Bold,bald and a little barmy: Blog

The Quitter by Robert W Service

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:31:19 -0500

The Quitter --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child, And Death looks you bang in the eye, And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle To cock your revolver and . . . die. But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can," And self-dissolution is barred. In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . . It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard. "You're sick of the game!" Well, now that's a shame. You're young and you're brave and you're bright. "You've had a raw deal!" I know - but don't squeal, Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight. It's the plugging away that will win you the day, So don't be a piker, old pard! Just draw on your grit, it's so easy to quit. It's the keeping-your chin-up that's hard. It's easy to cry that you're beaten - and die; It's easy to crawfish and crawl; But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight - Why that's the best game of them all! And though you come out of each gruelling bout, All broken and battered and scarred, Just have one more try - it's dead easy to die, It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.

Sad Dog Poem

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:38:57 -0600

One by One One by one, they pass by my cage Too old, too worn, too broken, they say Way past his time, he can't run and play They shake their heads and go on their way A little old man, arthritic and sore It seems that I am wanted no more I once had a home, I once had a bed A place that was warm, and where I was fed Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail Who wants a dog so old and so frail? My family decided I didn't belong I got in their way, my attitude wrong Now I sit in this kennel, where day after day The younger ones are chosen and taken away When I had come to the end of my rope You saw my face and again I knew hope You saw past the grey, the legs wobbly with age And felt I deserved life beyond this cage You took me home, gave me food and a bed You gently stroked my poor tired head We snuggle and play, you talk to me low You love me so dearly, and make sure I know Although I have lived most of my life with another You outshine them with a love so much stronger I promise to return all the love I can give To you my dear friend, as long as I live I may be with you for a week, or for years We will share many smiles, and a few tears When the time comes, that God deems I must leave I know you will cry and your heart it will grieve When I arrive at the Bridge all brand new My thoughts and my heart will still be with you And I will brag to all who will hear Of the person who made my last days so dear

Mensa

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:31:51 -0600

Roland Berrill and Dr. Lance Ware founded Mensa in 1946 in England. According to American Mensa, Ltd., the Latin word mensa has several meanings: "mind," "table" and "month." Mensa was created to serve as a round-table society for highly intelligent people to meet on a monthly basis. Now an international organization, there are about 100,000 members in 100 countries throughout the world. The population of Mensans (as members are called) is extremely diverse. Men, women and children of various national, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds belong to Mensa. Occupational and professional backgrounds are equally varied. Police officers, homemakers, scientists, truck drivers, physicians, farmers, artists and many others hold membership in the organization. Although members' ages range from around four years to 90+ years, the two largest age groups are 14 to 33 and 34 to 53. There is only one criterion for membership in Mensa: Each member must possess a high IQ. If you've read our answer to this question, then you know that IQ stands for intelligence quotient. Today's IQ tests are designed to measure your general ability to solve problems and understand concepts. This includes reasoning, problem solving, the ability to perceive relationships between things and the ability to store and retrieve information. Mensa sets the high IQ bar at or above the 98th percentile on an approved standardized test of intelligence. This means that your score must be equal to or greater than the scores of 98 percent of the other people who take the test. Some Famous Mensans Carol Vorderman Jimmy Saville Steven Hawkins Former chairman of Ford Motor Company, Donald Petersen Actor, Alan Rachins Actress, Geena Davis Lawyer and radio personality, Adrian Cronauer Author, Jean Auel CEO of Compuware, Pete Karmanos Former two-time WBA Cruiserweight Champion, Bobby Czyz To apply for membership, you can either take The Mensa Admissions Test or you can submit test scores from a supervised, standardized intelligence test that place you in the top 2 percent. Some of the tests that have been used for qualification are: the California Test of Mental Maturity, the Wechsler Adult and Children Scales, the SAT, LSAT and GRE. If you are wondering what the admissions test is like, you can order the Mensa Home Test from American Mensa Ltd. to get an idea of what types of questions they ask. Or, if you are looking for a fun mental drill, try the Mensa Workout. Although this mini-test will not qualify you for membership, it will provide you with about a half- hour of cerebral calisthenics. Thirty questions test your spatial, mathematical and language abilities. And if this isn't enough to sate your appetite, there are dozens of mensa-esque quiz and puzzle books available, some of which were written by Mensa members.

Release me

Sat, 05 May 2007 18:20:47 -0500

SAAB Advert: Release Me April 21st, 2007 The recent SAAB advert featuring the song 'Release Me' by Laura Sweden is awesome. The adverts begins with flowers between a motorway flyover, receiving little light are struggling to break out, the whale in the sea quarium, lonely, a huge mammal, "a glass of water longing for the ocean", a dog tied up outside at night "I am the fire burning desperately but you're controlling me", the water bursting from the dam as the song screams "release me". The personification of all the examples in the song coupled with the strong and often upsetting images are amazingly powerful. For me, the most powerful and upsetting part of the advert is the whale in the sea aquarium. Everyone has gone home, she is still there. Alone and lonely, longing to stretch out and escape, to again be with her own kind: "I am the fire burning desperately but you're controlling me -- release me". It is as if she is almost calling, pleading for release from the situation that has been forced on her. The roar of the car leaving the tunnel in time with the words of the song just adds to the feeling of desperation. SAAB's message at the end of the advert reads "Move Your Mind". I hope they are taking action on their own message. The Whale in the advert is called Lolita. She has been in captivity in the smallest killer whale tank in the world, a place which has been her home for over 40 years. She performs twice daily at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida in a show that serves no educational value, and even if it did, what could her misery possibly teach us? That humankind can be cruel beyond belief? The tricks she is made to perform are almost mocking her, belittling her, unnatural, performed in an environment with no shade from the intense Miami sun, with nowhere to escape the attention should she want to or need to. The tank she is kept in is 18 feet deep -- Lolita is 22 feet long. Because of this, her tail is usually touching the bottom. Lolita was 6 years old when she was captured from Washington State in 1970, where she and her family were rounded up and separated. Five whales, including 4 baby whales, died during the capture trying to help one another. Lolita is the last surviving whale of that capture. Lolita lives alone aside from a few dolphins. Lolita had a mate at the Miami Seaquarium - a fellow Orca named Hugo. Hugo was at the Miami Seaquarium two years before Lolita arrived. They were kept separately at first for fears they might fight. They called constantly to each other across the park grounds. They were together until Hugo killed himself by repeatedly ramming his head against the walls. He died of a brain aneurism nearly 25 years ago. Lolita hasn't seen another whale since then. Her owner refuses to make her a larger tank, refuses to free her back to her remaining family. To him she is a way to make money. How can this be acceptable, be okay by people? What do you think of the advert? What do you think of Lolita being kept like this? Please post your views and find it in your hearts to sign the petition to FREE LOLITA. http://www.petitiononline.com/25021 987/petition.htm l See also: [ www.laurasweden.com ] [ Wiki : Lolita ] [ Miami Sea Prison ]

Quotes from Billy Connolly

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 04:42:05 -0500

Billy Connolly's 14 things I hate about people: 1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time....I know where my watch is pal, where the f**k is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?.................. 2. People who are willing to get off their arse to search the entire room for the TV remote because they refuse to walk to the TV and change the channel manually........................ 3. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". F***ing right! What good is a cake if you can't eat it?............................... 4. When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why the f**k would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they?................ 5. When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No tosser, I paid 10 quid to come to the cinema and stare at the f***ing floor.............................. 6. People who ask "Can I ask you a question?. Didn't really give me a choice there, did you sunshine?...................... 7. When something is 'new and improved!'. Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it.................... 8. When people say "life is short". What the f**k?? Life is the longest damn thing anyone ever f***ing does!! What can you do that's longer?........................... 9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks, "Has the bus come yet?. If the bus came would I be standing here, Kn*b head?............................. 10. People who say things like 'My eyes aren't what they used to be'. So what did they used to be? ears, Wellington boots?.............................. 11. When you're eating something and someone asks 'Is that nice?' No it's really revolting - I always eat stuff I hate........................ 12. People who announce they are going to the toilet. Thanks that's an image I really didn't need........................... 13. McDonalds staff who pretend they don't understand you if you don't insert the 'Mc' before the item you are ordering..... It has to be a McChicken Burger, just a Chicken Burger gets blank looks. Well I'll have a McStraw and jam it in your McEyes you f***ing McTosser..........................

Life's little instruction book

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:57:59 -0500

Life's Little Instruction Book......................../ Have a firm handshake./ Look people in the eye./ Sing in the shower./ Own a great stereo system./ If in a fight, hit first and hit hard./ Keep secrets./ Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday./ Always accept an outstretched hand./ Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference./ Whistle./ Avoid sarcastic remarks./ Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery./ Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out./ Lend only those books you never care to see again./ Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have./ When playing games with children, let them win./ Give people a second chance, but not a third./ Be romantic./ Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know./ Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems./ Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's./ Be a good loser./ Be a good winner./ Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret./ When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go./ Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born./ Keep it simple./ Beware of the person who has nothing to lose./ Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river./ Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets./ Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the one's you did./ Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them./ Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you./ Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you./ Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes./ Begin each day with some of your favorite music./ Once in a while, take the scenic route./ Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'/ Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice./ Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m./ Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job./ Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later./ Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you./ Become someone's hero./ Marry only for love./ Count your blessings./ Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home./ Wave at the children on a school bus./ Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people./ Don't expect life to be fair.......

Another sad, dog poem

Sun, 28 May 2006 14:27:02 -0500

Project Kingfisher. Shard End's local nature reserve

Sun, 28 May 2006 04:37:31 -0500

Project Kingfisher is associated with an 11km stretch of the River Cole running from the Coventry Road (A45) at Small Heath as far as the M6 at Chelmsley Wood. Inaugurated in 1985, it is a joint project sponsored by both Birmingham City Council and Solihull MBC together with English Nature, The Environment Agency, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. Its overall aim is to care for the valley of the River Cole, improving it both for people and wildlife. Project Kingfisher has been designated under the 'Man and the Biosphere' programme. The valley contains many different types of landscape and wildlife habitats. Alongside the river there are areas of formal public open space, tall herbs and scrub, course grassland, wetland with several small ponds and ancient woodland. There are also a number of man-made lakes. The lake at Shard End has been created in the remains of an old gravel quarry, whilst Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst was formed as a balancing feature in times of flood. Along the river, Kingfishers and Herons are a common sight, feeding on fish in the river. Water Voles and Mink are both associated with the river and, more recently, otters have been recorded at the lower reaches of the Cole. Over the years several ponds have been dug at Shard End to make the most of the natural wetland within the valley. These have now developed to become wonderful havens for pond invertebrates and amphibians. Common toads, frogs and smooth newts are to be found alongside dragon and damselflies, beetles, water boatmen and water scorpions, all of which live in and around the ponds. In winter, Teals have become regular visitors to the ponds, and Widgeons have also been recorded. Next to the pond is an area of course grassland where Skylarks have bred successfully for a number of years. Yorks Wood at Kingshurst is an eleven-hectare ancient woodland. Predominantly Oak, there are records of a woodland on this site that go back over hundreds of years. Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council purchased the wood from the scout movement in the 1980s and approximately ten years later it was declared a Local Nature Reserve. The wood is home to a wide variety of birds, with Sparrow Hawks and greater spotted Woodpeckers breeding every year. In May the woodland floor is a carpet of Bluebells. Wood Anemone and Celadine are also to be found in other areas of the wood throughout spring. Towards the end of the year many species of fungi can be found, which helps to make the wood an all year round attraction. All along the river there is access for the keen walker or cyclist. By following the river upstream you can reach the Ackers, and further on to the Shire Country Park, formerly known as Millstream, alternatively you can join up with the Grand Union Canal. At the lower end of the river in Chelmsley Wood you can continue into Coleshill and beyond. You can also join Kingshurst Brook in Chelmsley Wood, which takes you through Meriden Park and on into Sheldon Country Park. There are a number of smaller circular walks within the valley and these are contained in a booklet, which is available from the Rangers.

Famous Shard Enders...........Jeff Lynn

Thu, 18 May 2006 15:51:23 -0500

SHARD END ................................................... Lyrics from "ALL over the world" By E.L.O Note the verse after the instrumental break mentions Shard End, where Jeff Lynn grew up ................................................... Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard There's gonna be a party all over the world I got a message on the radio, but where it came from I don't really know And I heard these voices calling all over the world Chorus: All over the world, everybody got the word Everybody everywhere is gonna feel tonight Everybody walkin' down the street, everybody movin' to the beat They're gonna get hot down in the U.S.A. (New York, Detroit, L.A.) We're gonna take a trip across the sea, everybody come along with me We're gonna hit the night down in gay Pareee chorus (Instrumental break) London, Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Rio, Hong Kong, Tokyo L.A., New York, Amsterdam, Monte Carlo, Shard End and chorus Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard Everybody walkin' down the street, I know a place where we all can meet Everybody gonna have a good time, everybody will shine till the daylight chorus All over the world, everybody got the word (repeats 3x) ................................................... The Andicaps Jeff Lynne guitar (left in 1965) Rob Reader bass guitar (left in 1964) Dave Walsh drums (left in 1964) Dave Watson guitar John Kerton lead vocal (joined in 1964) Kevin "Kex" Gorin drums (joined in 1964) Dave Merrick bass guitar (joined 1964 - left 1966) William Watson harmonica (joined 1964 - left 1965) Jake Commander guitar (joined in 1965) Malcolm Garner bass guitar (joined in 1966) Mike Heard lead guitar (joined in 1966) The Andicaps were formed in early 1963 by four teenagers who lived in the Shard End area of Birmingham. Bass guitarist Robert Reader and drummer David Walsh were both pupils at Alderlea Boys Secondary School. The guitarists David Watson and Jeffrey Lynne both lived on Shard End Crescent. Jeff Lynne was born in Birmingham on December 30, 1947 and lived with his parents in a council house at 368 Shard End Crescent. While a schoolboy, Jeff went to a Del Shannon concert at Birmingham Town Hall and was so impressed, that joining a band became his main ambition. Roy Orbison was another early influence on the young Jeff Lynne as well as Chuck Berry, The Shadows and later of course, The Beatles. Jeff's natural talent as a musician enabled him to master the piano and guitar and he spent many hours practicing in the front room of his parents house as well as making recordings and experimenting using an old tape recorder. This early experience in home recording would prove valuable later in his career. Jeff, Rob and Dave first got together playing Spanish guitars before purchasing cheap electric instruments. What the line-up lacked in financial resources, they certainly made up for in enthusiasm. The band was originally called "The Rockin' Hellcats" but Dave Walsh (who had only a drummer's practice pad) had to save up for a set of drums which resulted in his idea to re-name the group "The Handicaps". This was wisely amended to "The Andicaps" and so avoid offending those with a physical disability. The Andicaps rehearsed regularly at the Shard End Community Centre and it was there where Dave Walsh's dad got them their first gig to play at a dance for which the band was paid the sum of five pounds. The Andicaps were well received so ended up playing there every Friday. At this time, the band performed only instrumental numbers by groups such as The Shadows. Jeff Lynne at that time did not have the confidence to sing in front of an audience and in any case, the band could not afford their own PA system. Dave Walsh remembers; "The Harlequin Pub was roughly halfway between my house and Jeff's. The Modernaires were the resident band and many other groups also played there on Tuesday nights. All the Andicaps were too young to get in so me and Jeff would hang around the doors outside immediately adjacent to the bandstand and were able to get a good listen. It also afforded the opportunity to talk to the bands when they loaded and unloaded their gear into the pub. We were soon able to blag our way in and always stood 'nerdlike' right in front of the band so Jeff could see what "Mo" (Maurice Jones) was playing on lead and I could drool over the subtleties and completely effortless relaxed style of Tony Finnister's playing". It was during his time with the Andicaps that Jeff Lynne first started to write songs. One of his early efforts was an instrumental number written for the band entitled Andicapped but even at this early stage, Jeff showed an interest in classical compositions. The Andicaps performed a version of Tchaikovsky's famous Swan Lake as an up-tempo arrangement apparently entitled "Saturday Night At The Duck Pond" - probably the same as The Cougars record that reached the charts in 1963. However, the Andicaps' performances featured mostly songs that were hit records played on the radio at the time. By now, The Shadows had been replaced by The Beatles as Jeff Lynne's favourite band so many of their songs were incorporated into the Andicaps' shows. A lead singer was now considered an essential part of the band so John Kerton was enlisted as vocalist. The Andicaps started to play many more gigs around Birmingham which included weekly bookings at the Regal Cinema in Handsworth where they played sets in between the Saturday matinee shows. As with many amateur bands who formed at a young age, there was some pressure after leaving school to find "real" jobs. Dave Walsh left the Andicaps in 1964. According to Dave; "Jeff and I were always falling out (nothing new there!) and I was propositioned to join The Boulevards who were rightly regarded as the best band on the Shard End/Kinghurst estate". Dave later helped to form the Brum band Second City Sound who had a hit record in 1966 with the classically-styled Tchaikovsky One. Jeff Lynne soon brought in Kevin "Kex" Gorin on drums and Dave Merrick as bass guitarist to replace Rob Reader who was also leaving. Dave Watson's brother Willie joined the Andicaps for a short time as harmonica player which gave the band a more blues-based sound. Despite winning second place at a local competition for "Band of The Year", Jeff Lynne had musical ambitions that lay beyond what the Andicaps provided and longed to turn "pro" with an established band. It was to this aim that Jeff left the Andicaps at the end of 1964 and joined a well known local group called The Chads (see The Sundowners) as replacement for their departing lead guitarist Mick Adkins. The Andicaps voted to carry on, so after enlisting Jake Commander to replace Jeff Lynne on lead guitar, they got a proper manager and started undertaking many more bookings. The band went over to Germany in May of 1966 with their van having a large Union Jack painted on it. John Kerton recalls; "In Germany we watched England win the World Cup before we went on stage. Lucky for us we did not get beaten up!". The Andicaps also visited Lapland in 1966 becoming only the second British group to perform there. As well as headlining, the Andicaps also opened up for and supported many famous bands and performers who were big at the time. Despite the large amount of bookings undertaken by the band, lead vocalist John Kerton left the group in 1967. By this time, the pop music scene was undergoing some radical changes. Bass guitarist Dave Merrick left the Andicaps and was replaced by Malcolm Garner. Jake Commander also went and was replaced by Mike Heard from the John Bull Breed. Within a year, the remaining Andicaps also decided it was time to explore new musical avenues and the group disbanded. Dave Watson left music to become a successful commercial artist and advertising director. Kex Gorin went on to play drums in the well-known Brum band Magnum whose first album was produced by his former Andicaps bandmate Jake Commander. Jake would also work for the Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.) in the 1970s under supervision of former Andicaps leader Jeff Lynne. Original Andicaps drummer Dave Walsh after his time with the Second City Sound, went to live in the USA where he now works as an airline pilot. John Kerton fronted the successful U.K. function band Red Sun who were the resident band at the Birmingham Locarno for eight years. He then went on to become band-leader on the luxury ocean liner Q.E.2. These days, John is Entertainment Director for Audos Ltd. in the U.K. Jeff Lynne, after his time with The Chads, joined Birmingham's legendary Nightriders who became the psychedelically-styled Idle Race in 1967. From there, he went on to join Roy Wood in The Move. By 1972, The Move had evolved into the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and fronted by Jeff Lynne, they became one of the most successful British bands of the 1970s. Jeff's many other musical accomplishments are beyond the scope of this website so for more info, visit Rob Caiger's official "Face The Music" website at www.ftmusic.com Thanks to John Kerton, Dave Walsh, and Jake Commander for assistance in preparing the Andicaps biography. If you would like to contribute to this page, please e-mail john@brumbeat.net Copyright � John R Woodhouse Web www.brumbeat.net

Where I live

Sun, 14 May 2006 08:11:44 -0500

History........ Before the end of World War 2 Shard End was completely rural with the only buildings being farmhouses, farm outbuildings and tithe cottages. Shard End's most infamous resident was Abraham Thornton, son of the owner of Shard End Farm (then part of the Coleshill estate). He was charged with the murder of a local girl, Mary Ashford, in 1817. The events of the trial led to the abolition of two ancient legal rights - the right of a close relative to demand another trial although the defendant had been acquitted, and the right of a defendant to defend himself by challenging the relative to a duel. The duel did not take place and Thornton left the area soon after his second trial to travel to the USA. During World War 1 much of the woodland between Shard End and Kingshurst had been cut down to help with the war effort. The Birmingham and District Association of Boy Scouts were able to buy a patch of land at a bargain price and set up a permanent camp there. This land was half way between Kingshurst and Shard End. It was called Yorkswood and opened in 1923. There were five camp fields, covering an area of 25 acres. The total site was over 200 acres. The site benefited from permanent washhouses and latrines, a swimming pool, a training centre and headquarters, guesthouse, warden's hut and other huts. A small brook from a fresh water spring ran past the camp and Cock Sparrow Farm was about 100 yards away to provide fresh milk. The entrance to the camp was flanked by a series of griffin statues. These had come from the roof of Lewis's Department Store in Birmingham when it was being renovated. After the camp closed in 1972 they were placed upon the Yorkswood housing estate (Kendrick Avenue and nearby roads), built upon the site of the camp. In the inter war years the Midland Sand and Gravel Company operated a mine on what is now the Norman Chamberlain Playing Fields, off Packington Avenue. During World War 2 this gravel pit was used to store and repair third-line tanks. After the war the area was landscaped to become the playing fields. The old gravel pit was allowed to fill with water from a natural spring and has become a leisure facility...... The New Estate........ A plan of the new housing estate was produced at the end of 1945 and compulsory purchase orders were issued in 1946. Building of the estate started in the late 1940's and was added to in stages producing some variety in the housing. As usual, communal facilities lagged behind the building of the housing. The library opened in 1967 and was the first in Birmingham to use plastic membership cards instead of the traditional cardboard tickets. Some of the housing deteriorated in later years, but has improved as tenants have bought their homes..... Shard End Today...... All Saints Church (Anglican) is situated in Coneyford Road. It was opened by the Queen in 1955. It has the distinction of being the first Church of England church to be built and consecrated after the war, anywhere in the country. There is also a Methodist and a Baptist Church. Shard End has its own community Centre on Packington Avenue, on the opposite side of the road to the Police Station. At one time this station had the largest meeting room in the police sub division. There is a shopping area, crown post office and surgery on Shard End Crescent. Cole Hall Farm was derelict for a number of years but has now been converted into a pub. There are four primary and two secondary schools. The River Cole, a tributary of the River Tame, runs through Shard End, into Kingshurst. It forms the heart of the "Project Kingfisher" local nature reserve initiative. According to the 2001 Population Census there were 23,154 people resident in Shard End