A little about Moseley, Birmingham
Moseley is a suburb of Birmingham, England, two miles south of the city centre. The area also has a generous number of boutiques, craft shops and other independent retailers along with lots of bars and restaurants.
History
In 1086 Moseley was listed in the Domesday Book as Museleie. In February 1405 the Bishop of Worcester licensed St Mary's (Anglican) church and celebrations of the 600th anniversary were held in 2005 with special events held all around the village.
SpringHill College (MoseleySchool), a Gothic revival construction built in 1857, is located in the south of the district. Former pupils include the comedian Jasper Carrott and the musician Bev Bevan.
Moseley was served by Moseley railway station from 1867 to 1941. It was opened by the Midland Railway on the Camp Hill line. A previously named Moseley Station on the same line changed its name to Kings Heath Station upon the opening of the station. There are currently plans being considered on the viability of re-opening a new Moseley station.
In certain respects Moseley and the surrounding area suffered a serious decline in the last part of the 20th century. Many properties became neglected and drugs, prostitution and crime became more prevalent. During this same period, however, with a great deal of cheap accommodation on offer, it is considered that Moseley also enjoyed its most creative and cosmopolitan phase as the focus of artistic and student communities.
Ocean Colour Scene flourished in the mid-1990s Britpop/indie music scene with songs such as The Riverboat Song, inspired by locations within the suburb of Moseley. Their most successful album was Moseley Shoals. Moseley is also the birthplace of Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran and members of UB40 have lived and rehearsed at various places within Moseley in their early days.
The suburb is the former home of the Moseley Rugby Football Club, now based at Billesley.
Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien spent many of his early years in Moseley, living close to Sarehole Mill in Hall Green and Moseley Bog, which many people believe were the inspiration for the Shire in The Lord of the Rings. Planning permission has recently been acquired for the erection on Moseley Green of a 20-foot high statue of Treebeard, an Ent from The Lord of the Rings, made by Tolkien's great-nephew, Tim Tolkien. An annual Middle Earth Weekend is organised every year, around Mid-May. See the Event calendar here for further details.
Present
Today, a monthly farmers' market is organised by the Moseley Neighbourhood Forum. Similarly, Moseley has a well defined and established community spirit and ethos. The Moseley Society exists to protect the heritage of the area; meetings of the Society are held regularly to discuss and debate a wide range of local issues and the interests of its residents.
The annual Moseley Folk Festival, held towards the end of August, attracts prestige acts, (Jethro Tull, Saint Etienne amongst others) is the envy of the rest of Birmingham and is a reflection of Moseleys standing. Moseley is also a thriving wedding destination with Highbury Hall, a magnificent and popular wedding venue. There are various educational establishments around the area serving a plethora of interests and there are a range of bed and breakfast and hotels in the area.
Moseley is also home to many pubs, restaurants and cafés including:
The Fighting Cocks, a public house with a heated (and partially undercover) beer garden.
The Cross, a wine bar and pavement cafe with regular comedy nights.
La Plancha, a tapas bar opened in 2005.
Piquant, a contemporary Indian restaurant with delicious food opened late 2007
The Covered Wagon, a comfortable watering hole. Perfect to take a paper, have a meal and a relaxing drink.
The Junction, the newest bar in Moseley. Recently renovated. Worth popping into.
External search suggestions:
Complete guide to all things Moseley here
