Description:The Edgbastonia magazine presents the new University of Birmingham as the pride of all Edgbastonians. Professor Muirhead is proudly claimed as an ‘Edgbastonian Past and Present’. The writer asserts that future historians ‘will have no event […] of more vital importance in the history of the life growth of the town than the movement which culminated […] in the foundation of the University of Birmingham’.<small><sup>1</sup></small> The whole community is exhorted to become involved:
‘Hostels for students, both men and women, will be started in Edgbaston shortly, and in connection with their institution all Edgbastonians who are interested in education and anxious for the success of the new University can make themselves of the greatest service […] In helping to extend the social side of University life, all Edgbastonians will be engaged upon a good work, and one which will bring pleasure and profit to themselves’.<small><sup>2</sup></small>
The site for the university was granted by Lord Calthorpe in 1900. Metchley Farm was chosen for many reasons including the following:
‘1st. The University Buildings would help to shut off the Selly Oak chimneys
2nd. The new road would be a valuable acquisition to the Estate
3rd. The new station would add very much to the value of the Building land all round especially on the far side of the railway
4th. The question of tramways up the Hagley Road would not be raised’.<small><sup>3</sup></small>
The relationship of the new buildings to their environment in Edgbaston was clearly seen as paramount. The sloping nature of this site was seen as a positive advantage, since ‘the ‘works’ portion of the University’ could be built ‘on the lower ground out of sight, so that the level of the land does not appear to be any obstacle’.<small><sup>4</sup></small> The grander buildings would fulfil a role in blocking out the view of chimneys in Selly Oak, thus helping to perpetuate the illusion of Edgbaston’s rural setting, whilst the ‘dirtier’ mechanics of teaching would be conveniently out of sight. Furthermore, the issue of tramways up the Hagley Road, a highly controversial matter, would not raise its head.<small><sup>5</sup></small>
The early conditions of the land gift further attempt to safeguard the local environment, insisting that ‘The land to be used solely for the purposes of a University for ever and no mines or minerals to be worked thereon or thereunder’ and that ‘No smoke, nor fumes, nor smells of an objectionable character to be produced’.<small><sup>6</sup></small>
<font color="#666633"><small><sup>1</sup> Edgbastonia (January 1901)
<sup>2</sup> Edgbastonia (December 1901)
<sup>3</sup> Calthorpe Estate Books, 29 June 1900
<sup>4</sup> Calthorpe Estate Books, 6 July 1900
<sup>5</sup> Calthorpe Estate Books, 16 November 1901
<sup>6</sup> Calthorpe Estate Books, 21 July 1900</small></font>