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| This page may be referred to as www.birmingham.gov.uk/kingsnortonhistory
or www.birmingham.gov.uk/thegreen |
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 | | Kings Norton - The Green |
Kings Norton, a large outer suburb of Birmingham, still retains
some of its earlier 'village' character particularly around 'The Green'.
A number of buildings of historic interest surround the Green, in
particular at Saint
Nicolas Place which includes Saint Nicolas Church, the
Old Grammar School and the Tudor Merchant's House (formerly
known as The Saracen's Head).The church dates back to the 13th century and
has an impressive and unusual crocketed spire that is a landmark visible
for several miles. Saint Nicolas Church is a larger church than the
neighbouring Norman church in Northfield and shows us that Kings Norton
was the richer parish.
In the graveyard surrounding the church
stands a 15th century timber framed building, the 'Old
Grammar School', where in the 17th century Thomas Hall was
the headmaster. His library of books is one of the special collections
preserved in Birmingham Central Library.
Thomas Hall became curate
and Headmaster of Kings Norton in 1640, and was a writer not afraid to
express his views on a range of subjects, amongst them women. Thomas Hall
was a parliamentarian during the civil war and suffered abuse because of
his opinions.
The Tudor Merchant's House next door to the
church was originally a wool merchant's house, but in more recent times
has been a public house (The Saracens Head), a Parish Office and meeting
room, and a shop. Kings Norton was mainly Royalist during the civil war
and Queen Henrietta Maria came to the area leading a replacement army. The
Queen slept in the Saracens Head while the soldiers camped on land behind
the Church. Following the visit a room in the Saracen's Head became the
'Queen's Room' and various roads commemorate the visit e.g. Camp Lane.
Since
the 16th century a 'Mop Fair' has been held on the Green, on the
first Monday of October. A Mop Fair was a hiring fair where people would
go looking for employment, but although no longer used to help employment
it is an important event each year with its stalls, fairground attractions
and the traditional ox-roast. Kings Norton Library has a number of
photographs of the Mop and of other events held on the Green.
Until
the 19th century Kings Norton was a rural area with a number of Mills on
the River Rea, grinding local corn. A cattle market where local
farmers brought their cattle, driving them along the local lanes, was on
the corner of Wharf Road and Pershore Road South. The construction of the
canals and railway was the start of changes in the area. The Worcester
and Birmingham and Stratford canals meet in the Lifford area of
Kings Norton, and it was here that factories were established. Two of the
earliest were a paper mill and chemical works. This industrial area is now
known as Kings Norton Business Centre and has undergone extensive
rebuilding and modernisation. Through this same area the railway was built
in 1840, bringing more people from the centre of Birmingham to live and/or
work in Kings Norton. A railway station was built close to the industrial
area and close to Cotteridge. The railway has been upgraded in recent
years and is now a busy commuter stop on the cross-city line, Redditch to
Lichfield. Many well-known firms are situated in the Kings Norton Area,
the most notable being Triplex Safety Glass.
Cadbury's
Bournville factory is only a mile away from the centre of Kings Norton.
Many of the workers live in the area. Since the Second World War a great
deal of building has taken place, most notably the three council built
estates at Pool Farm, Primrose Hill, and Hawkesley.
The
area around the Green, including Saint Nicolas Place is designated as a
conservation area, and it is hoped that it will remain so for future
generations to enjoy.
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The Library Service and Tempus Publishing have jointly published
a book
about Kings Norton, compiled by Pauline Caswell, which
contains over 200 old photographs of the area. Its ISBN is 0752410520
and it is available from bookshops, the Library Service or direct from
Tempus Publishing (01453 883300).
Kings Norton Library itself has a
large collection of photographs and newscuttings, including the Helen
Goodger collection, as well as many books about Birmingham and the
surrounding area. The library is seeking to expand its collection of local
history materials. If you can help with information, or especially if you
have any old photographs, the community librarian would be very pleased to
hear from you. If you have an enquiry about Kings Norton, you can use the
'Contact Us' button at the top of this page to get in touch.
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