These photos show Moat Lane in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, UK. This is one of the oldest parts of the city. The manor house of Peter de Bermingham, Lord of the Manor, was just to the left of these photos. It was Peter de Bermingham who obtained a Royal Charter in 1166 to hold a market on the site that we now call the ‘Bull Ring’. This began Birmingham’s development as a primary commercial centre for the area, and it’s continued expansion.
In the distance you can see ‘St Martin in the Bull Ring’ church, which was built in the centre of the market area. This is the third church on this site, with the previous church being demolished in 1873. During demotion the spire was retained and placed on the current church we see today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham#Early_modern
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Martin_in_the_Bull_Ring
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Manor_House

A comparative photo of Colmore Row, in the centre of Birmingham UK showing what it looked like in the 1960s and 2020.
Many areas of Birmingham city centre have changed over this period, but you can still see the old buildings in the background.

This easily accessible ‘How To’ guide is focused on best practice approaches to using the ‘Migrant Heritage Training Toolkit’. The ‘How To’ guide offer direction and guidance to youth workers to train the youth in developing their own heritage trails.

These resources are a valuable asset to youth workers in particular, who often lack the tools and knowhow to effectively manage and maximise tourism benefits, while minimising its negative impacts. Our series of guides have been structured as a step-by-step process for youth workers and other professionals involved in training young people.

As part of CITYDRIVE 2019 Legacy WM, a local social enterprise supported by iSE (Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs) and Use-It Urban Innovation ran a walk called Hands on Handsworth. Attendees were invited to experience the unexpected and diverse history of Handsworth. Led by Rachel West, Heritage Officer, the tour took in aspects of all four of Legacy WM's walking tours, telling stories of protest, industry, nature and progress. The tour started and finished at Soho House Museum where the original entrepreneur, Matthew Boulton lived and met with his Lunar Society friends.

The Handsworth Heritage Trails showcase the diverse heritage in the vibrant Handsworth area. The project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

As well as a regular programme of walking tours, Legacy West Midlands have worked in partnership with the Handsworth Campus of South & City College to provide free training for people interested in becoming volunteer tour guides for the Handsworth Heritage Trail. The training includes investigating sources, tips on giving an engaging guided tour, and interactive discussions and presentations.

The four tours that staff and volunteers from Legacy West Midlands deliver are; Pugin in Handsworth, Roots, Rights and Resistance, Lunar Links and Secret Gardens. For more information about these tours, click on the icons at the side of this page. Every year, Legacy West Midlands arrange a schedule of regular public walking tours. We also offer one-off walking tours for interested groups, schools and businesses. To enquire about arranging a walk or to find out more, click on the ‘book a tour’ button below.

Walks start and finish at Soho House Museum, 5 Soho Avenue, Handsworth, B18 5LB. Free car park and toilet facilities are available at Soho House Museum.

All Handsworth Heritage Trails involves steps and some uneven surfaces. If you have additional access requirements, please contact the organiser. Please wear suitable footwear for the walk and clothing suitable for the weather conditions!

Our programme of heritage walks has concluded for the year, and will resume in April 2020.

‘Old Wives’ Tales’ tells the stories of 20 Bangladeshi women and their journeys to the UK. These journeys began as young girls from Bangladesh who married Bangladeshi men with UK citizenship. The women talk about their life back home, their first impressions of the UK and how they made Birmingham their home in the 1970s and 1980’s.

Legacy WM interviewed the women and filmed their stories. They uncovered old black and white photos that show the women in their prime along with other memorable objects. These have been displayed at an exhibition in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery from November 2015 to February 2016. They provided a unique insight into the culture and heritage of the Bangladeshi community. The exhibition was followed by the launch of a book that contains their stories and photos. The book was launched at the Houses of Commons by Baroness Young on the 23rd February 2016. She was joined by Rushanara Ali MP, Gisela Stuart MP and Richard Fuller MP.

The tour is a linear one starting from the Rainbow on the corner of Adderley Street and High Street Bordesley and going up to Digbeth Police Station, via High Street Deritend and Digbeth. It then returns the same way back to the Rainbow.
This first part will the focus on the story of the real peaky blinders, taking in locations associated with them. It begins at the place where, in March 1890, the first attack took place by men named as peaky blinders in the press; it ends at Digbeth Police Station because of the importance of policing in ending the reign of ruffianism of the peaky blinders.
The return will go back down Digbeth and High Street Deritend to the Rainbow in Adderley Street. This route is distinguished by many historic buildings that enable a telling of the wider history of Birmingham.

This is Irene's interview with Carl Chin on Radio WM, 8th September 1996. They discussed Irene's early life and she recited some of her poetry. Carl Chinn is now Emeritus Professor of Community History at the University of Birmingham. Photo of Carl Chinn courtesy of Andy Mabbett, pigsonthewing.org.uk