise a small sum of money from local residents (called a “precept”) which is collected along with Council Tax. Although it was not clear how large the precept would be, an “average” precept is believed to be £1 a week, which could mean some residents paying an extra £50 a year in addition to their Council Tax. In Sutton Coldfield, where there is a neighbourhood council, the precept is equivalent to a council tax charge of £49.96 on a band D (high banded or very expensive property) which is roughly £1 a week. The precept would not be paid by all households – it would only be paid by those who pay Council Tax (the same exemptions and discounts would apply) but one Balsall Heath resident who pays council tax told Newshound she did not vote because she could not afford to pay any more to local government during a cost of living crisis and thought another tier of local government was not needed. Voter apathy may have been another reason for the low turnout. Neighbourhood or parish councils are the lowest level of local government in England. They can own land and assets and can provide or run services at a local level, for example grass cutting, street lighting, open spaces, community buildings and allotments. A neighbourhood council would be able to apply for grants and other initiatives to generate more income. A parish/neighbourhood council is just one way Balsall Heath could work to find ways to improve local governance, but there are alternative forms of community governance / representation. As part of the Community Governance Review (CGR), the city council can now explore whether alternative forms of community governance would be more suitable for Balsall Heath. The City Council Cabinet will decide its next move at the September 2023 Cabinet Meeting There are currently two neighbourhood councils in Birmingham: New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council and the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield Town Council. ■ Newshound is bought to you by Tipton, the B13 Newshound. Follow Tipton on Twitter @ B13newshound, and Instagram @TiptonB13
12 FEATURE Irene, how did Forever Lida come to be? “The inspiration behind our Forever Lida is deeply personal to me. My grandmother, Lida, lost her life in March 2022 in Mariupol when she was killed in her own home by a Russian missile. In her memory, I aimed to establish a charity (application pending) to continue her legacy of helping others. “Since February 24th, 2022, I have been involved in various activities, such as translating news, organising humanitarian aid collections, hosting a temporarily displaced family, and supporting women who sought refuge in Birmingham due to the war in Ukraine. “However, since March 2022, I have partnered with my Ukraine-based friend Kyrylo Stepankov, a fitness coach who fled Donetsk with his family in 2014. Kyrylo has been actively involved in helping his home region since then, so we have joined forces: he has been volunteering from Kyiv, while I’ve been helping from the UK. In February 2023, Kyrylo and I co-founded an International Charity Foundation in Ukraine called Vsi Vdoma (meaning ‘everybody home’ in Ukrainian). “Now, as Forever Lida (UK) and Vsi Vdoma (Ukraine), we raise funds to buy vehicles, equipment, and other goods needed by both non-combatants and the military. Forever Lida is focused on helping frontline evacuation teams and victims of war. “Throughout 2022 & 2023, I’ve spent most of my time fundraising, organising events, and representing my country at local conferences, shows, and markets. I’ve connected with a group of Ukrainian women, and together we’ve been crafting and selling handmade items like plants, Ukrainian art posters, and stationery at local markets (including Moseley Farmers’ Market, Kings Heath Farmers’ Market, and Kings Norton FOREVER LIDA: SUPPORTING UKRAINE Words by Mark Baxter Forever Lida is a Birmingham-based community founded by Irene Sheyko to honour her grandmother Lida, killed in March 2022 in Mariupol by the Russian invaders. Moseley B13 Magazine chatted with Irene to find out more about the organisation helping to support those caught up and suffering in the occupation of Ukraine.
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FEATURE Top: Irene Sheyko at a local Farmer’s market Bottom left: Lidiya Kiriyenko (Lida) Bottom right: Irene Sheyko busy campaigning 14
Farmers’ Market). We have raised nearly £60,000 and delivered over 5 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Kyiv and Donetsk oblast.” What are the different ways you manage to support the Ukrainian frontline from Birmingham? “At the start of the full-scale war, the requests from Ukraine were changing neary every week. I remember it as if it were yesterday: our first large delivery of aid to Ukraine consisted of 60 MK6 helmets, army boots, uniforms, plate carriers, night vision goggles, water purifying pills, torches, power banks, solar panels, and charging stations. These were needed by civilians as much as by the military, as the war came as a shock to Ukraine, and the invaders have been vile and violent towards non-combatants. After the initial shock, there was a major demand for Cordura fabric - a specific material used for making bulletproof vests and plate carriers. I purchased a 100m roll of this fabric and shipped it to the Zaporizhzhya police department, and I will treasure a picture of a stack of vests created from that roll. In October 2022, the terrorists started targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure: power and heat plants, so there was a high demand for generators and power banks in autumn and winter. “Since late March 2022, we have shifted our focus in the UK to purchasing vans, 4x4s, and pickup trucks, which are in high demand at the frontline. The Transporter van we purchased in April 2022 is still running and has made 170,000 km in Ukraine since we donated it. It is mostly used for transporting the wounded to hospitals. “Purchasing vehicles in the UK is costeffective, and we always fill the vehicles with humanitarian aid such as food, sanitary items, medicines, clothes, pet food and appliances. At the moment, we are raising money to buy our seventh vehicle - a passenger minibus for frontline evacuations.” When I visited your stall at Kings Heath Farmers’ Market, there seemed to be so many interesting stories behind the items you sell to support Ukraine, such as the stories behind the pictures of cats and dogs by Ukrainian artists. Can you tell us about this? “I’m a fashion designer, so I have various connections with the creative forces of Ukraine. At our stall, we represent a number of artisans and some famous illustrators from Ukraine. The war united Ukrainians and helped establish new connections and collaborations. One of the illustrators we represent is Oleksandr Grekhov, an artist known for his heartwarming and post-ironic illustrations. Last year, Oleksandr created an illustration featuring some famous Ukrainian animals: Patron Jack Russell Terrier (detection dog), Raccoon (was stolen from Kherson Zoo), Gloria cat (survived a month of Russian occupation on the 7th floor of a bombed building in Borodyanka), and Stepan, the famous meme cat. I asked the illustrator if we could use his art for fundraising purposes, and Oleksandr agreed. Oleksandr has also created a famous Kremlin-poop illustration for the dog poop bags we printed for the Crufts dog show.” You can follow Forever Lida at https://www. facebook.com/foreverlidaon and https:// www.instagram.com/forever.Lida.ua/ as well as the website foreverlida.com The Forever Lida stall will be at the following markets: 12 August - Kings Norton Farmers’ Market; 13 August - King Heath Artisan Market; 16 September - Stirchley Community Market FEATURE 15
CRAIG PULLEN’S NEWSDESK 16 NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES Words by Craig Pullen Moseley’s Craig Pullen reflects on a wet and wild Moseley Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival and the speedo-clad hero who came to the rescue With festival season in full swing, it would be easy to say that the real headliner at Moseley Jazz, Funk and Soul 2023 was the weather, but that would miss the point. This year’s programme was on point, with blistering performances from big hitters Incognito, KC & The Sunshine Band, Fat Freddy’s Drop (although I preferred them when they were Chubby Freddy’s Drop), with some upcoming talent (Mychelle), alongside festival favourites Crazy P Soundsystem and Radio 6 Music mainstay Huey Morgan. Heck, I even enjoyed Craig Charles. Well, I say enjoyed, tolerated. The Leftoot DJs played a scintillating set, paving the way for Norman Jay the following day, which went ahead,
CRAIG PULLEN’S NEWSDESK 17 although slightly later than planned, due to our old friend, the weather, which shouldn’t and didn’t overshadow the performances and programmes. In hindsight, sequinned leggings weren’t really weather appropriate, but I styled it out. Talking of styling it out, the design aesthetic of the festival was the creation of Claire Griffiths. The bunting, lights, foliage, bar fronts and entrance and caravans were down to her, with assistance from me and her teamwork, who made the dreamwork. If you’re interested in interior design, be that domestic, commercial or leisure, check her out on Instagram: bellespetite_333. The organisers and crew did a remarkable job of evacuating the site, quickly, safely and professionally. Shepherding masses of befuddled, bewildered and bedraggled from the site was no mean feat. Much respect. And I should know; I was amongst the befuddled masses. After we were off site, the carnage continued, with Salisbury Road becoming a river, with stranded cars being assisted by a man dressed only in swimwear. Not all heroes wear capes, but, as the picture shows, some do wear trunks. Godspeed, you Speedo-clad legend. The Jazz festival wasn’t the only victim of the weather; the Moseley Community Festival Street Fair which was scheduled to take place on Saturday July 14 was affected. A number of events did take place as part of this festival programme, although the street fair has been rescheduled for August 19. This month sees new arrivals to Moseley, with Nazca launching their Peruvian Cafe on the premises occupied by De Maines, who continue serving French breakfasts from the premises. So, that’s all for now. As long as we haven’t become extinct by then, I’ll see you at the Farmer’s Market, the Community Festival, the Folk Festival, and in the streets, eateries, parks and hostelries of B13. Stay classy, Moseley.
19 FEATURE On 22nd November 1930, Birmingham City Council Allotments Committee set up a sub-committee to consider how best to implement the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill passed on 5th November 1930. The bill was intended to promote small holdings and allotments to the unemployed. The committee already controlled 1,212 acres of allotment land in 1929, and by February 1930 had added a further 78 acres including 47 acres from Moor Green Farm bought from the Ideal Benefit Society. In February 1933, around eighteen acres formed the Holders Wood playing fields still enjoyed by many locals and sports clubs today. The other twenty-nine acres including the derelict Moor Green farmhouse were transformed into offices, workshops and allotments, by the efforts of thirty Birmingham unemployed men. It included carpenters and boot repairing shops and was considered to be the finest occupational centre in the Midlands. It was reported that, “the keenness of the men is wonderful. They have turned chaos into order. When the Corporation bought this farm it was thought to be hopeless. Today we are thinking of christening it Paradise farm.’’ There were also plans to introduce poultry and livestock and to run the farm on a businesslike footing. Ninety years ago on Tuesday 1st August 1933, the allotments were inspected by Alderman T Quinney and other members of the Allotments Committee. Councillor A. H. Cooper declared that, “it was not too much to ask that five per cent of the total acreage of a city like Birmingham should be given over to allotments. That would mean just double the area now being cultivated", but in the course of time he thought that the Committee would achieve that object. During WWII the demand for allotments increased after an appeal by the Minister of Agriculture in October 1939 to increase food production in a ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. Birmingham alone required 5000 more allotments. Since the 1960s there has been pressure ROOTS COMMUNAL: MOOR GREEN ALLOTMENTS Words by Edwina Rees, Moseley Society History Group Lying two miles south of the centre of Birmingham the 30 acre Moor Green Allotments site is one of Birmingham’s most significant inner city open spaces.
to develop allotments that brought in little income into much needed housing. This difficult dilemma resulted in the setting up of a Committee of Inquiry in 1965.The resulting Thorpe Report published in 1969 made sixty-nine recommendations about allotment improvements. One feature of the report showed that for most plot holders, recreational motivation was greater than the need to ‘grow your own’. Gardening was seen as a hobby and recommendations were made to reflect this change of emphasis. Following the continental model of ‘leisure gardens’, Birmingham was used as a case study. Moor Green was chosen as a model site, but the initial plan was initially rejected until, in 1971, a revised plan was accepted to be managed by the Moseley and District Allotment Holders Association. In March 1972, Birmingham Allotments Committee approved a £97,000 scheme to modernise Moor Green Farm Allotments. The money was to be used to improve roads, extending a water supply for the whole of the site, landscaping, tool lockers and a large community centre with bar facilities making it the most modern of its type in Britain. The new site was opened by HRH Princess Alice on 9th September 1976. Today, Moor Green reflects a vibrant and diverse community. The allotments supply families with fresh fruit and vegetables to supplement the weekly shop and reduce their personal carbon footprint by reducing food miles. It also donates surplus produce to food banks, connects children to the source of the food they eat, improves mental and physical health and provides habitats for insects (including pollinators), mammals, birds and amphibians. Allotments generally help users to connect with nature and gain a better understanding of the local ecosystem as they become more aware of the seasonal changes of the flora and fauna. Long may it continue. For more information on the History of Moor Green allotments visit: moseley-society. org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ The-History-of-Moor-Green-Allotments.pdf Images: Princess Alice opens Moor Green Leisure Gardens on 8th September 1976 / Moor Green allotments today, picture by John Sloan 20 FEATURE
21 HANDYMAN MARIUS RELIABLE SERVICES DOMESTIC ODD JOBS ELECTRICAL JOINERY PLUMBING DECORATING TILING Happy to help with small garden & DIY projects Mobile: 07849315649 Email: [email protected]
FEATURE 22 The Moseley School and Sixth Form are celebrating 100 years of history. The school is inviting the public to visit Saturday September 16 between 11:00-16:00, where there will be ‘stalls, refreshments, memorabilia, archive displays, a tour around the school, and even a trip up the historical school tower’. Whilst the school was officially founded in 1923, it was preceded by Spring Hill College, established in the 1850s. Baljinder Cheema has been teaching in the science department for over 30 years, one of the longest teaching staff members. She reminisces of her happy time at the school. “It is a happy, yet a sad time for me as I say goodbye to Moseley School. Teaching for 37 years in the same school has been wonderful. Time really flies, and to see so many young people go on to have amazing careers makes me proud. “As the school celebrates its 100th year, I am looking forward to joining the Moseleians, and celebrating this landmark achievement with them. I have got lots of happy memories and humorous moments working at Moseley. I was the youngest staff member when I first started in September 1986. I got a telling off from a dinner lady for jumping the queue as she thought I was one of the kids! “The Science department at Moseley is fantastic. The staff are wonderful and supportive and I have made friends for life. I shall miss their professionalism, their cooperation and their cakes!” The school welcomes you to just turn up to the event, but if you wish to contact the school in advance, you can get in contact via its Facebook page: Moseley School and Sixth Form MOSELEY SCHOOL: 100 YEARS In 1923, the world saw the invention of the Instant Camera, the ‘Three-position Traffic Signal’, and the Moseley School and Sixth form Words by Aida Khakizadeh, Ceol Agency
MOSELEY MUNCH THE SUMMER GARDEN Beautiful pasta dishes celebrating the very best of seasonal fruit and veg Words by Jenny Gwynne, The Salty Chilli 23 I can’t think of produce that feels more seasonal than courgettes and tomatoes. One simple courgette plant can give you a tasty couple of months filled with grilled planks, soups, fried flowers and sauteed rounds. And tomatoes just cannot be beat outside of the heat, they are so glorious in salads, sandwiches and sauces. Just sinking your teeth into a sweet tomato like an apple is one of life’s warm weather pleasures. The courgette originated in North and South America – colonisation brought it back to Europe where it was cultivated primarily in Milan in the late 19th century. Americans call it by its Italian name ‘zucchini’, while here in Britain it is called by its French name ‘courgette’. It all roots from the squash family technically making it a fruit and a truly versatile piece of produce that is very easy to grow. Tomatoes also originated in South America where a variety was cultivated in Southern Mexico by the Aztecs in around 500 BC. Spanish colonisation of the Americas eventually brought the tomato on a tour through the Caribbean, Philippines, China and then to Europe. The tomato, which is famously associated with Italy, didn’t start growing there until 1548. They were surprisingly only used for their ornamental beauty and as tabletop decorations. It wasn’t until the late 17th century that they were actually incorporated into Italian cuisine and then became the star of so many famous dishes. My garden has always had courgettes and tomatoes – as ubiquitous as these plants may seem it is fascinating to look to the past, to their origins and travels. Like homemade bread, home grown veg is unbeatable and the dishes they are put into taste that much better. So overleaf I have compiled two simple flavour packed pasta dishes to celebrate the courgette and tomato. They feel like a holiday which is really what the summer is all about. Find Jenny on Instagram @thesaltychilli and website: www.thesaltychilli.com
MOSELEY MUNCH 25 Summery Spaghetti with Fried Garlic, Freshly Grated Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella (pictured left) I thought of creating this sauce whilst making and eating a lot of pan con tomate (bread with freshly grated tomato). This is a bit of a combination dish of ‘aglio y olio’ and the Sicilian ‘carrettierra’ which incorporates loads of fresh summer tomatoes. It just all tastes so seasonal - pairing it alongside some rich mozzarella and good quality olive oil makes it extra special. Ingredients 4 vine ripened tomatoes 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced 70ml extra virgin olive oil Handful of fresh basil torn 30g micro planed parmesan 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 150g Spaghetti Fresh mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil to serve Method Start to boil a large pot of salted pasta water. Halve the tomatoes and grate (into a bowl) on the largest setting of a cheese grater discarding the skins. Give them a large pinch of flaky salt and mix. Cook your pasta until al dente. In a sauté pan add the olive oil on medium and the garlic and begin to cook until it’s toasty golden. Tong the pasta straight from the pot and add the freshly grated tomato, butter and parmesan mixing off heat, toss in basil and salt to taste. Plate it alongside softly torn mozzarella and drizzle with olive oil. Linguini with Yellow Courgette, Ricotta, Parmesan, Basil & Courgette Flowers (pictured overleaf) I love frying courgette flowers but sometimes find the batter a bit tedious. This recipe is a simple pan fried version and is served like a garnish - and they taste amazing. I’ve been growing yellow courgettes in my garden - very similar to their green siblings, but they are golden and glorious and seem to really reveal what the essence of summer produce is all about. Ingredients 3-4 courgette sliced (any kind) 30g micro planed parmesan plus more to serve 2 Tbsp Ricotta Handful of basil 1 garlic clove sliced Pinch of chilli 150g linguini Olive oil to cook and to serve Method Start to boil a large pot of salted pasta water. Coat the bottom of a frying pan in olive oil and heat, working in batches and taking time, fry the courgette and flowers on either side until golden brown and softened...let them drain on a paper towel. In the meantime, cook your pasta until just pre-al dente. Add the garlic and chilli and sauté until soft. Add the courgettes back in and toss. Tong the pasta into the frying pan. Add parmesan and mix then ricotta add pasta water in small increments to develop a creamy sauce. Take off heat. Throw in the basil, garnish with parmesan and flowers.
A MOSELEY ARTIST MAKES PARLIAMENTARY ART DEBUT Artist Rick Garland, who began exhibiting in Moseley 13 years ago, has been praised for his ‘thoughtprovoking painting’ that sheds light on dangers to the environment and water pollution in UK rivers. Rick made his ‘Parliamentary debut’ after being invited to exhibit his work at the House of Commons by a leading environmental charity. Words by Alec Lom At first glance, the painting he was asked to show at the Commons, depicts a beautiful watery scene in rural England, with weeping willows and pretty flowers on the bankside. But if you inspect the painting, named ‘Nympheas Detritus’, more closely, the water is strewn with submerged rubbish and litter, plastic bottles and discarded crisp packets. “I feel very strongly about environmental issues and I want to get that across in my work,” the artist said, speaking at the Commons launch hosted by River Action UK. The charity this week launched its new ‘Charter For Rivers’ which is campaigning to restore Britain’s rivers back to health. Among those attending the event was the charity’s Vice Chairman Feargal Sharkey, an environmental campaigner who is best known as the former lead vocalist of the Irish pop-punk band, The Undertones. Garland added: “Of course, it’s been great to make my ‘Parliamentary debut’. I think the issue of our rivers and the environment is really important and I’m very pleased to support the charity. They are getting stuff done. I spoke at some length with Feargal, who is clearly very passionate too.” The artist’s current Birmingham exhibition ‘Embers’ is now on at the Colley Ison Gallery. Director Tim Ison said: “I’m very proud and it’s great that Rick is involved. Sadly, many of Birmingham’s canals are also horribly polluted. It’s an amazing privilege to have been invited to exhibit our artist at the House of Commons and it’s a feather in the cap for the gallery. It was also a privilege to attend such a historic venue.” River Action CEO James Wallace said: “Art needs to have a message and this painting by Rick Garland certainly does. We believe we are facing a catastrophe with our rivers, which are about the worst in Europe. They are affected by sewage, agriculture and chemical pollution. We have a freshwater emergency and Rick has very cleverly brought our attention to the waste in rivers." FEATURE 26
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28 | B13 MAGAZINE Moseley B13 Magazine’s Lost Moseley began in early 2015 and ran for almost six years. The feature looked at the lost buildings, history and culture of the area, covering everything from early rural life to relocated structures, fabled hidden tunnels, and post-war social developments. Words by Mark Baxter B13 MAGAZINE AT 50: THE 10s PART ONE
29 B13 MAGAZINE AT 50: THE 10s PART ONE Images: Old Windmill on Moseley Common by David Cox, 1819 / Estimated site of the Wake Green Windmill The Wake Green Windmill An early Lost Moseley article from March 2015 focused on the Wake Green Windmill which you can read below as our first look at Moseley B13 Magazine at 50: The 10s. Standing on the edge of Moseley Bog and accompanied by birdsong and the flow of the Coldbath Brook, it’s easy enough to conjure up a rural yesteryear and imagine a further sound of windmill sails, gradually turning as we pass through the spring equinox. In reality, a post-mill did exist near this point - at the rear of Adrian Croft on Windermere Fields (also known as Wake Green Playing Fields) and situated on a “small knoll” - up until the 19th century and is on record as belonging to Sir Richard Grevis of Moseley Hall from 1664. The deed states: “All that windmill with the appurtenancies situate and being near unto the said watermills (at Greathurst and Swanshurst)”. The Middle English use of “appurtenancies” indicates that this structure, connected with status, was an attachment to more significant property - the nearby water mills that are mentioned. The Grevis family had acquired the lordship of Yardley from 1629. Moseley Hall and the windmill eventually ended up in the hands of John Taylor, a button maker manufacturer, after the Grevis family developed financial difficulties. In 1766, Taylor leased the mill to John Allen for 14 years and this relationship was repeated with Sarehole Mill - which Taylor also owned - when Allen became the tenant. The windmill is mentioned again, in 1773 as “standing up on part of the common or beaste land belonging to and being part of the Manor of Yardley”. As the structure was demolished by 1834, we are left without photographic evidence, but are blessed to have a rare recording of a Birmingham windmill contained in an illustration of the area. ‘Old Windmill on Moseley Common’ is a sketch by David Cox from 1819 with the Wake Green windmill captured in charismatic late-era ruins. Cox was an influential water-colourist and oil painter of the Birmingham School of Landscape. The sketch was featured in Cox’s book The Young Artist’s Companion and he is remembered with works on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, British Museum and Tate Gallery. Our photograph captures the area of the lost windmill and the David Cox work, based on the sketch, historical information and archaeological coordinates. Article’s original credits: With thanks to Archaeological Investigations Ltd; William Dargue - A History of Birmingham Places & Placenames; History of Moseley by Alison Fairn; John Morris Jones; and the Moseley Society History Group.
EVENT LOCAL LEGENDS The legendary Steve Gibbons is headlining a party of legends on Sunday 13th August at the (in itself absolutely legendary) Spotted Dog in Digbeth. Words by The Spotted Dog That’s a whole lot of legends in our opening sentence and even then we’ve omitted to mention John and Anne Tighe who have given 37 or more years of their hospitable lives to making this a hostelry like no other. From 3.30 onwards the party begins with our hosts providing the traditional Pimms and a selection from John’s secret stash of over 1000 78s to be played on a Desert Island of your choice on one of his seven (or is it eight?) vintage magic music machines. Thereafter it’s legends galore. An all acoustic night of singer songwriters, poets, rockers and raggas celebrate the joys of life, music and being alive. Basil Gabbidon (he of Steel Pulse fame) will be performing with two backing singers from his band Gabbidon. There will be sets by Andy Wickett of World Service (and not forgetting former Moseley B13 Magazine designer!); Jack Goodall and the much loved local legend that is Steve Ison will be singing his own songs solo for a change. Finally, but no less gloriously, we have the unique talents of Abi Budgen with Dan Wilkins. There will also be time for musical chat and q&a with people who have contributed so much joy to the people of Brum over the years. Tickets £10. Call Tessa on 07989960115 for further details 30
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