Old Stamping Ground in Changing Times

As the Changing Times touring exhibition draws to a close, local voices and artists come together to capture a unique picture of the area, inspired by the photography of Mick Turner. Acclaimed poet Liz Berry is set to bring her local verse to our touring exhibition on Sunday, but she isn’t the only one finding poetic inspiration in Balsall Heath.

Over at the SS John and Martin Church Exhibition, local poet Judith shared a her poem, Old Stamping Ground, offers a vivid snapshot of Balsall Heath – a place that has been defined as much by change as it is by its welcoming people. Judith’s verse reminds us that the heart of our community lives with the people who live and work here:

Old Stamping Ground

It’s a careful walk back to the old places,
Where six weeks ago, I walked the familiar streets;
Past the sleeping policemen, now the peppered new leaves of waking trees.
I saw the cordial Wine Merchant, Hussein in his shop in conversation,
Walked past inroads to the Buddhist Centre,
I bumped into laughing Andreas, and Uncle Marg, who likes Asian weddings,
So then to my newsagent, smiling Mubin.
Collected my papers and then saw turbaned Meghan,
Who was on her way shopping.
Our conversation was about unruly children and too much lax parenting.
Surprise, surprise, where there were four flowering fruit trees,
Stretching their blossom-laden branches against the amber bricks of the tall residential building, near Mubins.

Judith Fleetwood-Walker

Catch the Exhibition while you can!

The Changing Times project has been a celebration of local heritage, featuring history tours, creative artwork by Muhmood Tahir (who led a popular drop-in workshop at ‘Second Saturday’), and our extensive touring exhibition across the area.

On Friday 18th September join our Touring exhibition at the Old Tram Depot (now Creation Climbing Centre) and Sunday 20th September marks the final day of the touring exhibition at St. Paul’s Venture Hall, opening from 11am and our highlight event, poetry with Liz Berry from 5pm.

Sunday Evening with Liz Berry:

• Live performance by Liz Berry, award winning poet
• An interview with Liz Berry by Val Hart
• Haqi Ali presents a ten minute film made for ‘Balsall Heath in Changing Times’, alongside film clips from 1960-80s including ‘The Media Archive of Central England’ footage.
• Exhibition, ‘Balsall Heath In Changing Times’

Tickets are running low – be sure to book your spot now so you don’t miss this wonderful finale.