Within the last twenty years the hand of the builder has made ruthless onslaughts in quiet country lanes and the rural outskirts of our great city, and nowhere perhaps has held high revel with more deplorable effect than in Moseley and its immediate surroundings.
Many residents can, without the slightest difficulty, remember when this suburb was just a delightful retreat from the noise and cares of the city and its whirl. Now, however, with the march of latter-day progress, it has become a continuation of, rather than apart from, the city's bustle and noise.

Quiet country lanes have given place to streets of houses with nothing more romantic about them than their names; and the wild birds for which Moseley used to be famous have sought more sequestered haunts. Fortunately, however, Moseley folk have close at their doors what can be imagined as a well-nigh unique beauty spot, situated as it is practically upon the high road of a great city.

A beauty spot where woodland scenery, unspoiled by man, may be enjoyed; where wild birds and water fowl breed unmolested and one can at will sit in some shady nook, feeling altogether apart from everyday things, or enjoy out door games among the most delightful surroundings. Many of our readers, no doubt, remember when the grounds of what was Moseley hall and is now extended from its present boundary at Reddings Road to Park hill. It was then of sufficient importance to be mentioned in Hutton's "History of Birmingham" as one neighbourhood.

The estate at the time belonged to Squire Taylor, whose name survives in Taylor Road, Kings Heath, but afterwards passed into other hands, and eventually roads were cut and houses began to spring into existence with well nigh mushroom like rapidity. A spot of particular beauty in the original state had always been the fine pool and the beautiful wooded land around it. By and by fears began to be entertained that the spoilation of even this was under consideration; and, in fact, ideas were afloat of cutting more new roads out of Chantry and Salisbury Roads, filling up the pool, and erecting houses thereon. This irreparable loss to the district was, however, most fortunately averted by the public spirit of nine local gentlemen Ð Messrs. Cornelius Chambers, J. P., the late Henry Heaven, Lieut Ð Col, Halse, B. Hunn, John Goodman, J. D. Prior, Wm. Thomas, George Stephens, and F.D. Tippetts.

These gentlemen decided that in the interests of the district at the time, to say nothing of the future years, an attempt must be made to save this part of the estate from the builder. They therefore formed themselves into a syndicate to acquire the pool and parkland surrounding it, fourteen acres in all, and between them furnished enough money to clear out the pool, lay out the land and park, and effect many desired improvements. Their own houses, too, were built abutting on the pool.

The result of their labours was a revelation to the many who attended the opening ceremony. This took place on September 29th 1899. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, M.P., having kindly consented to attend. The Right Hon. Gentleman was accompanied by Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain and Mrs. Endicott, and the occasion proved a social event of much importance. Since that time no pains or expense have been spared to make "Moseley Park and Pool" to give its official title, a real boon to those entitled to use it.

The cost of upkeep is necessarily heavy, and in order to meet these expenses residents in any part of Moseley and Kings Heath, up to the Taylor estate, are allowed to become members on payment of a yearly subscription of one guinea. To this exception is made in the case of those members whose private grounds open direct into the park, their subscription being fixed at two guineas per year. Moseley Park and Pool is in no sense a money making concern: the gentlemen composing the syndicate which manages it have, in fact, made a rule which limits the interest they may receive upon their outlay to a modest five per cent. Apart from this, anything beyond what is required for the everyday upkeep is devoted to increasing its natural beauty and general attractiveness.

The present board of directors includes the following well known public men :- Messrs. Cornelius Chambers. J.P. (chairman), John Goodman, Benjamin Hunn, lieut.-Col Halse, J.P.,J. D. Prior, George Stephens (hon. Treasurer), F.D. Tippets, A. Wiseman, and F.G. Stephens, the hon. Secretary, whose address is 'Sandlea', Park Hill, Moseley. These gentlemen take no director's fees, their motives for work being simply the public spirit which animated them when the park and pool were bought thirteen years ago. To walk straight from Victoria Parade, away from the racket of electric cars and hurry of traffic, down a narrow passage and find one's self in a sense of such natural beauty is an experience not easily to be forgotten. The park is also accessible from both Salisbury and Chantry Roads.

It must be remembered that the yearly guinea subscription admits any member of one family, no matter how numerous the latter may be, and the mothers in particular should welcome the opportunity given them of securing at such a low figure a place where their little ones may be sent with their nurse and enjoy to the full the benefits of pure air and beautiful surroundings, a place moreover, which, by reason of its being open to subscribers and their families only, is free from many objections which unfortunately belong to public parks. Here the little ones can run about absolutely untrammelled on the soft turf, or trundle their hoops along the well kept paths, without risk of interference or danger from passing vehicles, and of course, obtain far greater benefit than from the stereotyped walk with their nurse along roads which to an active child must be a source of boredom.

It is not to children exclusively though that Moseley Park and Pool appeals, far from it. First of all, to the lover of nature it is a perennial delight. In the spring pale snowdrops, bashful violets and bluebells show themselves, and as one season succeeds another so one gets a procession of wild flowers which, other than in this favoured spot, cannot be witnessed within many miles. Bird life too, abounds ; from cheeky little sparrows to rarer and shyer denizens of the woodlands. This by way of the natural, through the art of the gardener is much seen in lovely flower beds; neither must one forget the avenue of pink chestnut trees which within the last few years has been planted in the top walk. More than a mile of well kept paths may be traversed, dotted here and there by comfortable seats. Much in request are the seats which command a view of the lake. To sit on one of these and watch the sunlight sparkling on the pellucid water and lightening up the foliage of the many trees, with the charming villas and, in turn, their well-kept gardens in the background, forms a truly charming picture.

To the disciple of Izaak Walton the lake has great attractions apart from those purely aesthetic. First, one must say it is excellently supplied with spring water, which comes from a spring rising in Moseley Tunnel, and it has been well stocked with carp, tench, roach, gudgeon, etc. Quite recently a local angler landed several roach weighing well over a pound each and a pike 42 inches long; while within the last two years a Jack weighing 15 1/2 lbs. was caught.

Boating within certain limits may be indulged in, and, when the English climate permits, the somewhat rare pastime of skating. Then merry scenes are witnessed and some fine exhibitions given by local experts. The beautiful lawns offer exceptional advantages for tennis and bowls, the green for the latter being considered a really first-class one.

In conclusion, we would just say that we are convinced that Moseley Park and Pool needs to be more widely known in order to obtain a correspondingly wider circle of subscribers. It is to the interest of the residents of Moseley that this beauty spot be preserved for this and future generations and they can give material help in direction by becoming members and enjoying the benefits offered. Any of our readers whom this article has been fortunate enough to interest, and who would like any particulars or information which do not come within its necessarily limited scope, are urged to write to the courteous hon. Secretary, Mr. F.G. Stephens, 'Sandlea', Park Hill, Moseley, who will be pleased to furnish any information they may require, and is at all times pleased to enrol new members.

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