Goodbye Joe, and thank you
We have to announce with love and respect, the sudden death of Joe Holyoak; architect, urban designer, campaigner, and good friend to Balsall Heath. Joe was coordinator of the first Neighbourhood Plan, with the Balsall Heath Forum in 2015; it was the first in Birmingham, and he was working on the revision in 2026. He suggested the site for Joseph Chamberlain College and for the new housing on Belgrave Middleway. He saved the playing fields along Balsall Heath Rd.
Joe was a key member of the Moseley Road Baths Alliance and still leading ‘hard hat’ tours this summer of the restoration works. He was constant in campaigning for a Balsall Heath railway station. He founded Friends of Balsall Heath Park. As a founding member of the Victorian Society, Joe had a city-wide role in the movement to save to clean and find new uses for many heritage buildings. His friends and colleagues are committed to continue Joe’s work of carrying forward the best of the past, for a better future.
Written by John Newson and John Christophers
Joe has been a Heritage Guardian for Balsall Heath – continually watching out for the latest threats to our environment. Right to the end he was involved in campaigning, writing influential articles and contributing to working parties. Tributes to Joe are flooding in from all quarters (see links below).
The world will be a much emptier place without Joe .We send our utmost sympathy to Joe’s family.
Written by Val Hart
There is so much more we could add. A huge support and advocate to many community projects in Birmingham and Balsall Heath, Joe was also a regular contributor to the Balsall Heathan, sending an update about Moseley Road Baths only a few days ago:
