The Old Print Works – Balsall Heath Local History Society

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.
Moseley Road Heritage Trail. Guided walking tour with local Historian Val Hart
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.

Find out more

Inspired by our Past

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 1979

Fireman checks out History Interpretation Panel — Union Flag leads the Carnival Procession 1979

For our Heritage Week Grand Finale, joining us with Liz Berry for poetry, film created by Haqi Ali, as well as our fantastic exhibition:

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!

Contact Marcus@Balsallheathhistory.co.uk 07511 482528