Retiring Gardener sets up Friends of the Park organisation in Erdington

Feb 3 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

MUCH-loved Birmingham parkie Peter Hulse has hung up is hoe and wheelbarrow for the last time after an incredible 49 years keeping one city park clean and green.

It was the end of an era for Rookery Park in Erdington when the 65-year-old, who has tended the flower beds and playing fields for almost half a century, retired.

But his association with the park will not end there as he plans to set up a Friends of the Park organisation to ensure it remains a focal point for the people of Erdington.

His pride and joy has been the Victorian Sunken Garden, which although not as spectacular during its heyday 100 years ago, he has kept alive with flowers and plants.

“I worry that it will be turfed over. They used to grow exotic plants there. It should be preserved for future generations.”

One of his proudest achievements came about 20 years ago when, with the help of a charity fund raising campaign, he oversaw the installation of one of the city’s first disabled playgrounds.

But rather than go quietly Peter, who has been married to Anne for 33 years, is calling on the council and local communities to invest in their parks. He said: “We need to look after our parks. I believe they need full-time attendants to watch over them.”

The most upsetting aspect for Peter is the vandalism, such as the uprooting of flowers, graffiti, damaging play equipment and even dog fouling in the playground which he believes could be prevented with full time staff.

“It all happens after the staff go home. They get away with it once and then come back for more. If there was someone there to stop them first time it would nip the problem in the bud.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, joined the park staff at a fresh faced 16-year-old shortly after leaving Erdington’s Wilson Stuart School.

When he first entered the park gates in 1959 there were about 20 full time staff, it boasted its own nursery which supplied plants and flowers for the city centre as well as local roadsides. It also had a thriving range of sports facilities including putting green, football pitches, bowling green and tennis courts. “We even had a park policeman seven days a week,” he added.

Although retiring his green fingers will be put to go use working part-time on the gardens for the John Taylor Hospice in Grange Road and enjoying regular visits to the Isle of Wight.