The
first historical reference to Kings Heath was in 1541, when
the district was a waste ground known as KYNGISHEITHE. In
1754, however, it achieved some significance by the erection
of a tollgate house, and as late as 1858 tolls were extracted.
Some years later Kings Heath obtained notoriety when prisoners
were tried at the "Cross Guns" and at the "Kings
Arms" (now known as "The Nob", where they were
sometimes seen chained to the fire grates. Other wrongdoers
were incarcerated in the "Stocks" opposite the present
Court House.
Several
years passed before Kings Heath acquired prestige by the formation
of a Cricket Club. Some claim that the original club was formed
in 1860, although the earliest reference is found in a note
in the Kings heath Parish Magazine of 1868, in which it is
stated that on June 15th of that year a meeting was held at
which it was unanimously decided to found a Cricket Club among
the young men living in or near the village. The record continues
by saying that "the rules forbid all improper language
as well as irregular conduct, and are framed with the intention
of keeping the club orderly and as far as possible self-supporting".
Twenty-six members were enrolled on the spot, and the pious
hope was expressed that "it is likely to prove successful,
and will afford amusement to the youth of the village, pleasant
occupation for their leisure hours and healthy recreation".
In
History of the County of Warwick, by William Page, it is mentioned
that the Kings Heath Cricket Club was founded about 1870,
by Messrs. Ford, Whitehouse and Green, the ground being situated
at Alcester Lanes End on a field which afterwards became the
Horse Showground.
Aerial
Picture - Alcester Rd South Ground |
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