LIST OF EXHIBITORS in 2024 – click each name for more details
Exhibitors details below
Balsall Heath Local History Society
Balsall Heath Local History Society (BHLHS) was established in 1980 and since then has gone from strength to strength, aiming to foster links across different cultural and age groups by promoting and exploring local, community and family heritage. We undertake exhibitions; publications; heritage trails; oral history; and specific projects. Our base at The Old Print Works, Moseley Road houses a large collection of photographs, books and maps. Monthly speaker meetings are held at The Venture, Malvern Street B12 8NN.
Our current project is “The Lost Children”. This is the story of The Children’s Emigration Homes which were founded in 1872 in Highgate and took about 6000 children chiefly to Canada in the years to 1948. A Blue Plaque has been placed in St Luke’s Rd, Highgate this year. The Lost Children Exhibition is running at the Back to Backs until the end of October.
Facebook: Balsall Heath Local History Society and The Lost Children Project
Websites: www.balsallheathhistory.co.uk and www.thelostchildren.uk
Contact: info@balsallheathhistory.co.uk
Friends of Birmingham Archives & Heritage
The Friends of Birmingham Archives and Heritage (known as FoBAH) was set up to promote and support the work of Birmingham Archives and Heritage in making their historical collections available to as wide an audience as possible. Members are able to attend meetings, talks, visits, social events and other activities relating to Birmingham’s history.
Contact fobah@outlook.com to find out more about us.
Birmingham Back to Backs
Experience 200 years of working people’s lives in the heart of Birmingham where you can get an atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city.
Take one of our fascinating guided tours, step back in time at Birmingham’s last surviving court of back to backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.
Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.
National Trust Website: Birmingham Back to Backs
The Birmingham Medal Society
The Birmingham Medal Society was formed in May 1964 and exists to further the cause of medallic, military and social history, to perpetuate the memories of those recipients of medals who the society members possess and to acquire and exchange research and knowledge for the benefit of future generations.
The BMS meets on the first Thursday of each month from 7.00pm for 7.30pm at The Holiday Inn, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9AB and is not restricted to Birmingham residents as members travel from as far as Hereford, Leamington Spa and Coventry to be there.
A range of speakers give talks on a variety of subjects relating to medals and history.
Each year the society holds their Drummond Lecture, named in memory of the late Doctor Llewelly Lloyd OBE KStJ JP and past society Patron, when an eminent guest speaker is invited to give a talk on a specialist subject.
E-mail: birminghammedsoc@btopenworld.com
Website: http://www.birminghammedalsociety.com
The Birmingham & Midland Institute
The Institute has been at the heart of Birmingham’s cultural life for over 150 years. Originally founded by Act of Parliament in 1854 for the ‘Diffusion and Advancement of Science, Literature and Art amongst all Classes of Persons resident in Birmingham and Midland Counties’, the BMI is a membership organisation which has a thriving programme of cultural and educational activities, including a wide spectrum of arts and science lectures, exhibitions and concerts. Both members and the general public are encouraged to participate. The building is also a venue for many externally-organised events and can be booked for conferences and meetings.
The Institute also owns and runs the original Birmingham Library, founded in 1779. The Library collection is gradually growing by the regular purchase of new books, principally in the field of humanities and modern fiction.
The Birmingham & Midland Institute
9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS Tel: 0121 236 3591
Website: www.bmi.org.uk
Contact: enquiries@bmi.org.uk
The Black Country Society
The general aims of the Society are to stimulate interest in the past, present and future of the Black Country and wherever possible, to encourage and facilitate the preservation of Black Country heritage.
The Society, which now has a large membership worldwide, organises an annual programme of social activities including ’Talks’ at local venues, and guided ‘Walks’ on evenings during the Summer months, around the Black Country and its green borderland.
The Society sponsors and publishes material by Black Country writers and researchers. It has an extensive catalogue of books on subjects ranging from humour and cooking, to industrial history and sport. Further information on all activities can to be found on the website, Facebook page and in the Society’s quarterly, full colour, 96 page magazine ‘The Blackcountryman’.
Website: www.blackcountrysociety.com
Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery
It’s almost 20 years since the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery were formed and we have been continually busy with projects. From rehoming hedgehogs with Array4hogs to Anzac events with the Gallipoli Association, tree walks to historic research, grave gardening to mapping benches, fungi walks to Remembrance Services and so much more. Our core aim is our continual work with Birmingham Bereavement staff concerning the future of our beautiful Chapels and Lodge and to find out more about the many people buried in Brandwood End and through them the local history at that time. We can do all this as we work with other groups, especially local history societies, and amazing volunteers to deliver projects and offer a wide range of interests.
Website: http://www.fbec.org.uk
Contact us: friendsofbec@gmail.com
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is the global leader in commemoration, having responsibility for the graves and memorials across the globe which commemorate the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who lost their lives in the two World Wars. CWGC also has responsibility for archives of international importance. Our casualty archive is part of the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register and documents each casualty.
We were also delighted to recently launch For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen – a new online resource that will collect the stories of the war dead from both world wars commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen is your opportunity to remember the stories that mean the most to you. Tell us about a relative, loved one or someone you have researched who today is commemorated at one of our cemeteries and memorials around the world. We’ll collate your stories to create a single, searchable repository that honours the memory of the men and women from across the Commonwealth.
Website: www.cwgc.org
Co-op History Group
Supported by Central England Co-operative
Established over 25 years ago, we are a small and friendly group of enthusiasts which meets on the first Tuesday of every month at The Friends of the Earth, 54-57 Allison Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TH. We are interested in all aspects of the Co-operative movement including retail, architectural, social and political history.
We have attended many local history fairs where our displays are always well received and our monthly meetings have featured illustrated talks by some of our members and invited guests. Over the years we have visited many places of local interest and plan to do more in the future.
For further information contact: Member & Community Relations, Central England Co-operative.
Tel. 01543 414140 or email: member.community@centralengland.coop
D & P Military History – Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Dave and Paul have a keen interest in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and Birmingham in both wars. Dave has been exhibiting since 1994 and Paul joined him in 2014 at the start of the First World War Centenary. The exhibits are not just pictures, but also include artefacts and medals. We have exhibited at the city Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham University, the Oratory, schools and church and community halls. In 2014 Dave’s old school which is now Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst built a trench in their Outdoor Learning centre. A website followed (ww1trenchexperience.co.uk) and we have guided numerous school groups around the trench. We have also visited schools and developed a WW1 and WW2 programme. In addition we have a number of ‘talks’ which we give to groups and societies.
Paul – Email : paul.jaques@mypostoffice.co.uk Tel: 07875 670 041
Dave – Email: david.vaux@hotmail.com Tel: 0121 246 9802
Heartlands History Society
Heartlands Local History Society was set up in May 1993 and the society, based in Nechells, covers the Birmingham Heartlands area, which is defined as on the borders of: Aston, Gosta Green, Ashted, Vauxhall, Duddeston, Bordesley, Small Heath, Saltley, Washwood Heath, Bromford and Nechells.
We show our collection of photographs and memorabilia at exhibitions and school reunions across the Heartlands area. We have over 2000 photographs that cover schools, factories, churches, public houses, shops, streets, rivers, canals and some of the people who used to live in the Heartlands area before most of it was demolished to make way for new roads and Industry.
Email – heartlands.history@blueyonder.co.uk
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/57436771296/
St John’s Church Preservation Group
The church is Grade II listed, designed in 1840 by William Bourne. Undergoing restoration and development for arts, community, enterprise, faith, heritage, nature and visitors. The burial place of William Perry – The Tipton Slasher; Marion Richardson; Hansons Beer family; Mary Ann Mason; Commonwealth and other war graves. The 1886 Peter Conacher organ is now playing again.
This Historic Church is managed by St John’s Church Preservation Group (Charity number 1164822). The building has urgent restoration needs and we are strongly encouraging people to become Friends of St John’s to help with restoration costs.
The graveyard and adjoining Nature Reserve are both wonderful places to visit, tours arranged by appointment.
Open Day every Friday 10-2.30pm with stalls and refreshments. Sanctuary open for candles and prayer. Send prayer or remembrance requests by email if you are unable to attend.
Facebook: Save St John’s Church, Kates Hill, Dudley
Contact by email: St John’s Church Preservation Group
Twitter: @StJohnsChurchPG
Keith Clenton Memorabilia
Football programmes, books, postcards, photographs of Birmingham.
Keith also does talks, presentations and slideshows about Birmingham streets and places. Some of his titles are – Birmingham City Centre Back in Time; Lost Industries and Businesses’ of Birmingham; Birmingham at War.
Contact email: k.clenton@blueyonder.co.uk
The Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane Cemetery
The Friends officially formed in 2004 by a small group of people who were concerned at the deterioration of the non-denominational Grade II listed Key Hill cemetery formally known as The General Cemetery and were alarmed at the potential loss of an important part of Birmingham’s heritage.
In 2009 the Church of England Warstone Lane Cemetery was included, combining both cemeteries in Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, Hockley.
The Friends hold an index of burials for both cemeteries and can assist families with details of your ancestors resting place aiding your family history.
Burial records can be purchased from Midland Ancestors shop https://midland-ancestors.shop/
The Friends are the only group to maintain the cemeteries with regular litter picks and clean up days, restore gravestones, and research the lives of those who rest in these important historic cemeteries.
Guided Tours are the second Sunday of the month. The Friends have attended the Genealogy Show at the NEC, the Jewellery Quarter Festival plus Local History fairs & attend the Heritage Open Days in September. All proceeds from guided tours, sales, memberships & donations pay for the restoration of the gravestones.
Website: http://www.fkwc.org/
Contact: friends-kh-wl-cem@outlook.com
King Edward VI High School for Girls
King Edward VI High School for Girls has roots dating back over 600 years to the Gild of the Holy Cross, but it was not until 1864, that the new liberal-controlled town council recommended the creation of an upper school for girls, a boys’ high school and a boys’ middle school.
Founded in 1883 on the New Street site, King Edward VI High School for Girls encouraged students to go from elementary school through grammar and high school to university. It soon gained an excellent reputation as one of the leading girls’ schools in the country, a reputation still retained today.
In 1931, it was decided that the schools needed a new site, and the papers were signed in December 1933, to move to the current location.
The Foundation Stone was laid in the Autumn of 1938, but declaration of war, saw the girls evacuated to Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham, returning to Birmingham during the Autumn of 1940.
Website: kehs.org.uk
Andrew Lound Odyssey Presentations
Andrew is a lecturer, writer and broadcaster specializing in history, science, and the liner ‘Titanic’. Andrew is the former Curator of the Avery Historical Museum located at Soho Foundry in Smethwick and has worked at Soho House Museum to establish a reputation as an historical guide. He has acted as advisor on a number of television and film productions as well as appearing in many of them. He combines the skills acquired into the trade-marked Odyssey Dramatic Presentations® that combine scientific knowledge, journalistic research with drama to present a unique performance. He has five books published ‘Lunatick Astronomy’, ‘Life in the Balance’, ‘RMS Titanic: Made In the Midlands’, ‘The Power of Balance; W&T Avery Ltd in the First World War’, and ‘Hystory: The Story of Hydrogen’ with a number of books in preparation covering the history of Avery’s. Andrew worked with Made in Birmingham Television, writing and presenting history programmes including the highly acclaimed ‘Streets of Birmingham’. He works with BBC Radio with his ‘Amaze & Astound’ history slots. He can been seen regularly on GB News, Sky News etc commenting on space science and history, and heard on Talk Radio, BBC Radio commenting on Space science matters.
Website: www.andrewlound.com
Andy Maxam Publishing
Local history calendars for Birmingham and the West Midlands. Local history books written and published. Old picture postcards bought and sold. Photographic collection of Birmingham & West Midlands public houses based on the Mitchell & Butlers archive. We have an extensive archive of old photographic images of Birmingham, Smethwick and other selected areas in the Black Country / West Midlands available for reproduction. Please enquire for details. Possibly of use for pub refurbishments.
Maxam Publishing will be selling old collectable postcards of Birmingham plus a range of local history publications relating to Birmingham.
Also the Vintage Images Calendars for 2024 will be on sale as follows:
Old Birmingham Central 2024
Old Harborne 2024
Old Smethwick, Bearwood & Warley 2024
Card / contactless payments can be taken on the day.
Website: www.maxamcards.co.uk
Contact: andy@maxamcards.co.uk
Midland Ancestors
Midland Ancestors is the local family history society, founded in 1963, for those with interests in the pre-1974 counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
We help family historians to research the wide range of genealogical and heraldic records which are available through on-line resources, transcriptions and publications held in our Reference Library and Family History Centre in Margaret Street in Birmingham.
We further promote interest and research into Family History through local monthly meetings in our three counties, a quarterly magazine, exhibitions (such as this one) and regular visits to The National Archives at Kew.
Website: midlandancestors.uk
The Pen Museum
Our unique Pen Museum is based in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter in a listed building that once was a pen factory. It celebrates Birmingham’s leading role in the mass production of steel pen nibs in the nineteenth century when over 70% of pen nibs used in the world were made in Birmingham.
With the City, once the home of over 100 companies, employing 8,000 workers (mainly women), by visiting our museum, you will discover a wide range of fascinating objects and learn about the history of the pen trade.
Throughout our museum there are a range of activities including writing with a quill, trying calligraphy, hearing first-hand the experience of pen workers, our interactive 3D kiosk, using the art of graphology to find out what your handwriting says about your character, and helping make a pen nib on original machinery.
You can find us here –
The Pen Museum, The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick Street, Birmingham B1 3HS
Website – https://penmuseum.org.uk/
Enquiries – enquiries@penmuseum.org.uk
West Midlands Fire Service Heritage Group
The group consists of nine members made up of retired members of the fire service plus two from the general public all with an interest in the fire service history.
We are always looking for donations of books, photographs, equipment and also to record interesting stories of people and events that took place within the local fire service. We research the history of our brigades and answer inquiries from the general public regarding family members who have served in the brigade 1874-1941. We also attend fire station open days and local fairs.
We have a museum open to the public by appointment only (we are all volunteers so notice is required to man the museum at the moment). We have an email address so if you require any further help or information please contact the Heritage Group on heritage.group@wmfs.net
West Midland Police Museum – Steelhouse Lane Lock-up
West Midlands Police are currently working on a heritage project to create a new police museum at the former Lock–Up facility in Steelhouse Lane. The heritage team currently run open days for the public in addition facilitating school visits, Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs, Scouts and history groups. The building dates from 1891 and was the main custody facility for Birmingham City Police and the West Midlands Police since its formation in 1974.
The Steelhouse Lane Lock-up was in use until 2016 and many of the original Victorian features are still present, alongside more modern custody facilities. The Grade II listed building shows how a mini prison operated in a busy city centre for well over a century.
More details can be found on our Website WMPeelers.com We are also on trip advisor as one of the best top five best attractions in Birmingham.
Wolverhampton City Archives
Explore the rich life of Wolverhampton and its people through archives filled with fascinating documents, photographs, maps, recordings, ephemera and more.
Wolverhampton City Archives houses a wealth of materials relating to the history of all areas now within the city of Wolverhampton including Bilston, Bushbury, Penn, Tettenhall and Wednesfield.
Constantly growing, the Archives’ vast collections include maps, books, census returns, newspapers, records from local schools, churches, clubs, societies and businesses, electoral registers, and indexes to births, deaths and marriages. There are also over 30,000 photographs, plus films, sound recordings, memorabilia and much more.
A city landmark, this Grade II* listed building was built in the mid-18th century as a home for the wealthy Molineux family, before becoming a hotel in the 1870s. Having fallen into disrepair after closing in 1979, the building has since been fully restored.
Website – https://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/visit/wolverhampton-archives/
