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1990s recollections of the editor

After graduating from the University of Birmingham in 1994, I was keen to gain experience in journalism and felt that volunteering at the Balsall Heathan would be the perfect opportunity to get involved in community reporting. Having spent most of the previous four years living in Moseley, I was already familiar with the Heathan and its commitment to championing community activism and self-help initiatives. I wrote to St Paul’s Community Project offering my services as a writer.

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd to 13th July 2026

St Paul’s accepted my offer, marking the beginning of a rewarding two-year stint with the Heathan. Over time, I took on a variety of roles, including writer, page planner and distributor, immersing myself fully in both the newspaper and life in Balsall Heath. I was fortunate to work alongside a dedicated team: Jacqui at St Paul’s handled sub-editing, Ian Edwards supplied photographs, Dave from Heathan Enterprises managed printing, while Josh and Alan took care of design and page-setting.

Stories from the Community

From the outset, it was clear that Balsall Heath was a community full of energy and initiative. Places of worship, schools, youth clubs, housing associations, businesses and local community groups were all playing their part in improving the area. Individuals of every age and background were equally committed to making Balsall Heath a better place to live and work. After several months as a volunteer, St Paul’s secured funding that enabled them to pay me for my work.

Armed with conversations, tip-offs, press releases, flyers and plenty of time spent walking the streets, I covered a wide range of local stories. These included schools’ projects in art, music, dance, sport and nature; recognition for the Language Alive theatre-in-education company’s work promoting English within the community; residents collaborating with architecture students on a new vision for Moseley Road; the securing of £9 million in European funding for training and environmental improvements; and the success of traffic-calming measures in reducing accidents in the Seven Streets area.

Getting involved in the community

Working on the Heathan and with St Paul’s often meant becoming directly involved in many of the initiatives and community groups I was reporting on. Looking back, I remember my time there with great warmth and affection. In the days before the internet transformed local media, I believe the paper continued its proud tradition of giving the community a voice — celebrating and supporting the many ways people across Balsall Heath and the surrounding area were working to make their neighbourhood a better place for everyone.

It’s great to hear that the Heathan is getting a new life online and I look forward to reading it in the future.

Images below from Ollie’s first Carnival as Editor. as part of Balsall Heath Community Festival, Balsall Heath Local History Society will run a touring exhibition of the Carnival #BHCFest26

Images of the 95 Carnival — Images from Ollie’s first Carnival as Editor, photographer Ian Edwards

Ward Meeting Magic in Balsall Heath

If you’ve ever been to a local ward meeting (and let’s face it, not many people have) you probably won’t be counting the days to the next one. Not so in Balsall Heath West as newly elected Councillor Duncan Ali injected some hope, enthusiasm, discussion and plans for action.

I was expecting a drafty community hall, broken plastic chairs, and hours watching a couple of dull, old men dominate the microphone, designed to exhaust and depress. I didn’t expect a packed room, fabulous food, chat with old friends and meeting people I had seen before, and now I can say hello to on Moseley Road.

Why Ward Meetings Matter

Birmingham City Council state ward meetings are a local gathering focused entirely on topics important to the people in a specific area. It’s designed to give residents a direct way to help shape their immediate community through Ward Action Plans. Our last Action Plan (Be Bold, Be Balsall Heath West) breaks down ‘Priorities’ into ‘Actions’ using a spreadsheet matrix (not completely unreadable).

It’s a semi-formal chat which should in theory give residents a say in the budgets, policies, and changes impacting our daily lives. The problem has always been how it happens.

Warm, Welcoming, Well fed

Early on there was a promise of food – a waft of curry from the next room, while a series of local organisations were given three minute slots to introduce themselves. Then it was time for food and informal chat. Tables were set out with QR codes and ‘Priority Areas’ like Youth, Housing, Bins… You were encouraged to chat with each other and to continue the chat later on the WhatsApp groups linked on the tables. For those from an ‘education’ background from 1990s, you might recognise ‘Unconference’, ‘Teachmeet’ or ‘Open space’ type structure. There were no long, agonizing slideshows or exclusive podiums. Instead, the room was broken down into smaller, breakout groups.

Everyone was made welcome, and free delicious food on offer helped a relaxed atmosphere where we could discuss important issues, not least the Balsall Heathan and Balsall Heath Community Festival.

Voices from the Floor

First of all, Duncan gave quick quote from an American President about ‘Asking what you can do for Balsall Heath’, and explained the delay in forming a BCC Administration (announcement soon!), then there were some quick intros – here’s some of them:

‘We’ve got a team of people, volunteers, passionate about what we do…any parents want to get involved, you’re more than welcome, we’re just down the road, based in Clifton…’

Nasim, Founder of Bright Future Football Association

‘We’ve got twenty odd sites across Balsall Heath East and West…We run regular volunteer sessions, three or four a week…Growing plants that provide food for nature, and for us, for you guys.’

Dan, Fruit and Nut Village

‘By creating a planting, my plan is to convince people of the value to raise money and organisation…for planting’

Sabrina, Moseley in Bloom

‘My first hat is basically I am a human being. We all share this. We are human beings that…he [Duncan] has the moral compass, wiht others of course, supporting the innocent people in Gaza.’

Dr. Ahmed Helmy, West Midlands Palestinian Solidarity

‘I’d like to quote another great American President, President Roosevelt in the Great Depression in America in the 1930s…’What on earth can we do?’ and Roosevelt would say to them, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.’

John, Zero Carbon House

‘I want to say thank you, normally when someone gets elected we cdon’t see them again until they’re knocking on our doors four years later…we need to work together to close the gap of inequality.’

Naseem Saheli Hub

For more details about what was discussed, have your say and how you can join in, contact Councillor Duncan Ali:

Contact details

Council House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B1 1BB
Email: du********@************ov.uk

Seeing Rhonda: Exhibition and Archives of a Birmingham Photography Pioneer

The work, activism, and lasting influence of photographer Rhonda Wilson are being brought back into the light in a brand-new exhibition, Seeing Rhonda, making its debut alongside the official launch of the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive at The Old Print Works.

Spanning more than three decades of work from the 1980s to the 2010s, this project is a tribute to a woman who changed the cultural landscape of our city.

Photographer and Activist

She was a photographer, journalist, educator, cultural entrepreneur and activist, championing Birmingham women and social change through her photography, tackling issues like low pay, homelessness, and women’s representation.

Photographs, letters, posters and publications sit alongside personal notes, sketches and overlooked ephemera, revealing how she worked, collaborated and built opportunities for others.

Archives return to Balsall Heath

Initiated by Dr. Annette Naudin (Associate Professor at Birmingham City University) in partnership with The Old Print Works and PRISM Photography Network, the project brings Rhonda’s legacy back to where she lived and worked.

“It is very fitting to have Rhonda’s archive in Balsall Heath where, in 1989, she set up the Poseurs Studio and Gallery with fellow photographer Ming de Nasty. The process of uncovering letters of thanks, rolls of her photographs and her personal notes is both exciting and profoundly moving.”
Dr Annette Naudin

From co-founding Poseurs Studio and Gallery in the late 1980s to developing influential initiatives such as Seeing the Light (founded 1995) and Rhubarb-Rhubarb (founded 1999). Personal letters included in the archive offer a powerful insight into Wilson’s impact, documenting how her support shaped careers and opened doors for emerging photographers. The archive and exhibition bring into focus the contributions of women too often absent from formal collections, and reframing Birmingham’s cultural history through their work.

“We are delighted to host the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive here at The Old Print Works and to have the opportunity to shine a light on this important part of the city’s cultural history. Rhonda’s influence and impact on photographers and creatives is evident and we look forward to developing the archive further.”
Hannah Greenwood & Rebecca Tura, Interim Co-CEOs, The Old Print Works

Archive material, Rhonda Wilson community archive. Image courtesy The Old Print Works.

Hand coloured manual photomontage portrait of Rhonda Wilson by Ming De Nasty 1995 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International licence

“She thrived on creativity, she based her world upon it…One of the last things she said to me recently was ‘If an image can hold you for a second, then take you on a journey somewhere secret, peaceful or magical or tell a story to the viewer, it’s a true reflection of the person that made it’. To the very end she talked about light.”
John McQueen

Plan Your Visit

The exhibition is free (though donations to support the archive are very welcome!).

Event	Dates & Times	Location
Main Exhibition Run	Tuesday 23 June – Saturday 27 June 11am-5pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath
The Official Launch Event	Thursday 25 June 6pm-8pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath
Special July Opening	Saturday 11 July (As part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday and Balsall Heath Community Festival) 11am-4pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath

Where to find it:

The Old Print Works, 498-506 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9AH.

For more information about the ongoing archive project, you can reach out to research lead Dr. Annette Naudin at an************@****ac.uk.

Seeing Rhonda

Adding colour to our Festival with Retrofit BH

The energy, (and the heat) was high at The Old Print Works as we officially launched some very special additions to this year’s Balsall Heath Community Festival.

Model practice at Retrofit

Retrofit Balsall Heath showcased their fabulous retro model house. Their team ran interactive activities and chatted with residents about how to insulate Balsall Heath’s beautiful (but sometimes drafty!) older housing stock to help cut down energy bills. The model house itself has travelled a fair bit already to local schools, and will be taking to the pavement again for Balsall Heath Community Festival. You’ll get another chance to see the model house in action, taking pride of place in our “East West Retrofit Procession” on Sunday, 5th July, the third day of our mammoth ten-day community celebration!

Retrofit Model House in action in The Old Print Works Cafe

Colouring competition returns

Long-time residents will fondly remember the iconic colouring competitions from the old Balsall Heath Carnival days (1977–2016). Back then, local schools and local organisations would distribute posters, and families would proudly display the finished masterpieces in their front windows for the judges to spot while walking the streets, with fabulous prizes up for grabs!

We loved that tradition so much that we are bringing it back for 2026!

Colouring sheet 2026 – contact bh********************@***il.com – Rules for entry

Save the dates

We are building up to an incredible ten days of celebrating our community. Here is what you need to know right now:

Get those colouring posters filled in and displayed in your windows!
Keep an eye on updates in the Heathan, as more dates and activities are announced
Take part in our mammoth 10-day celebration of everything that makes Balsall Heath amazing.

Share your progress, your finished windows, and festival excitement using the hashtag #BHCFest26!

#BHCFest26

Reclaiming Urban Spaces in Calthorpe Park

Calthorpe Park, Birmingham’s first Public Park, was opened in 1857 for the ‘public health’ of people in Balsall Heath. We’re celebrating the achievements of Balsall Heathans living locally making a positive impact (first panel at Seven Streets Pocket Park)

Dense Housing, bustling streets and businesses

Birmingham is one of the UK’s greenest cities with over 8,000 acres of green space and roughly 25% parks and gardens. Balsall Heath is known for it’s dense Victorian terrace housing, bustling streets and businesses. It has less green space than the rest of Birmingham, and the UK.

From ‘Environmental Justice for Birmingham’ Humera Sultan, BCC Consultant 2025

Calthorpe Park interpretation panel celebrates the work of Edward Rd Baptist Church, MECC Trust, New Perspectives, Saheli Hub, Zawia Aid and Fruit and Nut Village.

Dan Burwood from Fruit and Nut Village helped locate and install Calthorpe Park Panel:

“I’m really happy to see the history of these places. It links with what we’re doing now, to engage people with being in green spaces differently. Trying to grow perennial food, share skills around that kind of thing [links] with what was here before. I think that helps us to imagine what might be here in the future.”

Dan Burwood with the new interpretation board on the corner between Cheddar and Edward Roads

“It’s heartening to see how these things shift because we’re growing edible perennial. Food, lots of fruit trees, nut trees in these Parks now. And people were doing that before. I think the way things are isn’t the way things have to continue to be.”

Our interpretation panel links to more information

What is “Fruit and Nut Village”?

Traditional allotments (some previously nearby on Edward Road) are ‘allocated’ for individual use. Fruit & Nut Village designs and plants forest gardens, community orchards, and edible hedges that belong to everyone. They focus on perennial food crops, meaning plants, bushes, and trees that live for many years. They support communities to be more self-sufficient and work in local spaces to provide freely abundant food.

Growing Together in Calthorpe Park

Fruit and Nut Village and Friends of the Earth Postcode Gardeners work together supporting many sites near existing Parks and in more urban spaces, including:

The Calthorpe Interfaith Community Orchard, located in Calthorpe Park is a true testament to Balsall Heath’s diverse community. It regularly hosts interfaith tree-plantings and celebrations. It will be a part of our Balsall Heath Community Festival, bringing people of all backgrounds and faiths together to share food under the shade of fruit trees.
Partnering with Anawim (Birmingham’s Centre for Women), Fruit & Nut Village hosts regular site planning and care sessions on Mary Street. They creat safe, therapeutic, and educational spaces where women can connect with nature and learn sustainable growing skills. Find out more on 3rd July event, the launch of Balsall Heath Community Festival.
Seven Streets Pocket Park, also a part of our Commuity Festival as part of our ‘Green Trail’ on 5th July.

Get Involved at Calthorpe Park

The beauty of a forest garden is that it thrives on collective care. Whether you have a green thumb or have never touched a trowel in your life, there’s always a space for you. You can join a relaxed weekday care session, drop into a weekend workshop, or simply stop by to enjoy the peace and quiet of the orchards.

Keep an eye on their social channels or local noticeboards for upcoming Balsall Heath sessions—and next time you’re walking through the neighborhood, look up! You might just find your next healthy snack growing right above your head.

First Historical Trail Panel Unveiled at Seven Streets Pocket Park

Get ready to celebrate Balsall Heath this Summer. If you’ve taken a stroll through Seven Streets Pocket Park today, you might have noticed a fantastic new addition. The very first of our community history interpretation boards has officially been installed!

Hywell from the Friends of Seven Streets Park was on hand, watering redcurrant bushes and sunflowers planted below and shared his excitement:

“I think it looks great, fits in well, and it’s good for people to see a bit more about the area.”

This beautiful new panel is just the beginning. It is the first of eight historical interpretation panels popping up across Balsall Heath this year as we gear up for a massive summer of celebration.

Walking Through Time and Balsall Heath

Trails are at the absolute heart of our 2026 celebrations – our Balsall Heath Community Festival includes a Green Trail, a Heritage Trail and a Faith Trail taking place between 3rd and 13th July. There is no better way to experience Balsall Heath than by walking through, and perhaps with local organisations and volunteers so proud of where they live.

For months, the Balsall Heath Local History Society has been deep in the archives, dusting off old photographs and uncovering the fascinating, untold stories of Balsall Heath and the incredible people who have shaped it. Working alongside brilliant local partners, these discoveries have been brought to life in a series of interpretation panels.

They mix community memories, rare achival photos and each board links via QR code to yet more online resources, photography audio, film and more. It is a part of our living history and we intend to maintain and update the signs and the resources as Balsall Heath grows and changes.

Get Ready for a Summer of Celebration!

The trail launch is part of a much bigger wave of excitement. Balsall Heath is getting ready for a spectacular summer as Believe in Balsall Heath launches an unforgettable series of events.

Mark your calendars for July 3rd to 13th! The Balsall Heath Community Festival, celebrating our community with FREE activities and opportunity to share the joy of Balsall Heath!

We Need Your Stories!

History is about our lives and our memories. We want to make sure every voice is heard. Is there a local story, a neighborhood legend, or a piece of history we’ve missed? Let us know or drop us a message. Help us keep the rich story of Balsall Heath growing!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next seven panels appearing in your neighborhood soon. Happy exploring!

Hywell From Friends of Seven Streets with Marcus, Balsall Heath Local History Society

Connecting Our Community. BHCFest 2026

From July 3rd to 13th, 2026, let’s celebrate Balsall Heath! For Balsall Heath Community Festival we are shifting from a single one-day event to a community led week of wonder! We’re working with local organisations – schools, charities, faith centres, everyone and everyone to celebrate everything Balsall Heath and everyone Balsall Heathan.

What’s happening?

We’re coordinating over a week of fun, heritage, and innovation. While the full schedule is brewing, here is a sneak peek at what’s in the works:

Heritage & Art – We’re unveiling our history interpretation boards with Balsall Heath Local History Society, hosting workshops and a local history trail. Also our Festival begins with the legendary Colouring Competition!
Family & Youth – Get ready for a massive Summer Celebration at St. Paul’s, “Second Saturday” at The Old Printworks, with ‘Seeing Rhonda‘ exhibition and free sports and games at Calthorpe Park with Saheli including chair tennis crochet and archery.
Homes & Neighbourhood – Fruit and Nut Village is working with Friends of the Earth Postcode Gardeners, Friends of our wonderful Parks, Birmingham Open Space Forum and Retrofit Balsall Heath – Look out for the East West Retrofit Procession!
Health & Wellbeing – Join us for community meals, a Faith Trail and specialized workshops with our partners at Saheli, MIAH Foundation and Anawim. Anawim are coordinating the Faith Trail, happening at different locations across Balsall Heath – see dates and times below.

Get involved

Colouring Competition

Whether you’re an individual or a local organisation in Balsall Heath get involved – it’s a great platform to:

Find out more about fellow Balsall Heathans and Raise Your Profile – Benefit from collective publicity and the relaunch of the Heathan to reach hundreds of local residents.
Meet People and build Partnerships – Meet your neighbours, connect directly with schools, faith centres, and other local organizations
Shape the Future – We want to know what you think about Balsall Heath and we need your help to show the best of Balsall Heath and prove why Balsall Heath deserves continued investment

Many activities are already funded by individual groups, but if we pool our ideas maybe we can unlock even more small-scale funding together. We’re also hoping to feed into the updated Balsall Heath Development Plan with Balsall Heath Alliance so our new Council and Councillors can work with us.

Ready to jump in? Contact Marcus at ma****@********************co.uk to find out more. Let’s show Birmingham what Balsall Heath can do when we work together!

Here’s some images from Balsall Heath Carnival over the years, from which the Community Festival has been inspired: