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:
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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.
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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.
