Thursday Jan 29th at 2 pm at the Creation Centre ( ex Tram Depot) on the Moseley Road.
Our speaker will be Liz Palmer, on the Whittall Street Explosion.
Pursall and Phillips was a percussion cap factory located at 22 Whittall St in the heart of Birmingham’s Gun Quarter. On the 27th of September 1859 a huge explosion tore through Pursall and Phillips factory resulting in the death of 20 employees.
Category: General
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.
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!
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:
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!
Believe in Balsall Heath
BALSALL HEATH IN CHANGING TIMES. 1960s to 1990s LAUNCH
Held on Sunday, September 21st
At St Paul’s Venture , Malvern St.
This was a splendid event attended by Mick Turner himself. We presented him with a Thank You card from Balsall Heath
Here are some photographs of the occasion.
November Meeting of the Society
The next meeting will be held on Thursday November 27th at 2 pm at The Creation Centre ( old Tram Depot), 582, Moseley Road, B12 9AA
The speaker will be Betty Hagglund, talking about Mary and Martha Russell, daughters of William Russsell, who was Unitarian and close friend of Joseph Priestley.
The two women grew up at Showell Green House but this was destroyed by rioters in the 1791 riots, after which the family fled to America.
Welcome
Over the last 40 years the Society has grown from strength to strength. We have a fascinating range of publications, some interesting projects and active participation in local events
We are now based in The Old Print Works, in the eighteenth century house which fronts on to the Moseley Road, and next to the Gap Café. Our base is right next to the lovely gallery space at the Works, which is ideal for exhibitions.
Our address is:
Balsall Heath Local History Society
The Old Print Works,
498-506 Moseley Road,
Balsall Heath.
Birmingham B12 9AH
info@balsallheathhistory.co.uk
Phone number for the office. 07565 194822
or phone Val Hart:07776899352
Facebook: Balsall Heath Local History Society
Balsall Heath. A History
“Balsall Heath, a History” by Val Hart was first published in 1992. It had many reprintings but has been out-of-print for some time. This is a revised and updated edition.
The price is £10.95 plus £2.30 postage to UK. So a total of £13.25. Please pay through the Donate button below, after the info about our meetings and pffice base.
 
You can find us on Facebook at Balsall Heath Local History Society
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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