Marcus Belben – Balsall Heath Local History Society

Soup, Stories and St.Patrick at St.John and St.Martin’s

On St.Patrick’s day we ran a successful sharing event at St. John and St. Martin Catholic Church in Balsall Heath. It was a day dedicated to celebrating our community’s rich heritage, connecting people of all ages, and preserving the precious stories that shape our Community.

A Feast for the Senses (and the Soul)

The Church provided delicious asparagus soup, an assortment of snacks, and plenty of tea and coffee. The church community incredibly generously provided these refreshments, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Journeying Through Time: Images and Interviews

Photos from the Mick Turner archive offered a glimpse into the area’s past. Complementing these historical photos were precious images from the church’s own photo albums, which they kindly allowed us to access. These personal snapshots gave an intimate perspective on the community’s history. We prepared a slide show and audio recordings. These interviews, conducted by Marcus and church regular Dawn, captured the lived experiences at St.John and St.Martin Church.

Sharing Memories, Preserving Heritage

The true magic of the event lay in the conversations – People of all generations gathered around tables, sharing their memories, experiences, and reflections on Balsall Heath’s past and present.

One former pupil of the school (on which the very hall we were in was based!) reminisced about his family and vividly recalled walking onto the stage in 1971, which is still there, dressed as a Roman soldier. Others shared fond memories of shopping at Freeman Hardy Willis and Woolworths, playing football against a wall in the park adjacent to the church, helping identify locations and more about the Church history and the Irish Community which used it.

A wedding photo outside the church — A wedding photo, unidentified people late 1940s

Connecting Generations, Celebrating Balsall Heath

The event brought together a diverse group of people, spanning generations. It was inspiring to witness the exchange of stories between older residents, who remembered Balsall Heath in its earlier days, and younger community members, who are helping shape its future.

The conversations naturally turned to how the area has changed over the years. We discussed the ways in which Balsall Heath has evolved, reflecting on both the enduring aspects of its character and the significant changes that have shaped its current identity. There was a sense of shared understanding that while much has changed, a core spirit of the community remains.

A First Holy Communion procession, probably 1950s, where children receive the Eucharist for the first time, often processing through the local streets.

A Testament to Community Spirit

Everyone agreed the importance of heritage, and the enduring value of sharing our stories – we intend to repeat this event in early July and are looking to the possibility of a ‘Faith Trail’ recognising the many significant Faith Centres there have been, and are, across Balsall Heath.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated, from those who shared their memories to the dedicated individuals who made the event possible. We hope this event has inspired others to connect with their own heritage and to cherish the stories that make our communities so unique.

Thank You to St. John and St. Martin Catholic Church

We’re interested to talk and share your memories and reflections on Balsall Heath’s history, and looking towards wider conversations and celebrations across Balsall Heath. Contact me if you are interested in running your own event or perhaps taking part (or helping lead) a ‘Faith Trail’ this July.

Marcus@balsallheathhistory.co.uk

Inside cover of a Souvenir leaflet from 1996 — Mick Turner photo 1970s

Street view of George Street with St.Martin and St.John Church central

St.John and St.Martin IN CHANGING TIMES

Sharing event 17th March 2-4pm St.John & St.Martin Church, B12 9RG

Part of BALSALL HEATH IN CHANGING TIMES

Snacks, films, photos, share your stories about St.John and St.Martin Church and Balsall Heath.

Contact Marcus 07511482528 marcus@balsallheathhistory.co.uk

From Pints to Pounds: The Old Crown

Every local pub has its stories, but some are remembered years after, like The Crown on St. Pauls Road. While the building has since been converted into flats, the Crown is remembered as a local that helped with the Carnival and raised money for the Children’s hospital.

The Crown Pub, run by Brian and Maureen McSkane in the 70s

We took some photos to Balsall Heath Church Centre and found that locals still had fond memories of the pub:

‘And that is the Crown Pub, there isn’t it? I remember they had the off-licence [too] That was that was the sort of pub…the other ones were run down but the Crown was like, well it was nice if you was going out. If you were going out with your Mrs you’d go to the Crown. It was the best pub. Oh yeah, had my ticket from there a few times, I have, everyone did. Very strict.
5th March 2026

Crown history

Built around 1860, it was in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Balsall Heath, and wasn’t until the 1890s that the street was fully lined with houses. Carl Chinn for his PhD. wrote about ‘The Anatomy of a Working Class Neighbourhood’ (West Sparkbrook) noted pubs as hubs for social clubs – The Apollo Cycling club met at the Crown. Cycling then might have been a status symbol, as you had both the disposable income to buy a bike and the leisure time to join a cycling club. Birmingham was becoming a powerhouse for bike manufacture then, and it is likely that Apollo Cycling Club members were also involved in their production nearby.

The first reference to the Crown pub is from 1890 when it was the HQ for the Apollo Cycling Club. Then later it was used as a meeting place for a Sick & Dividend Society (pre-NHS private health insurance) in 1894 and a Literary & Debating Society in 1896

Report in the Heathan

Maureen McSkane reporting for the Balsall Heathan April 1975 wrote about a charity group set up at the pub:

At the beginning of November a group of regulars at the Crown pub decided that they wanted to do something to raise money for a charity organisation, to help those less fortunate than themselves. So the ‘Crown Fund-raising for Charity Group’ was formed. It includes the licensee, his wife and some of the customers. They decided to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Group,and their first venture was a sponsored walk
which took place on a Sunday afternoon. It covered 10 miles and had 22 participants. This venture raised £165,which was a good start. They then held a darts K.O. competition and a ‘carol-singing’ session. When all the proceeds were added together
it all came to £178 which was duly posted off to the Muscular Dystrophy Group in London.
Maureen McSkane April 1975

Danny Ryan with a giant cheque for £8416.19 for Arthritis and Rheumatism Research outside The Crown c. 1980, possibly with his mother whose condition and treatment locally inspired Danny

‘That’s Danny Ryan, he used to have all these bottles in the [Crown] Pub. And you used to put, your change in them. He got an MBE.’
5th March 2026

Danny Ryan is a legendary figure in the Birmingham Irish Community as a dedicated fundraiser. Inspired by the care his mother received at local hospitals, over 35 years he’s raised over £3 million for charitable causes, including Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Breast Cancer Charities and many others. He works with local publicans using collection bottles and local fundraising events. In 2001, Danny was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding services to the community. He is also a recipient of the Irish Post Award.

I m a g e B i r m i n g h a m M a i l f u n d r a i s e r for Birmingham Children’s Hospital 2015

Changing Times: What’s Next for Balsall Heath?

The “Changing Times” project is in full swing! We want to share how we’re exploring the rich heritage of Balsall Heath and look towards the future. Inspired by thousands of historic photographs and the voices of our residents, check out what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next.

Preserving the Past, One Story at a Time

Our incredible core group of volunteers has already clocked over 200 hours of work. A massive part of this effort involves cataloguing thousands of incredible photographs, capturing Balsall Heath from 1960s to 1990s.

We’ve also been busy behind the microphone – 17 interviews so far. We are currently transcribing and editing these sessions to create online clips linking to longer stories of Balsall Heathans. If you’re interested in being interviewed or interviewing, please get in touch!

These stories provide a fabulous picture of 20th-century Balsall Heath and help us understand what “Balsall Heathans” want for the community today.

Community Connections & Reminiscence

We’ve been running reminiscence sessions at St. John and St. Martin’s Church Hall, led by Dawn and Marcus. As part of this work we’ll be creating a showcase exhibition in the Hall in March, date to be confirmed.

We’ll be working with other Local Community Hubs to share more of our stories, reflect and celebrate what it means to live here.

Putting Balsall Heath on the Map

Following the success of the 750th Birthday event, we are making Second Saturdays our monthly home. We want everyone to place themselves in Balsall Heath and tell their stories, so we’re going to start mapping our stories:

The Physical Map: A 6ft x 4ft banner map for people to add their stories to and for us to map our stories at Second Saturdays. It will help us identify exactly where people want new heritage info boards should be placed throughout Balsall Heath. These will link via QR code to more on our website and a heritage trail we’re planning later this year with Birmingham History Theatre.
The Digital Map: An online version where images, interviews, and stories can be pinned to specific locations. This will be available later in February, sharing our stories and linking to existing resources and stories from across Balsall Heath.

The Heathan’s return

We are excited to announce that we’ve secured the domain balsallheathan.org! In collaboration with “Believe in Balsall Heath“, “Neighbourhood News Online“, Balsall Heath Alliance and all the associated groups, we are relaunching this valuable online site to share stories and information about what’s happening locally.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating in Art and Festival

Local artist Muhmood Tahir is making sketches based on Mick Turner’s photos, bringing his vision, movement and interpretation of Mick’s valuable insight into Balsall heath from 1960 to 1990.
Collaboration with ANAWIM as they celebrate their 40th anniversary, we are partnering to support their exhibition and online story, including interviews with their founders.
Balsall Heath Community Festival. Watch this space – along with the Heathan, Balsall Heath Carnival is something we’re hearing again and again that people want to bring back. We’re talking to local partners to work on a Festival over weekend of 12th July, all to be confirmed soon!

Balsall Heath has a story to tell, and we’re making sure it’s heard.

The wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer as re-created by Clifton Primary School. Prince Charles is Raymond Douglas and Lady Diana is Donna Titley. July 1981, part of Balsall Heath Carnival

Balsall Heath and the Holocaust

When we think of the Holocaust, our minds often travel to distant lands, barbed wire and Auschwitz. The legacy of Genocides are in fact much closer, in the red-brick terraces of our neighbours.

Balsall Heath has been a “gateway” neighbourhood—a place defined by migration, from the Irish and Jewish communities in the early 20th century to ‘Commonwealth citizens’ arriving in the 50s, and more people through to present day. The Jewish community in Birmingham was initially concentrated around inner-city areas like Hurst Street and Holloway Head before spreading into Moseley, Edgbaston and Balsall Heath.

Candles lit by Woodcraft Folk in Birmingham for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

A Sanctuary in the Second City

In the late 1930s, as the shadow of the Nazi regime stretched across Europe, the Kindertransport began bringing thousands of Jewish children to Britain, many finding their way to the West Midlands.

Local Quaker groups and civic organizations like Woodcraft Folk were instrumental in finding “host homes” for children of desperate families fleeing persecution.

Following the liberation of Death Camps in 1945, many survivors came to the UK, some eventually settling in Balsall Heath, drawn by the affordable housing and welcoming community.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann, Holocaust survivor, initially moved to Balsall Heath, then Oxford, started the competition that led to birth of the Paralympic Games — Sir Ludwig Guttmann, Holocaust survivor, initially moved to Balsall Heath, then to Oxford, started the competition that led to birth of the Paralympic Games

Why This History Matters Today

The main hub for the Orthodox Jewish community in the area is now the Birmingham Central United Synagogue, which is located near Balsall Heath (at 4 Speedwell Rd, Birmingham B5 7PR).

The former synagogue building in October 2023, during its demolition

Today on Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the people who died in Death Camps in the 1940s, as well as countless millions who still die in Genocides across the world. It is also important to remember the difference we can and have made, not least, the residents of Birmingham who opened their doors in 1939 making a choice that saved lives.

“To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.”
Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor

Birmingham Central United Synagogue, rebuilt

Read the story of Kitty Hart-Moxon, Birmingham Holocaust survivor. She celebrated her 99th birthday on December 1, 2025.

Also see Bertha Bracey, quaker refugee aid worker and on of the founders of Kindertransport.

Why we’re celebrating 750 years of history

Balsall Heath is 750 years old, and the evidence takes us right back to Edward 1st ‘Longshanks’ or ‘Hammer of the Scots’.

The Earliest Record: 1275

The earliest documented mention shows he original spelling was Bordeshale (Later contracted to the familiar ‘Balsall’). This places the area’s first official record early in King Edward I’s reign.

Copy of the written document, the Lay Subsidy Roll, which lists 'Roberto de Bordeshale, living in the Royal Manor of Bromsgrove and Norton in Worcester' — Copy of the written document, the Lay Subsidy Roll, which lists ‘Roberto de Bordeshale, living in the Royal Manor of Bromsgrove and Norton in Worcester’

Bromsgrove and King’s Norton were Royal manors held ‘in ancient demesne’ by the king.

What Happened in 1275?

The official documentation was a direct result of the King’s efforts to modernize and tax people, passing laws to bring order and better admin. A key piece of legislation was the first Statute of Westminster. This law included new rules for taxes and land ownership. Before 1275 boundaries and ownership could be proven with simple oral evidence, but the new laws demanded that everything be formally recorded. A drive for better governance and tax collection that “Bordeshale” was officially put on the map!

Copy of image introducing 'The Statute of Westminster' — Thanks Ian, image in Article, ‘Time Immemorial’ https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/

Defining the Boundary

Long before it became an inner-city suburb, the area now known as Balsall Heath was defined by natural boundaries. The boundary of the historic Kings Norton manor was marked by the Bodesehale Brook. This brook ran roughly parallel to the present-day Belgrave Road before flowing into the River Rea.

This ancient line was so significant it was still used centuries later. In 1796, the brook was clearly marked on a Gooch estate map as the dividing line between Kings Norton parish in Worcestershire and Aston parish in Warwickshire:

Gooch estate sketch map from 1796 in John Morris-Jones in “Bygone Balsall Heath’ 1979

What was Balsall Heath Like in 1275?

While the area was officially recorded, it wasn’t a town. Life in 1275 Balsall Heath was rooted in the landscape:

A watermill was certainly operating nearby, near what is now Cannon Hill Park, with records dating back even earlier to 1231. Farms likely dotted the fertile land along the Rea Valley.

The Heath. The higher ground was dominated by open heathland, which lay along the ancient ridgeway track—the same route that eventually developed into the Moseley Road.

So, when we celebrate 750 years, we’re celebrating its official birth, connecting our modern community back to the medieval landscape of Bordeshale!

Changing Times at Second Saturday

Seond Saturday is monthly mini-festival celebrating making, creativity, community, and local culture, it’s no surprise to see us there, and we will be every month with ‘Changing Times’. Our project, ‘Changing Times in Balsall Heath,’ is about our community—what’s happening, what’s important, and what voices need to be heard.

At Second Saturday, we’ll be there to chat with people about their lives and experiences in Balsall Heath. We want to explore ideas and how we can include more people in the ‘Changing Times’ project – Your stories, memories, and hopes!

Second Saturdays, something to celebrate!

8th November featured pottery, woodwork, repair cafe, a cafe, bookbinding, the thoughtful womxn’s Journey workshop, a Market and our Changing Times display and loads more. Next Second Saturday, 13th December, we’ll be celebrating 750 years of Balsall Heath!

Mark your calendars for Saturday 13th December and come find our ‘Changing Times in Balsall Heath’ team at the Old Print Works. Let’s make, connect, and celebrate our wonderful local culture together!

Contact Marcus@Balsallheathhistory.co.uk 07511 482528