Sparkbrook

Infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Sparkbrook
latitude= 52.4620
longitude= -1.8712
map_type= West Midlands
population = 31,485 (2001 Population Census)
population_density = 64.2 per ha
metropolitan_borough= Birmingham
metropolitan_county= West Midlands
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Birmingham Hall Green
post_town= BIRMINGHAM
postcode_district= B11
postcode_area= B
dial_code= 0121
os_grid_reference= SP087849
Ambulance= West Midlands Ambulance Service

Sparkbrook is an area in south-east Birmingham, England. It is one of the four wards forming the Hall Green formal district within Birmingham City Council.

Etymology

The area receives its name from Spark Brook, a small stream which flowed south of the city centre. It was later channelled and partially used for a canal.

Demographics

The 2001 Population Census recorded that 31,485 people were living in the ward. Sparkbrook has the second highest non white population in Birmingham, with a total of 79.3% [ [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media?MEDIA_ID=33355#page=7 2001 Population Census] ] minority ethnic residents living in the mainly terraced area. Sparkbrook is home to Birmingham's "Balti Triangle", and many of the residents have their own balti businesses.

Politics

Sparkbrook ward is presently represented by one Independent and two Respect councillors on Birmingham City Council. Its Independent councillor, Talib Hussain, was elected as a Liberal Democrat but resigned from the party after being sacked from the council's cabinet. [cite web |url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_method=full%26objectid=16179830%26siteid=50002-name_page.html |title=Cabinet 'racism' claim |publisher=Birmingham Mail |date=2005-09-27 |accessdate=2008-05-30] The other councillors in the ward are Mohammad Ishtiaq (Junibaadi) and Salma Yaqoob. [ [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=6123&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=1270&EXPAND=579 Councillors' Advice Bureaux - Sparkbrook Ward] ]

Sparkbrook Ward has adopted a Ward Support Officer with the current holder of the title being Becky Jones.

Places of interest

Many of the churches within Sparkbrook were constructed in the late 19th century and early 20th century. One of the most prominent churches in the area is St Agatha's Church on the Stratford Road, consecrated in 1901. It is a Grade I listed building. [ [http://www.saintagathas.org.uk/ Saint Agatha's Church website] ] [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22976&strquery=Sparkbrook#p31 British History Online: St Agatha Church entry] ]

Christ Church, on the corner of Grantham Road and Dolobran Road, was one of the oldest churches in the area, being consecrated in 1867. The spire belonging to the tower was removed in 1918, and following a bomb blast in World War II, the entire tower was demolished. In 1927, The Diocesan Home for Girls received a license permitting public worship within the building. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22976&strquery=Sparkbrook#p19 British History Online: Christ Church entry] ] Following damage caused by the Birmingham Tornado 28 July 2005 the whole church was demolished. [ [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/325323.html Indymedia UK - After the tornado: "market forces" force demolition of Sparkbrook Church] ] [ [http://www.ecclawsoc.org.uk/documents/recent_judgments_2005.pdf Ecclesiastical Law Society] ]

Consecrated in the same year as St Agatha's Church, Emmanuel, was a chapel of ease to Christ Church until it received its own parish in 1928. Located within the church is an ancient blank bell from Ullenhall. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22976&strquery=Sparkbrook#p23 British History Online: Emmanuel entry] ]

Ladypool Road mission hall was opened in 1894 by the Sparkbrook Gospel Mission (founded 1886). [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22981&strquery=Sparkbrook%20Gospel%20Mission#p206 British History Online: A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 7: The City of Birmingham] - Religious History]

In 1849, a group called the Methodist New Connexion, opened a chapel in the area, their first for 11 years along with a similar chapel on Bridge Street in the city centre. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22980&strquery=Sparkbrook#p33 British History Online: Protestant Nonconformity] ]

Lloyd House is a Georgian building situated on Sampson Road. It was built between 1742 and 1752 by Sampson Lloyd, the founder of Lloyds Bank. The building is currently used as offices by the [http://www.bromford.co.uk/ Bromford Corinthia Housing Association] .

In 1780, Sparkbrook was the home of Joseph Priestley, one of the founding fathers of modern chemistry. In 1791, his mansion was partially destroyed in what became known as the Priestley Riots. It stood on what is now Priestly Road.

ee also

*Roy Hattersley, Baron Hattersley of Sparkbrook in the County of West Midlands.
*UB40
*Moazzam Begg, a former detainee in Guantanamo Bay who came from the area.
*Ladypool Junior & Infant School

References

External links

* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/sparkbrook Birmingham City Council: Sparkbrook Ward]
* [http://www.bcen.net/sparkbrook Sparkbrook Community Network]
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tornado Sparkbrook Tornado July 2005]
* [http://www.sparkbrook.org.uk/ Sparkbrook Online: Sparkbrook's Councillors]