News
News from Balsall Heath and Balsall Heathans.
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Join the East West Retrofit BH Walking Procession!
Celebrate the creativity, diversity and community spirit of Balsall Heath with a joyful walking procession from Balsall Heath Park to Calthorpe Park on Sunday 5 July as part of Balsall Heath Community Festival. Expect colourful banners, Brumbeats drummers, pop-up street theatre, family activities and plenty of carnival atmosphere as we walk together across the neighbourhood, celebrating local pride, greener homes,…
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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 Reading & Interview with Poet Liz Berry We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the award-winning West Midlands…
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Anawim Turns 40 as the Balsall Heath Community Festival Begins!
As we prepare to celebrate Anawim’s 40th anniversary, Believe in Balsall Heath are thrilled to share a dedicated History Panel installed right outside Anawim entrance on Mary Street. Celebrating the rich heritage of Mary Street and George Street, the panel stands as a proud reminder of Balsall Heath’s heritage. Anawim anniversary celebrations on July 3rd…
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Community Invited to Create a Unique Artistic Map of Balsall Heath
As part of this year’s Balsall Heath Festival, the Museum of Islamic Arts & Heritage (MIAH) is inviting local residents to help create a one-of-a-kind illuminated map celebrating the people, places, and stories that make Balsall Heath special. Inspired by the rich artistic traditions of the Ottoman Empire, the collaborative artwork will combine traditional Islamic…
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Judging Day at Clifton Primary in lead up to #BHCFest
It’s officially colouring competition judging time for Balsall Heath Community Festival, ready for festival start on Friday! We’ve been judging entries in windows as well as visiting local schools like Clifton Primary. To help us handle the tough job of picking the winners, we teamed up with Miss Choudhury – who happened to be a…
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Relive the Carnival in Balsall Heath
Balsall Heath Local History Society bring the Carnival back to life in a touring exhibition, ready for Balsall Heath Community Festival! #BHCFest26. The Festival runs from 3rd to 13th July and the FREE Touring Carnival Exhibition will be at many of the venues across Balsall Heath. A Symbol of Hope ‘The Carnival was never just…
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Balsall Heath Local History Gazette June Copy
Balsall Heath Local History Society Gazette is out with news of upcoming events – #BHCFest26, Carnival Exhibition, Mary Bodfish presentation and Liz Berry at our special meeting on 9th July for ‘Memories of Balsall Heath’. The monthly newsletter published by the Balsall Heath Local History Society (BHLHS) in Birmingham, UK. It serves as both a…
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Farewell to Roy Hattersley, a friend to Balsall Heath
We are sad to hear that Roy Hattersley died on June 13th 2026. He was MP for Sparkbrook from 1954 to 1997 and an active player in the regeneration of the area. The Heathan newspaper is full of details of his involvement locally. He was a guest of honour at many of our significant events:…
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Little Sprouts arrive for Balsall Heath Summer
Birmingham Open Space Forum (BOSF) offer new FREE pilot nature sessions with Parents and Toddlers across Balsall Heath. BOSF are already working in partnership with Saheli Hub and Fruit and Nut Village on Calthorpe Park with people of all ages, are now looking to work with more parents and toddlers to start new nature sessions…
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Retrofit Balsall Heath Summer Events
Join us for family-friendly events in June and July, leading up to Balsall Heath Community Festival. Come along to share and learn about retrofit, meet others in the neighbourhood and celebrate Balsall Heath past, present and future! All events are free, and everyone is welcome. Home Retrofit Pop-Ups Come and see our model house and take part…
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Retrofit Balsall Heath, Retrofit our festival!
Retrofit Balsall Heath are once again playing a crucial role in our festivities for Balsall Heath Community Festival. Loaning a giant billboard to Balsall Heath Local History Society, it has been decorated by over 30 people at a local Woodcraft Folk workshop and Second Saturday at The Old Print Works, it is now ready for…
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“Under the Sultan’s Shadow”: Ottoman Exhibition and Curator Talks in Balsall Heath by MIAH Foundation
A fascinating new exhibition has opened in Balsall Heath, offering visitors the chance to explore one of history’s most influential empires. The Museum of Islamic Arts & Heritage (MIAH) Foundation’s latest exhibition, Under the Sultan’s Shadow: How Imperial Identity Shaped Ottoman Life and Culture, examines how the Ottoman Empire consciously built its identity by drawing…
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Banners out for the Festival #BHCFest26!
Balsall Heath Community Festival starts in just 23 Days! We’ve been finalising events, preparing banners, and will have all out at next Second Saturday, 13th June 2026, The Old Print Works, to put the finishing touches together with everyone. To reflect the old Carnival preparations, we’ll be painting a giant bill board this Saturday, listing…
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Goodbye to Trams, Hello Festival!
Third history panel opened on Moseley Road ahead of Balsall Heath Community Festival outside Creation Climbing Centre, where once you’d see trams! Balsall Heath has seen many changes over the decades, reflecting it’s rich and every changing culture. Ten interpretation panels will be installed ready for Balsall Heath Community Festival, linked to the fabulous images…
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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…