Editorial

Introducing Believe in Balsall Heath and our Commissioned Artist

Believe in Balsall Heath is a community arts and heritage initiative brought to you by local organisations to celebrate the people, culture, and history of Balsall Heath.
As we mark the area’s 750th anniversary, the project invites everyone – residents, visitors,
and communities – to come together in honouring its rich heritage and vibrant diversity.

Who is involved?
Funded by Birmingham City Council, this collaborative project brings together:
● The Old Print Works
● The MIAH Foundation
● The GAP Arts Project
● Fruit & Nut Village
● Balsall Heath Local History Society

Together, these organisations are working to bring renewed pride to the streets of Balsall
Heath through community events, workshops, and street planting initiatives.

What to expect
One of the project’s most visible and exciting outcomes will be a series of commissioned
street banners, installed across Balsall Heath’s high streets. These artworks will celebrate
and commemorate the area’s history, identity, and community pride – making heritage
something you can see and experience in public space.

Our commissioned artist: Faisal Hussain
Last month we were excited to announce Faisal Hussain as the commissioned artist for the
Believe in Balsall Heath project and we received a wonderful response from the community:

“I’m an artist based in Birmingham. My work spans public art, film, archive,
sculpture, audio, and text. I create work that questions perceptions, challenges
lazy stereotypes, and highlights missing histories and overlooked stories.”

Faisal brings not only a multidisciplinary artistic practice, but also a deep personal
connection to Balsall Heath:

“I’m particularly excited to be working in Balsall Heath as I have generational
roots there – from my grandfather sharing a house with workers in the 60s, to my
mother’s shop on Stratford Road in the 90s, to working in my family business in
the 00s. I have memories of music, food, Qur’an classes, functions and raves
here. It’s a special place – often overlooked – and I’m looking forward to creating
something that reflects its people, past, and future.”

Looking ahead

Over the coming months, Faisal will develop a series of street-based artworks to be
exhibited across Balsall Heath. Drawing on the area’s rich history, culture, and lived
experiences, these works will form a bold and public celebration of the neighbourhood.

To stay updated with the project, follow us on Instagram (@believeinbalsallheath) and sign up to our Newsletter and contact us on be*******************@***il.com



Heba Y
Project Coordinator – Believe in Balsall Heath

Flicking through past editions of the Balsall Heathan on display

Rediscovering your Heathan

Saturday, 11th April we officially relaunched The Heathan online and a monthly e-newsletter – subscribe now!

Balsall Heath Local History Society and the Museum of Islamic Arts and Heritage (MIAH) bring this iconic community zine back to life, supported by St.Paul’s Trust, our Believe in Balsall Heath partner organisations and an alliance of people and organisations across Balsall Heath.

From Cow Gum to Clicks

The relaunch event, held during Second Saturday, was a perfect place to bridge between our past and our future. We gathered at the Mix Café inside The Old Print Works, surrounded by archive editions of The Heathan with fab food and refreshments from Change Kitchen.

For those used to modern layout software, the exhibition was a revelation – We showcased how the original zine was painstakingly assembled using typewriters, ‘cow gum’ and a massive amount of patience. While the technology has changed, the mission remains the same: for Balsall Heath and Balsall Heathans.

Mix cafe second saturday chat as Heathan Relaunches
Catching up at Second Saturday as the Heathan relaunches

Second Saturday sees our return

We spent the day sharing memories, and chatting about what the future of Balsall Heath looks like. We will be at every Second Saturday to meet up, chat and keep grounded in Balsall Heath.

Take a look at our gallery below to see some of the faces we met on the day!
Thanks Photographer Richard Albutt

Fixing the dynamo connector
Fixing the dynamo connector
Toqueer, green champion
Toqueer, green champion
Final adjustments to the bike dynamo
Final adjustments to the bike dynamo
Flicking through past editions of the Balsall Heathan on display
Flicking through past editions of the Balsall Heathan on display
Duncan Ali, looking for a fairer, greener world at Second Saturday
Duncan Ali, looking for a fairer, greener world at Second Saturday
Fahima, artist, sculptor, does henna sometimes
Marcus with Fahima, artist, sculptor, does henna sometimes
Rachel Gillies, editor of 'NeighbourhoodNewsOnline.com' on hand to see the Heathan relaunch
Rachel Gillies, editor of ‘NeighbourhoodNewsOnline.com’ on hand to see the Heathan relaunch
Francesco, co-founder of PRISM, exhibiting at Second Saturday
Francesco, co-founder of PRISM, exhibiting at Second Saturday
Ian & Susie on the Mix Room Cafe Couch
Ian & Susie on the Mix Room Cafe Couch
Step back in time, remembering days playing in the concrete drainage pipes
Step back in time, remembering days playing in the concrete drainage pipes
A family of cyclists at Second Saturday
A family of cyclists at Second Saturday
Dan checks the wheel pulley thing to convert bike power to electricity
Dan checks the wheel pulley thing to convert bike power to electricity

What’s next?

Whether you want to share a story, promote a local project, or just stay updated on what’s happening, we want to hear from you. If you’re interested in journalism, editing or helping in any way please get in contact with us.

Artwork Muhmood Tahir
Painted by local artist Muhmood Tahir, gifted to Balsall heath, displayed for the first time at our relaunch!
Artwork Muhmood Tahir
See interview with the artist

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‘I came here because of the Heathan’

Judith explains ‘Well, I was living in Moseley, you know, rented Housing Association Flat. At the time I couldn’t consider buying a property. I couldn’t afford to anywhere in Moseley, but what was available in those days in the newsagents, was the Heathan, which for 20p I could afford, and I’ve just found the article, [Issue 103 Dec 1987]…Seven Streets Success, which…that was what made me consider Balsall Heath.’

Editorial

 

A lot has changed since our last editorial; three (unusually mild) seasons, a spiralling political climate, plenty of new arrivals and the loss of some very important people.

Dr. Anita Halliday MBE, one the founders of St Paul’s Community Development Trust who devoted her life to improving lives, especially in Balsall Heath, was an inspiration and will be missed dreadfully. Her legacy lives on in so many places and this blog is just one of the many good things she started. We will endeavour to follow on from her good work. Please do send your news, suggestions and pictures of Balsall Heath to share so we can keep it thriving. You can use the contact form on the right. We’d love to share your input.

EDITORIAL

The Forum’s wonderfully successful Dynamic Youth Awards evening makes everyone proud to be part of the Balsall Heath community. Youth may sometimes get a bad press but there were plenty there on Wednesday to prove they don’t deserve it. Balsall Heath may sometimes get a bad press – but it has to be said that among the array of special guests present there was not one who would believe it. Their consistent theme was – ‘If only there was a Forum like this everywhere. If only there were communities like this everywhere. If only there were achievements like this everywhere.’
The Church Centre looked as bright and welcoming as anywhere could be, and was packed, as is always the way for Forum events, with people of all ages, all ethnicities and all faiths. Well done to the organisations who sponsored the youth awards, and especially well done to the Forum for putting it all together for the seventh time in a row, to recognise the young people and encourage them on their way.
We all need encouragement – so let’s not forget the amazing achievements of the Forum, and its loyal people (largely unpaid): cheers Hamid, Sanjay, Mohammed, volunteers not forgetting Maurice, Abdullah, and all the Forum’s committee led by Subah, who are beavering away largely behind the scenes. We can’t thank you enough but we can try!