Sparkhill facts for kids
Sparkhill is a busy area in the city of Birmingham, England. It is located between other areas like Springfield, Hall Green, and Sparkbrook. Long ago, Sparkhill was a quiet, countryside area. It was part of Worcestershire and mostly focused on farming until the late 1800s.
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Sparkhill's Past: A Look Back
How Sparkhill Got Its Name
During the Middle Ages, a family named Sparke farmed in this area. However, the name Sparkhill likely comes from Spark Brook. This is a small stream that flows from Moseley to the River Cole. Sparkhill was a hill located right next to this stream. Today, you can follow most of the stream's path. It is a popular route for walking and cycling. Part of the stream goes under the Grand Union Canal. This area is now home to the Ackers Trust sports centre. It was built on an old test track for BSA motorcycles.
Growing Up: The Cherry Arbour Area
As the Industrial Revolution made Birmingham grow, Sparkhill also started to develop. In the 1850s, land was bought and sold to different builders. They built homes for working-class families. A new street was named after Joseph Sturge. He was a Birmingham manufacturer who fought for working people's rights. The houses looked different because many builders worked on them. A central area began to form with its own pub, called The Cherry Arbour.
By the late 1860s, Sparkhill was developing quickly. Long, straight streets with similar terraced homes appeared. These new houses had their own back gardens, coal sheds, and toilets. For wealthier families, bigger houses were built in a special area. This area was bordered by Stoney Lane, Alfred Road, and Durham Road.
Becoming Part of Birmingham
Sparkhill officially became part of Birmingham in 1911. This happened because of the Greater Birmingham Act. The old council building for the Yardley area was turned into Sparkhill Library. It opened on January 19, 1923. This building is special because it had some of the first double-glazed windows in a public building. Other buildings like a police station and fire station were also built nearby. St John's Church is the local Anglican church. It was designed by famous architects Martin and Chamberlain and built in 1888.
Sparkhill During World War II
Sparkhill was affected by World War II bombing. This was because the nearby BSA factory was a target. Some houses were destroyed and later rebuilt in the 1940s. You can find a memorial at St John's Church. It remembers those from the BSA factory who died during the war.
Historic Pubs of Sparkhill
The Mermaid Inn is another old landmark in Sparkhill. There has been a pub on this spot since the 1600s. In recent times, it became a Balti restaurant. However, it was badly damaged by fires in the 2000s. The outside of the building has cool art deco designs. These were made by local artist William Bloye.
Other pubs like The Bear and The Antelope were designed by Holland W. Hobbiss. They also have sculpted signs by William Bloye. The Antelope was turned into a Pakistani restaurant called "Hajees Spice" in 2010.
A Diverse Community: Immigration in Sparkhill
In the 1900s, many different people moved to Sparkhill. The first large group came from Ireland. Later, people from the Caribbean, South Asia, and more recently Somalia settled here. In the last ten years, people from Romania have also started to live in the area.
Sparkhill now has a large population of different ethnic groups. Many people are from South Asia. This is why you can find so many Asian restaurants in the area. Sparkhill has become a main part of Birmingham's famous "Balti Triangle". This area is known for its delicious Balti curries.
Famous People from Sparkhill
- Bev Bevan, drummer for the Move and the Electric Light Orchestra
- Charlie Timmins, captain of Coventry City football team
- Gil Merrick, goalkeeper for Birmingham City football team
- John Bentley, actor born in Sparkhill (1916)
- Kevin McDonald, archbishop
- Lock Up, a band
- Paul Bliss, keyboard player for the Moody Blues and the Hollies
- Moeen Munir Ali, England international cricketer
- Robert Melville, art critic
- Sid Field, comedian
- Roland Gift, actor and lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals
- Simon Inglis, architectural historian, writer, and broadcaster
- Mona Washbourne, actress
Sparkhill in TV Shows
The BBC comedy show Citizen Khan is set in Sparkhill. It follows the life of Mr. Khan and his family. They are Pakistani immigrants living in the area. The show even called Sparkhill "The capital of British Pakistan" in its opening credits. The first series of the show aired in August 2012. New series came out every year until 2016.
