Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I am trying to find info about the plane that crashed in Chapel Lane Hockley Heath by Mabel White and Mrs Spencer's cottages, all I do know is that the local butcher Mr Morall pulled two airmen out. Thank you for any help
John Miller

Posted Monday, January 28, 2008
Goole, Marshland & Howden Gazette May 6th 1871. Marriage April 29, at Christ Church, Hull, by the Rev. H. W. KEMP, incumbent of St. John's, Wilfred Van WART, Esq., of Hockley House, Hockley Heath, near Birmingham, to Fanny, widow of the late Joseph SMITH, Esq., of Potter Grange, near Goole.
I am reserching the smith family of Goole and i found this entry at the library then i found your site, trying to find if Hockley house is still there or not or even the Van Wart family
Gilbert Tawn

Posted Monday, January 21, 2008
I am trying to find out about my maternal grandmother, Rosa Dutton. I know that in about 1900, her parents kept a pub, and had a small farm. It was somewhere not far from Lapworth, and the pub was called the Royal Oak. I have a photograph of the family outside the pub. The story goes that it was a popular pub, and that people used to like to come out from Birmingham to hear the local nightingales sing. Can anyone help? Would this be the same pub as The Old Royal Oak in Hockley Health??
Val Smith

Posted Thursday, January 3, 2008
 Has anyone got information about the suicide of the landlord of the Wharf Pub in the 1950's?
Jo Carter

Posted Monday, September 24, 2007
Does anyone no any history on holly cottage 2298 stratford road hockley heath as i am the new owner soon  i am very interested in who lived there through the years also how did the name holly cottage originate from thanks
Keith Lindsey

Posted Monday, September 17, 2007
My grandfather, William Jarvis, lived at The Birches, Hockley Heath and I used to spend my school holidays there from 1950.  I went riding at Umberslade Hall, my mother and I sharing a bicycle.  We went from London to Birmingham by train and then to Grimes Halt and walked from there.  Does anyone know what happened to The Birches?
Hilary Williams

Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Thank you to all who made contact with me. I found the following website: http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/06airfields/UK/uk.htm and thought you may be interested in the information.
'Hockley Heath Box Trees RAF. 51 Grp. EFTS Hockley Heath. Opened 1941 - Airfield closed after WW2. Current use = Agricultural. This was only a small grass airfield and it saw very little use during the war, mainly for emergency landings only. The only structures erected on the site were two small open ended Nisson huts capable of sheltering one Spitfire each.  A single Spitfire or Hurricane was occasionally parked there to boost public morale. In 1946 the site reverted to farming.'
I question the notation of only two Nisson huts though, family references indicate that 4 - 6 couples (families) converted the huts into homes. I recall my parents relating how they created dividers to make separate areas. I could be that they meant to separate one family from another. I do have old photos of the wonderful garden my Father created, with part of the Nissen hut showing and a corner fence that apparently backed onto The Barn.
Daphne Moore, nee Colley

Posted Monday, July 30, 2007
From 1946 to 1951 my parents and sister moved to No. 4 Hut, RAF Camp, Hockley Heath. Apparently this was a small complex of RAF huts with open fields behind, used as a base for pilot training. The complex was located at the side and rear of one of the pubs. I was born at the end of 1946 and my younger sister was born at the end of 1948. I know we were Baptised at the Nuthurst Church when we were 4 and 2 years old. We moved to Stratford Road, Sparkhill, opposite the park, in 1951 and stayed until 1958. I wonder if anyone has any knowledge, memories, of this RAF Camp and the exact location.
Daphne Moore, nee Colley

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
Does anybody know anything about Hockley House, at Hockley Heath? I am not sure exactly where it stood, but at one time it was an old coaching house, and is now demolished and the land redeveloped.
I believe my grandfather lived there from c.1911 to c.1920 but a new-found cousin tells me some of the family may have been there till 1937, and that part of the house was used as a nursing home.
If anyone has any info about this nursing home, what type of home, or who owned or ran it, or indeed anything at all about the house or who lived there I would be very interested.
Joe Taylor

Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007
My Paternal Grandmother born 1886 died 1916 lived at The Cottage, Sadlers Wells, Hockley Heath.  Does anyone know if this address still exists? Any information would be welcome.
P Jackson

Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Does anyone know anything about the Bayliss family who lived at Sands Farm Hockley Heath in the 40s. Also does anyone have any information about Rev Bertram Carpenter who was the Baptist Minister at Umberslade Baptist Church?
Moira Carpenter

Posted Thursday, February 1, 2007
4 months have passed since my question about the 'monument' was posted and those who were equally intrigued or even informed have found this site and contacted me. The Obelisk as it is now known was erected between Umberslade Hall and Umberslade baptist church. It was built by George Frederick Muntz who at the time resided at the hall circa 1880. The Muntz family were Nonconformists and George was a Baptist convert. The obelisk was built to promote nonconformity but was widely used by both faiths. Many thanks to (present time) Sue Benson & Oliver Muntz for their input and hopefully there will be photographs to follow.
Godfrey Syers

Posted Monday, September 4, 2006
Could anybody tell me anything about the monument visible from the M40 just south of Hockley Heath. In case there are more than one I an interested in the one that lies between Pound House Lane and Nuthurst Road. Thank you.
Godfrey Syers

Posted Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Well stumbled across this site and found hockley heath, lived at 2380 stratford road (always thought it was a phone number) from 1977-82 and went to hockley heath school, and loved it, best time of my life.  Now live in New Zealand where i work as an arts festival director and freelance performer.  Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, i can recall a few names and see Sean Tootill when i pop back to the uk once every couple of years, but if you recall me then drop me a line.  Also be keen to look at organising a reunion of all those 82 leavers in 2007 (25 years on)
Adam Hayward

Posted Monday, August 7, 2006
Hello My family lived in Hockley Heath in the late 1940's, until early60's. I attended the school which in those days went from infants to leaving age. I left to go to grammar school in Solihull which meant an hour and a half each way and two buses- if you missed the Stratford road one, number 150 it was an hours wait!!!
I remember Morrels the butchers, by the "rec". the post office run by Mr Wright- who's son Christopher went to the infants school too.
The big pub, the Royal Oak, the large building I think was the village hall. Hulls garage, Nags Head and Watts garage. As a child I also remember Hopkins shop.It was rather strange as it never changed and the sweet machine outside gave free sweets, and was always replenished- but never fed with coins!!The Barn restaurant was known for its live dance bands and I spent my first adult evening ther on my 17th birthday at a dinner amd dance. Call me old fashioned but they really were innocent wonderful times. I am so glad I was born then.
Diane Cooper

Posted Tuesday, July 4, 2006
I am researching my grandad Thomas Chesshire who lived at the Wharf Inn (born 1872) and my grandma Rebecca Cotterill (born Wild) who lived  in  Chapel Lane, Hockley Heath (now Orchard Road).  Is there a Bill Wild of Park ~View Hockley, and Kath Wild, now Marshall) in Spring Lane, who might know?
Kate Elderson

Posted Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Hi. Wondered if anyone has any information about the sanders family who lived on the stratford road opposite the nags head around 1900. there was a drapers/milliners next door. Albert was a brass founder with a works in birmingham. Thankyou
Tiffany Potter

Posted Sunday, May 14, 2006
Could anyone please tell me if the stables and house still exist at Umberslade Park? In 1953 when I was 12 yrs old & living in Birmingham, I used to catch a bus at 6.30 am Saturdays & Sundays in order to help at the stables , which were used as a riding school and run by two elderly sisters. I walked from the bus stop in Hockley Heath and via the churchyard to the stables. It was quite a long way but traffic was scarce and the country a much safer place in those days! The big house was further up the drive and in a very poor state of repair then. There was a swimming pool full of green slimy water in a building surrounded by trees, in the field opposite the stables, does it still exist I wonder?
They were happy days and I often wonder if any of these buildings are still there and if the estate itself has suffered the fate of so many other lovely English parks?
Ann Pepper

Posted Monday, April 10, 2006
Can any one tell me if there is a public right of way by Arnolds Wood Cut Throat Lane and if pos how long has it been there?
B Griffin

Posted Monday, February 6, 2006
Does anyone know of Stephen Hollender who lived in Hockley Heath in the year 1989, who was married to Rosanna, and if so where is he now, thanks
L. Bingham

Posted Thursday, February 2, 2006
Hi. can anyone help we live in the old school st giles in packwood ,our family moved into it about forty years ago, my nan and grandad used to run darley green stores just under the bridge...mr and mrs clark. if anyone has any information on the old school please please get in touch. we would really love to see any pictures if any still exist. thanks
Diane Morris

Posted Monday, October 24, 2005
Does anyone know any history about the barn now its a beefeater i work there and we have had ghost researchers in this week would be nice if anyone knows anything or has pictures
Luke

Posted Friday, July 22, 2005
Could Keith Burley from the USA please contact me regarding the photos on this site thanks...
Tracie Edgar

Posted Monday, July 18, 2005
MONKSPATH ROTARY CLUB meets every Tuesday evening (19.30hrs) at The Forest Hotel, Dorridge.  Members come from all local areas including Hockley Heath, Earlswood, Monkspath etc. If anyone is interested in coming to one of our meetings (we also have a meal) contact Rtn. Peter Perkins on 01564 782997 & have a chat

Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Hi, we are a family looking to move into the hockley heath area and wanted to know if there are any facilities for children aged between 8-15 and what the population is for this age group.  Are there any parks for children etc?  please could anyone advise
Sharon Puaar

Posted Saturday, March 26, 2005
Does anyone know anything about the old wooden church (?) by Umberslade Baptist church? And what is it currently used for?
Steven Jackson

Posted Saturday, February 26, 2005
My aunt and uncle (Mr. & Mrs. E. Perry) used to manage the Royal Oak on the Stratford Road (now known as The Old Royal Oak).  My sister and I used to come up from London to stay with them and their daughter Linda (our cousin).  I am now almost 63 years old, so it was a long time ago.  I have very happy memories of Hockley Heath.  I now live in Florida, U.S.A.   
Kaye Cain

Posted Thursday, February 3, 2005
Just found out, the UCI in Solihull is finally closing down March 3rd according to their staff. I'm going to miss that cinema as Cineworld sucks and has too many noisy children.
Greg T

Posted Thursday, June 10, 2004
Having just moved to Hockley Heath my son and daughter are finding it very difficult to find transport to and from Solihull for school consequently I am using a car to drop and  pick up.  I thought the council and local government were encouraging the use of local transport.  Has anyone got any suggestions?
J Mansfield

Posted Monday, March 8, 2004
Hi, do you know anything about that big old white mansion on cut throut lane, me and my boyfriend are really interested in the history of it. if you do have anything about it please let me know , thanks
miss_am_erika@msn.com

Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Does anyone know if Roger Moore lived in the Earlswood, Hockley Heath or Woodend area?
Nikki

Posted Monday, December 15, 2003
I lived in Hockley Heath about 80 years ago and my first taste of school was at what is called the Old School House now. I remember my mother dragging me all the way there and then leaving me. We had a punt on the canal with my three brothers we had a great time, The canal was quite busy in those days.
Ken

Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2003
I would like to reinforce Sandie's request for help/support for Hockley Heath gardening club.
Sandie has put so much effort and enthusiasm into the club over the last 3-4 years and I know from all the comments I've heard how much people admire the results. Please help us to keep it up - it can be great fun working together in the fresh air. No regular commitment required - just do what you can. Please let us know by 'phone or e-mail if you're interested. Thanks.
Janet Taylor I&JTaylor@aol.com

Posted Monday, September 22, 2003
My grandfather, father and uncle were born on the Umberslade estate. Their place of birth was recorded as the Lodge of Umberslade. Their name was Hutchings. My great grand father was according to a census farm bailiff on the estate. My grandfather in his early years was a groom. My maiden name was Hutchings. Living relatives live in Hertfordshire, Chicago , California and there are about 50 of us in BC Canada. I would like to have a picture of the lodge if it still exists. I will be grateful to receive any information re Hutchings/Reynolds family
Roni (Veronica)

Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Hi - we have recently moved to Hockley Heath and are looking for information
about a draper's/haberdashery shop which was in the village on Stratford Road near the Nag's Head
(on other side of the road) at some time from the 1900s onwards. Can anyone help? Thanks.
Linda McConnell

Posted Monday, June 16, 2003
Hockley Heath Garden Club
Six women at present plant flowers around the village to give some summer colour - we would welcome any help you can offer, watering, dead heading, planting whatever you would like to do. Each year we enter the Solihull in Bloom competition and have won twice. If you would like to join us and help Hockley Heath Village please call Sandie on 01564 782922
Sandie Bates

Hockley Heath Parish
The parish is the most ancient type of local government in Europe and in England it has been used for some civil purposes since the 8th century. The present civil parish system, redefined and modernised in 1974, is the latest version of a local system which has been developing since the 16th century. Under Elizabeth I the parish was the area for poor law administration and thereafter a number of miscellaneous powers were given. In 1834 the poor law authorities grouped parishes into Unions, and, as the original ecclesiastical units remained for church purposes, a distinction was soon recognised between civil and ecclesiastical parishes. The Local Government Act 1894 was the first act to define the functions of the civil parish and in this way Church and State at parish level were separated. The boundaries for civil parishes are defined by Parliament and the ecclesiastical parish boundaries defined by the Church, so it is no wonder that they no longer coincide.

There are only 12 Parish or Town councils in the Borough of Solihull and Hockley Heath Parish is in the Borough Ward of Packwood. Hockley Heath Parish encompasses the villages of Cheswick Green, Dickens Heath, Hockley Heath, Tidbury Green and all the settlements in between. The parish has a council made up of 13 councillors, all unpaid volunteers, elected every four years at the same time as the local government elections for borough councillors. Civil parishes are funded through a Parish Precept collected by the borough council, along with the council tax, from every dwelling in the parish.

Hockley Heath Parish Council safeguards, as far as possible, the civil interests of its parishioners. It provides facilities not otherwise provided by the borough council. It has legal rights to be consulted on local issues such as planning applications, changes to public rights of way, local infrastructures, local licensing etc. Hockley Heath Parish Council meetings are by law always open to the public. Meetings are held monthly in rotation in one of the three village halls in the parish or Dickens Heath Community School. The first item on the agenda is always a Public Forum which allows members of the public to bring local issues to the attention of the council. If you wish to address the council or just come along to see what we do, you can find details of forthcoming meetings on local public notice boards or contact the Parish Clerk on 01564 78 2549 for more details.
Cllr Len Cresswell
Chairman - Hockley Heath Parish Council

Keith Burley, who moved from Aylesbury Road to the United States has provided the following photographs. Keiths website can be found at: www.angelfire.com/ca6/burleyfamily







Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2003
I am looking for information about the Obelisk in Umberslade Park.
Can anyone help? Many thanks,
Julian Robinson

Posted Thursday, 6 February, 2003
I lived in Hockley Heath all my life up until 18. I attended Hockley Heath Primary School between 1976-1983. I would really like to find my old classmates, in particular (and from memory): Lee MacDonald (Aylesbury Road), Louis Clark (Park View), James Harris (Henley in Arden), Justin Smith (Tysoe Close, then Aylesbury Road), Steven and Richard Penny (Blacksmith Lane), Colin Howdell (Park View, then Aylesbury Road), Warren Powell, Richard Evans (Park View), Simon Rowlands (Blacksmith Lane/Stratford Road), Mark Evans (Tysoe Close), Stephen Edwards (Aylesbury Rd), Rachel Plant (Tysoe Close), Alison Gibbs, Alison King (Park View), Romy Bott, Michel Leonard (School Road, then Aylesbury Road), Suzanne Moody (Park View), Kirsty Wade (Park View), Kerry Wood (The Post Office), Emma Forgarty, Melanie Hepworth, Alex Price (Park View), Clare Walton (Aylesbury Rd), Sharon Foster (who left the school in Jnr 2/3 aged 8 I think). That makes 25 of my classmates, some came to the school in between 76 and 83, some left before. I think we were 30 in total, but obviously there are 5 people I have forgotten. I remember Rachel Plant and Michel Leonard came to the school in the 3rd year, and that Kirsty Wade, Suzanne Moody left before 83. I also know Colin Howdell transferred to Dorridge Primary School. Everyone, with the exception of James Harris went on to Tudor Grange, years 1983-1988. I do pass by the village from time to time and occasionally see Simon Rowlands, and Stephen Edwards. I think Louis Clark and Simon Rowlands still live in the area (Cheswick Green). If you know any of the listed people above, please get in contact (email supplied). 
Jonathan Bryant See Also Hockley Heath School Reunions

I am former Silhillian now living in Canada and I am working on my family tree and I need some help with my maternal relatives. My mother lived in Hockley Heath with her family during the 1940's. They lived on Stratford Road, family name Conway. Any information would be appreciated.
Trevor Jones

Does anyone know how cut throat lane in Hockley Heath got its name ?
brummybabe@hotmail.com

Hartley
I am researching one of my forebears - J.T.B.Hartley (or his son, W.J.Hartley) who was land agent for the Umberslade Estate of the Muntz Family in Warwickshire around 1890-1910. Their address at the time was Avon House, Hockley Heath. The present occupiers gave me the link to the Muntz family but had no knowledge of the Hartleys. ANY information, no matter how small, would be welcome.
David Brown

Residents of Hockley Heath are welcome to use this page to provide information and express views on local issues.

Hockley Heath W.I.
Meetings held 1st Thursday each Month 7.30pm At the King George VI Memorial Hall Tel: 0121 430 4427

Hockley Heath Bowling Club
Looking for a relaxing sport? Telephone 01564 792880

Hockley Heath Cricket Club

This website also has an excellent section about the history of the club.
 www.hockleyheathcricket.freeserve.co.uk

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