It is with regret that the Harborne Society announces that it has been dissolved.
At the Annual General Meeting held on the 16 May 2018 an interim committee was elected to wind up the affairs of the Society and this has now been completed.
The funds of the Society have been distributed to a number of local organisations. (See DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.)
The Society’s archives have been donated to the City of Birmingham Archives held in the Library of Birmingham for the benefit of future generations. The archives are available for inspection at Harborne Library and Birmingham Archives & Collections at the Library of Birmingham.
The City Archives references are:
Accession Number 2019/082
Collection Reference MS 4979.
The History and Aims of the Society
The Harborne Society was founded on the 4th May 1960 by a group of local residents and "Everyone concerned with the traditions and the future developments of Harborne" was invited to the inaugural meeting. It continues to be supported by residents, some who were born here, some who have lived here for a number of years and those who have newly arrived because they have chosen to live in Harborne. We all believe that Harborne is a good place in which to live, for young and old alike. Long may it remain so.
From time to time the Constitution has been modified to reflect changing circumstances and practical experience. However, the fundamental aims and objectives of the Society have remained steadfast and they are:
- to encourage the spirit of community
- to promote interest in the character and history of Harborne
- to represent the interests of Harborne and its immediate neighbourhood to civic and other authorities
- to put forward proposals for the future of Harborne’s environment
- to encourage suitable conservation
- to oppose unsuitable development
Over the years there have been successful campaigns in support of the Society's aims. These include:
- Preservation of Harborne Municipal Golf Course (twice!);
- Conservation of The Field House in Harborne Park Road, now a residential home for the elderly;
- Conservation of Greenfield House, the residence of David Cox the nineteenth century water colour artist;
- Opposing the demolition of The Clock Tower in High Street;
- Preservation of the railway bridge in Park Hill Road as Harborne's last surviving link with the former branch railway which finally closed in 1963;
- Opposing proposals for a dual three-lane highway through the centre of Harborne;
- Securing the Local and National Listing of buildings and the sympathetic re-use of Listed buildings e.g. former Fire Station in Rose Road and the Harborne Institute in Station Road;
- Establishment of a monthly Farmers' Market;
- Harborne Christmas Lights;
- Modernisation of Harborne Library;
- Greenfield Road Conservation Area;
- Adoption of Supplementary Planning Guidance by the City Council to prevent shops being lost from High Street;
- Major improvements in both Queen's and Grove parks;
- Traffic management and parking schemes;
- The opening of the Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre in January 2012 represented an immensely successful outcome for the Harborne Society's long and sustained campaign to retain a swimming pool in Harborne.
- After 80 years as a school, and then an Adult Education Centre from the mid 1970s, the "Clock Tower" is now transformed into "The School Yard", and achieves all of the Society's fundamental priorities, namely the retention of the "Clock Tower" building as Harborne's iconic landmark; bringing the Grade II Listed Building back up to standard; and obtaining a use for the building which will secure its long term future and be of benefit to Harborne and the wider community.
In the last few years planning issues have become of increasing concern to local residents and this has been reflected in the Society's work. The Technical Sub-Committee considers every Planning Application for Harborne and, where appropriate, objections, comments or expressions of support are made. The Society is seen by the City Council as an effective voice for Harborne and developers are often recommended to consult with the Society on significant proposals before a Planning Application is formally submitted. The Society participates in the reviews of the Unitary Development Plan, particularly emphasising the need to support the maintenance of Harborne as a principal district shopping centre.
The health and viability of the High Street has been an absolute priority for the Society for over fifty years. Change is inevitable - the continuing challenge is to ensure that changes are for the better, relevant to customers' and residents' needs and connect with the community to create a strong. vibrant High street that people want to visit.
The health and viability of the High Street has been an absolute priority for the Society for over fifty years. Change is inevitable - the continuing challenge is to ensure that changes are for the better, relevant to customers' and residents' needs and connect with the community to create a strong. vibrant High street that people want to visit.
The Society published a Newsletter for its members, three times a year. As a service to the local community over 8,000 copies of the summer edition were distributed by members throughout the whole of Harborne.