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

Pelham in Ward End joins with Alum Rock in Saltley at the Railway Bridge on Alum Rock Road. Because the transition occurs on the same road, the two areas and their "sub-areas" are closely linked.

The Fox & Goose

The Fox & Goose, a pub and shopping area is situated in the eastern part of Ward End and marks the boundary with Stechford and Hodge Hill.

Ward End Park

The park, opened in 1904, covers a large part of Ward End. A typical English park, it is heavily populated in the summer months. Ward End Park House [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=47055&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=13238] is located within the park and dates back to 1759.

The park also has two large multi-sports practice courts, two professional cricket nets, two large play sections and a car park.

Places of Worship

There are a number of places of worship in Ward End, including Emmanuel Christian Fellowship, led by the Rev. Steve Byrne

In addition there are a couple of mosques, located on Alum Rock Road or nearby.

Unusual events

Several unusual events have occurred in Ward End over the years:

In late 1981 and into 1982 the residents of five houses on Thornton Road informed the police that stones had been thrown against their windows at night. The stones had no fingerprints, so a night-time surveillance using infra-red cameras and image-intensifiers was set up. The stone-throwing continued even though no humans were seen. Eventually the Birmingham CID gave up and left the case open.

In late 2004 - early 2005 there were rumours that a man had bit several people on Glen Park Road; described as being black and in his mid-20's he was dubbed the 'Birmingham Vampire.' However the police had received no reports of any attack, and the hospitals had received no bite-victims. The local press was inundated with calls from worried residents in Ward End and the surrounding area. The case has been dismissed as an urban legend.

In 2006 Tarmac (a heavy building materials company) drew up a list of Britain's 'spookiest roads', with Drews Lane in Ward End coming 10th. Invisible cars are frequently heard on the road.

External links

* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/wardendlibrary Ward End Library]
* [http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/east.htm Photographs of Ward End]
* [http://www.hub-4.com/news/318/tarmac-has-found-britains-spookiest-road Spooky roads article]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1392046,00.html Birmingham Vampire article]