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Sparkhill
Sparkhill is in the Springfield council ward in south-east Birmingham, two miles from the city centre. It is named after a hill on land farmed by the Sparke family in the Middle Ages. The surrounding areas are Greet, Sparkbrook, Springfield, Tyseley, Balsall Heath, Hall Green, Small Heath and Wake Green.
The area remained rural until the 1880's when rows of small terraced houses were built on Sparkhill Farm. Grove Farm was then developed by the Freehold Land Society which built terraced homes for aspiring owner-occupiers. A commercial centre evolved on the Stratford Road and the area was annexed by Birmingham in 1911.
Sparkhill is still characterised by long rows of Victorian terraces, many of which been refurbished and now have indoor toilets and bathrooms.
The following bus routes run through Sparkhill: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 31, X20
Accident Blackspots in Sparkhill
Stratford Road
A car hit a woman on the Stratford Road at approximately 2.45 pm on Wednesday 02/03/11; the victim, who suffered head injuries, was taken to hospital in a stable condition (News Archive 03/03/11)
17.10.11: Anti-Ram Bollards Installed Outside Jewellers in Sparkhill and
Sparkbrook
20.09.11: Counter-Terrorism Unit Arrests Seven Terror Suspects in Birmingham
The Counter-Terrorism Unit arrested six men aged 25-32 and one woman aged 22 on suspicion of plotting terrorist offences during the early hours of Monday 19th September 2011: the men were arrested in Balsall Heath, Moseley, Sparkhill, Sparkbrook and Ward End; the woman was arrested in Saltley (News Headlines 20/09/11)
Burglar Attacked OAP on
Percy Road
Security Van Attacked on Stratford Road
The police chased a suspected getaway driver through Edgbaston following an attack on a security van on the Stratford Road in Sparkhill at around 3.30pm on Friday 08/07/11.
The suspect abandoned his vehicle on the Bristol Road and fled through the grounds of King Edwards School (News Headlines 09/07/11)
Metal
Thieves Target Greet Primary on Percy Street
Attempted Robbery at Ladbrokes on Stratford Road
Two men assaulted a female member of staff during an attempted robbery at Ladbrokes on the Stratford Road at approximately 9am on Wednesday 06/04/11; the thieves, who were aged 20 and 22, were caught and each jailed for 16 months at Birmingham Crown Court in February 2011 (News Archive 19/02/11)
NatWest Cashbox Stolen on Stratford Road
Two men robbed a security guard delivering a cashbox to the National Westminster Bank on the Stratford Road at approximately 10am on Tuesday 7th December 2010
(News Archive 10/12/10)Lorry Theft at Total on Stratford Road
£8,000 of cigarettes were stolen from a lorry at the Total service station on Stratford Road at around 7am on Wednesday 24th November 2010
(News Archive 09/12/10)Sparkhill Post Office Raid
Two men aged 21 and 19, who attempted to rob Sparkhill Post Office, were jailed for 6 years and 4.5 years respectively in July 2010 (News Archive 31/07/10).
Cannabis Farm on Woodstock Road
Four men were arrested at a house on Woodstock Road, where 200 cannabis plants were being cultivated, on Tuesday 13/07/10 (News Archive 18/07/10).
Cannabis Farm in Sparkhill Industrial Unit
Thermal imaging alerted police to a cannabis farm at a Sparkhill industrial unit that had been rented by a 38-year-old woman who was jailed for 2 years 24 weeks in June 2010
(News Archive 12/06/10).Man Destroyed Evidence of Murder on Oakwood Road
In May 2010, a man was jailed for 30 months at Birmingham Crown Court for destroying a car used by 2 murderers who killed a 23-year-old disabled man on Oakwood Road in January 2006.
Gunshots on Formans Road
Gunshots were fired on Formans Road at approximately 1am on Thursday 6th May 2010; one bullet hit a window, but nobody was injured (News Archive 07/05/10).
Terrorism Unit Arrests Sparkhill Man
A 30-year-old Sparkhill man was arrested by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit on Tuesday 26 January 2010 on suspicion of the distribution of terrorist publications.
Sparkhill Robber Jailed
A 21-year-old robber from Ludlow Court on the Stratford Road, who threatened a female motorist at knifepoint, received an indeterminate jail sentence at Birmingham Crown Court in December 2009 (News Archive 11/12/09).
Fire & Firefighting in Sparkhill
Firefighters Attend Bin Blaze Behind Woodfield Road Mosque
Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
Factory Fire on Stratford Road
A textile factory on the Stratford Road partially collapsed as the result of fire damage on Wednesday 23rd February 2011
(News Archive 25/02/11)Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
Incense Fire on Frederick Road
Firefighters attended a blaze at a house on Frederick Road that was caused by an unattended incense burner on Tuesday 25th January 2011 (News Archive 27/01/11)
Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
President Balti House Blaze
A blaze at the President Balti House on the Stratford Road was extinguished by fire crews at around 7am on 31st December 2009 (News Archive 31/12/09).
Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
United Reform Church Blaze
A building on Knowle Road, that had formerly served as the United Reform Church, was gutted at around 1am on Friday 22/01/10 (News Archive 22/01/10).
Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
Nansen Road House Fire
A private landlord, who failed to maintain smoke alarms, was fined £2,500 in August 2010. One of his tenants died during a house fire on Nansen Road on 18/11/09.
Demographics, Politics and Housing in Sparkhill
This website contains information about demographics, politics and housing in the Springfield council ward which includes the area of Sparkhill.
Health Services in Sparkhill
Balaji Surgery
2 Blackford Road B11 3SH - 0121 771 2550 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Fernley Medical Centre
560 Stratford Road B11 4AN - 0844 815 1135 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Greet General Practice and Urgent Care Centre
50 Percy Road B11 3ND - 0345 111 1310 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Oakwood Surgery
26 Oakwood Road B11 4HA - 0844 576 9876 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Sparkhill Surgery
578 Stratford Road B11 4AN - 0845 074 0449 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Warwick Road Medical Practice
220-222 Warwick Road B11 2NB - 0121 773 9611 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Weatheroak Medical Practice
35 Warwick Road B11 4RA - 0121 772 0352 -
MapHealth Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Zinnia Centre
The Zinnia Centre is a psychiatric hospital with two 16-bed inpatient wards, an outpatients department and bases for specialist psychiatric teams.
100 Showell Green Lane B11 4HL - 0121 301 5300 -
MapBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Stratford Road Day Centre
The Stratford Road Day Centre provides mental health services.
570-576 Stratford Road B11 4AN - 0121 301 3900 -
MapPsychiatric Healthcare in Brum
Paratyphoid Fever
The Health Protection Agency announced in November 2010 that a man from Sparkhill had contracted a form of typhoid known as paratyphoid fever (News Report 03/11/10). The risk of contagion was said to be less than that of the winter sickness bug norovirus.
Sparkhill contains industrial zones on the south side of the Warwick Road off Battery Way, Evelyn Road, Formans Road and Westwood Avenue.
Specialist Computer Holdings
The headquarters of Specialist Computer Holdings are on the A41 Warwick Road. This company also owns engineering labs on Westwood Avenue. It employs an estimated workforce of 800.
Warwick Road B11 2LE 0121 766 7000 Map
Factories in Brum Specialist Computer Holdings Website
Hi-Finish Castings
Hi-Finish Castings on Cateswell Road produce pressure castings with an estimated workforce of 80.
259 Cateswell Road B11 3DU 0121 706 0691 Map
Factories in Brum Hi-Finish Castings Website
Leisure and Sports Centres in Sparkhill
Sparkhill Baths
Sparkhill Baths on Stratford Road contain function rooms, fitness rooms, a pulse point gym, steam room, sauna room and swimming pool with spectator seating.
The baths have been closed since July 2008 because of structural problems. The council has received a tender of £6 million from a private operator for the rebuild and 30-year management of the baths.
This offer makes economic sense insofar as the council tender is £13.5 million; however, the Friends of Sparkhill Baths are concerned that a private operator might increase charges to levels that many local residents cannot afford (News Archive 16/08/10).
In May 2011, the council decided to employ a private contractor to demolish, rebuild and manage the baths (News Headlines 18/05/11)
Listed Secular Buildings in Sparkhill
Sparkhill Library
Sparkhill Public Library is a red-brick building with a clock tower and spire on the Stratford Road; it was constructed as Yardley Council House in 1900.
The building was once the headquarters of Yardley Rural District Council; it housed the rate collectors, surveyors, sanitary inspectorate, morgue, fire station and stables. The council chamber and committee rooms were converted into a library after the electorate voted to become part of Birmingham in 1911.
Links: Secular Listed Buildings
St John's C of E
St John's is an Anglican church in the Early English style.
St John's Road B11 4RG - 0121 753 1415 -
MapChurches in Birmingham - St John's Website
English Martyrs RC
English Martyrs is a Roman Catholic church on Evelyn Road.
Evelyn Road B11 3JN - 0121 772 1272 -
Map
Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wa-Jamaat-Bareilvi
Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wa-Jamaat-Bareilvi on Woodlands Road can hold 1250 male and 250 female worshippers; it has a function hall and offers educational classes.
0121 778 6612 179-181 Woodlands Road B11 4ER
Al Bokhari Education Centre
This mosque is a converted house on Knowle Road that can hold 130 worshippers including women.
2 Knowle Road B11 3AW - 0121 778 2004 -
MapHazrat Mujadid-Alf-e-Sani Mosque
This mosque is a converted terraced house on Dennis Road that can hold 300 worshippers.
36 Dennis Road B12 8BH - 0121 449 7195 -
MapIslamic Centre Zakariya
This mosque is a converted terraced house on Percy Road that can hold 200 worshippers.
259 Percy Road B11 3LG -
MapIslamic Cultural & Education Centre
The Islamic Cultural & Education Centre on Greswold Road in Sparkhill can hold 200 male and 60 female worshippers.
0121 702 2969 98 Greswold Road B11 4DL
Mosques in Birmingham International Islamic Cultural Study Centre Website
Jamia Mosque Mehr-ul-Millat
Jamia Mosque Mehr-ul-Millat on Shakespeare Street can hold 2000 male and 300 female worshippers. The mosque has a function hall; it provides advice, counselling, sports activities, social activities, after-school tuition and a funeral service with Gusal.
0121 773 5966 20-21 Shakespeare Street B11 4RU
Madrassa Darbar Ali Gamkol Sharif
The Madrassa Darbar Ali Gamkol Sharif on Warwick Road can hold 50 male but no female worshippers; educational classes are provided.
0121 773 8120 38 Warwick Road B11 4QR
Paigham-e-Islam Trust
The Paigham-e-Islam Trust on the Stratford Road can hold 500 male and 200 female worshippers; it provides educational classes, after-school tuition, advice and counselling.
0121 773 8301 423 Stratford Road B11 4LB
Shah Jalal Jami Masjid Bengali School & Islamic Centre
The Shah Jalal Jami Masjid Bengali School & Islamic Centre on Poplar Road in Sparkhill can hold 400 male and 50 female worshippers; it offers educational classes and after-school tuition.
0121 772 1933 61 Poplar Road B11 1UH
Guru Nanak Gurdwara
This Sikh temple is on the Stratford Road.
629-631 Stratford Road B11 4LS - 0121 771 0092 -
MapSparkhill Park
Sparkhill Park is a 40 acre open space that contains playgrounds, playing fields, hard courts, tree clusters and leafy avenues.
Burbury Brickworks River Walkway
The Burbury Brickworks River Walkway is a former clay quarry and brickworks in the Cole Valley that has reverted to a 12 acre green corridor of natural marshland populated by young oaks.
The walkway is part of the linear Shire Country Park that straddles the Cole Valley for 3.75 miles between Yardley Wood and Small Heath.
Formans Road B11 3AX
Bear
The Bear (circa 1920) features a bear & staff relief by William Bloye above the main entrance at the junction of Stratford Road and Thornhill Road.
686 Stratford Road B11 4AS 0121 777 8785 Map
McDwyers
McDwyers an Edwardian corner pub in the Jacobean style on Warwick Road.
79 Warwick Road B11 4RD 0121 771 4771 Map
Unity FM is based on the Stratford Road; it is a not-for-profit community radio station that broadcasts locally on 93.5 FM and globally via the internet.
Unity FM is targeted at Muslim communities; its content is generally speech-based and tends to fall into one of four categories: spiritual, entertainment, community information, discussion/debate. Most programmes are in English but some are broadcast in community languages.
The station aims to provide a forum for fair and honest debate; reduce tension between ethnic and religious groups; promote community cohesion; encourage participation and volunteering and raise aspirations; it is managed by a small professional staff assisted by a team of volunteers.
Tel 0121 772 8892 Stratford Road B11 1Ar
Media New Style Radio Website
Channis
Channis Indian restaurant is on the Stratford Road.
795 Stratford Road B11 4DG 0121 778 6465 Map
Restaurants Outside Inner Circle
Hajees Spices
Hajees Spices serves Indian and Kashmiri on the Stratford Road.
512 Stratford B11 4AH 0121 773 6130 Map
Shahi Grill
Shahi Grill is on Stratford Road.
373 Stratford Road B11 4JZ 0121 773 1122 Map
Restaurants Outside Inner Circle
Fish & Chip Shop Fined
Birmingham Magistrates fined Bob's Fish Bar on the Stratford Road £2,000 for breaches of hygiene regulations in October 2010; environmental health inspectors had discovered rat droppings on the premises on 01/10/09 (News Archive 21/10/10).
Anderton Park Primary School
Anderton Park School on Dennis Road is a community co-educational primary school attended by roughly seven hundred children aged between three and eleven.
Dennis Road B12 8BL 0121 464 1581 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Anderton Park Primary Website
Arden Primary School
Arden School on Baker Street is a community co-educational primary school attended by roughly 480 children aged between three and eleven.
Baker Street B11 4SF 0121 772 7702 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Arden Primary Website
Greet Primary School
Greet School on Percy Road is a community co-educational primary school attended by roughly seven hundred children aged between three and eleven.
Percy Road B11 3ND 0121 464 3360 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Greet Primary Website
St John's CE School
St John's School on Stratford Road is a Church of England voluntary-aided co-educational primary school.
Stratford Road B11 4EA 0121 675 1469 Map
Faith Primary Schools in Brum St John's School Website
English Martyrs RC School
English Martyrs RC School on Evelyn Road is a Roman Catholic voluntary-aided co-educational primary school attended by roughly 410 pupils aged between four and eleven.
Evelyn Road B11 3JW 0121 464 3150 Map
Faith Primary Schools in Brum English Martyrs School Website
Secondary Schools in Sparkhill
Golden Hillock Specialist Sports College
Golden Hillock Specialist Sports College is a community comprehensive on Golden Hilllock Road that is attended by around 850 boys and girls aged between 11 and 16.
38% of candidate pupils passed
five GCSE's including Maths and English at A*/C in 2009.A 15 year-old girl, who was a pupil at this school, died of TB at Birmingham Children's Hospital on 06/01/11 (News Report 12/01/10)
Golden Hillock Road B11 2QG 0121 773 8156 Map
Schools Golden Hillock School WebsiteBeechwood School
Beechwood School is a co-educational independent school on the Stratford
Road in Sparkhill.
It is attended by boys and girls aged 14-16.
524 Stratford Road B11 4AJ - 0121 773 8356 - Map
Universities and Colleges in Sparkhill
Birmingham Professional College
This is a private college offering ESOL, management and leadership courses.
449 Stratford Road B11 4LD - 0121 773 7148 - Map - Website
Boots
Boots is at
553-555 Stratford Road B11 4LP, T 0121 772 0795Co-Op Food
753-770 Stratford Road B11 4DG - 0121 778 1066 - Map
Key National Retailers in Brum
13.10.11: Planners Approve Enlargement of Anderton Park School
The Planning Committee has approved the expansion of roof spaces at Anderton Park School, which is a grade-II-listed Victorian building, in order to create 8 new classrooms for an additional 210 pupils (News Headlines 13/10/11).
Sparkhill Baths To be Replaced by Modern Pool and Fitness Centre
Sparkhill Baths (circa 1930) on Stratford Road, which have been closed since an asbestos leak in July 2008, will be demolished and replaced by a new building containing a 25-metre pool, a learning pool and exercise, fitness and changing rooms; the private sector will tender for the construction and management of the new facility (News Headlines 18/05/11).
Sparkhill Health Centre
Work commenced on the construction of the Sparkhill Health Centre on the Stratford Road in August 2010.
The new centre will contain the Springfield and Oakfield GP surgeries, maternity, dental, podiatric, counselling and physiotherapy services, substance misuse and outpatient clinics.
It should open in March 2012.
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