 
Birmingham |
Birmingham |
To the left is a map showing Birmimgham's wards. Frank works as a District Missioanry which is local outreach work centered around the our home and the church near by. Both are on the south of centre of the large district as a whole. The bread andf butter of the work is regular door to door visitation. This continues throughout the year where in winter there is still a lot of visiting that can be done in the shelter to be found in one of the many tower blocks that are to be seen on the four council estates in Kings Norton. |
|
Click here for house location map (or ariel photo) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The parish of Kings Norton (originally in Worcestershire) has a rich history. It derives its name from its position north of Bromsgrove with which it was connected as a parish for probably 1000 years until 1846. With 40,000 people, (25,000 in the Ward) and lying 6-7 miles on the south side of the city it derives its name from its position north of Bromsgrove with which it was connected as a parish for propably 1000 until 1846.
The well contoured land containing high and dry ground was being also well watered making it suitable for farming and camping. Remains have been found giving little doubt that the Romans marched through this area.
Saxon Kings Norton has been described as "In the middle of a clearing surrounded by a wooden stockade where stood a village, a group of rude detached huts". Kings Norton today stills retains some of its Saxon features, the village still compact, and the houses on the Green stand upon the site of the primitive Saxon dwellings.
The CofE now own the Saracens Head (for many years the village Pub) where Christian Youth work now takes place. Crusaders and Sunday school now occupy the building which was originally the residence of the Manorial Bailiffe.
The local landmark - the Parish Church with its impressive spire - has been enlarged at various periods of history since its Norman beginnings.
By 1616 Kings Norton had become a wealthy place since King James I had given permission for a market to be held there. It grew and developed in its own right and sporned a grammar school in the 17th Century again still standing.
A battle took place and 70 men lost their lives as forces of Cavaliers, lead by Prince Rupert, and Roundheads clashed at Kings Norton.
In 1769 a canal was built between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Its success produced the Birmingham and Worcester canal which opened in 1799. Kings Norton today has several canals running through it as well as district railways.
The rapid increase in size came in the house building projects of the 30's and 60's transforming the landscape, all of which were green field sites on the southern border of the parish, much of it originally Cadbury's owned land. These once sought after properties are now seen as sprawling estates characteristic of the renovations of the 60's and 70's with all the intrinsic social ill seen today. Kings Norton is now a somewhat uncomfortable mix of contrasting areas.
The council describe the area as 'A suburban ward consisting of mainly post-war local authority housing but still over one third in owner occupation. It has a predominantly white indigenous population, with a slightly younger age profile than that of the city as a whole and an average proportion of lone parents. Overall the level of deprivation is similar to or below the City as a whole'.
(In fact there are enough tower blocks to keep one going all winter!) 
The outreach and building friendships with people in the road of which Ana is particualry good, hopes to consolidate the work with the help of Wednesday Coffee mornings in the chapel and wednesday eveing "Just looking" bible studies in our house. Most of the 50 people in our road have been contacted regarding watching the Jesus film and about half of them have watched it, sometimes as a family. Once having watched the film they answer the questionnaire and receive Luke's gospel. It is good to get to know our neighbours through this project even those who decline to watch the film.
St. Nicolas at 'The Green' the historical centre of Kings Norton. The St. Nicolas's tower dominates the local skyline as you can see on the next photo. The parish of Kings Norton (originally in Worcestershire) has 40,000 people, (25,000 in the Ward) and lies 6-7 miles on the south side of the city of Birmingham.
This view is from the estate to the south of the district. The area is described by the council as 'A suburban ward consisting of mainly post-war local authority housing but still over one third in owner occupation. It has a predominantly white indigenous population, with a slightly younger age profile than that of the city as a whole and one and a half times the City average proportion of lone parents. Overall the level of deprivation is similar to or below the City as a whole'. 
At the base of Speedwell tower, near the centre of one of the three estates on the south side of the district of Kings Norton.