Washwood Heath
Encyclopedia
Washwood Heath is a ward in Birmingham
, within the formal district of Hodge Hill
, roughly two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre, England
. Washwood Heath covers the areas of Birmingham that lie between Nechells, Bordesley Green, Stechford
and Hodge Hill
.
on the south-western side and Ward End
on the north-eastern side of Washwood Heath are the two areas that cover the entire ward, though some parts near Nechells and Hodge Hill do not come under either of these and are simply headed under "Washwood Heath". One of the area's major employers was the railway works owned by Metropolitan-Cammell
(later GEC Alsthom), but this closed in 2005.
, there were 27,822 people living in the ward with a population density of 5,335 people per km² compared with 3,649 people per km² for Birmingham. The area is 5.2 km². Washwood Heath is an ethnically diverse community with 57% (15,863) of the ward's population being of an ethnic minority compared with 29.6% for Birmingham. It had been a major Irish
community, however, in more recent times has become a large Asian
community along with nearby Alum Rock
and Small Heath
.
. For the younger population, there is a children's centre.
: Tariq Ayoub Khan (Lib Dem), Ansar Ali Khan and Mohammed Idrees, both Labour.
Washwood Heath has adopted a Ward Support Officer with the current holder of the title being Pat Muddyman.
to monitor vehicles entering and leaving Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook
. Its implementation was frozen in June 2010 amid allegations that the police deliberately misled councillors about its purpose, after it was revealed that it was being funded as an anti-terrorism
initiative, rather than for 'reassurance and crime prevention'.
Ward End
area of Washwood Heath. The Ward End Works covered an area of 65 acres (263,045.9 m²) upon completion. A distinctive feature was the Bromford House administrative block, with its 400 ft (122 m) façade fronting onto Drews Lane.
The factory was an assembly plant and produced a light car called the Stellite. During its first four years, the factory also produced munitions fuses and shell cases for soldiers fighting in mainland Europe
during World War I
. When the war was over, Vickers, the owners of Electric & Ordnance Accessories Company Ltd, put the factory under the ownership of Wolseley Motors on September 30, 1919. After the change in ownership, Wolseley replaced the small workshop sheds with a large assembly building.
Wolseley began to encounter difficulties in the 1920s and it was saved after being purchased by William Morris
. As a result of the purchase, car manufacturing was completely moved from the Adderley Park site, which became Morris Commercials, to the Ward End Works. Engines for the Morris Minor
were also produced at the factory during the 1930s alongside the Wolseley production line.
When World War II
broke out in 1939, the factory became the production base for tanks and military vehicles as well as mines. In 1941, it also began to produce the Horsa glider. By the end of the war, £500,000 worth of damage had been inflicted on the plant by the Luftwaffe
in raids in 1941 and 1942.
In 1939, a new factory for the Morris Motors Pressing Branch was constructed on the Common Lane side of the Ward End Works. This was renamed Nuffield Metal Products in 1945. Production of Wolseley cars recommenced on September 4, 1945.
In 1948, the works began to encounter new problems and it was seen to be more efficient for production of new Morrises to be moved to Cowley in Oxford
. By the 1950s, production was centred at Cowley and the Ward End Works were used in the productions of Nuffield Group products. Following the formation of the British Motor Corporation
in 1952, parts were also made there for Austin-Healey Sprite
, and the Wolseley 1500/Riley 1.5 twins. The creation of the BLMC resulted in the plant being redesignated the Austin Morris division's Transmission Plant. 4,400 workers were employed on site.
When the Adderley Park plant closed in 1972, all vehicle production was moved to the Common Lane works. During the mid-1980s there was a fire at the factory however no other problems surfaced.
In 1989, Freight-Rover became Leyland-DAF Vans
, which then became LDV Limited
in 1993. Today the site covers 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) and is in the ownership of LDV with Bromford House being used as the company's headquarters.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, within the formal district of Hodge Hill
Hodge Hill
Hodge Hill is an area seven km east of Birmingham city centre, England. It is also a council constituency, managed by its own district committee....
, roughly two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Washwood Heath covers the areas of Birmingham that lie between Nechells, Bordesley Green, Stechford
Stechford, Birmingham
Stechford is an area of Birmingham, England, situated about five miles east of the city centre, bordering Ward End, Yardley, Hodge Hill and Kitts Green.-History:...
and Hodge Hill
Hodge Hill
Hodge Hill is an area seven km east of Birmingham city centre, England. It is also a council constituency, managed by its own district committee....
.
Geography
SaltleySaltley
Saltley is an inner-city area of Birmingham, east of the city centre. The area is currently part of the Washwood Heath ward, although formerly a feature of the Nechells ward...
on the south-western side and Ward End
Ward End
Ward End is an area of Birmingham, England. It covers the area between Saltley, Hodge Hill and Stechford and includes Ward End Park, a public park that has been open for over 100 years.-Ward End territory:...
on the north-eastern side of Washwood Heath are the two areas that cover the entire ward, though some parts near Nechells and Hodge Hill do not come under either of these and are simply headed under "Washwood Heath". One of the area's major employers was the railway works owned by Metropolitan-Cammell
Metro Cammell
The Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company was a Birmingham, England based manufacturer of railway carriages and wagons, based in Saltley and subsequently Washwood Heath....
(later GEC Alsthom), but this closed in 2005.
Demographics
According to the 2001 Population CensusUnited Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, there were 27,822 people living in the ward with a population density of 5,335 people per km² compared with 3,649 people per km² for Birmingham. The area is 5.2 km². Washwood Heath is an ethnically diverse community with 57% (15,863) of the ward's population being of an ethnic minority compared with 29.6% for Birmingham. It had been a major Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
community, however, in more recent times has become a large Asian
British Asian
British Asian is a term used to describe British citizens who descended from mainly South Asia, also known as South Asians in the United Kingdom...
community along with nearby Alum Rock
Alum Rock, Birmingham
Alum Rock is an inner-city suburb of Birmingham, England, located roughly 2 miles east of Birmingham city centre...
and Small Heath
Small Heath, Birmingham
Small Heath is an inner-city area within the city of Birmingham, West Midlands, England. It is situated on and around the A45 ....
.
Education
The area is served by Washwood Heath Technology CollegeWashwood Heath Technology College
Washwood Heath Technology College is a secondary school located in the Washwood Heath ward of Birmingham, England. Originally known as Washwood Heath Comprehensive School, it opened in September 1967. It was extended in 1996 to make way for the Post-16 centre. It has the first year group in the...
. For the younger population, there is a children's centre.
Politics
The ward is represented by three councillors on Birmingham City CouncilBirmingham City Council
The Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local authority in the United Kingdom with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 Birmingham...
: Tariq Ayoub Khan (Lib Dem), Ansar Ali Khan and Mohammed Idrees, both Labour.
Washwood Heath has adopted a Ward Support Officer with the current holder of the title being Pat Muddyman.
Project Champion
Project Champion is a project to install a £3m network of 169 Automatic Number Plate Recognition camerasPolice-enforced ANPR in the UK
The UK has an extensive automatic number plate recognition CCTV network. Police and security services use it to track UK vehicle movements in real time...
to monitor vehicles entering and leaving Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook
Sparkbrook
Sparkbrook is an inner-city area in south-east Birmingham, England. It is one of the four wards forming the Hall Green formal district within Birmingham City Council.-Etymology:...
. Its implementation was frozen in June 2010 amid allegations that the police deliberately misled councillors about its purpose, after it was revealed that it was being funded as an anti-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
initiative, rather than for 'reassurance and crime prevention'.
Places of interest
Saltley- Adderley Park
- Adderley Park railway stationAdderley Park railway stationAdderley Park railway station serves the Adderley Park area in the east of Birmingham, England. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by London Midland. It was threatened with closure in 2004, but has now been given a reprieve...
- Wheels Adventure ParkBirmingham WheelsBirmingham Wheels Park is a dedicated motor sport park with short-track oval motor racing circuit and MSA approved kart circuit, based in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham, England...
Ward End
- Fox & GooseFox & GooseThe Fox & Goose is a shopping district in Ward End, Birmingham, England, at the eastern end of Washwood Heath Road. It is named after the public house there...
- Ward End Library
- Washwood Heath Christadelphians
- Ward End Park
The Ward End Works
In 1914, the Electric & Ordnance Accessories Company Ltd constructed a large factory between Common Lane and Drews Lane in the Ward EndWard End
Ward End is an area of Birmingham, England. It covers the area between Saltley, Hodge Hill and Stechford and includes Ward End Park, a public park that has been open for over 100 years.-Ward End territory:...
area of Washwood Heath. The Ward End Works covered an area of 65 acres (263,045.9 m²) upon completion. A distinctive feature was the Bromford House administrative block, with its 400 ft (122 m) façade fronting onto Drews Lane.
The factory was an assembly plant and produced a light car called the Stellite. During its first four years, the factory also produced munitions fuses and shell cases for soldiers fighting in mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. When the war was over, Vickers, the owners of Electric & Ordnance Accessories Company Ltd, put the factory under the ownership of Wolseley Motors on September 30, 1919. After the change in ownership, Wolseley replaced the small workshop sheds with a large assembly building.
Wolseley began to encounter difficulties in the 1920s and it was saved after being purchased by William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
. As a result of the purchase, car manufacturing was completely moved from the Adderley Park site, which became Morris Commercials, to the Ward End Works. Engines for the Morris Minor
Morris Minor
The Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.3 million were manufactured between 1948 and 1971...
were also produced at the factory during the 1930s alongside the Wolseley production line.
When World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out in 1939, the factory became the production base for tanks and military vehicles as well as mines. In 1941, it also began to produce the Horsa glider. By the end of the war, £500,000 worth of damage had been inflicted on the plant by the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
in raids in 1941 and 1942.
In 1939, a new factory for the Morris Motors Pressing Branch was constructed on the Common Lane side of the Ward End Works. This was renamed Nuffield Metal Products in 1945. Production of Wolseley cars recommenced on September 4, 1945.
In 1948, the works began to encounter new problems and it was seen to be more efficient for production of new Morrises to be moved to Cowley in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. By the 1950s, production was centred at Cowley and the Ward End Works were used in the productions of Nuffield Group products. Following the formation of the British Motor Corporation
British Motor Corporation
The British Motor Corporation, or commonly known as BMC was a vehicle manufacturer from United Kingdom, formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organisation in 1952...
in 1952, parts were also made there for Austin-Healey Sprite
Austin-Healey Sprite
The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, just before that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to...
, and the Wolseley 1500/Riley 1.5 twins. The creation of the BLMC resulted in the plant being redesignated the Austin Morris division's Transmission Plant. 4,400 workers were employed on site.
When the Adderley Park plant closed in 1972, all vehicle production was moved to the Common Lane works. During the mid-1980s there was a fire at the factory however no other problems surfaced.
In 1989, Freight-Rover became Leyland-DAF Vans
Leyland DAF
Leyland DAF was a commercial vehicle manufacturing company based in the United Kingdom, and a division of DAF NV. In 1993 DAF NV became insolvent and Leyland DAF went into receivership.-History:...
, which then became LDV Limited
LDV Limited
LDV Group Limited was a British van manufacturer, based in the Ward End area of Birmingham.In its history part of Rover Group and Leyland DAF, was latterly a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian GAZ group...
in 1993. Today the site covers 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) and is in the ownership of LDV with Bromford House being used as the company's headquarters.