Turves Green shops

Northfield Library

 

Northfield Library was opened in 1906. The land was provided by the Cadbury family and the building constructed with funds of £750 (equivalent to £78,845 in 2025) donated by Andrew Carnegie. The foundation stone was laid by Alderman T. R. Bayliss.

Burnt down on February 12th, 1914. The building was burned to the ground in an arson attack widely attributed to militant suffragettes (WSPU) campaigning for women's voting rights. 

Key Details of the Incident:

• The Attack: The culprits left a copy of The Suffragette newspaper on the site with the words "Give Women the Vote" written on it, alongside a book by Christabel Pankhurst and a note that read, "To start your new library".
• Damage: Around 1,500 books were destroyed, and the damages cost nearly £2,000.
• The Library: Originally built in 1906 with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and land donated by George Cadbury, it was the first open-access lending library in Birmingham.
• Rebuilding: The library committee quickly rebuilt the facility in the same design that very year.

Popes Lane

 

Popes lane, one way now from Bunbury Rd to Wychall lane, under railway line between Kings Norton and Northfield stations, crosses River Rea and once fed a reservoir on right.

Toll House & Foster Brothers

Toll House (c.1910) Site is now Aldi (later Foster Bros)

The Beeches Pub

 

The Beeches

Built in 1930s in Merritts Brook Lane, became a trouble spot for anti social behaver and was set fire many times, demolished by council in 2015. Now replaced with modern housing.

A developer was going to convert into housing, but rising costs from damage put an end to that idea.

Baptist Church

 

Original building set up with help from Cadbury in 1912 on Bunbury Road

Now found at 789 Bristol Road South, Northfield, B31 2NQ. Center of shopping area close the main post office. We are a lively, warm, welcoming fellowship with something for everyone. We have a heart for God and everyone of all ages has a part to play at NBC. Main service Sundays at 10.45am. http://www.northfieldbaptist.org.uk/

Moved to it's modern site in 1937 and was redeveloped in 1972, and further additions were made in 1986 and 2005-6 to create more community spaces and housing. Over its history, the church has hosted various community groups, including the Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade, a luncheon club, and, more recently, the Northfield Arts Forum and Northfield Food Service. 

Football team 1951 (via Valerie Clarkson)

Clock Cafe

 

Clock Cafe, corner of Chatham Road and Bristol Road