Be there Saturday, October 10th 11-4pm as we celebrate a huge milestone: five fantastic years of Second Saturday at The Old Print Works! Alongside all the usual Second Saturday favorites, we’ll be hosting the fabulous Balsall Heath in Changing Times Exhibition, and at every Second Saturday in 2026 – more dates to be confirmed!
The exhibition is inspired by the photography of Mick Turner, and on Saturday we’ll be putting a special spotlight on our local heroes. Who comes to mind when you think of someone who makes Balsall Heath special? Is it a neighbour who always lends a hand, a local campaigner, a community leader, or an unsung champion. We want to hear their stories!
Where to Find Us
Drop by the Director’s Office at The Old Print Works to:
Explore the exhibition: Take in the history, photographs, and stories of Balsall Heath through changing times.
Share your ‘Heathan Hero’: Tell us about the local heroes who inspire you and help us celebrate the people who make our community thrive.
Whether you’ve been coming to Second Saturday since day one or you’ve never visited before, pop in, say hello, and help us celebrate five wonderful years together. See you on Saturday!
BHLHS at Second Saturday
Here’s a few snaps of us over the last year enjoying Second Saturday!
December 2025 launch of ‘Believe in Balsall Heath at Second SaturdayMapping our past at Second Saturday March 2026November 2025 bunting for Second saturdayRelaunch of Heathan at Second Saturday April 2026Nov 2025 Art Workshop upstairs for Second saturdayHistory Society in the Courtyard May 2026 Second SaturdayRelaunch of Heathan at Second Saturday April 2026December 2025 launch of ‘Believe in Balsall Heath at Second SaturdayPlanning the Community Festival at Second Saturday June 2026Eunice McGhie-Belgrave with planters for Balsall Heath July 2026 Second SaturdayAlfredo helps make masks with the Local History Society July 2026 Second SaturdayMuhmood sketching Balsall Heath with BHLHS September 2026 Second Saturday‘Believe in Balsall Heath’ official party for banners, September 2026 Second SaturdayFinding yourself in the exhibition Second Saturday Sept 2026Bunting for second saturday!
More dates for Balsall Heath in Changing Times
Our exhibition, Balsall Heath in Changing Times will be at October, November and December Second Saturdays and we are in negotiation with more locations and dates in early 2027 – keep watching this space for more details!
Over Black History Month we will be working to celebrate Balsall Heath Black History, and highlighting individuals who have made a contribution in Balsall Heath. Our first focus is on Byron Jackson – someone many of our members know and who is still working for the advancement of opera and classical music in local communities:
Byron Jackson
Byron Jackson is an internationally acclaimed opera singer of Jamaican descent, born 1981 and raised in Birmingham.
Brought up by his grandmother Ivy May Jackson, part of the Windrush generation. She had emigrated in 1961 and settled in Balsall Heath. Byron’s grandmother was a devout Pentecostal as well as an independent matriarch who single-handedly raised her family.
Byron attended Heath Mount Primary School (1986-1993) where he discovered his love of singing, drama and history. It was at primary school that Bron Salway roped him into school choir and this left an indelible impression on him. After this, he went to Kings Heath Boy’s school (1993-1998). After finishing his GCSEs he immediately started as a saturday assistant at Balsall Heath Library – he continued working for the Libary Services until 2010.
After seeing his first opera, ‘Madame Butterfly’, at aged 17, Byron became fascinated with Opera. After one year of a Music Arts Degree at Coventry University, Byron auditioned and was given a place to study vocal and operatic studies at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2002.
His debut performance was as Adonis in John Blow’s chamber opera Venus, and for Wolverhapton Youth Music Theatere at Middleton Hall. Byron also toured schools and concert venues in the West Midlands with Operamus. Byron’s professional debut was as Rangwan in 2007 in Delius’ ‘Koanga’. He has since performed with many prestigious companies and returned to Birmingham Opera Company in 2012 to sing the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Life is a Dream.
Byron is the Artistic Director of Persona Arts (formerly BJ Music Events Ltd), a charitable organisation to bring the opera, classical and choral music arts to the people of the West Midlands and their communities. It strives to provide singers and musicians of diverse backgrounds a chance to perform and develop their craft.
In 2019, Byron was made Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for his work in the advancement of opera and classical music in local communities.
Over ten days of Birmingham Heritage Week over 300 People visited and participated in our events, activities as part of ‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times‘ local tour.
Featuring the photographic archive of Mick Turner, community oral histories, poetry, art, and history trails exploring Balsall Heath through the eyes of those who live it. For our final event we were joined by Mick Turner himself and Liz Berry, who read her ‘Psalm’ to the Women of Balsall Heath. Actor and local film maker Haqi Ali also premiered his film about Community Theatre, recalling the days when he began as an actor, through interviews conducted during the last year.
Balsall Heath’s story is one of dramatic transformation and social change. Within living memory, we’ve seen bomb sites used as playgrounds well into the 1970s, mass demolition and redevelopment, and the arrival of different communities that reshaped our streets.
Touring Exhibition & Venue Highlights
Every event was unique, with workshops, guided trails, and activities. Angela Blackwood led a guided heritage tour of SS John and Martin Catholic Church while Val Hart led tours of Moseley Road, where this year we installed history panels. Muhmood Tahir led a landscape sketching workshop and we have collated poetry in addition to the fabulous photos and stories, adding to our heritage, better representing our lived experience.
The events were part of Birmingham Heritage Week, as well as National Heritage Open Days (Everyday Lives theme). We were proud to represent the stories of Balsall Heath to local as well as a wider national audience.
Changing Times in Photos
Mick Turner receives award from Patrick BairdFinding yourself in the exhibitionLiz Berry talks to people in the audienceMick, Christine and Pat at the Venture Hall ExhibitionBalsall Heath in Changing Times at Creation Climbing Centre (old Tram Depot)Val leads a Moseley Road History Tour for ‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times’Angela explains the story of the stained glass in Ss John and MartinExhibition inspires more poetry – poems shared at B12 Hall Catholic Church15 Display panels of ‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times’ at B12 Hall, Ss John and Martin ChurchMick Turner at his exhibitionBalsall Heath in Changing Times exhibition launched at The Old Print Works‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times’ at the Old Print WorksLaunch of Birmingham Heritage Week at the Assay OfficesVenture Hall full for Liz Berry ‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times’
Work continues…
There is still some work building on our online resources and a couple of people we’re still keen to interview. Our History Panels have been hugely popular and we are looking to create more to build our history trail across Balsall Heath.
We need your stories!
Do you have a story to contribute, or maybe a location you think we should honour with a history panel, and add to our hostiry trail? Balsall Heath doesn’t stand still and we will keep working to find those untold stories and well as celebrate our ever changing Balsall Heath!
For Birmingham Heritage Week we’re thrilled to confirm a multi-venue touring FREE exhibition, ‘In Changing Times‘ by Balsall Heath Local History Society. Featuring the photographic archive of Mick Turner, community oral histories, poetry, art, and history trails exploring Balsall Heath through the eyes of those who live it.
Balsall Heath’s story is one of dramatic transformation and social change. Within living memory, we’ve seen bomb sites used as playgrounds well into the 1970s, mass demolition and redevelopment, and the arrival of different communities that reshaped our streets.
Touring Exhibition & Venue Highlights
Six local hubs across Balsall Heath will host unique events, workshops, guided trails, and activities:
SS. John & Martin Catholic Church. Guided heritage tour exploring the building’s architectural and community legacy.
The Old Print Works & Creation Climbing Centre. Pop-up archival displays, film and art.
St. Paul’s Venture, special event (September 20th). An intimate afternoon with acclaimed poet Liz Berry, featuring poetry readings, film screenings, and shared local memories.
Local artist Muhmood Tahir, inspired by archive images and Mick Turner’s photography painted his Balsall Heath. Meet the artist, sketch and paint alongside him – bring your contemporary visual perspective on our Balsall Heath – all free, including materials, at Second Saturday, 12th September.
Mick Turner Archive of photographic images is a vast collection of images, thousands of which were published in the Balsall Heathan from 1960 to 1990. We used these images as a starting point to understand Balsall Heath through the eyes of people who have lived there.
Join our Trail or make your own!
The best way to see Balsall Heath is to be there! Join our FREE history tours during Heritage Week on 12th, 15th and 18th September – book on eventbrite.
Explore Balsall Heath for yourself and find our nine history panels across Balsall Heath, discover local stories where you stand, or map out your own self-guided Heritage Trail:
Union Flag leads the Carnival Procession 1979Fireman checks out History Interpretation PanelHywell waters the sunflowers by our new history panel, Seven Streets ParkKnights in armour at the CarnivalWaiting for the CarnivalA Float in 1977 CarnivalWaiting for the CarnivalSpotting HRH Duke of Edinburgh driving pastDick Atkinson and MP Roy Hattersley check out the HeathanCharlie, AKA Steve Ball Clowning aroundDragon TandemHallam Drapers opensAnother Royal Wedding 1981VW Van on Clifton RoadFolk singer at the CarnivalClowns at the Carnival
For our Heritage Week Grand Finale, joining us with Liz Berry for poetry, film created by Haqi Ali, as well as our fantastic exhibition:
POSTPONED due to hot weather! We had intended to invite everyone to join us at St. Paul’s Venture Hall for an intimate event dedicated to the living history, stories and memories of Balsall Heath (we’ll confirm a new date soon!)
A live performance by Liz Berry, award winning poet, of her new poem
An interveiw with Liz Berry
A showing of film clips of Balsall heath from the 1960s to 1980s assembled by The Media Archive of Central England
Display of Balsall Heath Carnival from 1977 onwards
Liz’s work has been described by The Guardian as a “sooty soaring hymn to her native West Midlands.” An award-winning poet and author of the critically acclaimed collections Black Country (Chatto, 2014); The Republic of Motherhood (Chatto, 2018); The Dereliction (Hercules Editions, 2021) a collaboration with artist Tom Hicks; and most recently The Home Child (Chatto, 2023), a novel in verse.
Liz shares a deep, personal connection with Balsall Heath. Published in May 2026 and featured in the Times Literary Supplement, her new poem “Psalm” is a deeply evocative, secular hymn that celebrates community, resilience, and womanhood. True to her remarkable ability to transfigure working-class landscapes into something sacred, “Psalm” anchors itself right here in Balsall Heath.
Following the reading, Liz will join us for a brief interview to discuss the inspiration behind the poem and her lifelong project of mapping the emotional geography of the West Midlands.
Film Clips & Archives: An Earlier Balsall Heath
Step back in time with us as we screen a selection of rare film clips capturing Balsall Heath from decades past. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how our streets used to look, spot familiar corners, compare and contract Balsall Heath past and present.
Balsall Heath Carnival
Do you remember the floats, the music, and the crowds of the classic Balsall Heath Carnivals? We will have special archive displays set up around the hall dedicated to the history of the Carnival. Come browse the photographs, share your own memories, and celebrate the enduring joy of our community coming together.
Event Details:
What: Memories of Balsall Heath (A Balsall Heath Community Festival Special Event)
When: To be Confirmed
Where: St. Paul’s Venture Hall, Balsall Heath
Featuring: A live reading and interview with Liz Berry, local heritage film screenings, and historical Carnival displays.
Whether you have lived in Balsall Heath your entire life or are new to the area, this evening is a celebration of your history. Let’s celebrate the extraordinary story of the place we call home.
Ever wondered how young people change the world? Woodcraft Folk is one hundred years old, and has been strong across Birmingham, including Balsall Heath, since its earliest days, working with young working class people for Social Change.
Find out more at the presentation on Thursday, 28th May 7pm, ‘100 years Spanning the World with Friendship in Birmingham’.
A Century of Co-operation and Education for Social Change
An educational, empowerment and advocacy movement for children and young people, Woodcraft Folk is the UK’s co-operative movement for Young People, committed to the international co-operative principles.
For a century, Woodcraft Folk has been empowering young people to understand the world around them and to take an active role in changing it for the better. “Spanning the World with Friendship” it has taught generations about environmental sustainability, peace, co-operation, and international solidarity through outdoor education, camping, and weekly group activities, linking to international organisations and campaigns.
As the movement marks its historic centenary, this upcoming talk will dive deep into its remarkable journey and how its values still resonate today.
Spanning Birmingham with Friendship
While the movement is international, Birmingham’s young people have been a vital part of this cooperative story as has been true for it’s centenary celebrations and activities. From local Woodchip and Elfin groups for the youngest members to pioneering youth-led social and environmental campaigns, Birmingham’s children have grown up learning how to co-operate.
We shall cry peace to all, And claim kinship with every living thing; That we hate War, Sloth and Greed, And love fellowship. And that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world.
Woodcraft creed
Exploring History Through 100 Objects
The guest speaker for the evening is Marcus Belben, for eight years Woodcraft Co-ordinator in Birmingham and dedicated Project Officer for the ‘100 Objects Spanning 100 years’ project in 2025.
Woodcraft Folk have been digging into their archives as well as adding to it to curate a digital and physical UK wide touring exhibition of over 100 unique objects, 50 new interviews, 50 workshops, over 200 postcards, thousands of badges and stories. From vintage camping gear and historic badges to protest banners and international logbooks, each object offers a fascinating window into the lives of the young people and leaders who shaped the organization.
Marcus will be sharing the stories behind these objects, giving attendees an exclusive look at how a century of grassroots activism and youth empowerment has left its mark on society.
Event Details:
What: ‘Woodcraft Folk, 100 years Spanning the World with Friendship in Birmingham’– A Presentation by Marcus Belben
When: Thursday, 28th May 7pm
Where: St Paul’s Venture, Malvern St (off Clifton Rd), Birmingham, B12 8NN
Come along, bring a friend, and let’s celebrate a hundred years of spanning the world with friendship right here in Birmingham!
Model tent to demonstrate tent making at UCL Archives made by Joan Pover, now 103Badge making at Camp 100Woodcraft Folk donations for ‘Spain’s Children’ during the Spanish Civil WarPostcards at Glasgow exhibitionWoodcraft Tattoos at Birmingham ExhibitionMaking tents in BirminghamLinda Osborn sings Woodcraft songs at the ‘Trailblazer’ tent, Camp 100Archive Photo of Birmingham at International camp 1988Listening to interviews at London exhibitionModel Tent makingBirmingham Woodcraft history in the making – photo collage and artwork put together with Ben JonesCOP30 Cardboard Carnival at Birmingham
A range of music sung with and for South Birmingham District by Daz Anna and Mathais on Holocaust Memorial day 2022
It was 1958 when Santokh Singh left the family home in the Punjab of Northern India, to join his uncle living in Alexandra Road, Balsall Heath. A 22-year-old metal working Lathe turner, his mother’s brother had been in Birmingham since 1952 and encouraged Santokh to come to Britain.
Woolworth’s shop before Uncle’s moved in, 1950s
Quest for a Better life
He began his quest for ‘a better life’ with a job as a Brake Fitter at Snow Hill station. Santokh wanted a business of his own, and began travelling to East London to buy from spice merchants, Indian food wholesalers, and from the vegetable market in Spitalfields. He travelled back to Birmingham with Asian spices, Okra (Ladies Fingers), Aubergine (Egg Plant), Black Bean, various Lentils, and large amounts of Garlic. He loaded his bicycle with exotic food and delivered directly to his customers door. This was done while he was still working at Snow Hill.
Santokh’s wife, Harbans Kaur, joined him in 1961, she is the lady in a Janet Mendelsohn‘s photograph of the shop (1968), with Daughter, Manjinder, at the entrance to Victoria Place. The family lived above the shop. Three of his brothers joined the venture for a new life in Birmingham in 1966, and it was this that led to the shop name. Customers would refer to Santokh and his brothers as ‘Uncle’. And the shop as ‘Uncles` . This reflected the friendly interrelationship the Singh` family had with their customers and beyond that, the community. And so ‘UNCLE’s’ name was established.
Uncle’s supermarket in the 1970s
Uncle’s Family business
Santokh and Harbans had a family of seven children. The youngest, Surinder remembers his childhood as a mix of work and play. After school they would play active roles in the shop. Pricing goods, sweeping and mopping the shop floor, restocking shelves etc. Surinder recalls playing at the back of the Highgate Road shop:
‘The layout was as back to back housing. There were bomb buildings (or ‘bomb-pecks’ we would call them) to play on. We played tag, hopscotch, marbles, throwing two pence coins against the wall. We would make play swords from thin balsa wood strips, taken from tomato crates, the handles would be taped together. We made go-karts from milk crates, planks of wood, axel and wheels from an old pram, and rope attached for steering.’
Surinder Singh
Uncle’s in 2017
Uncle’s, famous for being the original supplier of the iconic pressed-steel Birmingham Balti dishes, shut down after an impressive 60-year run when owner Surinder Singh retired. Blogpost from ‘Journey’ project, Balsall Heath Local History Society.
Left to Right in order of age (youngest first), Manjinder, Harjinder, Harbhajan, Jaswinder, Santokh , then sons (oldest first), Tervinder, Satnam, and Surinder.
When we loaned Mick Turner photos to Local Artist Muhmood Tahir we knew we could expect something special, and last week he came back into the office to deliver some fabulous artwork!
Muhmood has worked in drawing, painting and sculpture for most of his life – see Birmingham Open Studios. I had the opportunity to talk to Muhmood about his artwork, and this particular special artwork for Balsall Heath. We started to talk about why Balsall Heath was so important to him:
‘When I see that sign, I’m home. Yeah, that’s my hometown.’
Muhmood Tahir
‘I’ve painted what I feel about the place. They both say something about how I feel about Balsall Heath.’
First he talked about the painting with the iconic Moseley Road Baths:
‘The building I’m so very familiar with, you feel as if it’s always been there. All kinds of things [are in the foreground]. Things that have been thrown away, but people are using them. All kinds of things, records, stop sign…all things from the past, and even the car is old. They’re gathering things, the kids of Balsall Heath.’
He talked about his approach to painting:
‘That’s the picture I felt. And that’s when I was doing that and I was feeling that I was trying to make the figures come to life with the expression. Each figure has a movement and I keep that going all through the picture, to keep that balance. These colours, you know, they’re sharp but they lightly done so like a distance, and moving. They’re not sharp but they they’re there.’
‘They’re drawings. They’re done with a pen. You look carefully. Pens on canvas, it can be very sensitive. A touch of paint, with acrylics, on top of it, just to give that illusion. It just needs movement of line, so I kept it, in a drawing sense, you know, not a painting. So, the moment I start adding paint, the whole volume would change.’
The second painting has elements of houses Muhmood has lived in. I asked him about the dates:
‘These are important dates – this is the time I was at school. I didn’t go too far ahead [with the dates]’
‘It’s just a street I remember, as growing up because don’t forget, with me, these streets have a personal feeling. I like the composition of people coming through. It may be something that moves you, simply beautiful things right? In the chaos it has a beauty around it. It may only be a small thing, but it moves you.’
‘I’ve become more refrained and stayed in my studio at home painting, because that keeps me alive as a human being.’
Muhmood Tahir
We asked Muhmood where he would like his paintings to be: ‘Somewhere people can see it, somewhere they can relate to it.’ The obvious place for artwork of this quality and subject matter we feel is our Balsall Heath Library, now closed for refurbishment. We plan to talk to the Library Services to see what is possible on it’s reopening next year.
On Saturday 11th April 11 to 3pm we’ll be hosting a special free event at ‘The Mix Cafe’, Old Print Works, to launch The Heathan online! Food is provided by Change Kitchen and we will be part of Second Saturday activities happening all day there.
The first Heathan Zine
Saturday marks a new chapter for one of Birmingham’s most loved zines. Dedicated to providing authentic, community-led journalism, the site returns as the definitive online source for news, culture, and local voices within Balsall Heath. The Heathan will put the focus back where it belongs: on the Heath and the Heathans.
Muhmood Tahir has also drawn us two beautiful paintings we’ll be unveiling as part of the day – about Balsall Heath and inspired by Mick Turner’s photography, the man responsible for much of the photography in early Heathans.
And that’s where we’re starting too – come along, have your say, have your photo taken to become a part of it! We’ll also have copies of old Heathans to flick through and a quick demo of the iconic ‘Cow Gum’ method we used to use for ‘paste up’ before digital design was a thing. Cow gum itself was, of course, highly flammable, gave off strong fumes and is no longer available.
By the Community, For the Community
‘Balsall Heath is like nowhere else’
Anon
Balsall Heath needs a voice more than ever in changing times. As development plans are reviewed residents want to be kept informed on council decisions and have a means to have their voices heard.
Led by an Alliance of Balsall Heath organisations and ‘Believe in Balsall Heath’, We’ll celebrate the rich history of Balsall Heath and its diverse communities. We’ll put the spotlight on local legends, artists, community heroes and all people in Balsall Heath. We’ll develop our own curated guide to the best independent shops and services in the area.
We’re also listening to what you want. Balsall Heath misses it’s Carnival – we’re working with local partners to bring a Community Festival from 3rd July to 13th July – watch this space for more details!
Carnival Heathan
Bridging the Gap
The relaunch comes at a vital time for Balsall Heath. The Heathan will link long-standing residents and newcomers – everyone is welcome here, sharing belonging. The Heathan will feature dedicated community contributions, inviting Heathans to submit their own stories, photos, and event listings.
Feeding the world
The Heathan can lay claim to the first known written use of the term ‘Balti’. A classic ‘Glocal’ fusion dish, made to please people from all communities in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath in the 1970s, it has since become a national dish and many are calling for UNESCO protected status as an internationally significant cultural dish.
The Heathan is for Balsall Heath and Balsall Heathans. We want to be seen, heard and connected.’
Marcus Belben, co-editor
First known use of ‘Balti’ in print, The Heathan 1981
About The Heathan
Originally established to capture the grassroots energy of the district, The Heathan was formerly printed and delivered to everyone in Balsall heath. It will remain independent but will now be an online news publication. It operates on the belief that local journalism is the bedrock of a strong community.
The online Balsall Heathan was originally created by Dr. Anita Halliday, former CEO of St Pauls Trust, initially named ‘Neighbourhood News Online’. The original neighbourhood magazine ‘The Balsall Heathan’ was published monthly and circulated to every home in Balsall Heath.
Since Anita’s death it is currently maintained on a voluntary basis by local people and organisations.
‘…from sparsely populated heathland in the 18th century, to the ‘genteel neighbourhood’ of the 1840s, the populous quarter of 1891, to the busy and crowded suburb of the 1920s and 30s to Balsall Heath present day, there is no place like it.’
Val Hart Local Historian
The Heathan in modern times
2026 to today!
We’ve been working with Balsall Heath Alliance and Believe in Balsall Heath and a team of local Heathans to share news and represent our stories our way! Building on the work of the Neighbourhood News Team and Balsall Heathans we’re relaunching the Heathan online!
March 2020 to March 2022
Neighbourhood News Online responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown by creation of an information page to support local residents and the Balsall Heath Mutual Aid group. This page was used to signpost people to essential services and support and also gave clear, relevant information from trusted sources, including the NHS, Public Health England and Birmingham City Council.
October 2019 – March 2020
A commission from Ageing Better in Sparkbrook involved Rachel Gillies and Elisabeth Charis worked with a range of local community organisations to support them in promoting their activities for the elders they serve. 10 organisations received tailored support with developing their promotional work. This included developing websites, a series of short films and support with using Social Media through a range of Social Media surgeries.
April – July 2019
The Active Wellbeing Society supported a series of community media workshops with residents across Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook. Their interest in storytelling to connect people led to the development of ‘Humans of the Heath’ – a series of profiles of local people.
October 2018 – April 2019 Neighbourhood News Online was part of a commission from Balsall Heath Forum as part of a Local Innovation Fund grant, which came to an end in April 2019. The website was developed into a community news, directory and events page for Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook by freelancers, Rachel Gillies, Elisabeth Charis and Hayley Frances. We have a passion for this area and wanted to use our skills and experience living and working here to connect residents and organisations together. This grant also funded the production of two print newsletters, delivered to residents and community venues.
Heathan printed and distributed across Balsall Heath from 1973 to 2018
It’s an exciting time for Birmingham commuters! We are finally seeing the re-opening of the line from Kings Norton to New Street, complete with three brand new stations. This investment in our local infrastructure has been much anticipated but for those of us in Balsall Heath, the news comes with disappointment.
Souvenir Postcard celebrating the re-opening of Moseley, Kings Heath and Pineapple stations
Shock move as Jess Carter returns to Birmingham City assisting Moseley Commuters
Despite being a key feature of the 2015 Neighbourhood Plan, the re-opening of a station in Balsall Heath was not approved. It feels like a missed opportunity for Balsall Heathans.
A Tale of Two Stations
Camp Hill Station stood at the junction of Moseley Road and Highgate Road. Both Camp Hill station opened in 1840 when the railway was first laid through Balsall Heath. The Camp Hill site is now occupied by Logmoor, and the original stationmaster’s house can still be seen just by the bridge over the road in the picture below.
View of the station in 1905
Brighton Road station was the second station on the line to Gloucester from Birmingham and was opened in 1875 by the Midland Railway. Its close proximity to the city centre meant it was always vulnerable to competition first from the trams which had a terminus nearby and later the No. 50 bus.
John Bagwell was appointed station master in 1876 and he held this position until the station was placed under the supervision of the Camp Hill station master on 15 July 1907. The station was hit by bombs in 1941, closed and never reopened.
The bridge across Brighton Road was enlarged in 1923 under a scheme to support unemployed workers.
Brighton Road station was smashed to pieces by bombing in 1941 and never
re-opened.
View from the train of what remains of Brighton Road Station on the re-opening of Camp Hill Line 2026Part of Midland Railway Distance Diagram Sheet 47 dated 1913 showing the two routes south from New Street to Kings Norton. Original Print supplied by Malcolm Peakman https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/mr_generic1430b.htmThe 2015 plan for Balsall Heath Station, drawn by Joe Holyoak
