Moseley
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2008-07-14T20:24:33Z
StringBeanD
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:''For the British politician and other people with the same surname, see [[Moseley (disambiguation)|Moseley]] or [[Mosley]].''
[[Image:Moseley.jpg|thumb|250px|Moseley village green]]
'''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 [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7577570&queryType=1&resultcount=2 Museleie]. [http://www.btinternet.com/~stmarys.moseley/ 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 era|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.<ref>[http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/moseley.php Rail Around Birmingham and the West Midlands: Moseley Station]</ref>
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 rock|indie]] scene with songs such as [[The Riverboat Song]], inspired by locations within the suburb of Moseley. Their most successful{{Fact|date=June 2007}} album was [[Moseley Shoals]]. Moseley is also the birthplace of [[Nick Rhodes]] of [[Duran Duran]].
The suburb is the former home of the [[Moseley Rugby Football Club]], now based at [[Billesley, West Midlands|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 (Middle-earth)|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. [http://www.moseley-society.org.uk 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 [http://www.moseleycdt.com/default.php Moseley Community Development Trust] (CDT) is looking to invest in the social and physical capital of the area. Established with funding from [[charitable organisation|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.
Also, a group of volunteers have formed known as [http://www.moseleyinbloom.or.uk Moseley in Bloom] (MiB). Much like the [http://www.moseleycdt.com/default.php Moseley Community Development Trust], the group undertake many projects which look at the greener issues around moseley. Many projects take place throughout the year to enhance the landscape of Moseley as well as renovate dilapidated areas.
Moseley is also home to many [[pub]]s, [[restaurant]]s and [[café]]s. Examples include:
*''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==
<references />
==External links==
*[http://www.moseleyinbloom.org.uk Moseley in Bloom - Moseley volunteers growing a cleaner, greener community]
*[http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/tolkien.htm Tolkien Trail]
*[http://www.b13.net Moseley Directory]
*[http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tornado Tornado July 2005]
*[http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk Moseley Rugby Football Club]
*http://www.moseleyashfieldcc.co.uk Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.asp?sheetid=10106&ox=2604&oy=1448&zm=4&czm=4&x=335&y=356 1890 Ordnance Survey map of Moseley and Moseley Park]
*{{oscoor gbx|SP077832}}
{{coord|52.44671|N|1.88814|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SP077832)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->
[[Category:Areas of Birmingham, England]]
[[es:Moseley]]