Local historical memorabilia donated to Winterbourne House and Garden

An original spade used by Margaret Nettlefold to cut the first sod at the local Moor Pool Estate has been donated to the University of Birmingham's heritage attraction, the Winterbourne House and Garden, by the current owner of the residue of the Estate, Grainger plc. Set to take pride of place in Nettlefold's former home, the spade will be displayed alongside other historical artefacts championing a great figure of Birmingham's history. The Moor Pool Estate, Harborne, was founded in 1907 by Margaret's husband John, the first chairman of the Birmingham Housing Committee, in an effort to improve the lives of city dwellers, and Winterbourne House was built to accommodate the burgeoning Nettlefold family. John's family made their fortune in screw manufacturing and local firm Guest, Keen and Nettlefold (GKN) can trace its origins to John's business. The Moor Pool Estate was built to benefit local people, not just the workers of the firm and comprised of 500 low-cost, low-density houses, built to combat the dreadful housing conditions facing many inhabitants of the city at that time. It had the feel of a garden city - full of light and air - something which John and his supporters thought were crucial for healthy children and adults. The team at Winterbourne are thrilled to welcome the spade to their collection.