I HAVE to admit that I feel a flutter of excitement when I
go past the signs that have sprung up in the last few months around the
Chelmund’s Cross construction site.
Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a regular reaction to any
old road sign – I don’t go giddy at the sight of a give way or have
palpitations when I enter a 20mph zone.
It’s the name on the sign that gives me cause to smile.
Chelmund’s Cross, there to see in black and white (or at least black and
yellow).
It’s been over a year now since the rumpus over what to
rename the Craig Croft shopping precinct, which was about to undergo a
multi-million pound redevelopment.
While the new name would be subject to a public vote, the
public were less than pleased when the options were announced. There were three
to choose from - Craig Park, Dunster Road
and, perhaps most puzzlingly, Craig Croft…
What really rankled, however, was that the name that many
residents were keen on, Chelmund’s Cross, had been left off the shortlist.
It seems some had concerns about the idea of taking
inspiration from Ceolmund – the Anglo Saxon landowner from whose name Chelmsley
is likely derived.
This might have been because a one-eyed warrior - as he was
depicted by one local artist - was rather more alarming than plain old Craig
(whoever he was).
Others thought that the rather flimsy etymological evidence
had been stretched beyond credibility. In a few short months, Chelmund had gone
from a name from distant history to a full-blooded folk hero.
 |
HERITAGE: Chelmsley is a name derived from the
Anglo Saxon Ceolmund |
Now it may be true that there wasn’t a lot of hard evidence.
All the same, lots of local people liked the idea. After another round of
negotiations, it was agreed that Chelmund’s Cross would be added to the names
to be put to the public vote.
To the chagrin of those who had championed the more
conventional choices, Chelmund roundly defeated Craig. It was his name that
would be immortalised on the diversion signs and spread across council agendas.
If Chelmund was cross, the residents were delighted.
A year on from “The Battle of the Croft”, it’s good to see
the first phase of development is almost complete. Some will argue that it’s
the work itself – the major investment in a run-down parade of shops - that is
the most important thing and the name itself isn’t all that important.
I would beg to differ. A bit of history is no bad thing, especially
in an area like Chelmsley Wood where so much has changed in the space of half a
century. When council estates were built in days gone by, roads were often
named after arbitrary themes – like castles or cars or birds. None had any real
link to the local area, which is a shame.
More importantly, however, is that the community were involved.
If the regeneration is to succeed, then people have to feel that they have a
stake in it. The c-word that could cause sleepless nights for those who have to
deliver the project isn’t Chelmund or Craig, but consultation.
If residents aren’t given their say – and there was a danger
they would be denied the opportunity last spring – then it will only foster a
sense of distrust. To their credit, Solihull Council stepped in and made sure
that Chelmund was given a chance. If they hadn’t, the Anglo Saxon wouldn’t have
been the only one with an axe to grind.
