Handsworth History
Posted on 17th July 2013 by Nick Booth
Stuck for something to do with the children over the Summer holidays? Then it might be worth taking a look at the activities listed below:-
- Handsworth Park playday on Wednesday 7th August from 12.00 midday – 4.00 p.m. for children age 5 – 13 years. This event is FREE and offers fun, child led activities. A team of playworkers will be situated in the park with play equipment.
- Soho House Musuem, Soho Avenue, B18 5LB – come along and join in various craft activities running every Friday from 26th July to 30th August from 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. This is suitable for all ages although if your child has disabilities please call (0121) 554 9122 for further information. The cost is £1.00 per child although normal (adult) admission charges apply to the house. To see details of craft acivities provided visit www.bmag.org.uk/soho-house
- Summer Family Big Brum History Buz – come and join a fun filled family day onboard the Big Brum Buz. This is an opportunity to travel the city and see some of our historic gems with a child friendly tour. There will be singing and quizzes and trails and a warm welcome at the Heritage Sites. The event is running on Friday 9th August and Friday 23rd August. The open top bus tour will leave Visctoria Square, Birmingham at 11.30 a.m. and will call at Sarehole Mill and Sosho House. Tickets are £8 for adults and free for children. Entry at Sarehole and Soho is included in the ticket price. The bus will arrive back at Victoria Square at 4.00 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. If your child has disabilities please call (0121) 303 1966 for further information. Pre book only via BMAG Box Office on (0121) 303 1966. Please note that you can bring picnics but refreshments area available at the sites.
Posted on 17th July 2013 by Nick Booth
Tags: Handsworth park, Sarehole Mill, Soho House
Posted in Events, Handsworth History | No Comments »
Posted on 24th May 2013 by Nick Booth

There’s an interesting piece on the Handsworth Wood blog about a discussion on priorities for heritage in Handsworth. They are summarised as:
Heritage register – undertake a ward wide audit to identify and record the arts, cultural and heritage assets of West Handsworth and the Handsworth Wood Ward overall.
Arts & culture – CDT to work with existing arts & cultural producers in the Ward in order to showcase their work, and build the Ward’s profile as a major centre for creative industries in Birmingham (using a variety of community, on-line, discursive and inter-generational learning methods).
Heritage – CDT to bring together relevant partners to make the most of the Ward’s heritage (e.g. the history of Camp Lane and the gun emplacements on Manwood Hill, the old Council House on Slack Lane, the Sandwell Valley Country Park)
More here.
CDT is the Lozells, Birchfield and Handsworth Community Trust Ltd – we mention the launch of this earlier this year.
Posted on 24th May 2013 by Nick Booth
Tags: Birchfield, Handsworth History, Lozells, Lozells Birchfield and Handsworth Community Trust Ltd
Posted in Handsworth History | No Comments »
Posted on 20th May 2013 by Nick Booth
Legacy West Midlands received Heritage Lottery Funding to develop a Heritage Trail in Lozells and East Handsworth ward. On Saturday 25th May this all comes to fruition with the launch of Lozells and East Handsworth Heritage Trail . Registration will start at 9.30 a.m. at Soho House, Soho Avenue, off Soho Road, B18 5LB. The tour will take up to two hours and will include historical landmarks like St Mary’s Convent and St Mary’s Church where Matthew Boulton, Jomes Watt and William Murdoch are buried.
At 1.00 p.m. after the walk there will be a reception at . at South and City College, Soho Campus, Soho Road. Working with South and City College 20 passionate people have been trained to become ‘tour guides’. They will be the tour guides and will share their knowledge of the area on the walk.
If you would like to attend the launch please email Raihan Hussain – r.hussain92@live.co.uk
Posted on 20th May 2013 by Nick Booth
Tags: heritage, Soho House, South and City College, St Mary's Church, St Mary's Convent
Posted in Handsworth History | No Comments »
Posted on 13th February 2013 by Nick Booth
Did you know that there is a new Heritage Trail being developed in Lozells and East Handsworth Ward? If you have a keen interest in local history then why not consider signing up to become a tour guide? There is an eight week course starting on the 25th February in partnership with South & City College Birmingham and will be delivered at St Mary’s Convent on Hunters Road in Lozells. For further information contact:
Aftab Rahman on 0121 523 0580 or Mari Micallef on 0121 694 6311
Posted on 13th February 2013 by Nick Booth
Tags: Heritage Trail, St Mary's Convent, Tour Guide
Posted in Handsworth History, Make a contribution | No Comments »
Posted on 3rd December 2012 by Nick Booth

I recieved a pleasent email from a local student who wanted some help with a project about HANDSWORTH! So who knows this area better than the local residents.
The aim is simple:
Participants living in Handsworth or who know the area of Handsworth (of any background or ethnicity) are wanted to discuss what life is like in the area.
If you are willing to participate in an interview discussing the community of Handsworth, contact Amila Broom.
ameliabroom@hotmail.co.uk
Do not miss this opportunity.
Posted on 3rd December 2012 by Nick Booth
Tags: Community, Handsworth History
Posted in Handsworth Healthy Histories Walk, Handsworth History | No Comments »
Posted on 1st June 2010 by Tracey Thorne
One of Handsworth hidden gems got some much earned recognition in May, the Old Town Hall was erected in 1460 and is one of Handsworths oldest buildings. I think it is a real hidden gem most people have no idea that this wonderful building is right on their doorstep.

The Old Town hall is just off Slack Lane in Handsworth and is looked after by the Handsworth Historical Society, all volunteers.
The society were delighted in May to win the Arts & Culture Award at the Pride in Handsworth Award and said “that they had never in over forty years been recognised for the work they have done”.
On the 11th May they were also delighted to welcome the Lord Major & Majoress to the Old Town Hall


Posted on 1st June 2010 by Tracey Thorne
Tags: Handsworth Historical Society, Lord Mayor, Old Town Hall, Pride in Handsworth Awards
Posted in Handsworth History, Make a contribution | 1 Comment »