Birmingham Civic Society

Roots, Rights and Resistance
2021-03-30 11:30 - 12:30 UTC
The people, movements and struggles that shaped Handsworth and the wider Birmingham area are described in this compelling and lively talk. Join Legacy WM’s Heritage Officer Rachel West and discover fascinating stories about this dynamic part of the city, how it helped shaped the world and how it continues to evolve and inspire today.
Legacy WM was established in 2010 and has Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status. Inspired by the heritage of post-war migrant communities in Birmingham, their work celebrates their relationship with the industrial, architectural, and cultural fabric of the city.
This is an online talk using the platform Zoom. Participants will require a lap top, PC, tablet or smartphone for this experience and will be provided, in advance, with all the information needed to access the event.
Birmingham Civic Society Members Free
Non members £5.00 plus usual booking fees
Book via Eventbrite

The Park Street Excavations
2021-03-09 12:30 - 13:30
Did you know that one of the biggest archaeological digs in the UK recently took place in Birmingham?
The archaeological excavation at Park Street undertaken by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) Headland for the HS2 rail line was the largest investigation of a Victorian graveyard undertaken outside of London. It presented archaeologists with an unprecedented opportunity to study the population of Birmingham during a period of rapid expansion and change for the city.
Join representatives from MOLA Headland for a short talk about the history of the site as well as discussing some of the recent findings.
This is an online talk using the platform Zoom. Participants will require a lap top, PC, tablet or smartphone for this experience and will be provided, in advance, with all the information needed to access the event.
This is a free event for Birmingham Civic Society Members only – book your place via the Eventbrite link below.

Discovering Birmingham’s Roundhouse
2021-02-17 12:30 - 13:30
Join the team behind the revival of the 19th century Roundhouse and discover the plans for this exciting Birmingham landmark.
The Grade II* listed building is in the final stages of extensive renovations and conservation work, and is being brought back to life thanks to a partnership between the Canal & River Trust and the National Trust, and funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This unique, horseshoe-shaped building, once a base for the City’s lamplighters and the working horses of the Public Works department, will begin operating this year under the care of Roundhouse Birmingham, a new heritage enterprise and independent charity. We’ll hear from the Roundhouse Birmingham team about the project so far, and the vision for its future role in city life.
This is an online talk using the platform Zoom. Participants will require a lap top, PC, tablet or smartphone for this experience and will be provided, in advance, with all the information needed to access the event.
Birmingham Civic Society Members – Free
Non members £5.00 plus usual booking fees
Book via Eventbrite

Photo credit James Reader

An Introduction to the Heritage of Birmingham Cathedral with Jane McArdle
2021-02-05 12:30 - 13:30
Join Jane on Friday 5th February at 12.30pm for a wonderfully informative and lively talk on the church that became a cathedral in a town that became a city. Jane draws on her experience of working at one of the city’s most significant buildings, with a beautifully illustrated presentation that charts the development of the Cathedral Church of St Philip and highlights many of its interesting features.
This is an online talk using the platform Zoom. Participants will require a lap top, PC, tablet or smartphone for this experience and will be provided, in advance, with all the information needed to access the event.
Make a sandwich, make yourself comfortable and enjoy a restorative hour discovering this most fascinating of Birmingham’s buildings. Free for members and available at a small charge for non-members. We particularly encourage our corporate members to signpost this event to staff for their lunchtime away from work.
Birmingham Civic Society Members: Free
Non members: £5.00 plus Eventbrite booking fees
Book via the Eventbrite link below

Birmingham Civic Society AGM 2020 - Online
2020-11-25 17:00 - 17:30
Join us online on Wednesday 25th November at 5pm for our 2020 AGM, which will be taking place via Zoom.
This will be a very different AGM to any we’ve ever experienced before but we loved connecting with you online for this year’s Leaders Breakfast and we’re looking forward to doing the same again for the AGM. We hope you are able to join us and would be delighted if you wish to invite guests to hear more about what we do.
Register your attendance via the website link below.

Museum Collection Centre Visit
2020-04-23 09:00 - 11:00
A rare opportunity to visit this incredible store with its wealth of fascinating objects.
Discover Birmingham Civic Society connections along the way as you explore the thousands of items that make up around 80% of Birmingham Museum Trust’s collections. Numbers are limited to 15 on this popular event so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets £10 members £15 non-members – plus usual booking fees. Price includes refreshments.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite

BTfL Planting: Batchelors Farm Rec, Bordesley Green
2020-03-21 11:00 - 13:30
Community tree planting event – please contact info@btfl.org.uk to ask if any places remain available. Note: This site is also known as Bordesley Green Rec.

BTfl Planting: Marlborough House Rec, Yardley - Fully Booked
2020-03-19 10:30 - 12:30
School and corporate tree planting event, also open to individual volunteers – please contact info@btfl.org.uk to ask if any places are available (this event is fully booked).

Next Generation Awards Finals
2019-10-10 16:00 - 18:00
The 2019 Next Generation Awards Final will be held at Highbury Hall. Further details will be made available soon.

Annual Leaders' Breakfast with Brigid Jones
2019-09-20 06:15 - 08:00
Our annual Leaders’ Breakfast returns, this year at Park Regis. Join us for a conversation with Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, Brigid Jones.
Book your place now.

The City Beautiful project end celebration
2019-07-14 10:00 - 15:00
We are delighted to be celebrating the end of the hugely successful The City Beautiful centenary project in the idyllic surroundings of Blakesley Hall Museum, Yardley.
Birmingham Civic Society members are invited to Blakesley Hall’s Summer Fete on Sunday 14 July where a programme of events and activities are planned alongside this popular family, public event.
Following an informal reception in the gallery space members will have the opportunity to visit Blakesley Hall free flow or as part of a guided tour. Members can also join an exclusive guided tour of Old Yardley village with the Mrs History team.
Birmingham Civic Society will have a stand at the fete with information for all and activities for younger family members.
Blakesley Hall’s Summer Fete is a popular event with plenty of things happening throughout the day. The charming tea room will be open providing a range of freshly made Birmingham Museums Trust sandwiches as well as crisps, cakes, cookies and ice creams. Members can bring picnics to enjoy in the beautiful gardens, but please be aware that the fete is held on the lawn and therefore picnic space is limited.
Programme
11.00am Blakesley Hall Summer Fete opens
11.30am Birmingham Civic Society members reception in the gallery with tea, coffee and cake provided
11.00am – 2.30pm Blakesley Hall open for visitors, free flow
From 2.30pm Blakesley Hall open for visitors by guided tour
Please indicate whether you would like to visit the Hall free flow OR by guided tour when booking. There are 15 places available on two tours of the Hall for BCS members after 2.30pm.
1.00pm Exclusive guided tour of Old Yardley Village with Mrs History. This tour will last around an hour and a quarter and will start and finish at Blakesley Hall.
Please indicate whether you would like to join this tour when booking. 30 spaces available.
4.00pm Summer Fete closes
RSVP: birminghamcivicsocietyevents@gmail.com to book your place and indicate which tours you would like to join.
For more information about Blakesley Hall visit: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blakesley

2019 Summer Reception: Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
2019-06-05 17:00 - 19:00
Our Summer Reception exclusively for corporate members and their guests will take place this year on Wednesday 5 June, 6-8pm, at the offices of DWF, One Snow Hill.
This year our keynote speaker will be Neil Carney, Programme Director – Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Birmingham City Council.
Neil has considerable experience in the planning and delivery of major multi-sport Games operations having worked at a senior level at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2015 European Games, 2017 Islamic Games and recently, the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Having worked across different continents and cultures, Neil has now moved ‘closer to home’ providing strategic leadership to Birmingham City Council in their preparations for hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Neil will share with us some of the exciting plans for both the games and the city, before taking questions from the audience.

Signpost Event: Tour of the gardens at Winterbourne House and Garden
2019-05-18 13:00 - 14:30
The tour of this spectacular Arts and Crafts garden will be led by the head gardener, Steve Haines and will include the rhododendron garden laid out in 1975 to commemorate Birmingham University’s centenary.
The tour of the garden will take place between 2.00 and 3.30 and tea can purchased at Winterbourne’s cafe.
This is a related event to Celebrating Heritage Rhododendrons at Highbury, which is being held on the 17th May.
Tickets are £4.50 and you can book via Eventbrite.

Signpost Event: Celebrating Heritage Rhododendrons at Highbury
2019-05-17 09:00 - 15:00
Join the Chamberlain Highbury Trust for a study day at Highbury, which will focus on Joseph Chamberlain’s rhododendron collection, planted between 1879 and 1914. The programme will consist of a series of lectures in the morning followed by a tour of the gardens.
In 2018, the Chamberlain Highbury Trust commissioned a survey of the rhododendron collection at Highbury. Lear Associates identified and mapped over one hundred specimens and made recommendations for the future care of the collection. On the 17th May 2019, Michael and Beverley Lear will describe their findings and give a general introduction to rhododendrons.
Phillada Ballard (trustee of the Chamberlain Highbury Trust) will also speak about rhododendron planting in Birmingham gardens from the late 18th century to the 1970s. Beverley Lear will speak on a garden that predates Highbury – Biddulph Grange in N. Staffordshire, with its spectacular plantings of rhododendrons by James Bateman in the 1850s.
A tour of gardens will be led by Michael and Beverley Lear who will concentrate on the six areas with extant rhododendrons.
Tickets are £55 and you can book via Eventbrite.

Signpost Event: An introduction to the Papers of James Watt and family
2019-03-09 13:30 - 15:30
Join archivist Fiona Tait for an afternoon looking at the James Watt Archives. After an introductory talk there will be time to look at some of Watt’s letters, drawings, maps, notebooks and family papers. Material on display is original and you will be able to read Watt’s thoughts and ideas in his own hand and see his sketches and scribbled notes about major innovations and discoveries.
Fiona Tait worked as an archivist for Birmingham City Council for thirty years and recently retired. She was appointed to the Archives of Soho Project in 2000 to re-catalogue the papers of James Watt and Family and has retained a particular interest in all things related to James Watt.
Tickets are £5 and you can book via Eventbrite

Signpost Event: Birmingham St Mary's Hospice 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner
2019-03-01 18:30 - 23:45
‘Even if a patient cannot be cured, they should be helped for free’
Upon retiring from her NHS nursing career in 1974, Monica Pearce decided to use her knowledge to ‘enable anyone with a life-limiting illness to live their life to the full’. It was this determination to provide better pain relief and care that led to her idea of founding a hospice. ‘St Mary’s Hospice’ would be the first independent hospice in the Midlands and only the seventh nationwide. She envisioned it to be for people all faiths and none, to support patients as well as loved ones, and, essentially, to provide comfort for local people nearing the end of their lives. Pearce’s ambition was finally realised on March 5th 1979 when ‘St Mary’s Hospice’ admitted its first ever patient. She worked tirelessly to raise more than £350,000, and her commitment continued unwavering throughout her life. Monica’s legacy of providing the very best end of life care continues to inspire staff and volunteers every day.
To celebrate 40 years of hospice care in Birmingham we’re inviting you to join us for an evening of dinner and entertainment to continue Monica’s legacy and support more people who are living with a life limiting illness.
Doors will open at 6.30pm where you’ll be welcomed with a drinks reception whilst you peruse our silent auction. From 7pm our CEO Tina Swani will walk you through how far we’ve come over the last 40 years, the amazing things supporters like you have achieved and what the future looks like for palliative care in Birmingham. Dinner will be served at 8pm with entertainment, raffles and games throughout before our live auction is held. We’ll finish with live comedy from brummie Queen of Fun Barbara Nice and musical entertainment before carriages at midnight.
Dress Code: Black Tie
Tickets:
Individuals – £79.00 (shared table of 10, welcome drink, 3 course meal and entertainment included)
Two People – £150.00 (shared table of 10 welcome drink, 3 course meal and entertainment included)
Bronze Table of 10 – £750.00 (table of 10, welcome drink, 3 course meal and entertainment included)
Silver Table of 10 – £850.00 (table of 10, welcome drink, 3 course meal, drinks package and entertainment included)
Gold Tables of 10 – £950.00 (table of 10, welcome drink, 3 course meal, VIP drinks package and entertainment included)
We’re hoping to raise £30,000 from this event, this money will go a long way to improving more people’s experience of living and dying with a terminal illness. Your support is at the heart of this, helping us to develop our care for current and future families – thank you.
To book your tickets visit the website. For further information or sponsorship enquiries please contact our events team on 0121 752 8779 or email events@birminghamhospice.org.uk

Signpost Event: Acts & Monuments Publication
2019-02-28 18:30 - 19:30
28 February 2019 sees the publication of Acts & Monuments, the debut novel of local author and charity CEO, Alan Fraser. Acts & Monuments is set here in the West Midlands, and features our very own Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery – its art collection and even its wonderful tea rooms. It tells the story of perennial ‘good guy’ Barry Todd who works hard for Monument Housing Association providing the poor and vulnerable with a safe place to live. But, overlooked for promotion and with mounting financial problems, Barry starts to wonder if goodness will ever bring him its own reward. So when the opportunity presents itself to steal 50,000 of Monument’s money without anybody being able to trace the theft back to him, Barry finds himself wondering – if nothing bad were happy to anyone, would being good really matter anymore?
To celebrate publication, Alan is hosting a book launch on Thursday 28 February and is inviting Birmingham Civic Society members to join him for what promises to be a great evening. Guests will gather for nibbles from 6pm, with the event kicking off at 6.30pm with a reading, Q&A session, FREE raffle to win a signed copy of the book, and even a photo quiz to test your knowledge of Birmingham’s architecture. It’ll be lots of fun – and finished by 7.30pm.
The event will be held here in Birmingham. Venue details will be confirmed shortly, once organisers have a clear idea of numbers. If you would like to attend please email Alan Fraser (alan-fraser2@sky.com) and Rowena Wilding (rowena.wilding@gmail.com )by Monday 10 February.
Early reviewers have loved the book:
“Gripping… a real page-turner… I couldn’t put it down”
“Well-written, carefully structured, meticulously researched, and thoroughly readable… An impressive and polished debut novel.”
“Gripping… I was hooked from page one.*****”
“A really good read.*****”
“I put down my latest Wilbur Smith to read this, and I can honestly say I was not disappointed*****”.
If you haven’t already got your copy of Acts & Monuments you will, of course, be able to buy copies on the night. But if you can’t wait that long, it is available from the publisher’s website now as either a paperback or ebook https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/contemporary/acts-monuments/

Blue Plaque to Mary Cottrell to be unveiled
2019-02-22 14:00 - 15:30
Join us at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to Mary Cottrell on Friday 22 February, 2 – 3.30pm. Mary Cottrell was the first woman elected to the Boards of the Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society in 1909 and to the Wholesale Co-operative Society in 1922. She was the first woman Labour and Co-operative Party councillor elected to Birmingham City Council in 1917, and was a member of the Civic Society’s founding committee. The unveiling will take place at Stirchley Baths and the plaque will later be erected at 1389-1391 Pershore Road, the site of the former TASCOS bakery. Email Penny to attend.

On This Stage
2019-01-26 12:00 - 15:00
Where: The Old Rep
Date: Sat 26th January
Time: 12-3
Cost: £6 (concessions £5)
Ticket purchase : from The REP and TOR box offices, or via the website.

A special celebratory collaboration between The Rep and Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA). An exploration of The Old Rep, bringing to life its history and the people who created it including the significant contribution of Birmingham Civic Society. Take a dramatic tour of the theatre where scenes from its history will be brought to life by BOA’s aspiring young actors.

Enjoy a cuppa and hear about the stars who began their careers here. Sit back and find out how it all happened On This Stage. There is limited accessibility due to stairs on tour but the rest of experience is fully accessible.

James Watt Talk by Chris Rice
2018-12-10 13:00 - 14:00
Historian Chris Rice on James Watt, Birmingham and how, between them, they shaped the world.
This event is free to BMI members and £5 to non members, booking will soon be available on the Birmingham & Midland Institute website.

Signpost Event: Ghost Signs Walking Tour - Jewellery Quarter & Gun Quarter
2018-12-09
Join for a three hour guided walk exploring the historic Jewellery Quarter & old gun quarters hunting for hand painted ghost signs. The walk ends by The Gunmakers Arms pub where you can join us afterwards for a drink and chat.
Takes place at 1pm every second Sunday of the month throughout 2018.
Meeting place: Dayus Square, off Albion Street Birmingham
To book visit Brum’s Ghost Signs on Eventbrite or Facebook.
Form ore information email: hellotraceythorne@outlook.com

Victorian Christmas Card Making
2018-12-08 13:00 - 15:00
With the newly restored statue of Queen Victoria as inspiration join us in making a picture perfect Christmas card.
This is a free drop in family activity for accompanied children between 5-12.

Signpost Event: Ghost Signs Walking Tour - Deritend and Digbeth
2018-12-08
Join for a three hour guided walk exploring Deritend and Digbeth hunting for hand-painted ghost signs. The walk ends by The Old Crown pub where you can join us afterwards for a drink and chat.
The tour takes place at 1pm every second Saturday of the month throughout 2018.
Each tour costs £10pp.
Meeting place: Bradford Street on the corner by Warner Street.
To book visit Brum’s Ghost Signs on Eventbrite or Facebook.
For more information email: hellotraceythorne@outlook.com.

The City Beautiful in Archives
2018-11-26 16:30 - 18:30
A unique opportunity to view selected archive material relating to Birmingham Civic Society, its work and achievements over the past 100 years.
The session will be facilitated by expert archival staff and archivists who have been studying this particular body of documents during 2018.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite.

Leaders Breakfast 2018
2018-11-23 07:15 - 09:15
Book your place at our Annual Leaders’ Breakfast on Friday 23 November, 7.15 – 9.15am at Hotel du Vin, with guest speaker the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward.
This event is for Civic Society corporate members and their guests. It includes coffee during the networking reception and a full English breakfast.
Book your place via Eventbrite.

The Suffragette Movement in Birmingham a talk by Nicola Gauld
2018-11-17 10:00 - 11:30
Women’s historian Nicola Gauld provides a fascinating account of the suffragette movement in Birmingham from key individuals to historic events.
After the talk, take the opportunity to join an accompanied visit to Women and Protest exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite.

Blue Plaque to Bertha Ryland to be unveiled
2018-11-16 12:00 - 13:30
The Trustees of the Birmingham Civic Society and Birmingham Museums warmly invite you to the unveiling of a Commemorative Blue Plaque to Bertha Ryland on Friday 16 November, at 12.00pm.
In the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act, we are proud to unveil a new plaque to suffragette Bertha Ryland in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. On 9 June 1914 Bertha Ryland entered the museum and attacked a painting as part of the militant campaign for women’s rights. The attack took place as protests escalated across the UK with suffragettes fighting to have their voices heard. This event does not condone Bertha’s actions but honours her principles and the fight for women’s rights. This event will give a greater insight into Birmingham’s role in the suffrage movement. Taking place in the Round Room the plaque will be revealed as part of a ceremony that features a short presentation by researcher and author Dr Nicola Gauld and dramatic performance by actress Francesca Millican-Slater. An optional tour of a new exhibition “Women, Power, Protest” will follow with curator Emalee Beddoes-Davis.
The Blue Plaque unveiling forms part of a weekend of thought-provoking events and performances from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 November – including a women in parliament discussion with local female MPs – and is part of the programme for Women Power Protest, an Arts Council Collection National Partnership exhibition. In the anniversary year for women’s suffrage the weekend of events reflects on the progress made for women’s rights and asks just how much has changed for women today?
When: Friday 16th November 2018, 12.00pm-1.30pm
Where: The Round Room, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH
RSVP: by Wednesday 14th November 2018 to Penny Colbourne

AGM & Centenary Celebration
2018-11-15 17:00 - 20:00
Join us on Thursday 15 November, 5 for 5.15pm for our 2018 AGM, held at the offices of Pinsent Masons at 55 Colmore Row. For this part of the evening please RSVP to Kay by 14th November
From 6pm, after the AGM we invite you to join Trustees, members and guests as we look back at the highlights from our Centenary year, sharing highlights of this important anniversary and also look forward to 2019 with our new Chair, Amelia Ladbrook. If you would like to join us please RSVP here.

William Haywood and the Birmingham Civic Society a talk by Stephen Hartland
2018-11-07 18:00 - 19:30
Birmingham Civic Society Trustee Stephen Hartland introduces us to the Society’s first Honorary Secretary and illustrates a man dedicated to making Birmingham a better place for everyone.
The talk takes place in the brewery to the rear of the pub.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite.

Signpost Event: Funding public services: postcode lotteries or local responsibilities?
2018-11-07 16:20 - 18:45
Where should decisions on our taxes and public services be taken? Should services be funded on a comparable basis nationally from national taxes? Or should councils and other local public sector organisations have responsibility for funding services in their area, and discretion over what to spend and how to raise their revenues? Is more local responsibility a good thing that will empower communities to improve and tailor services? Or does it simply risk worsening ‘postcode lotteries’ in access to services and the taxes we pay? Would it address concerns, implicated in the Brexit vote, that decisions are made by a distant and out-of-touch elite? Or would it widen inequalities, breeding further political divisions?
These questions and more will be discussed at a presentation and debate hosted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Birmingham University.
To find out more about this event and sign up follow this link.
