“ Balsall Heath in Changing Times 1960s to 1990s”
The Project aims to record and preserve memories from people of diverse backgrounds, linking these with the Mick Turner Archive of photographic images. This composite picture will be shown in an Exhibition, touring displays, a published booklet, and a 10 minute film, as well as online on our website, Facebook pages and Youtube
The years 1960 to the 1990s saw significant transformation of the physical environment as well as a radically changed demographic. Many migrants moved in to the area, and some long established residents were compulsorily rehoused elsewhere as whole streets were demolished. Meanwhile the area was in decline with uncleared bomb sites from the Second World War, poor housing, high unemployment, appalling health statistics, poverty and a major prostitution problem.
However, this was also a time of new opportunities, new organisations and new ideas. There was growing dynamism and hope as the groundwork was laid for the thriving multi-cultural community of today’s Balsall Heath.
The sudden death of Jim on October 8th has come as a great shock to us all. He has been a member of the Society for nearly 20 years and has made a huge contribution to our understanding of Balsall Heath’s history. He was committed to collecting stories from Balsall Heath people and spent a lot of time interviewing people, writing up the results and presenting them in an illustrated form for the Gazette newsletter.
Jim was also a member of the Birmingham History Theatre Company . He used often to tell people that he originally got involved as a scenery shifter but somehow got roped in to play significant parts in a host of productions. He was willing to try his hand at anything and dress up appropriately too.
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