C O N T E X T 1 2 5 : J U LY 2 0 1 2 23 Rob Sutton is chair of the Moor Pool Heritage Trust, set up by local residents to preserve the community facilities and heritage of the Moor Pool Conservation Area. programme of junior coaching. Records of the early days show there was a cycling club (one shilling subscription for gents and sixpence for ladies). The picturesque Moor Pool still hosts a fishing club, which battles against water supply problems resulting from our unpredictable weather conditions. The bowling club also moved at some point and now sits in an impressive valley setting, nestling between the Circle and the pool. These clubs all remain active, providing a variety of sporting opportunities for a wide range of ages. Indeed, new clubs are still being formed. Members were originally drawn from the estate but now many members come from outside, glad to use and support facilities set in such a pleasant environment. The newly formed trust does not intend Moor Pool to stand still, and it is in the process of acquiring and restoring the building used by Harborne Tenants for estate maintenance.This will provide a learning centre and will support Forest School activities on the site of the old orchard. Plans have been drawn up to lay out the derelict area of the original bowling green area as a pocket park, in line with Nettlefold’s original designs. All this is in an urban environment less than two miles from Birmingham city centre. If we were to buildMoor Pool today with its 500 houses, there is little chance similar provision for sports would be made, although our often sedentary lifestyle makes the need even greater.The garden suburbs and cities were the result of the vision of individuals, not planning laws. If we want to learn from themwe can not rely on such vision in today’s demanding commercial environment but require imaginative planning that will not only create healthier places to live but stronger communities.The benefits are the opportunities for both sport, and meeting neighbours and friends.That is why Moor Pool has retained such a strong community atmosphere. May Day festivities at Moor Pool in 1910
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