Sparkbrook

Settlement in Warwickshire

England

Sparkbrook

Former Ravenscroft Social Club, Small Heath &#039;Families welcome&#039;, &#039;disco and live entertainment&#039;, &#039;good food&#039; and &#039;pub games&#039; say the signs but nobody is going to find these things in the gutted remains of the Ravenscroft Social Club any more. The first major fire here occurred in August 2016 and was followed by another less than two years later in January 2018. In the second incident there was a concern that homeless people were living here although the fire service reported that everybody had been accounted for. — Former Ravenscroft Social Club, Small Heath Credit: Stephen McKay

Sparkbrook is a small village located in the county of Warwickshire, England. Situated approximately 7 miles southeast of the town of Warwick, it is nestled within the picturesque countryside of the Midlands. The village is set in a rural setting, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, providing residents with a peaceful and idyllic environment.

Sparkbrook is known for its historic charm, with many buildings dating back to the medieval period. The architecture reflects the village's rich heritage, with timber-framed houses and thatched roofs adding to its character. The village also boasts a picturesque church, St. Mary's, which stands as a prominent landmark.

The local community in Sparkbrook is close-knit and friendly, with a population of around 500 residents. The village has a strong sense of community spirit, with regular events and gatherings taking place, such as the annual summer fete and Christmas market. These events provide an opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate their shared heritage.

Despite its small size, Sparkbrook offers a range of amenities and services to its residents. These include a primary school, a village hall, a local pub, and a post office. Additionally, the village is well-connected to surrounding areas through a network of roads, making it easily accessible for commuters and visitors alike.

Overall, Sparkbrook is a charming and picturesque village that combines a rich history with a strong sense of community. Its rural location and range of amenities make it a desirable place to live for those seeking a peaceful and close-knit community within the Warwickshire countryside.

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Sparkbrook Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.465452/-1.871319 or Grid Reference SP0885. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Former Ravenscroft Social Club, Small Heath

'Families welcome', 'disco and live entertainment', 'good food' and 'pub games' say the signs but nobody is going to find these things in the gutted remains of the Ravenscroft Social Club any more. The first major fire here occurred in August 2016 and was followed by another less than two years later in January 2018. In the second incident there was a concern that homeless people were living here although the fire service reported that everybody had been accounted for.

Stephen McKay

Green Lane, Small Heath

The main thoroughfares in the Small Heath and Bordesley areas are lined with innumerable small businesses selling a wide range of goods and services. The big national chains and franchises are, however, pretty much entirely absent.

Stephen McKay

Somerville Road, Small Heath

The Somerville Road sign at the junction with Charles Road is in the traditional style for Birmingham streets. Small Heath was developed as a Victorian working class suburb and for many years had a significant Irish population. That began to change from the 1960s when Moslems, many from Pakistan, settled here. The area now has a strong Islamic community reflected in a number of mosques and, as the sign indicates, on this street an Islamic book shop.

Stephen McKay

Charles Road, Small Heath

These terraced houses, in a style characteristic of the area, line the western side of Charles Road between Kenelm Road and Somerville Road. There seems to be an extraordinary number of black wheely bins in this view.

Stephen McKay

Mosque Noor-Ul-Uloom, Small Heath

This mosque is located at the junction of St Oswald's Road and Somerville Road. It adheres to the Deobandi Islam faith, a Sunni revivalist movement formed in India in the late 19th century. It makes clear, however, that 'other branches of Islam like Sunni Muslims, Brailvi Muslims, and Ahl-e-Hadees Muslims also come to Masjid Noor-ul-Uloom and perform their religious obligations'.

Stephen McKay

Mosque Noor-Ul-Uloom - minaret

Looking up at the minaret that towers over St Oswald's Road and Somerville Road. For a wider view of the mosque see SP1085 : Mosque Noor-Ul-Uloom, Small Heath.

Stephen McKay

Somerville Road, Small Heath

Most of Small Heath consists of tightly-packed terraced houses on a network of streets with Coventry Road forming the spine. Shoaibs Foodstore can be seen ahead in this view, at the junction with Charles Road.

Stephen McKay

Small Heath Park

This view shows the gate out to Coventry Road at the northern corner of the park. Small Heath Park was laid out in 1878 on land belonging to Ryland Farm; it was given to Birmingham town council by Louisa Ann Ryland. After a visit to Small Heath by Queen Victoria it became known as Victoria Park but the name is no longer used. The lodge in this view has evidently seen better days.

Stephen McKay

Palace Road, Small Heath

Off Green Lane.

Richard Vince

Green Lane, Small Heath (2)

At its junction with Charles Road.

Richard Vince

Kenelm Road, Small Heath

At its junction with Charles Road.

Richard Vince

Somerville Road, Small Heath

At its junction with Charles Road.

Richard Vince

Semaphore signals at Tyseley Locomotive Works

Taken from a charter train traversing the tracks around Tyseley railway depot. Alongside the operational depot is the base of Vintage Trains railtours, formerly the Birmingham Railway Museum. It retains the lower-quadrant semaphore signalling of the original Great Western Railway.

Stephen Craven

North end of Tyseley railway depot

Taken from a charter train traversing the tracks around the depot, home of West Midlands Railway. The trains with orange ends are the newly introduced class 730 'Aventras'.

Stephen Craven

Catholic Church, Small Heath

Holy Family Catholic Church, 763 Coventry Road, Small Heath

John Evans

The Old Fire Station, Bordesley Green

The old Fire Station in Bordesley Green has recently been renovated and turned into offices and flats.

David Stowell

Bordesley Green Police Station

Bordesley Green Police and Fire Stations are good examples of civic buildings built on a grand scale in similar styles. The Police Station is still very much in use (and now seems to be discreetly fortified!) whilst the Fire Station has been renovated and converted into offices and flats.

David Stowell