Local residents have been working for months with West Midlands Police, Midlands Heart, Groundwork and Birmingham City council to claim back the alleyways that run between Albert Rd and Herbert Rd.

Through neighbourhood management we were able to get some funding to clean up the area and put in new fences and get an alcohol restriction sign up.  

At the end of neighbourhood management local residents led by Sonia Hymen, Marlene Graham and Selwyn Clarke were keen to keep on with their plans to transform this area.

They have been working with Wilkes Green Infants School and Groundwork to create some mosaics which have just been fitted on site this week.

In the next few weeks the iron art panels will be fitted along the metal fence to really help change the feel of the alleyway when you walk through. The designs have been chosen by local people and represent the diversity and culture of Handsworth; Handsworth park, Handsworth carnival, Vaisakhi, cricket & music etc.  

These will be painted once they go up lovely bright colours.

Slowly but surely residents plans to improve this area are beginning to take real shape. Sometimes it is these small things that make a big difference to local people so it was great to see how wonderful the mosaics look. It was also great to see so many kids enjoying the games provided by Groundwork Street games team.

Next steps for the residents is to try and get agreements in place to keep the alleyways clean and  to take over management of the small piece of land adjacent to the alleyway. Good to see the residents supported by the new councillor for Lozells and East Handsworth Waseem Zaffer and Srg Dan Wickenden & PCSO Stacie Muir from West Midlands Police.

It is this Sunday May the 8th - visit the BRMB website for more details

Part of the route is through Handsworth click here to see the route and how to join

Sunday 24th April -  Vaisakhi in Handsworth Park

Processions and cultural entertainment mark the beginning of the Sikh New Year in this colourful celebration. With stalls and displays, music, sport and food. Entrance is free starts at 12.00 finishes at 6pm for more details about the event click here

Visit Soho House & Museum which re-opened in April for the summer season – see opening time by clicking here. 

Monday 25th April – Full Stream Event, Easter Monday family steam fund Day at Soho House from 12 until 4pm, special free entry

Fancy a walk then there are a number of options

• Sandwell Recreational Ground and longer walk that takes you into Sandwell Valley
• Black Patch Park which is easy walking distance of Handsworth
• Soho Canel loop can take you into Birmingham or the other way towards Wolverhampton

Or fancy a swim than joining Be Active and you can swim for free at Handsworth Leisure Centre

The carnival was held in Handsworth Park from 1984 until 1994 when it moved to Perry Park.

Some great images of the carnival available online; Digital Handsworth photos by Brigitte Winsor like the one below. Larrie Teirnan on flickr has some wonderful vibrant images of the carnival.

Interesting clip on You Tube from West Midlands Police video from 2009 featuring Professor Black who helps local people make the wondeful costumes. Also views from police from their perspective of policing the event.

What do people think should the carnival come back to Handsworth?

People have also said that they are unhappy about negative images and media coverage about Handsworth. It is hoped that the trail will provide a way to positively promote Handsworth and attract some new visitors to the area.

We are also very keen to get people out walking in Handsworth and exploring their neighbourhood perhaps in a different way?

Initially a few of us got together and walk around the area taking photos of places that people might find of historic interest. See photos from this walk on Flickr

We then formed a steering group which included Pat Mills from Handsworth Historical Society, Brian Hall Rector at St Mary’s Church, Suzanne Carter from English Heritage, Annette French from Soho House, Rob Horricks local resident, Geoff Henderson trail designer from DNA and Tracey Thorne, Neighbourhood Manager.

On September 11^th we held a taster walk as part of Heritage Open Days and ran three guided walks. Over 25 people took part and overall really liked the trail that they were taken on that day. This included Soho House, St Michaels Church, Handsworth Park & St Mary’s Church.

After much discussion the steering group selected 13 places that are of historic interest and prominence within the local area. It isn’t to say other buildings aren’t important or of value but we could only include 13 and had to think carefully about devising an interesting trail.

Hopefully this can be expanded and we can build up via Hands on Handsworth Blog information about other interesting places.

Send in your – places that are special to you. Please include a brief bit of text and a photo email to: tracey.thorne@birmingham.gov.uk

Handsworth Heritage Trail Leaflet – is now available from Handsworth Fire Station and very soon across Handsworth. If you’re interested in attending the launch event it is on Friday 11^th March at 2pm email tracey.thorne@birmingham.gov.uk

Here is what the front cover looks like – pdf version will be put up on the blog very soon.

I would like to send out a BIG THANK YOU to all involved and hope people enjoy this walk. Special thanks go to Be Birmingham & Urban Living who have provided funding for the wider heritage project that has been used in part to develop this trail. The trail art work design has been done by Geoff Henderson from Digtal Native Acadmey and photos by Dee Patel outroslide – big thanks to them both!

They were impressed by local people, Handsworth Park and the wonderful cooking from the Boat House Cafe. Although we didn’t get a prize it was great to see local residents showing people around there neighbourhood. And then on the Friday we all went to the Council House with the great work being done by local residents being talked about!

Thnak you to Groundwork for your support, Chamberlain Forum, Kate Foley,Karen Cheney and all the residents!

I really like the idea of this project and hope we can see more exmaples of this type of arts projects in green spaces. They provide a new and interesting way to see and use these spaces.

Photos kindly supplied by Andrew Burchell

For more information see attached registration form and sponsorship form

2010 community walk ENTRY FORM

2010 Community Walk SPONSORSHIP FORM

Or visit the Nishkam Aid website 

If you take part leave us a comment or share photos

Through the Healthy Histories project we hope to map out what these health issues are and get a better understanding of what people’s health experience is? We are interested in how health has changed in Handsworth since the 19^th Century? What conditions or diseases are still problems? How did new health issues emerge e.g.  obesity?

 We are also interested in how place may or may not impact on health? This is also linked to the range of services people can access locally and other issues such as housing that can have an impact on health.

The Project: a small group of health researchers made up of local residents have been recruited and will lead the research. They have the wonderful chance to develop skills in research, go on free field trips to various venues across Birmingham e.g. Think Tank and then the chance to develop their own art/digital exhibition.

There will also be two community days throughout the summer to help gather more information, engage with a wider group of residents and to raise awareness about local health issues.

More information will be posted here about these events shortly but here are the dates:

• Healthy Histories Community Health Day on Friday 20^th August 12-4pm @ Soho House
• Healthy Histories Heritage Walk on Saturday 11^th Sept 12 – 4pm @ Soho House to St Marys Church via Handsworth Park

We hope to have an exhibition ready in the autumn and will put updates about this on the blog as details are confirmed.

If you’re interested in joining the team of health researchers then contact me, no experience needed. All activities are free.

The project is being funded by Be Birmingham, English Heritage and Urban Living.

The healthy histories walk is being held as part of Heritage Open Days to find out more about them visit English Heritage site