A L
AMPLIFY SOUNDS
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
B13 MAGAZINE
£2
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
S 97 1
OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE 523
C O V D N A L A CE C LO IN 3
M SELEY
JACK GOODALL
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT
MOSELEY SOCIETY HISTORY
A VICTORIAN MIDDLE-CLASS GARDEN
MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE
OCT21
EDITOR Mark Baxter (editor@moseleymagazine.co.uk) THE TEAM Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Maria Arroja Ferreira, Tipton, Debbie Aldous, Max Jalil, Martin Jeffers, Jobe Baker-Sullivan, Izzy Knowles, Yonatan Yon, Alex Jenkins, Jenny Gwynne, Mitch Schofield DESIGN Andy Wickett (andywickett@gmail.com) CONTRIBUTORS David Spilsbury, Moseley Local History Society, Jan Berry, Alex Carr, Anonymous John, Tori Times, John Newson, Rachel Green BUSINESS MANAGER Martin Jeffers PROOF READER Jane Barry SOCIAL MEDIA Maria Arroja Ferreira TREASURER Leanne Holloway (accounts@moseleyb13.com) ADVERTISING Yonatan Yon DISTRIBUTION Izzy Knowles,Martin Jeffers BOARD David Isgrove (Chair) Stephanie Silk (Editorial) PHOTOGRAPHER Position Vacant COVER IMAGE Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival MAIL Moseley Publishing House Ltd. Moseley B13 Magazine, c/o: Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JP. ONLINE instagram.com/moseleyb13mag facebook.com/MoseleyB13Magazine twitter.com/MoseleyB13Mag PHONE 0843 289 3665 COMPANY SECRETARY Position Vacant 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 may be reproduced, in whole or part, without express permission. All material is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. Cover image: Mark Baxter, Highbury Park
WORDS FROM THE
EDITOR
Carving pumpkins and enjoying the crisp, brown leaves underfoot in our local parks? The cosy and vivid sensory sensations are certainly plentiful as we step into autumn. I’m getting a little ahead of myself as we are still enjoying the late and last rays of summer as I write this piece, and I do hope the sunshineHextends ealth into & wellbe October to accompany this new ing crea tive wo a issue. n d en We arm I’m sure you’vewprobably ly welco tertainment at rkshop th me you noticed our cover price change by OUTLETS to come is free Farmers’ Market (Village Green) plus: and cele now. Like many businesses and creativit A and R News (320 y Yardley Road) forWood individuals, it’s been a struggle w e being Aiden McDonnell Hair (56 St Mary'sllRow) during the last 18-months. As Drinksville (23 Woodbridge Road) a non-profit, voluntary run Greenhill Garage (89-91 Billesley Lane) company it was necessary to Indigo Foods (50-52 St Mary’s Row) Ladypool Cycles (404 Ladypool Road) increase the price (our first Maison Mayci (148 Alcester Road) increase during the modern Moseley Post Office (149 Alcester Road) version of the publication) to Newslink (3 Alcester Road) enable the continued production Nima Deli (103 Alcester Road) of the magazine. One Stop (117 Billesley Lane) Oxfam Books and Music (101 Alcester Road) That said, we have many Palmyra (13 St Mary's Row), exciting things planned for the Select & Save (174-176 Alcester Road) future so I do hope you will Spend and Save (211 Swanshurst Lane) continue to enjoy Moseley B13 Magazine as we make our way toward the end of the year. 2021 PUBLICATION DATES
Arts Exh
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www.art ISSUE COPY SALE saMar llo 1717rFeb Apr ve Mar Mar the272724pFeb lace.org May 21 Apr Apr Jun 19 May 29 May Jul 16 Jun 26 Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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IN THIS ISSUE
04
NEWSHOUND
10
MENTAL HEALTH DAY
11
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
13
BRAINSTORM
14
MOSELEY PARK
15
ME TIME
16
JACK GOODALL
18
AMPLIFY SOUNDS
22
MOSELEY MUNCH
25
MOSELEY MEMORIES
28
MOSELEY HISTORY GROUP
30
POEM PAGE
31
KAIENTAI
Festival
2021
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ps, sym posiums event! ebrate th e impac t of
oad, B13 8DD.
g.uk NO.82
BY MARK BAXTER
NEWSHOUND
Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter: @B13Newshound / Instagram: @tiptonb13
MOSELEY SEX OFFENDER SPARED JAIL AFTER ASKING CHILD, 11, FOR SEX A sex offender who lives in Moseley has been spared jail following an attempt to incite a child into sex. The male offender, aged 24, was caught by paedophile hunter vigilantes in Staffordshire. He communicated online with three schoolgirls who were in fact paedophile hunter decoys. During the online sex chats, the offender asked an 11-year-old decoy for sex and to send pictures of herself. He also discussed meeting with the girl and said they could do "naughty stuff" like the images he had previously sent her of couples having sex. And he told a 14-year-old decoy she was "cute and hot" and that he wished he was younger. He also suggested to the third decoy, posing as a 12-year-old girl, they could be friends “with benefits”. The offender has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Oliver Woolhouse said the offender told one decoy he was 21 and said he wished he was younger so they could go out. "On July 2 he asked if she would let him kiss her private area. On July 20 he talked about when they met they could kiss and 'do naughty stuff' like the images he had previously sent. On July 31 they were still discussing where they might meet but he appeared to have cold feet and made his excuses. "He described it was perfectly natural sexual activity, but it would have to be kept a secret. The conversations ended on August 18, 2019 but the arranged meeting never took place." The defendant also made contact with two other online decoys. Mr Woolhouse said: "He stated that one under-age decoy was cute and hot and told her he wished he was younger. He said he wanted sex and love though he feared he was being baited." He made contact with the third underage decoy on September 20, 2019 and suggested they could be "friends with benefits". The defendant made full and frank admissions. He pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Steve Hennessy, mitigating, said the defendant has accepted he has issues which need to be addressed. He said: "The attempt to incite sexual behaviour was an attempt, she was not a real child and no sexual activity took place."As part of the suspended sentence order the offender must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 55 days.
LOCAL LITTERBUSTERS LOOK FORWARD TO FIFTH BIRTHDAY Local residents are volunteering to support local litter picking efforts in the shape of Moseley Litterbusters, a group of volunteers dedicated to keeping Moseley clean, working in partnership with the local authority and business. Next year the group celebrate their fifth birthday Moseley Litterbusters was set up by residents in 2017 to tackle litter around Moseley, with a particular focus on the village. The group has 457 members on its Facebook page and more than 100 volunteers in its “adopt a street” initiative. Volunteers currently meet fortnightly on Sundays on Moseley village green 9am -10am as well as other locations around Moseley & Balsall Heath. Everybody is welcome. Grabbers, gloves and bags are provided. The group can also help you to organise and publicise your own litter picks in the Moseley area. Similar groups have been set up in the Moor Green Lane area and Balsall Heath West. If you want to ‘adopt a street’ or want more information on Moseley Litterbusters please email Moseleylitterbusters@gmail.com
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According to a leaflet “Focus on Moseley” distributed by the political group Moseley Lib Dems, one of the surprising facts about litter in Moseley is that in the three years since May 2018, 14,404 penalties for littering were issued by Birmingham City Council with 99 per cent of these being handed out in the city centre. Moseley saw just one person fined for littering despite litter bins being frequently overflowing at weekends. A petition has been organised by Birmingham’s Lib Dems urging the council to “get tough on litter”. NEW RESTAURANT “LE PETIT BOIS” OPENS AT 145 ALCESTER ROAD A popular Moseley restaurant will reopen with a new French twist. Little Blackwood at 145 Alcester Road will re-open as Le Petit Bois after being closed for much of 2020 due to Covid-19. Little Blackwood had become a popular name on Moseley Village's restaurant scene and was well-known for its innovative fusion of different cuisines, served in an eclectic style. The post announcing its closure had been met with over 100 comments from regulars and food bloggers expressing their sadness in regards to the news. But five months later, the owners have confirmed they will be returning to their former home - this time under a different name. Le Petit Bois is French for 'The Little Wood', although the French 'bois' also means 'a drink'. Owners are yet to reveal a menu for the new site, but have hinted that, like its name, it will be taking on a French twist.
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PRINCE OF WALES PUB THEATRE LAUNCHES AUTUMN PROGRAMME Following the success of Saltire Sky’s Theatre production of their smash Edinburgh hit, 1902, The Prince of Wales is pleased to announce more events for Autumn, including the return of Saltire Sky, back by popular demand, for new dates. The Birmingham Improv Group is to launch a regular improv jam night on Wednesday September 29th at 7:30 pm. Director of the Birmingham Improv Group, Jon Trevor said: “ It is an evening of fun for all. Turn up, grab a drink, put your name in the hat and perform! Or if you prefer, just sit back and watch the fun. And it’s free entry so what’s not to like!” And the fun continues on Saturday 2nd October at 9pm. As part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival three generations of funny women - Tal Davies, Jules O’Brian and Hannah Weetman will be performing as The Moon, The Bitch and The Whoredrobe. They’ll share their wildly different perspectives on modern life through painfully embarrassing stories, angry rants, one-liners, and a song about STIs . Admission for this event is also free. Switch Radio will also be recording a live broadcast from the Prince on Wednesday October 6th. Featuring a panel of up and coming comedians the broadcast is after a lively audience. Please come along to the Prince at 7:30 pm, to join in the broadcast. Saltire Sky’s production of 1902 was a sell-out back in July. Following the five star reviews they received for their performances in Moseley, the group of young and talented actors then returned to the Edinburgh Fringe, where their success continued. They sold out 44 shows, were featured in a BBC documentary, received several more five star reviews, won the prestigious Bobby Award, and Irvine Welsh attended a performance and immediately hit twitter to tell the world about them. They’re now rested and they want to come back to Moseley, to deliver the one performance they had to cancel, due to Covid. As demand for tickets was so high this energetic bunch are doing a Moseley Mini-Tour, with performances at The Prince of Wales and The Dark Horse. Dates: Tuesday 5th October 7:30 pm, The Prince of Wales, Thursday 7th October 7:30 pm, The Prince of Wales. Tickets available from: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1902saltire-sky-theatre-moseley-tickets-153458960883 Saturday 9th October 7:30 pm, The Dark Horse, Sunday 10th October 7:30 pm: The Dark Horse. Tickets available from: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1902-saltire-skytheatre-moseley-tickets-171917127757 Finally (for now), talented actor and writer, Mike Venables will be performing his One Man Comedy Show, I Call The Shots, on Thursday October 14 at 8.00pm. A one hour show full of laughs and banter and an impressive array of characters. Tickets available at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/icall-the-shots-prince-of-walesmoseley-tickets-167093123029 Further events will be added to the Autumn Schedule so please look out on social media for details. For further information and to discuss future projects: email princeofwalespubtheatre@gmail.com Saltire Sky 1902
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FORMER PIZZA EXPRESS TRANSFORMED INTO TEMPORARY COMMUNITY HUB
The former Pizza Express restaurant at 93a Alcester Road has been turned into a temporary community hub, welcoming organisations from across Birmingham to use in a bid to drive regeneration in Moseley. Since Pizza Express closed over a year ago, the premises have been vacant, leaving them in danger of graffiti and anti-social behaviour. But Lorna Brewster along with other members of the Moseley Community Development Trust decided to make use of the vacant property. The space known as the 'Moseley Hive' is now being used for creative arts, music, dance classes, pop up food vendors and various social enterprises - where start-ups or charities can book space. Lorna, who is the Chief Officer at the Trust, said : "I was thinking about the future of the high street in Moseley and we have seen businesses close down through the pandemic. We have a few vacant places in the area. "After getting in contact with landlords of a couple of properties in Moseley - it was agreed that we would use the space for temporary community use whilst it was empty. It's a prominent and visible place. We are inviting people to decide what they want to see and do in the space. We are developing a programme of activities for the next couple of months. “We are really keen for it to be a safe space for people to experiment with ideas too. A place for people to trail and grow ideas together." The Moseley Hive is planned to remain open until the end of October.
Ian Cook
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NEW ADVERTISING RATES FOR MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE! ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE ONE FULL COLOUR PAGE EXCLUSIVITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS TYPE (We won’t run other adverts from a business in your sector)
ONLY £50 Moseley Magazine is a community magazine committed to delivering Moseley news, history and more. We will be limiting adverts to only 6 per issue so your business will get the exposure you want within the Moseley community. There are only a couple of advertising pages left. To secure your page, please contact the Editor at: editor@moseleymagazine.co.uk
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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY2021
The World Mental Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme for the day is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ and this will strike a chord with many who have struggled through the pandemic or have had to deal with the other difficult issues facing Britain in 2021. Over the next four pages we look at ways we can find support for our own mental health by gaining therapeutic expression through the medium of creativity and local platforms... CALL OUT FOR ARTWORK AND POEMS FOR 'YOU ARE NOT ALONE’ Arts and Mental Health Community festival and exhibition Arts All Over The Place are proud to announce that we will be holding our annual arts exhibition and festival from the 6th-10th October, 2021. We are excited
as this will be based in the centre of Moseley Village at Moseley Hive (the old Pizza Express on the Alcester Road, B13 8DD). ‘You Are Not Alone’ will have an array of exciting and meaningful health and wellbeing creative workshops, symposiums and entertainment at this free event. If you have experienced mental health issues and are creative then we would love to hear from you! Maybe you or a group would like to exhibit some art or poetry. We are looking for people from Birmingham and Solihull
to showcase their work and welcome people to submit one or two pieces of art for inclusion in our exhibition. Please note that artwork should be lightweight on card or canvas, the largest size we can accept is A3 -(16.5 x 23.4 inches). Should you wish to be involved in our digital exhibition, you have the opportunity to showcase 4 pieces of work. For further application details about this opportunity, please send us an email to: artsallovertheplace@yahoo. co.uk Rachel Green *To take part in this opportunity applicants/or someone on their behalf must be able to drop off art work at 'Moseley Hive' on Tuesday 5th October from 11am-3pm and collect on Monday 11th October from 11am-3pm. Anonymous John
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You Are Not Alone Arts Exhibition and Festival 2021 presents
You Are Not Alone
drop off artwork at Moseley Hive on Tuesday 5th October from 11.00 - 15.00 and collect on Monday 11th October from 11.00 - 15.00 (see previous page for more details). Wednesday 6th of October V.I.P PREVIEW 18.30 - 20.30 for exhibitors and invited guests. Featuring 'IN MY HEAD' Drawing workshop dedicated to the late artist Mr Jason Clarke.
Thursday 7th October -National Poetry Day 11.30 - 13.00 POETRY TRAIL with Cathy Crossley 13.00 - 15.00 A LUMP IN THE THROAT Writing poetry for wellbeing, using pantoum and free form with Dr Jan Watts.
Arts Exhibition and Festival 6th -10th of October 2021
Health & wellbeing creative workshops, symposiums and entertainment at this free event! We warmly welcome you to come and celebrate the impact of creativity for wellbeing
Moseley Hive, 93A Alcester Road, B13 8DD.
15.30 - 17.00 ASPERGERS, POETRY AND ME! Interactive awareness workshop celebrating uniqueness with Tina J. Cox. 17.30 - 18.45 OPEN MIC POETRY with the Karma Collective, featuring Ian Henery & Friends. Music, mayhem, and healing poetic vibes for the soul!
www.artsallovertheplace.org.uk
19.00 - 21.00 OPEN MIC POETRY hosted by Matt ‘Man' Windle, featuring poet/ wordsmith Joe Cook
Friday 8th of October Timetable of events (All events listed are at Moseley Hive unless otherwise stated):
13.00 - 15.00 JEWELLERY MAKING with Arshad Butt. Learn to create a simple beaded ring.
Tuesday 5th October
15.00 till late TEXTILE AND RECYCLING WORKSHOPS
EXHIBITOR INFORMATION: Applicants /or someone on their behalf must be able to
19.00 - 21.00 THE HOLLYBUSH TOURING TROUPE presents an evening of 11
entertainment with MC Paul Jennings featuring, Richard Dadd, Mat Taylor, Johnny Sorrow, Alex Miles and Lozzie Lee.
with Pete Hammond.
21.00 - 22.00 ADHD - Resident house band with bopping tunes!
16.00 - 17.00 ADHD. Move and groove with our resident AAOTP house band!
Saturday 9th of October
17.00 - 19.00 COMEDY AND VARIETY NIGHT with MC Jimmy Frinton, Andrew Thayer, David Francis, Sachin Kumarendran and Patrick Larrington Vale
15.00 - 16.00 THE COSMIC JERKS
11.00 - 13.00 SCI- FI ART Junk Modelling with Trevor Boddington. 12.30 - 13.30 AAOTP AGM Annual Report and Update.
Please email to book a place on a workshop or an open-mic slot: artsallovertheplace@ yahoo.co.uk
14.00 - 15.00 CHAOS TO ORDER. Meet Heather Matuzzo (founder of Clouds End CIC) in conversation with Rachel Green. Showcase and sign up for our next anti- hoarding project.
Various Workshops based in Moseley Private Park and Pool - featuring Autumn Aldous: trainer, therapist, life coach and writer
15.00 - 17.00 DYNAMIC CERAMICS with Graham Taylor in Moseley Private Park and Pool.
*Please meet outside Moseley Hive at 11.00 and then we will take you to our healing tent in Moseley Private Park and Pool
15.30 - 17.00 PARKINSON’S AND ME Sheila North and Janet Barnes give an insightful talk about dealing with this condition. 17.30 - 19.00 TEA DANCE & CAKES
8th October 11.00 - 13.00 CREATING CONFIDENCE: This workshop will help you build confidence and self belief, MINDFULNESS: Learn to reduce stress and worries and cultivate calm and resilience.
19.30 - 21.30 - DANCE FOR WELLBEING Disco Party! Sunday 10th October World Mental Health Day
9th October 11.00 - 13.00 PROCRASTINATION BUSTERS: Learn how to stop putting things off and achieve the life you want to live. MINDFULNESS AND SELF COMPASSION: Learn mindfulness techniques, being kind to yourself and accept your own uniqueness.
11.00 - 13.00 SINGING AND SONGWRITING FOR WELLBEING with Tony Wille (Moseley Private Park & Pool). 12.00 MUSICAL CONNECTIONS AND OPEN MIC PERFORMANCE
10th October 11.00 - 13.00 LAUGHTER YOGA: Let go of life stresses and laugh your way through some of it! MINDFULNESS AND FINDING HAPPINESS: It comes from within you. Find and keep your happiness!
13.00 - 15.00pm REIKI HEALING with Esta Robinson (Moseley Private Park and Pool). 13.00 - 15.00 DRUMMING FOR WELLBEING 12
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BRAINSTORM
Who started Brainstorm? The question and the answer are lost in time and provided food for thought at the 20th anniversary of this popular open mic event a few years ago. Brainstorm is an eclectic mix of mental health professionals, alongside those in mental health recovery and regular/ casual pub goers. The event was based at the Old Crown in Digbeth for many years. It used to have funding from various sources including Birmingham Mental Health Trust and a committee of diverse people that organised events, and included away days to mental health events across the country including Telford, Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent. On these occasions the musicians travelled and made links with the world outside Digbeth. Brainstorm also took place in the Bull Ring’s market area in conjunction with the local council. A full drum kit and keyboard were set up and musicians were suitably arrayed with guitars, microphones and speakers, with a cap put out for donations. 13
Someone put a ten pound note in the hat which was later found to have been taken back out by another spectator! During the last few years the committee disbanded and the future of Brainstorm looked dire as funding wasn't forthcoming. The MC at the time, David Goley, got together with a few people and Brainstorm moved to the Spotted Dog. It is now run by the Musical Connections team which encourages musical skills in those recovering from mental health problems and isolated people. Wednesday is a day where you've either just recovered from the weekend or start looking forward to the next one. So why not pop down on the third Wednesday of the month every month (subject to third, fourth, fifth or Mexican wave Covid restrictions).You'll get a warm welcome from Sean, the current MC, Tessa Kate Lowe, Steve Ison and all Moseley regulars. It takes place between 19.30 to 22.30 and features music, poetry and puppetry. Make it a date, and don't be late; if your name we will jot then you may get a slot!
Anonymous John
MOSELEY
PARK GOES ELECTRIC
A new plug-in electric John Deere Utility Vehicle has been bought by the Trustees of Moseley Park and Pool, to replace the old diesel one. The music festivals have made a financial contribution. The cost will be offset by savings from repairs to the engine, and from not buying any more transport equipment and diesel fuel. waste. It is charged up on the site, overnight, hence Ranger Calvin (pictured) the range of the battery is says that the staff and not a problem. The hedgevisitors really appreciate cutting equipment is now the quiet fume-free battery operated, also. operation of the new electric vehicle, which is Moving out of the fossil being used every day to 14
fuel age is reducing carbon emissions for the Trust and helping keep the park quiet, clean and green. A fundraising drive has been launched to restore the main pathway down to the Pool. People can help by sponsoring a brick at the website: https:// www.moseleypark.co.uk/ sponsor-a-brick/ Entry to the Park is free every Wednesday and on the days of the Farmers’ Market. John Newson www.moseleyb13.com
ME TIME I was balancing and staring out of the window of the cabin, watching a brown leaf dance and twist its way to the muddy ground – and then another. It wasn’t completely silent as there were people near to me and I was focused on the voice steadily guiding our movements, but I could’ve been anywhere. A mindfulness retreat in Spain, a forest in Austria – but it was Monday morning, and I was in a yoga cabin in Moseley Park. I felt lucky that ‘Flow with Sophie’ was now the start to my week. That I could find some calm in the chaos and to spend this hour of the day trying to silence my mind and get me a big boost of positivity to take along to all the activities that filled my diary. It’s busy being a mum or dad in Moseley, isn’t it? We are spoiled with all the local ‘goings on’ available to us but I do feel that being a Moseleyite comes with a fair amount of ‘doing’: festivals, farmers markets, mini theatres, quiz nights, Christmas lights – not to mention all the school activities, and a definite FOMO (fear of missing out) if we don’t.
favourites being brunch at Maison Mayci, a stroll around the lake in Moseley Park and Pool or something I’m VERY keen to try, a ‘tranquil body and mind’ treatment at Moseley Haven. I should probably have introduced myself by now, but I’m Tori, and I run an Instagram page called Girl About Birmingham . My page focuses on family days out, minibreaks and activities with children. I sometimes share my experiences in Moseley too, and let people know about local family activities on offer. I also plan to suggest ideas that parents might like when they want to slow down and find that ‘me time’ that has been rather elusive over the last couple of years. So, please do come and find me and follow along on Instagram for more inspiration. My recommendation for this month is the excellent classes at I am Yogi. They are varied, attended by all types of people and cater for all levels of ability. The cabin is purpose built, serene and welcoming. However, if you can’t make it into the cabin, then you can always join online from the comfort of your own home! Check it out here @iamyogiuk #clickthelinkinbio.
So, it’s lucky that all this socially dictated busyness can be balanced out with our bohemian side and a healthy helping of ‘Zen’. There are many local places to enjoy a coffee and a chat, find a peaceful nature walk, or engage in a relaxing activity such as art or embroidery; my
Tori Times Instagram; @girlaboutbirmingham
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JACK GOODALL:
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT
The Fourth Studio Album ‘Out of Here' by Jack Goodall and The Kick is released. Having brought the proverbial house down at the Hare and Hounds on the 15th September, I caught up with Jack post-album launch for a chat...
Due to the rather incestuous nature of the local music scene, I will refrain from giving a review this month, as I’m featured on the album myself – so instead, this is a great chance to spotlight an artist you really ought to know about, listen to, and support. Leaving his kicks aside for now, I interview Jack himself, to see what makes him tick. Jack notes that he is the primary songwriter on the latest album, but also adds that, “... there are a few songs where everyone has got involved in the writing. The next single All I Want From You was written by all of us plus Kate Wilkins. Jack Smith worked out how to change it into a full high life style drum beat on the kit after hearing the mess I'd made of trying to programme my drum machine and the song takes a weird path that's mainly Emma's doing. David plays the drum machine live and always keeps changing it up a bit. Plus
Kate Wilkins joined us in the studio and wrote some lyrics for her part.” Jack’s a fresh spirit, but an old soul at heart as he explained to me. “There's so many old and mostly dead songwriters that I still get excited about, but thinking about this album there's a few specific people that directly influenced what I wrote. Don't Stand By Your Man was written straight after listening to Daniel Romano's album Finally Free and the track ‘Out Of Here’ had me thinking of Patti Smith channelling Blake. “The first song ‘Spare A Thought’ is taking the p*** out of the great Richard Thompson who's always blaming people for his misfortune in his songs: 'Spare a thought for Richard’.” Observant musos will note Jack’s left handed guitar style. He strikes a balance with flamboyant, Prince-like solos, but still allowing his ample band to step forth and display a foray of energy and passion. He notes that in recent gigs, however, it’s the piano that has occupied his fingers. “I seem to be playing the piano more than ever. I'm the only one in the band who does so I'm stuck with it. I love
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the guitar though. You can't dance around much with a keyboard unless it's a keytar and there's something a bit wrong about them. I don't know why.” I ask Jack with a wry smile where he recorded his album. “As you know, Jobe, the album was partly recorded in Erdington at your Secret Art Space Studios, though the band complain about it being cold there in the winter...as if I'm supposed to be concerned about their rights! I love the massive natural reverb there, and that's worth the hypothermia. Some recordings were done at home and the rest were recorded at James Covell's Bowyer Street, Digbeth studio. He has a great setup there.”
Emma seems to have become the musical director as she has an excellent ear and keeps paying attention when I've drifted off into my musical daydream world. I've never played with anyone as involved in the creative side of things before plus she has her own style and sound as well as being able to do anything I can. Jobe’s piano on ‘Big House’ was also one of the first things we recorded as you could do that from home. Shame it's a ballad and not a house song.” Out of Here was mixed by Jack Goodall, Mark Fingermix Smith and Mastered by Pete Maher. You can purchase the album on Jack Goodall’s bandcamp. Jobe Baker-Sullivan
I’m grateful to Jack for this plug, though, I’m tempted to see if the word ‘Erdington’ makes it to this Moseley-centric magazine (We’re pretty kind and cosmopolitan, Jobe, so yes, Erdington made it through the edit! - Mark, Editor). I will say that Jack is very familiar and loved by Moseleyites, and a welcome addition to the music scene in the village. We: “Jack (Smith), as on my solo records, is on drums. He and I worked on the song Out Of Here a few days before the first lockdown and were itching to get that recorded. The first time I played it to him he played along with the beats that ended up on the record much later and we had it instantly. David is more involved than ever before too and there's some great percussion jams on there. It's pretty unusual to have so much improvisation in songs that tend to last a little over three minutes. 17
Photo credits: Ben Creswell
Amplify Sounds celebrates its first Birthday with a spectacular live show at the iconic Birmingham Hippodrome and announces 2022 residency. Born in the heart of lockdown 2020, Amplify Sounds set out on a mission to keep live music alive. The vision of Moseley local, Alex Carr, was to create a platform for original artists to continue performing whilst live venues were forced to close their doors.
In the height of lockdown we started to gain national attention and began to attract London artists to perform on the show. ‘It was really exciting, we felt like we were making a difference. But it wasn’t without its challenges.’ - Alex
Starting out originally as a free hour-long monthly livestream show, Amplify Sounds provided a safe professional space for artists to perform and connect with fans online. The first live show featured local musician Jack Goodall, Wolverhampton songstress Cariss Auburn & Handsworth based rapper Infamous Dimez. One 2 Watch
In January we couldn’t film in our regular studio and had to quickly find a new space and a new format, so we came up with our Ones 2 Watch for 2021. A celebration of artists we’d seen putting in the hard work during 2020 and wanted to give them a space to shine. Through this the Birmingham artist Creezon was discovered.
Live stream
‘I really wanted to capture the diverse sound of Birmingham during our first livestream shows. As though the viewer had peeked into three different music venues, all brought to them in one show.’ - Alex The shows were a lot of fun to work on and showcased some amazing artists from the Midlands, including Lady Sanity, Gaby K, VITAL, Philippa Zawe and so many more.
‘BIG UP Amplify Sounds, the most passionate creative organisation I’ve come across in Brum, with their sole purpose of giving artists a platform to EXPRESS. You can just tell they’re driven by a genuine love for music and different peoples’ ways of art.’Creezon As the country moved out of lockdown and venues began to slowly re-open, Amplify Sounds made the move from online, into real life. Their live shows now take place monthly at Centrala art space in Digbeth, just a short hop from Moseley on the 50 bus. 18
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‘I love DEJA, she’s Beyonce & Rhiana rolled into one amazing pop artist, she is a truly special talent.’ - Alex Molly is also set to join the Birthday celebrations, she has new music to perform live exclusively for this show. We say go see her now because she is on her way to becoming a superstar!
Molly and Alex
I remember the first live event we put on with an actual audience. I’d found Molly, an amazing artist from Bournville. I’d been saving her for something special and this was it! Molly performed her first ever live show to a sell out audience, it was an incredible night.’ - Alex You get the feeling Amplify Sounds is a family and that every artist that has appeared on their stage is encouraged and supported on their journey in whatever way they can. Such is their passion for discovering and supporting new music, they’ve given many artists their first ever live performances. Alongside Creezon, names like Molly, Hali Ray & Myriam Adams are definitely ones to watch out for in the future. ‘I’m hugely proud of the recognition the platform and the team has gained over the last 12 months. We’ve been in talks with both the Hippodrome and B:Music (THSH) to host events with them. I never imagined we’d be in this position, it's all down to our genuine love for the creativity of the artists.’ - Alex
‘We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate us reaching one year old, than with The Birmingham Hippodrome. It’s been a crazy journey but we're only just getting started.’ - Alex Join Amplify Sounds as they celebrate their first birthday and launch their 2022 residency with the iconic Birmingham Hippodrome. The full line up along with tickets can be found on both the Birmingham Hippodrome and Amplify Sounds websites. Amplify Sounds 1st Birthday show, taking place on Saturday 6th November 8.00PM at the Birmingham Hippodrome www.birminghamhippodrome.com/whatson www.amplifysounds.co.uk Instagram - @amplifysounds
The show that will be taking place on Saturday the 6th of November promises to be a real celebration of the past year and features key artists who have supported the platform along the way. Expect new music along with spoken word from Casey Bailey Birmingham’s poet laureate. Bringing all the sass & sauce will be DEJA, hopefully with her amazing dancers. 19
TOWER OF SONG
MUSIC VENUE FOR SALE
The Tower of song Grassroots Music Venue (www.towerofsong.co.uk) was created fifteen years ago from a derelict building in Kings Norton. Run by musician Tom Martin (www.tommartinmusic.com) with the simple concept of having no TVs, no Karaoke…just real live music for all ages, all styles. Over the fifteen years thousands of gigs have been staged at the tower featuring a wide variety of musicians who were local, national and, on occasions, international. Musicians who have created
the Birmingham music scene over many years (including many Moseley, Balsall Heath and Kings Heath musicians) such as Steve Gibbons, The Lost Notes, Steve Ajao, Midnight City Soul Band, Melvin Hancox, Sam Cornwell and Phil Bond to name but a few have all have graced the stage at The Tower of song. So after 15 years at the helm Tom Martin is looking for some like minded person or group to take it on. Interested parties should email: tommartin845@gmail.com for details. 20
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MOSELEY MUNCH A Warm Ball of Comfort
My Dad managed to smile at my nervous date while he squeezed small bits of mince through his fingers. And it would probably come as no surprise that in the early days of dating, my husband offered to make me meatballs one evening and pretty much won me over at the very mention of them. Every place on this planet seems to have “a ball of comfort”. In Vietnam you have pork ‘bun cha’; in Scandinavia fish, ‘fiskeboller’; Northern Africa and the Middle East have lamb ‘koftas’; and there are the delectable ‘albondigas’ over in Spain. It is not clear as to what country can put their claim to fame stamp on the first meatball, but there certainly is a lot of history. Some believe it started in Persia with the ‘kofta’, while other sources cite a recipe for “four joy meatballs” in China dating back to 207 BC. In Ancient Roman cookbooks meatballs have surprising ingredients like raisins, mint and pine nuts. And ‘poume d’oranges’ was a popular yolk glazed meatball dish that was made in Anglo feasts in the
Wherever I may be in the world, there is no place like home….with Italian meatballs being served in it. I grew up in Boston, a very Italian-American part of the United States. This is a city where people showcase Italian flags outside of their homes with pride, congregate at cannoli cafes and make “Sunday gravy” for an army of people every weekend. An evening at a friend’s for dinner would consist of a massive buffet of food, an exuberant amount of family and a lot of passionate arguments inter mixed with loving exclamations of “mangia!”. My family was not Italian but, due to geography, we inherited “meatball blood”. Looking back, the presence of this dish might not be front and centre, but like a best supporting actor the waft of garlic, simmering tomato and soft parcels of meat simply enhanced many starring memories. My father would (and still does) make them on a near weekly basis with the utmost skill of a never-measuring Italian Nonna. As a teen, a boy came to pick me up one evening and was introduced to my father as he was in the process of mid-rolling balls in the kitchen. 22
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Ingredients: For the Sauce: 1000g Passata 400g plum tomatoes 2 garlic cloves very thinly sliced (GoodFellas style) 5 Tbsp. EVOO 6-8 large basil leaves 1 ½ tsp. Sea salt *1/8 tsp MSG (optional) For the Meatballs: *500g mince beef (preferably half 20% fat and half 10%) 1 egg 45g grated parmesan 65g minced white onion 20g cup fresh or panko breadcrumbs 1 Tsp. sea salt Few cracks of fresh pepper 1.5 tbsp. fresh minced parsley and/or 1.5 Tsp. dried oregano 65ml warm water Instructions: For the Sauce: In a large stock pot on medium heat add olive oil then the garlic and fry until right before it starts to turn colour (1-2 minutes). Throw
Middle Ages. Although we do not know where they were born, the general gist surrounding their worldly popularity is that they enable one to make something extremely delicious and comforting out of not very much at all. Scraps of any kind of meat can easily be turned into a fruitful meal by extending them with other ingredients such as vegetables, carbs, cheese, herbs and eggs. The combination and flavour possibilities are pretty much endless. It is interesting how most ‘comfort foods’ seem to be deliciously simple. Perhaps it is the fact that we associate comfort with high fat, carb loaded meals and it is our innate desire to bunker down, eat and hibernate with them when the autumn air makes a cooler shift. Or maybe it is about the history that every individual has with a family pass-down meal. That dish that just sings of memory, that gives you a big warm hug and that leads you back home. Comfort Meatballs: Here is my personal take on classic Italian meatballs with tomato sauce. The most important step in my eyes is creating a deep brown crusty outer to the meatball in a frying pan and then finish them off by adding them and all the brown bits and fat to the sauce to impart intensely beautiful all-around flavour into the dish. Enjoy! 23
basil leaves in and fry for a few seconds. Immediately add passata, plum tomatoes, salt and msg and give everything a good stir. Bring to boil then set to a low simmer, breaking down plum tomatoes with your fork. For the Meatballs: Add the meat to a large bowl and create a well in the middle, crack the egg into the well then add the remaining ingredients (except for the warm water) around the meat. Using your hands slowly incorporate the meat with the egg and then slowly incorporate the warm water into the meat until it feels like it has just reached saturation point (not too fluid, not too firm). The amount of water will depend on your fat content so feel it out. Mix everything very well. In a small frying pan, test a small amount of the meat mix and adjust any seasoning if need be. Roll the meat into 50g balls and set aside on a plate. Cook the Meatballs: In a large frying pan on medium heat, adding 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. When the oil starts to shimmer add the meatballs and fry until golden brown (about 1 ½ minutes per side). Carefully add the meatballs and all the fat and brown bits to your sauce. Gently stir from time to time and cook for 10-12 minutes until done. Plate in warm bowls over pasta or with fresh crusty bread and top with lots of sauce and finely grated parmesan. *MSG is found naturally in tomatoes so a sprinkle of it in your tomato sauce adds deep flavour. * The mixture of meat in a meatball is a very
personal preference. I like a combination of just beef, or sometimes I add a bit of fatty Italian sausage. I find pork and veal to mellow out the ball a bit too much but feel free to use any combo you like - if there is fatty meat added in there you should be able to enjoy a juicy, moist meatball. Jenny Gwynne Jenny is “The Salty Chilli” an obsessive cook and food writer who lives in Moseley. To read more check out her Instagram @ thesaltychilli, her blog www.thesaltychilli.com
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MOSELEY MEMORIES
DRAWING A LINE ON A WALL
Austin A70 Hereford
Towards the end of the summer term in 1953, a smallish, white-haired man we had seen about the school came into a 3A form period. Mr ‘Charlie’ Hill told us, “I’ll be taking you for Maths in future, and I just wanted to tell you something of what we’ll do.” He went over to a large stretch of wall and
pointed his hand up towards the top. “Now, imagine I draw a line down this wall. You all know that a mathematical line has length, but no width. Next to it, I’ll draw another line with length and no width and carry on until I’ve covered the whole wall with lines of length, but not width. What I’m going to do 25
the first one to call out, “Sir, I’ve done it!” One day in October 1954 was different, though. Charlie was uncharacteristically solemn and asked us to get on with our textbook exercises and not bother him, as he had something on his mind. He sat, head down behind his high desk and we got on with our work as best we could. Suddenly, from my right, I heard a loud whisper, “He’s crying!” He must have heard, because he looked up and asked us to put down our pens. “I’m sorry, lads, but I couldn’t help it.” Then he told us what had happened on that day 40 years before. Like most grammar schoolteachers of his age, he had gone to a private boarding school, the misnamed ‘public’ schools. He had had a close friend at school, sharing interests and ambitions. They had gone on to university together and shared post-graduate studies.
then is add up all those lines of no width and tell you the area of the wall.” We looked on in intrigued puzzlement. What we didn’t know is that he was describing integral calculus. We didn’t even know about differential calculus then, but he was gaining our attention to show how entertaining maths could be. He was leading us on to ‘A’ level or university maths. And that was how Charlie taught. That September, we began the ‘O’ level syllabus with a strange addition. Charlie would write on the blackboard a ‘sum’ in the form of words which might be addition, subtraction, multiplication or division but were always intriguing. If we finished whatever exercises we were doing from the textbook, and he had made sure we had got all of them right, then we could have a go at deciphering his blackboard puzzle (A=7, G=5, M=3, W=1, for example). They stretched our minds (if G on the top line is 5 and A on the second line is 7, then there’s a carry 1 into the next column, and so on). Obviously, we were all eager to be 26
“Then war broke out and we joined up together. We finished our basic training and were posted to France, as part of the Standard British Expeditionary Force.” I knew of theTen BEF from the Kaiser’s insulting description ‘a contemptible little army.’ In typically British fashion, the troops promptly adopted the title ‘old contemptibles’ with pride. My uncle Harold was one and regularly attended their club on Broad Street in my youth. “Then, his unit was sent up to the Front a few days before mine. When we went up, I led them along the main trench until I saw him and called out. He promptly jumped to attention and delivered a parade ground salute. A sniper’s bullet went straight through his head. I’ve still got his brains on my backpack at home.” We were stunned. This was reality staring us in the face. We murmured our sympathy and sat silently until the bell ended the period. Although Greek and Roman soldiers had metal helmets to protect them in war 2000 years before, the British Army still went to war in forage caps and peaked officers’ hats. Opposite them were troops in pickelgrübers of classic Prussian design. Next day, Charlie was not in school and rumours circulated that he had had a ‘nervous breakdown.’ A few boys who didn’t
know him got beaten up when they jeered the man we had grown to love. He was only away for a week or so, and we carried on our imaginative lessons in maths for another year or so.
Fringe and Flanders and Swann, I introduced some seriousness into a few sketches. In particular, I borrowed some banners and placards from Reading CND and we all marched across the stage singing the CND ‘anthem’ Do You Hear the H-Bomb’s Thunder. A military-looking mature student (short-backand-sides, clipped moustache, upright stance) turned out to be hopeless at marching, no matter how I used my cadet drill experience, so he hobbled on, as if from an old wound.
When we came back at the beginning of the summer term in 1955, we were met with an astonishing statement, “Now, boys, I should tell you that we finished the ‘O’ level course last year and what we have been doing since is ‘A’ level and basic university maths. Now we have to go back and revise all the ‘O’ level syllabus to get you prepared for the exams in June.”
When he told Charlie Hill’s story, as I had written it, he stunned the audience, as we had been stunned in class. At the after-stage get-together, several members of staff asked That was it! All of us got good maths ‘O’ who wrote it and I explained how a maths levels and some went on to study maths or teacher at my school had told us what had science courses at university and became happened to him and they were his words as I successes in their careers. Charlie Hill created remembered them. a heritage. Now you know Charlie’s story too. At teacher training college, I was part of a group organising a Christmas revue for our new establishment. Influenced by Beyond the David Spilsbury 27
Moseley Society History Group
A VICTORIAN MIDDLE-CLASS GARDEN
Gardens were an important part of moving to the suburbs in the nineteenth century. They provided safety from the ills of city life, a rural idyll and privacy. Agnes and Althans Blackwell were a typical comfortably-off middle-class Moseley family who lived at Brackley Dene, Chantry Road, from 1892. Brackley Dene’s front garden was modest compared to others with sweeping drives, but it's sturdy walls, gate and shrubbery protected the house from the prying eyes of passers-by. The rear garden at Brackley Dene enjoyed a view over Moseley Park, but "tall trees, a vegetable patch, flowering borders and thick hedges made the house completely private, restricting visibility from the park". Garden design in the nineteenth century was dominated by ‘the battle of the styles’, the formal versus the natural garden. Moseley gardeners took a ‘pick and mix’ approach, scaling down
A modest, but private front garden, Brackley Dene, Chantry Road
The Rear Garden, Brackley Dene, Chantry Road. The family had a conservatory and greenhouse. The lady of the house surveys the scene
design ideas to fit the space available, but lawns were the heart of a Victorian garden, made possible by the development of lawn mowers. Shrubberies, evergreens, such as conifers, easily clipped privet and laurel, and topiary were popular ‘Italian Garden’ formal features. Althans Blackwell bought several shrubs, for example, a Camelia for 2s 6d, a Ceanothus for 2s and a Hypericum at 1s. Beddingout was a Victorian garden fashion that brought to gardens huge amounts of bright and previously unknown colour. Beds were rectangular, circular, often geometrically complex and symmetrical when viewed from an upstairs window. Althans Blackwell ordered fourteen Tradescantias and sixteen Begonias costing 4s for such beds at Brackley Dene. Herbaceous borders filled with ‘old-fashioned’ 28
flowers such as lilies were particularly recommended. Althans Blackwell bought twenty-nine roses in 1893 and 1894 at a cost of £8 13s 6d and twenty bulbs and seventeen lilies for 15s 8d in 1895. Roses were combined with new sub-tropical plants brought from around the globe, such as yucca and palms. Althans Blackwell bought plants from the New World including Begonias (Brazil), Heucheras (North America), Camelias (Japan), Clematis (China) and Ficus repens (East Asia). Most middle-class houses had a conservatory and/or a greenhouse that enabled them to display species and raise more delicate plants. The vernacular cottage garden style was taken up by Moseley gardeners in the form of seats, trellises, arches and bridges. In 1895, Mr Blackwell bought a rustic seat for £1 from Bayliss & Inman, Builders, Shop and www.moseleyb13.com
employed a gardener, G. Seeley, who in May and June 1893 did five-and-a-half days’ work, which included wheeling manure, fixing the vine, weeding the pond, clipping verges and wheeling rubbish from the yard for £2 13s 3d. Bills show that Althans Blackwell bought plants and other garden requirements in Moseley, Birmingham, Worcester and Westgateon-Sea. He had seventy-four plants and a bundle of straw delivered by ‘Mid Rail’ in 1894 from Richard Smith & Co., Nurserymen and Seed Merchants of Worcestershire. Gardens were sites of leisure for the middle class. Families could enjoy walking round, sitting or taking tea in the garden, playing croquet and entertaining others. Larger gardens had tennis courts.
Jan Berry £1 in 1890 was approximately equivalent to £82 in 2017.
Caption
The Fernery, Brackley Dene, Chantry Road
Office Fitters and Horticultural Buildings, Stephenson Street, Birmingham. Other ‘natural’ garden features included ferneries and rockeries. Althans Blackwell ordered eight Ficus repens plants at 6d each, costing him 4s, for the small rockery at Brackley Dene. He bought sixty-seven ferns for £2 9s 6d, about 9d per plant, and cement, red sand, sandstone and tufa stone for £12 10s 6d to build his fernery. Few suburban villa gardeners grew vegetables to any great extent: not growing vegetables indicated gentleman status and purchasing ability. A
wide range of good-quality produce from around the world was brought in by the railway. Althans Blackwell grew specialist vegetables, including cucumbers (two for 1s 6d), asparagus (two for 2s and one for 5s) and tomatoes (two dozen for 8s). Vines and fruit bushes were considered suitable because they were a specialist, contained and skilled activity. In 1894, Althans Blackwell bought gooseberries and currants for 16s 6d and a vine for 7s 6d. Gardening was encouraged for men and women as an acceptable form of exercise, but Althans Blackwell 29
Visit our website for more information on the Blackwell family, Brackley Dene and Chantry Road (https:// moseley-society.org).
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POEM PAGE
ART IS A BATTLE I do battle with the elements, I’m frowning at white blobs of paint, Throwing black paint on the floor. Then, after rinsing the brushes, I’m almost drowned by the complete body of water. Once, I spilt it, And soaked my computer. I switched it on. Thankfully, it worked. I often sit stone still, But in jerks, as though firing at the enemy. I get up to dip my paintbrush in a beaker of water. I recharge it. I advance with washes, Although the battle is nearly over, And I wave the red paint. Judith Fleetwood-Walker
Greece I woke up this morning Red and Black I rubbed my eyes and walked towards the kitchen counter Where are the trees, mamma? Where are the Koalas, cats and dogs? Why are there the 'kids in the camps', mama? You make me a coffee, black without milk I saw the ashes at the bottom of the cup You said it was a dream The picture I painted when I was eight, still on the fridge attached to a magnet A boat, a sun with a smile, trees and flowers You lied, mamma It wasn't a dream Katerina Chamberlain
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Kaientai is the name of a company started by Ryoma Sakamoto in the 1860s in Japan. He worked and gave his life to solve the most pressing issue of his time and we believe that it is our duty to challenge the most pressing issue of our time - Climate change. We realised a major reason the world has yet to transition to sustainable products is that consumers still have to pay a premium to go eco-friendly and it is simply not convenient to do so for the majority of people. Hence, the mission for Kaientai is to accelerate the transition to sustainable products. Before that, we have to make a sustainable lifestyle easy (which was hard!) We are three brothers, quite eccentric as individuals, who have gone ALL-IN to realise the vision of Kaientai. Bauan left his third year of studies studying Robotics engineering, Mier left his software engineering job and Baban refused to go into law after graduation. We want to see a world where we can order any sustainable product you want and it arrives at your doorstep in less than a day and where you can be at peace that the delivery was done using zero-emission vehicles with minimal packaging. We know the current option is convenient and you are one click away from any product you want. Hence we offer free one-day delivery. Since we are trying to go above and beyond for every consumer, we have had to focus on our home city - Birmingham, UK. It starts here and we are proud of that.
site - Kaientai.co.uk. We are working hard to bring a seamless and convenient sustainable alternative without exploiting suppliers. Our model is giving suppliers enough time to innovate and improve their products instead of - like many e-commerce sites- having suppliers do the packaging and deal with customer service like they don't have anything else to do and STILL take a big chunk of the sale. Kaientai deals with orders, packaging, delivery, customer service, and we deal fairly with our suppliers. With enough volume and more profits going to sustainable suppliers, we will see sustainable products becoming cheaper and soon becoming the number one choice for EVERY consumer with Kaientai's help. This dream starts here in Birmingham. It will grow to every part of the globe so we can build a world that we can be proud of for generations to come.
We started this mission on the 15th of August 2021, Launched our store on the 1st of September, and now have three different suppliers (and counting) on our 31
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