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
As part of the upcoming Balsall Heath Community Festival (July 3rd – 13th), we’ve created a new map with help from Chris Martin from Footsteps Faiths for a Low CarbonFuture.
Today, we count an existing 62 faith centres within Balsall Heath – that’s one faith centre per 600 Heathans. To celebrate this heritage, we’re planning a guided Faith Walk to explore these landmarks and discuss the profound impact they’ve had on our community over the decades. Watch this space for dates and details of our Community Festival!
Lost Landmarks
Our map celebrates the present and marks sites that have vanished or been transformed:
Opened in 1853, once popular and fashionable, it sat over 1,000 people and extended in 1856. After over a century of service, it closed in 1977. The congregation merged into the then new Church Centre at Edward Rd/Mary St.
The Church of Christ (Moseley Rd)
Opened in 1912, this congregation also moved to the Edward Rd Church Centre. Today, the original building serves a new purpose as a Muslim Student House.
St Thomas in the Moors (Lincoln St)
Founded in 1883 on land donated by William Sands Cox, this church built in memory of his father Edward Towsend Cox owner of Long Moors Farm which they owned since 1608. The church was demolished in the Balsall Heath Clearances of the 1960s.
This church was an off-shoot of the Cherry Street chapel in Birmingham founded in 1782 by John Wesley. The church buildings were destroyed during bombing in 1940. A new church was built on the same site, the foundation stone being laid in 1949, now closed.
The foundation stone for the rebuilt Methodist Church was laid in 1949 by Mrs Minnie Moon, one of the original church members, aged 91. The original church was bombed in the Second World War.
Methodist Chapel (Vincent St)
This was the first public building in the area, erected in 1839. It stood for over 130 years before being demolished in the 1970s.
Wenman Street Chapel
Likely a Brethren meeting house, this chapel was another casualty of the clearances that reshaped Balsall Heath.
This Baptist chapel was built in 1854 ‘at the sole expence of Joseph Weakley of Graham’s Town, South Africa’. Joseph came ‘to superintend the shipping of guns’. James Weakley described his occupation as ‘colonial agent’ or ‘shipping agent’. James became a Deacon, and Rev. Peter Stanford of Hope Street Chapel, formerly a slave in America, was possibly the first black minister in the UK – see more in October 2020 edition of the Gazette.
Congregational Church Moseley Rd
Stood on corner of Runcorn Rd & Moseley Rd, opened 1862 with seating for over 1000 and demolished in the 1970s. The Sunday School building is still there and now used by Clifton Road Mosque as part of their educational premises.
Save the Date!
The Balsall Heath Community Festival runs from July 3rd to July 13th. We’ll be hosting events across the entire area, with more details on coming soon. Whether you are a person of faith or a lover of local history, we invite you to walk with us and discover the hidden stories of Balsall Heath.
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.
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
Cover of the Heathan Summer 1977
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
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.
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.
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’
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!
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!
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!
