Memories of Balsall Heath with Liz Berry
As part of Balsall Heath Community Festival on 9th July, we invite you to join us at St. Paul’s Venture Hall for 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: Thursday, 9th July
- 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.
Tickets cost £4 – book on our eventbrite.
