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Celebrating our Black History: Desmond Tutu & Nelson Mandela in Balsall Heath

On Friday, April 22, 1988, the community of Balsall Heath welcomed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He came to officially open the newly built Nelson Mandela School, which had first opened its doors to pupils a few months earlier on September 7, 1987.

During his visit, Archbishop Tutu left an unforgettable impression on everyone in attendance and following the official opening ceremony, he took a stroll through a brand new Spark Green Park next to the school, taking the time to warmly greet local residents who had gathered to welcome him. It remains a proud moment in local history, celebrating our diverse communities in Balsall Heath as well as showing our support for the African National Congress (ANC) and Nelson Mandela in South Aftrica, still in prison for their opposition to Apartheid.

Addressing the crowd at Spark Green Park

Archbishop Desmond Tutu greets the crowd

Our stand against Apartheid

Apartheid was a racially segregated political and social system enforced by the white-minority National Party government in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. Citizens were legally classified by race, stripped of fundamental rights, and forcibly separated in public spaces, schools, and workplaces. Millions of Black South Africans were displaced into impoverished, segregated townships and denied political representation. We opposed apartheid because it was an intensely cruel, dehumanizing system that institutionalized racial oppression, violated basic human rights, and created extreme economic and social inequality. Naming our new school after Nelson Mandela was a declaration of anti-apartheid solidarity, directly challenging racial oppression, honouring a global symbol of resistance, justice, and human rights.

“The School was being opened, officially opened…we show photos to the grandchildren and say, ‘Oh, that’s your Dad and that’s Desmond Tutu’, and they’re kind of going ‘What?”

No surprise then, that only on his second visit to the UK following 27 years of imprisonment, that Nelson Mandela himself visited. Headteacher Frieda Billingham described the occasion as “a great honour and tribute to the school” .

Though decades have passed since Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela came to Balsall Heath, the spirit of solidarity and resistance to racism resonates deeply in Balsall Heath today. Nelson Mandela School stands as an enduring testament to equality and celebration of our diverse community.

Celebrating Our Local Heroes, in Balsall Heath and Nationally

So many incredible people contribute so much to life in Balsall Heath. At Balsallheathan.org, we want to celebrate those who make a daily difference, and help our local voluntary groups get the national recognition they deserve. Send us your stories, your local heroes, and we’ll put our community heroes in the Heathan and on the map!

Did you know that local volunteer groups can receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS)?

Bright Future Association

A voluntary and non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local youth and families through sports, physical activities, training, and social development skills. Their work focuses on building community cohesion, improving mental/physical health, and providing opportunities for young people – many of us will have met Nassim Saif and his team working with young people all across Balsall Heath.

While it was announced in November 2025, on 16th May 2026 the Lord Lieutenant officially presented with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service at their ‘End of Season Awards’ Day.

Bright Future Association at their End of Season event

What is the KAVS

Equivalent to an MBE, the KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups across the UK. It recognizes outstanding, life-changing work led by volunteers, and once awarded, it is held for life. Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award.

Apply for your heroes to be recognised: Free Information Session

To help local organizations navigate the application process, the West Midlands Lieutenancy is hosting a dedicated information session. You’ll learn about key timescales, application tips, and how receiving this prestigious award can benefit your group.

Monday 2nd November 2026 1-3pm
St Paul’s Community Development Trust, 10 Malvern Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 8NN

How to Book Your Spot

Spaces are limited. To reserve your place at the session, call 0121 382 1930.

Come along, get inspired, and let’s shine a light on Balsall Heath’s amazing community heroes.

Threads of Resistance: Sustainable Fashion Hits Balsall Heath

Local activists, designers and makers across the West Midlands are taking matters into their own hands for Sustainable Fashion Week 2026, 26 September through 4 October, uniting communities across the UK under this year’s theme, Threads of Resistance.

The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath, Bham’s Hub, is hosting a vibrant lineup of skillshares, panel debates, and local showcases. Whether you want to escape the polyester trap, repair your favorite knitwear, or take a stand for eco-fashion, here is a look at what is happening at the hub.

What’s Coming Up Next

Sustainable Fashion Showcase

Saturday, 3rd October 1 – 5pm
£5 Standard / £3 Early Bird / £4 Concessions (Students, Seniors, Low Income, & B12 residents)
Book your tickets here

In partnership with I’d Peel A Pomegranate, bringing together regional designers, makers, and grassroots activists to map out the future of sustainable style in the West Midlands.

What to expect:

Spotlight on local makers, including featured showcases from Gursimran and Taradhin Clothing.
A live debate on the realities and possibilities of sustainable fashion within Birmingham.
Live spoken word performance by poet Sofia Broadmeadow.
Explore Daily Thread (the hub’s community textile space) and share your own creative ideas for local fashion initiatives.

Sustainable Fashion Socials & Clothes Swap

Thursday, 3rd December 6 – 8:30pm
£4 Standard / £3 Concessions (Also available on the door)
Get tickets here

Keep the momentum going into the winter! Refresh your wardrobe sustainably by trading pre-loved items, meeting fellow local activists, and connecting with the community.

Highlights From SFW Opening Weekend

The Old Print Works kicked off SFW 2026 with a massive weekend of hands-on activism and community dialogue. Here is a recap of what went down:

Sustainable Fashion Skillshare (Saturday, 26 Sept)

Attendees gathered for an afternoon of mending, upcycling, and slow-crafting techniques designed to help everyday clothes last longer:

Jutta (Daily Thread) showed participants how to turn worn-out t-shirts into yarn, bags, and rugs.
Textile artist Helen (The Natural Dye Shed) demonstrated printing repair patches using plant pigments and recycled textiles.
Umamah led a masterclass on mimicking knit stitches to repair holes invisible to the naked eye.
Jane hosted a drop-in crafting bespoke upcycled medals using sashiko and seed stitching, while Claire guided attendees through subversive embroidery
From nettle cordage and drop-spindle spinning with Amina (Artisan 7obby) to scrap-yarn weaving with the Birmingham & District Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
Block-printing iconic Extinction Rebellion motifs with Louise, plus pre-cut bag sewing with Bernadette in the Daily Thread space.
A special viewing of The Nettle Dress (2023), documenting artist Allan Brown’s seven-year journey hand-crafting a dress entirely from foraged stinging nettles.

Sustainable Fashion Forum

Sunday brought together researchers, activists, and creatives for a series of short talks addressing the systemic impacts of fast fashion:

arly Kelleher (A Single Thread CIC) introduced the broader vision for SFW, while Emily (Birmingham Friends of the Earth) discussed the national Planet over Profit campaign and how clothes swaps create spaces for political dialogue.
David Evans (Climate Citizens) outlined how councils like Bristol are banning fast-fashion billboards and built the case for implementing similar policies in Birmingham.
Material researcher Zoe and artist Aimee demonstrated practical ways to repurpose discarded items, old dress fabrics into handbags and curtain hoops into statement earrings.
Tammy Woodrow presented a performance lecture on transforming garments into dissident feminist objects, while the team behind Reloved Brum shared their journey creating a boutique-style charity shop in Grand Central to support Birmingham Hospice.
Alina and Zain, co-founders of I’d Peel A Pomegranate Magazine, closed out the forum with a deep dive into the environmental and social costs of synthetic fibers.

Daily thread clothing adapted — Sustainable fashion at Daily Thread

Get Involved

Join the movement, support local makers, and help build a local fashion ecosystem centered on longevity and creative resistance. Visit The Old Print Works on Saturday, 3 October to take part in the showcase!

What is Daily Thread?

Daily Thread is gathering momentum. Ok, so it’s not quite daily yet as our name suggests, but that’s what we are aiming for, and we are equipped with traditional looms, a knitting machine, domestic and industrial sewing machines, overlockers, fabric, books, and a friendly space (with sofas, and often cake) where you can meet other makers.

For experienced textilers, beginners and everyone in between.

To find out more just drop us a line on**@***********ks.org“> in**@***********ks.org

Daily thread workshop at the Old Print Works — Daily thread sustainable fashion workshop at the Old Print Works

Full timetable of national events

Moseley Road Baths Joe’s Update #3

Joe Holyoak has written an update for us from the Baths and also will be leading tours of the Baths as part of Birmingham Heritage Week starting 11th September. Also look out for Balsall Heath in Changing Times exhibition and tours coinciding so you can view the baths and tour Moseley Road with local historian Val Hart.

Work proceeds on the Baths and Balsall Heath Library. In the library, the structure of the new mezzanine floor, and the lift giving access to it, are nearing completion. In the baths, striking progress has been made in the slipper baths on the Moseley Road frontage. The arched cast iron beams have been painted the same green as those in the Gala Pool. This was researched some years ago when the Gals Pool roof was renewed, with paint scrapings being taken to establish the original colour used in 1907.

Slipper Baths in new light

Most striking is the return of the stained glass windows to the slipper baths. These have been repaired and cleaned by a specialist in the Jewellery Quarter. You need to be inside to appreciate these changes. There is an opportunity when public tours of the two buildings happen as part of |Birmingham Heritage Week. The tours happen on September 11th and 18th, and if there is still room you can sign up for these on the Birmingham Heritage Week website.

The Baths uring the last public tour in July

A Visit to Moseley Road Baths – Joe’s update #2

Moseley Road Baths and Library Update

Bringing Balsall Heath’s History to Life in Changing Times

This September, experience Balsall Heath in Birmingham Heritage Week through 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, date to be confirmed.

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.

Charles and Diana marry at Balsall Heath Carnival

Plan Your Visit

Explore the full festival schedule to make the most of Birmingham Heritage Week and Heritage Open Days. #BHeritage #HeritageOpenDays #HODs2026 #BHeritageWeek

Changing Times in Balsall Heath: A Conversation with Zhor Malik

From the streets of 1960s Balsall Heath to decades of dedicated community service, Zhor Malik’s story is woven into the history of Calthorpe Park and Balsall Heath. A former Royal Mail union representative, long-time community advocate, and former local councillor, Zhor sat down with Marcus and Val for Changing Times to look back at Balsall Heath and where it’s heading next.

Deep Roots in Balsall Heath

Born in Derby, Zhor moved to Balsall Heath with his parents. Since then, the area has been home to three generations of his family.

“I went to Percy Shurmer School. My sons and daughter went to Percy Shurmer, and now my grandkids have been going to Percy Shurmer… I’ve lived around this area since 1966.”

Zhor remembers the major clearances and redevelopment of the mid 1970s when old terraces along Princess Road, Balsall Heath Road, and Varna Road were demolished to make way for new housing. His family moved to Edward Road around 1976, where he still lives today.

Playgrounds, Parks, and Community Space

For Zhor, growing up in 1970s Balsall Heath:

“So I can tell you when I those times, they were brilliant times …it was the times when our mothers used to leave the back doors open. We hardly used the front door, we used to go down the back, and we had visitors and we used to go to people there and we didn’t even think or were afraid of people stealing or anything. The best days I remember growing up were in the summer. uh the six seven weeks of summer we used to spend playing in Calthorpe Park.”

After working 27 years with Royal Mail he brought his passion for public service directly to Calthorpe, joining Birmingham City Council. He became the first manager of the Calthorpe Park Pavilion.

During his time there he established football pitches and a cricket pitch inside Calthorpe Park, installed cricket practice nets in partnership with Edgbaston Cricket Groundskeepers., converted disused tennis courts into the game area there now, and worked tirelessly alongside community champions like Foster Derby at the local Play Centre to provide after-school and holiday schemes.

Taking Back the Streets

During the late 1980s and 1990s, he took an active role in the famous community-led movement to clear street prostitution and pimping from the area. Spurred into action by community elders and local figures like Dick Atkinson of the St. Paul’s Trust, residents organised street corner patrols to reclaim their streets.

“The community came together… It was all the residents. Taxi drivers helped us before mobile phones existed, using their radio systems to call for backup if there was trouble. It took us nearly two years, but we took our streets back.”

A Vision for the Future

Zhor remains determined as ever to advocate for Balsall Heath. He was teh first Balsall Heath West Ward Councillor in 2018. Reflecting on changes to ward boundaries, local media, and local politics, his core priority remains simple: transparent, open facilities for everyone.

“I don’t care who gets the credit, as long as we achieve what we want for the betterment of Balsall Heath.”

Find out more and listen to interview clips
Join Friends of Calthorpe Park
Visit our Touring exhibition in September 2026

Streets Ahead – Cleaning Up Balsall Heath

Balsall Heath is galvanised to pick litter every month on the first Sunday. Al Abbas Islamic Centre, CUUK, Friends of Seven Streets Park and many other local partners are all out on the streets supporting each other and cleaning up. We’ll be litter picking and doing other park maintenance tasks in the little park on the other side of the railway bridge. Come and say hi if you’re heading up Clifton Road. There is tea/coffee/squash and biscuits!

Cleaning together

The initiative to clean up Balsall Heath, supported by Local Councillors Duncan Ali and Jamil Khan, brings together communities and local activitists, some of which who have worked for decades to make a difference.

‘We hope by working together we can get on top of our litter problem and change attitudes to how we care for Balsall Heath.’

Wildlife Trusts seek Youth Leadership

The Environmental Leadership Programme (ELP2), a free nine months course for ages 18-25, opens for applications: Its to build leadership skills, create local nature projects, and explore green careers. Wildlife Trusts particularly encourage applications from people in the Balsall Heath area:

Apply now

Run by The Wildlife Trusts and Shropshire Wildlife Trust, it helps young people build green skills, connect with nature, and launch community projects locally.

The Environmental Leadership Programme is a FREE programme for 18–25-year-olds based in the West Midlands. Running from October-July, it consists of both online and in person sessions. The aim is to increase your connection to nature and provide the development of important environmental leadership skills.

Build your skills

Throughout the programme, sessions are designed to enable you to build the skills and knowledge you need to understand green leadership and what a future career in the green sector might look like.

There is no cost to take part, and our dedicated team are on hand to ensure you are fully supported to get the most out of your experience, including a pre-programme check in to make sure you have everything you need and answer any questions. Financial support with travel to the in-person sessions is always available!

Hear first hand from guests and speakers with experiences in the sector. There are opportunities to network with experienced professionals as well as meeting and sharing experiences with each other.

The programme is hybrid and flexible in nature. Play back recorded sessions and connect in-person at our events.

How to apply

Applications are now OPEN for the Environmental Leadership Programme 26/27! Please contact el**@************ts.org with any questions.

Environmental Leadership Programme 2026-27

Road Safety Emergency Continues

1 August 2026 marks the second anniversary of the declaration of Birmingham’s Road Safety Emergency. Better Streets for Birmingham will mark this anniversary and ask the new councillors who represent us to increase their efforts to reduce road harm on Friday 4th September at 5pm outside the Council House. Contact Better Streets to join this or to help with the organisation.

Four year old Mayar Yahia tragically passed away on the evening of Sunday, April 14, 2024 next to New Hope Park, Upper Highgate Street. Plans to pedestrianise the road where Mayar was killed were shelved in May. The father of Mayar, who was hit with her mother and her friend by a speeding, reckless driver, has spoken out in sadness after Birmingham City Council ‘broke a promise’ to create a pedestrian zone in her memory, providing safer streets near where she died.

City of Cars

City of Cars will be screened at Birmingham Council House before the Full Council meeting on 15 September, telling the story of the tragic death of Mayar Yahia and the immeasurable loss experienced by her family. The film was made to challenge the political and societal apathy around dangerous driving in Birmingham and to highlight the threat this poses in the city.

Better Streets say plans to pedestrianise a part of Upper Highgate Street were apparently delayed because:

‘A series of ‘errors’ had been made that meant local opinions were outweighed by objections from people out of the area.’

As filmmaker Sarah explains:

“I made this film because I was so concerned about what I was witnessing on Birmingham’s roads every day. In the film I speak to people who have lost loved ones in road traffic collisions and follow the campaigning activities of Better Streets for Birmingham.”

We encourage you to email your local councillors and urge them to attend the screening.

Working together for Better Streets

To find out more about Better Streets:

6pm to 8pm general meetup – Monday 10 August 2026, 6pm The Warehouse, Alison Street

Monthly meetup for city-wide Better Streets.

Circle the City – Friday 7th August

A group ride around Birmingham leaving from Hippodrome Square, B5 4BN at 6pm. Meet people, learn new cycle routes and enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling safely in the city. All ages and all abilities are welcome. The more the merrier!

Celebrating Balsall Heath – Festival faces, figures and fun

Sadly the Festival is over for 2026, but the good news is we are already making plans for 2027, the fiftieth anniversary of Balsall Heath Carnival!

We had over 1600 participating in over 20 events and 40 workshops over the 10 days of Festival. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of what’s been happening (there’s too much to put in a single blog so apologies to events not mentioned!

Colouring Competition

‘I won an orange skipping rope!’
Miss Choudhury, a former winner

The colouring competition was well received and remembered – there were several occasions where I met proud former winners. Thanks to the many people who volunteered to support this, visiting local schools and organisations as well as walking streets to judge the entries.

Colouring Competition winner at Clifton Primary School

Historic Interpretation Panels

‘These are great – it’s about our history, all of it, for everyone’

A comment and conversation with a BCC street cleaner captures the heart of the Historic Interpretation Panels project as well as helping with the installation, cleaning all around a corner of a Ladypool Road Car Park opposite the Congregational Church. Two local shops have offered to help maintain the space around this panel. Funded by Believe in Balsall Heath and led by BHLHS, what started as an idea for five heritage boards expanded into nine due to overwhelming local support. The collaborative approach to displaying our history built a real sense of local ownership and has been celebrated as part of a history trail in the build up, and during #BHCFest26. After the festival passersby can still stop and see our heritage, and many are diving deeper into Balsall Heath’s rich story by scanning the QR codes, sparking conversations both on the street and in The Heathan.

Fireman Louis reads about the history of Balsall Heath

Jago, a regular climber finds out about the Trams for the first time 2026 — Jago, a regular climber finds out about the Tramworks for the first time 2026

Festival events

‘We have to do [The Festival] next year’

With so many events over 10 days indoors and outside, all over Balsall Heath, it is impossible to single out any, so here is a photo gallery covering some!

Joe Holyoak explains plans for Moseley Road Baths — Touring Moseley Road Baths

Working together

‘We were really happy with the event. We are a very small volunteer group and we were too busy to get on with all our usual work! The attendance was good and much boosted by the involvement of our local partner organisations. It was lovely to share our lovely little pocket park with people that may have never been there before’ Friends of Seven Street Park

Much thanks to Together St.Paul’s who funded the Festival. Also thanks to all the partner organisations who contributed time, organised and ran all events, and all the volunteers without whom the festival would not have happened.

From colourful windows and rich local history to lively events in our green spaces, this year proved what makes Balsall Heath truly special: our people. A massive thank you to everyone who showed up, volunteered, and brought the energy. Here’s to the connections made, the stories shared, and a festival season we won’t forget anytime soon. See you all next year!

Balsall Heath Community Festival 2026 Schedule – so much more happened – see Balsall Heath Community Festival 2026 page

The Sights and Sounds of Reaside Forest Garden

A community grows when you give it a little space, some shade, and some love. July 8th, Reaside Forest Garden, one of many Fruit and Nut Villages in Balsall Heath, welcomed visitors to the site. With the summer sun beaming down, we spent a very pleasant morning gathered under the cool, welcoming shade of the big poplar tree right in the middle of the garden. Another beautiful day of growth, connection, and celebration, part of Balsall Heath Community Festival #BHCFest26!

And tonight (Friday 10th July) we’re back to enjoy Forest Sound Garden!

Food and Vine Sharing

We were joined by Friends of the Earth! They spent the morning filming and interviewing our visitors, volunteers and partners about the Postcode Gardener Project, which they have funded right here in Balsall Heath. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the hard work happening on the ground.

We also gave out a dozen grape vines! Lovingly propagated from the original vine at Apna Ghar.After a productive morning, our friends at Apna Ghar hosted 17 of us for a spectacular, delicious meal. Gathering around the table provided a much-needed moment to rest, catch up, and swap stories with both familiar faces and new friends.

“A community garden is about growing relationships.”

Learning about growing — Shade and chat iunder the trees

Live music among the trees!

The week isn’t over yet, and we have the perfect way for you to unwind.

After the heat of the day breaks tomorrow evening, why not join us back in the garden? We are hosting a magical evening of live music right among the trees.

When: Friday 10th July 7 – 9pm
Who: Featuring the incredible talents of local singer-songwriters Alicia Achar, Lyndon Tyler and Emily Churchill.

Bring a friend, enjoy the cooler evening air, and let the music wash over you in our favorite green space. We can’t wait to see you there!

First Weekend of #BHCFest26 – so much more to come!

After such a fantastic weekend, the next three days promise to be equally wonderful as Balsall Heath Community Festival brings together so many more people to celebrate Balsall Heath! A quick summary, flyers below, offering joy and fun in gardens, exhibitions and in our fabulous Faith Centres across Balsall Heath from 6th to 8th July!

Community Festival so far in pictures

Day 1 – Anawim is 40

We started our Festival with a party at Anawim, a visit to the Fire Station and drama at Pickwick Park!

Crowds at Retrofit Balsall Heath Drama Pickwick Park, the start of #BHCFest26!

Firemen Louis reads about the history of Balsall Heath

Award Ceremony, singing, poetry and tree planting with Fruit and Nut Village at Anawim.

Day 2 – History on the Lane

We talked to shop owners, passers by and local organisations like Friends of Balsall Heath Park as the next history interpretation panels were installed bu Balsall Heath Local History Society. Find out more on our history trail across Balsall Heath.

‘Our history is important, all of it.’

Shops and so much more, down 'The Lane' — Shops and so much more, down ‘The Lane’

BCC Street Cleaner loves us Celebrating our history, cleaned all around our new sign. — Shops and so much more, down ‘The Lane’

Day 3 – East West Procession and more!

Litterpicking at Balsall Heath Park to start our procession, with Peter, creator of the Retrofit Balsall Heath mobile model home.

Last read through of the script for the Three little pigs play — Litterpicking at Balsall Heath Park to start our procession, with Peter, creator of the Retrofit Balsall Heath mobile model home.

Event details to come

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd to 13th July – find out more

Faith Trail at The Buddhist Centre

Faith Trail at St.John and St.Martin

Faith Trail at Al Abbas

Faith Trail at Balsall Heath Church Centre

Faith Trail at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara

Forest Sound Garden

Join the East West Retrofit BH Walking Procession!

Celebrate the creativity, diversity and community spirit of Balsall Heath with a joyful walking procession from Balsall Heath Park to Calthorpe Park on Sunday 5 July as part of Balsall Heath Community Festival.

Expect colourful banners, Brumbeats drummers, pop-up street theatre, family activities and plenty of carnival atmosphere as we walk together across the neighbourhood, celebrating local pride, greener homes, vibrant parks and the people who make Balsall Heath such a special place. Walk the whole route or join us wherever you can. Make your own mini banner, enjoy performances, meet neighbours old and new, and help launch Retrofit Balsall Heath’s new community banner.

Everyone is welcome—bring your friends, your family and your carnival spirit!

Event details

11.00am: Meet at Balsall Heath Park
11.30am–1.30pm: Free mini flag and banner-making workshop at Seven Streets Park (activities, refreshments and carnival exhibition until 2.00pm)
12.00pm: Procession sets off
2.00pm: Retrofit street drama at George Street Park
3.30pm–5.00pm: Drumming workshop and refreshments at Calthorpe Park

Join us for the whole procession or simply drop in along the route—everyone is welcome!

Retrofit Balsalall Heath East West Procession flyer

Memories of Balsall Heath with Liz Berry

Sorry Hot weather means we’ve had to POSTPONE new date to be announced soon -an intimate event dedicated to the living history, stories and memories of Balsall Heath.

A live performance by Liz Berry, award winning poet, of her new poem
An interveiw with Liz Berry
A showing of film clips of Balsall heath from the 1960s to 1980s assembled by The Media Archive of Central England
Display of Balsall Heath Carnival from 1977 onwards

A Live Reading & Interview with Poet Liz Berry

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the award-winning West Midlands poet Liz Berry for a live reading of her stunning new poem, “Psalm”, and interview with Val Hart.

Liz’s work has been described by The Guardian as a “sooty soaring hymn to her native West Midlands.” An award-winning poet and author of the critically acclaimed collections Black Country (Chatto, 2014); The Republic of Motherhood (Chatto, 2018); The Dereliction (Hercules Editions, 2021) a collaboration with artist Tom Hicks; and most recently The Home Child (Chatto, 2023), a novel in verse.

Liz shares a deep, personal connection with Balsall Heath. Published in May 2026 and featured in the Times Literary Supplement, her new poem “Psalm” is a deeply evocative, secular hymn that celebrates community, resilience, and womanhood. True to her remarkable ability to transfigure working-class landscapes into something sacred, “Psalm” anchors itself right here in Balsall Heath.

Following the reading, Liz will join us for a brief interview to discuss the inspiration behind the poem and her lifelong project of mapping the emotional geography of the West Midlands.

Film Clips & Archives: An Earlier Balsall Heath

Step back in time with us as we screen a selection of rare film clips capturing Balsall Heath from decades past. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how our streets used to look, spot familiar corners, compare and contract Balsall Heath past and present.

Balsall Heath Carnival

Do you remember the floats, the music, and the crowds of the classic Balsall Heath Carnivals? We will have special archive displays set up around the hall dedicated to the history of the Carnival. Come browse the photographs, share your own memories, and celebrate the enduring joy of our community coming together.

Event Details:

What: Memories of Balsall Heath (A Balsall Heath Community Festival Special Event)
When: POSTPONED to be announced soon
Where: St. Paul’s Venture Hall, Balsall Heath
Featuring: A live reading and interview with Liz Berry, local heritage film screenings, and historical Carnival displays.

Whether you have lived in Balsall Heath your entire life or are new to the area, this evening is a celebration of your history. Let’s celebrate the extraordinary story of the place we call home.

Anawim Turns 40 as the Balsall Heath Community Festival Begins!

As we prepare to celebrate Anawim’s 40th anniversary, Believe in Balsall Heath are thrilled to share a dedicated History Panel installed right outside Anawim entrance on Mary Street. Celebrating the rich heritage of Mary Street and George Street, the panel stands as a proud reminder of Balsall Heath’s heritage.

Anawim anniversary celebrations on July 3rd also serves as the official kickoff for the Balsall Heath Community Festival (#BHCFest26)! This fantastic festival will bring ten days of joy, culture, and connection to our neighborhood.

From “Britain’s Busiest Cul-de-Sac” to a Sanctuary for Women

Anawim began with two pioneering nuns, Sister Magdalene Matthews and Sister Maisie Nevin in 1986. Moving into a terraced house on Mary Street, they stepped directly into the heart of what was then a notorious red-light district, at the time described as “Britain’s busiest cul-de-sac.”

The Sisters saw women in need of safety, dignity, and care. Forty years later and that single terraced house has evolved into a lifeline. Today, Anawim sits proudly on the historic site of the former St John’s School, which educated local children from 1911 to 1980. While the buildings have changed, the core mission has never wavered: helping women from all backgrounds and communities in and around Birmingham get the support, respect, and opportunities they truly deserve.

“We are so proud of our history.”
Joy, Anawim CEO

Come Take a Look!

The next time you walk past Anawim’s entrance on Mary Street, please take a moment to stop and explore the new history panel, linked to our ever expanding history trail of Balsall Heath. Trails are at the heart of 2026 celebrations in Balsall Heath and a wonderful way to experience our streets. The Balsall Heath Local History Society has been deep in the archives, uncovering fascinating stories of Balsall Heathans and Balsall Heath. Working with local partners, we have produced a series of historical interpretation panels that have been installed across Balsall Heath in 2026.

Are you celebrating with us at #BHCFest26? Drop a comment below, share your favorite memories of Balsall Heath, or tag us in your festival photos!

Goodbye to Trams, Hello Festival!

Reclaiming Urban Spaces in Calthorpe Park