Farewell to Roy Hattersley, a friend to Balsall Heath
We are sad to hear that Roy Hattersley died on June 13th 2026. He was MP for Sparkbrook from 1954 to 1997 and an active player in the regeneration of the area. The Heathan newspaper is full of details of his involvement locally. He was a guest of honour at many of our significant events: the opening of Clifton Infants School in 1979, and the opening of both the new Mosque in Clifton Road and Roshven Gardens in 1982, for example.
It was not just big events, however. He came to see for himself how the neighbourhood was faring under the Urban Renewal scheme and gave much support to Dick Atkinson’s efforts to build a better Balsall Heath. For some years he captained a cricket team for matches in Pickwick Park park as part of the year’s Carnival events.
So it is a thank you Roy from Balsall Heath. Rest in Peace.
