Extensive Definition
Moseley
is a suburb of Birmingham,
England,
two miles south of the city centre. In recent years it has seen the
creation of a number of new bars and restaurants. The area also has
a number of boutiques and other independent retailers.
It is located within the
Moseley and Kings Heath Ward of the city which is in the
constituency of Hall Green and
serves as one of the main areas of the ward, along with Kings
Heath.
History
Moseley was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Museleie. St Mary's (Anglican) church was licensed by the Bishop of Worcester (authorised by Pope Innocent VII) in February 1405, and the 600th anniversary was celebrated in 2005 with a series of special events. Moseley itself developed around a Victorian shopping area known as Moseley Village.Spring Hill College (Moseley
School), 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.
In certain respects Moseley and the surrounding
area suffered a serious decline in the last part of the 20th
century. Much property fell into neglect, and problems with crime,
drugs and prostitution became commonplace. During this same period,
however, with a great deal of cheap accommodation on offer, it is
arguable that Moseley also enjoyed its most creative and
cosmopolitan phase as the focus of artistic and student
communities.
Local band Ocean
Colour Scene flourished in the mid-1990s British Britpop/indie 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. Also, the Indie band
Editors
originated from Moseley.
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.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 discuss and debate a wide range of local issues and the interests of its residents.The Moseley Community
Development Trust (CDT) is looking to invest in the social and
physical capital of the area. Established with funding from
charitable trust funds and with the support of the
Moseley and Kings Heath Ward Committee, the CDT is now managing
a series of initiatives to improve the environment of
Moseley.
- The Fighting Cocks public house with a partially heated (and partially undercover) beer garden.
- The Cross wine bar and pavement cafe.
- La Plancha, a tapas bar opened in 2005.
References
External links
moseley in Spanish: Moseley