Boldmere
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Boldmere (grid reference SP109940) is a residential area of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England, bordered by New Oscott, Sutton Park, Wylde Green and Erdington.
Boldmere is triangular in shape and roughly bounded on the north by Monmouth Drive, on the east by the Cross-City railway line and on the south-west by Chester Road. The main shopping centre of Boldmere is at the northern end of Boldmere Road, which runs North-South through the centre of Boldmere. The collection of shops at the southern end of Boldmere Road is known locally as Little Boldmere.
The name Boldmere comes from the nearby Baldmoor Lake, no longer in existence. Although the area was inhabited before then, it was the opening of the Birmingham to Sutton Railway line in 1862 that gave impetus to the growth of Boldmere. A second housing boom occurred in the 1930s, with both private and council housing being built.
Boldmere's main roads are Jockey Road (A453), Chester Road (A452) and Boldmere Road (B4142). Boldmere is served by Wylde Green and Chester Road railway stations, both on the Cross-City railway line, which runs between Lichfield and Redditch via Birmingham.
Boldmere is well-served with shops, banks,hair dressers, pubs and restaurants. There is also a Post Office and a public library at Boldmere.
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[edit] Places of worship
The churches in the area are:
- St Michael's Church, Church Road (Church of England)
- St Nicholas' Church, Jockey Road (Roman Catholic)
- Chester Road Baptist Church, Chester Road
- Boldmere Methodist Church, Boldmere Road
- Wylde Green United Reformed Church, Britwell Road
[edit] Education
Educational facilities in the area include:
- Boldmere Infant & Nursery School, Cofield Road
- Boldmere Junior School, Cofield Road
- St Nicholas Catholic Primary School, Jockey Road
- Boldmere Adult Education Centre, St Michael's Road.
[edit] Entertainment
Boldmere is also home to:
- Highbury Little Theatre, a Community Theatre Arts Centre, on Sheffield Road
- Boldmere St Michaels Football Club, a member of the Midland Football Alliance, on Church Road
- Boldmere Golf Course on Monmouth Drive
Boldmere Swimming Club was formerly based at Powell's Pool in Sutton Park near Boldmere Gate, but moved to Wyndley Swimming Baths in 1971. A memorial by Benjamin Creswick to members of the club who lost their lives in World War I now stands inside Wyndley Leisure Centre.
Hazel Court, a film actress of the 1950s and 60s, lived in Boldmere, and attended Boldmere School.
Boldmere has its own gate into Sutton Park. Boldmere Gate is used as the entrance to Sutton Park during the Great Midlands Fun Run.
[edit] Further reading
K.J. Williams, A History of Boldmere, 1994. ISBN 0-948025-13-1
