On This Day, 29 January 1917

Evening Dispatch

Monday 29 January 1917

BIRMINGHAM POOLS FROZEN.

In Splendid Condition for Skating

 WHERE TO GO.

 Proceeds at Edgbaston Hall to Charity

There is at last skating as some compensation for the vicious bile of the cold north-east wind, which during the last few days has had terrors for the most hardened individual. For long time the wind and frost waged a severe struggle for the pools in the various parts of Birmingham, and it was only later the wind subsided little on Saturday night that frost was able to obtain anything like a firm grip on any stretch of water which is at all exposed to the drive of the wind.

Though there was skating on most of the ponds and streams in the Birmingham parks yesterday, the ice in some places was only of an indifferent nature. After a night’s severe frost, however, the ice everywhere is said to splendid condition, and for those who have the opportunity good day’s sport is assured.

Skating is progress: Cannon Hill Park. Ward End Park. Heath Park. Victoria Park, Handsworth. Sutton Park. Edgbaston Hall.

SKATING FOR CHARITY.

At the last-named place, which is open for public skating from 9am until dusk, a charge of 6d. each is made for admission. The proceeds of this admission Sir James Smith is giving to the Lady Mayoress’s War Fund. It is just six years ago since the pool at Edgbaston Hall was such a condition to be considered safe for public skating. Up to the present the wind has had the better of the fight with King Frost at the Reservoir, for though the stretch of water is covered with ice it not yet thick enough bear the weight of an unlimited number of skaters. Given another 12 hours’ keen frost it is hoped that the ice will safely bear all who desire to test it.

For the vast army of workers who cannot enjoy the rare and exhilarating joys of ice skating during the hours of daylight, it is hoped that arrangements may be made so that the various parks may kept open until a later time than one hour after sunset. If this is possible, though there will be no semblance of those happy ice carnivals of occasional frost-gripped pre-war days, there should be some enjoyable sport under conditions of perfect safety, for none of the park pools is at all deep. Yesterday a crowd of 8,000 people, grown-ups of all ages and boys, disported themselves on the ice at Small Heath, whilst there were many hundreds skating and sliding at Cannon Hill Park. At the latter place the ice did not cover the whole the pool and one or two boys got a soaking for venturing too near the ice holes.