The Moseley Road Friends Institute has stood for 125 years now that legacy is under immediate threat – petition.. Commissioned by Richard Cadbury 1897, built to serve as a hub for education, recreation, and the improvement of life for all Birmingham residents.
Exciting news for Birmingham Commuters as the Kings Norton to New Street lines reopens. This investment in our local infrastructure has been much anticipated but for those of us in Balsall Heath, the news comes with disappointment. Despite being a key feature of the 2015 Neighbourhood Plan – it is a policy in the statutory plan – Moseley, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road open without Balsall Heath Station.
Camp Hill Station stood at the junction of Moseley Road and Highgate
Road. Both Camp Hill station opened in 1840 when the railway was first laid through Balsall Heath. The Camp Hill site is now occupied by Logmoor, and the original stationmaster’s house can still be seen just by the bridge over the road in the picture below.
Brighton Road station was the second station on the line to Gloucester from Birmingham and was opened in 1875 by the Midland Railway. Its close proximity to the city centre meant it was always vulnerable to competition first from the trams which had a terminus nearby and later the No. 50 bus.
John Bagwell was appointed station master in 1876 and he held this position until the station was placed under the supervision of the Camp Hill station master on 15 July 1907. The station was hit by bombs in 1941, closed and never reopened.
We’ve been digging in the archives and have some nineteenth century train humour for you, as well as a 2026 shaggy dog story:
From ‘The Dart’satirical mag Aug 1891 Shaggy dog story
A friend who lived at Mosely owned a highly educated retriever dog. He exercised the
dog in this way. It would see its master off by the early morning Moseley train then trot
off down the road to Mr Higgins newspaper shop, purchase a Post and deliver it to his
master at Camp Hill Station.
The dog did this for a month and then died. It caught a severe cold through having to frequently wait for the arrival of his master’s train at Camp Hill.
June 1884
Why is Camp Hilll Station like a good pork pie?
Because it never lack for pepper. (The stationmaster who lived on site was called Mr Pepper.)
April 1882
Travelling to Moseley the other evening , the train due in town at 10.18 rushed by.
It is called by locals “Adam” because it is the first mail. The second one is called “Cain”
April 2026
A group of drinkers recently left New Street Station after waiting eighty years for the train home. They are now in the Shakespeare Pub, but expect to be back in Balsall Heath soon.
Find more history IN CHANGING TIMES
Some childhood stories from Balsall Heath and dates for your diaries.
People across Hall Green Constituency are being asked to help shape community investment in their local services and community activity groups.
The Art Works newsletter comes out monthly and features interviews with local Artists, news about what is happening, a list of local events as well as jobs and funding opportunities.
Aiming to start the new year learning or developing a new skill? At The Old Print Works you can try your hand at textiles, sewing, yoga, pottery or analogue photography as well as enjoy art exhibitions and cafe stop.
More from The Lost Children project, delving into the story of a local business, the last Crimean War survivor and a giveaway for History lovers.
Coding School for underprivileged people launches in Birmingham.
Deaf Zone takes place at Small Heath Wellbeing Centre for young Deaf people, aged 11-25.
English Classes for Beginners. Come along and improve your Reading, Writing , Listening and Speaking skills.
A Community Arts Project for women from In Her Shoes Birmingham CIC, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
This month read more about one of Balsall Heath’s famous sons, a plea to find a local war memorial and a great idea for a stocking filler.
It has been an amazing half term for PE and School Sport at Clifton Primary School. We have celebrated winning regional awards for our commitment to keeping children active, been broadcast on ITV and now have our very own World Champion!
Tonight there is a Ward meeting at Balsall Heath Church Centre at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
Bridge Club is an event for children aged 7-11 (School Year 3- 6). The club includes Crafts, Games, Bible Stories, Quizes, Drama.
It’s on over the half-term from 29th May to 2nd of June at Edward Road Baptist Church.