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Sparkhill, known locally as 'The Hill', is bounded by the River Cole, the
Spark Brook, and the 'Showell Green Brook' (no surviving name). It is thus a
clearly defined geographical area; but because historically it has never had
an existence separate in any respect from its immediate environs, the story
of some of these must be included herein. They are the districts of Showell
Green, Wake Green, Greet, and Tyseley, the last two of which are of greatest
importance and antiquity, and the forgotten ones, Spark and Mawles Greens,
Greet Common, and Shaftmoor.
For information about districts west of Stoney Lane, Belle Walk, and
Billesley Lane, see my booklets 'Moseley' and 'Bygone Balsall Heath'. For
districts north of Spark Brook see my 'Bordesley & Deritend' essay in the
larger 'Manors of Aston Parish'. The area east and south of that covered
herein is discussed in 'Acocks Green and all around' and the collection of
articles called 'Hall Green and hereabout'. Various aspects of local
historical geography are dealt with in 'The Manor of Yardley', development
during the last century being comprehensively treated in 'The urbanisation
of Yardley'.
Introduction
Preface
Relief and drainage, geology, and the natural
landscape
First footers and Anglo-Saxon
settlement
The manor of Yardley, the boundaries
of Yardley, and the 'Manor' of Greet
Ancient roads, ancient buildings, and watermills
Turnpike roads, bridges, and administration
Public transport
Enclosures
Urbanisation, and amenities and services
Churches, schools, and commerce and industry
Between the Wars and since, and references
Maps |
