ALL ABOUT THE AREA WITHIN THE LICKEY BLACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL

---

Other views of the Parish


Beacon Lane on the far north-west of the ParishThe Toposcope on top of Beacon Hill

The M42 Motorway cuts through the ParishBlackwell Village sign on Linthurst Newtown

Twatling/Plymouth Road junction in the far east of the ParishCherry Tree Road on the very eastern edge of the Parish

THE LICKEY HILLS

Usually known as "The Lickeys" part of this range of hills fall within the Parish boundary. They cover an area of 524 acres (212ha) with Beacon Hill at the highest point at 978 ft (298m) The hills straddle the border between Birmingham and Worcestershire.

Between 1887 and 1933, public spirited landowners including members of the Cadbury family gave large sections of the Hills to Birmingham City Council to be preserved as public open space. Today, the Hills are a popular attraction for large numbers of people who visit throughout the year.

The Hills have a complex and interesting geology which has created a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, heathland and grassland, which are home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and they have a Green Flag Award.

They are designated as a Country Park with a Visitor Centre and other facilities. The Park Rangers are based at the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre. Here you can also find find information, maps, books, postcards and gifts. There is a café which serves light snacks, and there is good indoor and outdoor seating. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located at the Visitor Centre.

SpringtimeAutumn WinterRose Hill in the snowBoxing Day 2022
Monument Lane entrance to the car park for Beacon Hill

Lickey Warren WoodsThe Visitors' CentreInside the Centre

Planting Hazel Whips on the Lickey Warren. Some of the many volunteers who turned out on a sleety cold January morning to help plant hazel whips on an area cleared after infection by the plant disease Phytopthora ramorum. They came from Lickey School, Deutsche Bank, Local Groups and residents.

Even the Lord Mayor of Birmingham turned up to help, complete with his chain of office

The diseased wood was destroyed by fireFive years later the trees were well established

Entry to Lickey Warren off Twatling RoadLickey Warren path

A small part of the golf course is within the northern part of the Parish. The old barn used by the greenkeeepersPath to the first tee

CHURCHES, THE CEMETERY AND NOTABLE GRAVES

The Parish of Holy Trinity, Lickey with St. Catherine’s, Blackwell



Holy Trinity LickeyView of church from Warren Lane


The foundation stone of the Holy Trinity Church in Lickey the church was laid in May 1855 and the building was complete by 1856. It was designed by the architect Henry Day of Worcester and built in the Early English style of white stone with a tiled roof, by Messrs Robinson of Redditch.The church was consecrated by Henry Bishop of Worcester on 6th June 1856. During the early years of the parish it belonged to the Diocese of Worcester but in 1908 Lickey parish was removed to the newly created Diocese of Birmingham.





St Catherine's Blackwell

St. Catherine’s Church in Blackwell was the first ‘daughter’ church to be established, as the population in the area grew. Blackwell’s first church was designed and built by Mr John Collett of Balsall Heath and was a wooden building on a base of blue brick and had a roof tiled in Bangor slate. It was furnished with 250 wooden chairs and heated with stoves. The opening ceremony of the church took place on Saturday 19th August 1882.


The foundation stone of the new church was laid in May 1939 and the church was consecrated on June 7th 1941. This new church is the one we know today, built in a Norwegian style designed by the architect, Mr. North of Llanfairfechan, North Wales. It’s most striking feature being the west window in the shape of the Catherine wheel.

The churchyard surrounding Holy Trinity church was the only facility in the area for burials and the area around the church had been almost filled during the first 60 years of the life of the parish. Once again the Earl of Plymouth came to the rescue and gave land for a graveyard extension but the land lay between Twatling Road and the Old Birmingham Road and as it was separate from the church, it needed easy but discrete access. The land was consecrated in 1912 and accessed via what is still known as the ‘Coffin Way’

Coffin Way pathLych Gate, Lickey Cemetery extensionThe emeteryOn a frosty morning


Blackwell Methodist Church

In 2021 around 40 DIY enthusiasts transformed the Methodist Church Hall into what is now known as Blackwell Community Hall by cleaning, painting and repairing the historical building

The new-look venue has a long history dating back to 1893 for when the building was first constructed for the use of a schoolroom.


The Parish Hall - Trinity Centre

In 1921 an ex-army hut was acquired for use as a parish hall and this served its purpose until 1930. However, it took sometime for the site to be agreed, land to be purchased from the Plymouth Estate and the necessary funds to be raised. The committee that led this project was chaired by Sir Herbert Austin. The hall, designed by Architects Harold and John Scott was completed and opened by the then Countess of Plymouth in 1937.

The Parish Hall, Trinity CentreFrom Old Birmingham Road

The old School House opposite the Parish Hall

---

---

( Page < < prev 1 2 3 4 next >> )