Birmingham Civic Society

Remarkable generosity; Louisa Ryland’s gifts to the city
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Louisa Ryland (1814-1889) was a major Victorian philanthropist and benefactor. Louisa gave quietly and often anonymously, and it is estimated she donated, in today’s equivalent, well over 20 million pounds to Birmingham during her lifetime. Her generosity is commemorated with a blue plaque in Cannon Hill Park. This talk will look at her life and philanthropy and includes a virtual walk in the park in the early 20th century using Edwardian postcards.
About the speaker
Irene de Boo has worked in the heritage sector since 1994. For many years she managed local historic properties for Birmingham Museums Trust. She also worked as curator at the Black Country Living Museum with responsibilities for transport and industrial collections. Irene now works freelance in the museum sector and is a member of the Birmingham Civic Society Heritage Committee.
Free event. Online via Zoom. Booking via Eventbrite link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/remarkable-generosity-louisa-rylands-gifts-to-the-city-tickets-505950600867?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The Birmingham Civic Society Leaders' Breakfast 2023
2023-02-28 07:30 - 09:30
Hosted by Aston University The Birmingham Civic Society invite you to join us for breakfast and to hear from Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward.
Councillor Ward will be giving us insights about the emerging legacy of the Commonwealth Games after the Games showcased Birmingham to the world. Focusing on how the Games will help deliver vital policy issues such as levelling up and identifying the role for organisations like Birmingham Civic Society and other charities so we can help with shaping the city’s future, we hope you can join us.
Tickets include breakfast, please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
Tickets are free for members, £10 for non members.
Book your ticket via Eventbrite.
Campus map

INVITE ONLY: UNVEILING OF BLUE PLAQUES COMMEMORATING THE WORK OF GEORGE DAWSON AND SAM: TIMMINS
2023-02-28 17:00 - 19:00
On Tuesday 28th February we will be unveiling two blue plaques, commemorating the work of George Dawson and Sam: Timmins.
George Dawson (1821-1876) was a nonconformist preacher, lecturer and activist with an influential voice in the calls for political and social reform in 19th century Birmingham. He became a widely celebrated lecturer, promoting the “Civic Gospel” and helped to found the Shakespeare Memorial Library. The “Everything to Everybody” Project has sponsored this Blue Plaque to recognise Dawson’s relevance to society today. The plaque will be erected in the Skyline Room, outside the Shakespeare Memorial Library.
Sam: Timmins (1826-1902) inherited a family business manufacturing small steel tools and hardware, but his true passion was literature and he dedicated his efforts to establishing the Shakespeare Memorial Library. The plaque will be erected on his home in Elvetham Road, Edgbaston soon after the ceremony.
This is an invite only event due to limited capacity at the venue.

PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF SMALLBROOK QUEENSWAY
2023-02-28 18:00 - 20:00
The Birmingham Civic Society invite you to the public meeting being held regarding the proposals to redevelop the site of the Smallbrook Ringway site. This meeting is in collaboration with the C20 Society, Brutiful Birmingham, and Midland Modernists.
We look forward to a neutral well informed debate.
Click here to see The Birmingham Civic Society planning committee’s comments on the proposal.

West Midlands Combined Authority Tram Unveiling to Theresa Stewart
2023-03-08 12:00 - 12:30
West Midlands Combined Authority will be naming a tram to honour Theresa Stewart, the first female leader of Birmingham City Council and a labour councillor for over 30 years. Birmingham Civic Society will also be unveiling a Blue Plaque to Theresa Stewart in the summer, but if anybody would like to watch the tram naming ceremony it is being held on International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8th March 2023, at 11:55am by the Iron Man on Victoria Square.
8th March 2023, Timings:
11:55 Meet by Iron Man on Victoria Square.
12:04 Tram arrives and unveiling takes place.
12:09 Tram leaves.
More details about our Blue Plaque unveiling event will be shared with members soon, but for now hold the date – the afternoon of Friday 2nd June 2023.

Bertha Bracey, the Kindertransport and aid for refugees in the 1930s and 1940s
2023-03-08 19:00 - 20:00
Born in 1893, Bertha Bracey was brought up in Bournville where her father worked at the Cadbury chocolate factory. She became a Quaker in 1911 and spent the rest of her life engaging in humanitarian aid including, perhaps most notably, her instrumental role in persuading the British government to accept the 10,000 refugee children of the Kindertransport in 1938. This talk will discuss Bracey’s life and work with a particular focus on her efforts to support refugees in the 1930s and 1940s.
Bertha Bracey’s contribution to humanitarian aid will be commemorated later this year with the unveiling of a blue plaque.

About the speaker
Dr Siân Roberts trained as an archivist and worked as senior archivist in the heritage sector for several years. She was involved in a number of large Heritage Lottery funded archives and heritage projects, most notably Connecting Histories and the Children’s Lives projects. After this, Siân worked as Research Associate at the University of Worcester and in 2016 moved to the School of Education at the University of Birmingham where she is a lecturer in Education and Social Justice. Sian is a member of the Birmingham Civic Society Heritage Committee.
Venue: Selly Manor Museum, Maple Road, Bournville, B30 2AE
£5 / BCS members free. Booking here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bertha-bracey-the-kindertransport-and-aid-for-refugees-1930s-1940s-tickets-519013472267

Image – Kindertransport monument at Liverpool Street station, London, by Frank Meisler. Via Wikimedia Commons.

The Birmingham Civic Society AGM 2023
2023-03-23 17:00 - 19:15
We would like to welcome members and non members alike to our AGM on Thursday 23rd March.
The AGM is an opportunity to hear about the fantastic work the society has been doing over the last year and the forum in which the election of Trustees of the Society by full members of the Society takes place.
Please note non-member guests are most welcome but may not vote at the AGM.
AGM Papers
THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIC SOCIETY AGM AGENDA 23rd MARCH 2023
BCS 2022 Summary Accounts
BCS_Minutes_AGM_2021
After the official AGM we invite you to join us for a drink and network before an update from the former Birmingham Trees for Life team on their work and transition into Birmingham Tree People. BTfL planted 100,000 trees in 15 years contributing to sustainable urban living in Birmingham for this generation and future generations.
We will also be hearing from our committees – Heritage, Planning, Citizenship and Public Art – on their activities.
We hope you can join us for an evening of celebration and looking ahead to what the next year brings for the society.
Please RSVP here via Eventbrite
If you would like to send apologies please email info@birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk.
Thank you to Deutsche Bank for being our host for the evening.

Inspirational Women; a walk in Birmingham City Centre
2023-05-20 10:00 - 11:30
Like most places, Birmingham’s history has traditionally focussed on the achievements of notable men. Join us on a guided tour of the city centre to discover the stories and achievements of the many women who contributed to the history of the city. Suffragettes, abolitionists, factory workers, academics, trade unionists, philanthropists, artists, politicians, and educators; many women put their mark on Birmingham’s history.
The walk will start at Floozie in the Jacuzzi (top level, opposite Council House). Comfortable shoes advised and dress for the weather. Some uneven pavements likely.
The walk takes inspiration from the recently produced ‘Birmingham Women’s Heritage Trails’, a joint project between Birmingham Civic Society and Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid.
The tour will be led by Anna Fawcett and Irene de Boo. Anna Fawcett is a Marketing and Communications professional and feminist who has a keen interest in the experiences of women in Birmingham both past and present. After 9 years working at Winterbourne House and Garden, she has worked at Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid since 2019. Irene de Boo has worked in the heritage sector since 1994. For many years she managed local historic properties for Birmingham Museums Trust. Irene now works freelance in the museum sector and is a member of the Birmingham Civic Society Heritage Committee responsible for blue plaques in the city.
This Birmingham Civic Society’s Heritage Trails Project is generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the W A Cadbury Charitable Trust.
£5 / BCS members free.
Book here

The unveiling of a Blue Plaque to Theresa Stewart
2023-06-02 13:00 - 15:00
The Birmingham Civic Society invites you to attend the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to Theresa Stewart on Friday 2nd June 2023, at 2pm.
Theresa Stewart was the first female leader of Birmingham City Council, a pioneer for women’s equality and women’s representation and Councillor for Billesley Ward for 31 years. After the plaque has been unveiled it will be erected on her former home in Selly Wick Road.
Please RSVP (yes or no) to this email detailing the names of all attendees. Tea/Coffee and biscuits will be served.

When: Friday 2nd June 2023, 2:00pm
Where: Warstock Community Centre, 1 Daisy Farm Road, Yardley Wood, Birmingham, B14 4QA. Location – https://w3w.co/means.draw.extend
RSVP: to birminghamblueplaques@gmail.com using this link/reply to this email by 5pm, Wednesday 31st May 2023

Bournville Women’s History Walk
2023-06-23 17:30 - 19:00
Discover the often untold stories of the trailblazing women who led the way for change and have shaped Bournville and Birmingham into the areas we know today. We will shine a light on the stories of women like philanthropist Dame Elizabeth Cadbury, artist Mary Sargent Florence and trade unionist Julia Varley.
Join India Wilson on this gentle stroll around Bournville. India is the Bournville Heritage Officer for Bournville Village Trust, delivering walking tours of Bournville and guided tours of Selly Manor Museum for both adults and children.
The walk starts at Selly Manor Museum, Maple Road, Bournville, B30 2AE.
This walk is delivered in partnership with Bournville Village Trust and Selly Manor Museum.
£5 / Birmingham Civic Society members free.
Book now

A walk around historic Digbeth
2023-09-08 10:00 - 11:30
Join historian Chris Rice for a stroll around Digbeth exploring some of the city’s less familiar historic sights.
The tour will trace the medieval origins of the city and its development during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The route includes Digbeth High Street, the Kennedy Memorial and the Custard Factory, the Old Crown Inn, Fazeley Street, and back along the Digbeth Branch Canal, past the Gun Barrel Proof House and Curzon Street Station.
Starting point: Outside the front door of St Martin’s in the Bull Ring Church
£5 / Birmingham Civic Society members free.
Book here

Unveiling of a Blue Plaque to Emma Barton
2024-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | The Next Generation Winners – Never Afraid to Take on Emotive and Controversial Issues to help Safeguard their Communities!
The Birmingham Civic Society invites you to attend the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to Emma Barton on Thursday 14th March 2024, at 10am.
Emma Barton was a pioneering portrait photographer who came from a working class Birmingham background. Beginning in the mid 1890s using simple equipment and often in her own home and featuring her family, she went on to exhibit at the Royal Photographic Society and was awarded their medal in 1903. At the height of her career, Emma Barton was possibly the most published female photographer of her time.
After the plaque has been unveiled it will be erected on South & City College’s Digbeth Campus, the site of the photography studio where she learnt her skill.
Please RSVP to the email below if you would like to attend. Tea/Coffee and biscuits will be served.

When: Thursday 14th March 2024, 10am
Where: South & City College Digbeth Campus, High Street Deritend, Birmingham, B5 5SU. Location – https://w3w.co/card.statue.pasta
RSVP: to birminghamblueplaques@gmail.com by 5pm, Monday 11th March 2024

Please do not hesitate to contact the above if you require any further information.
There is no car parking available at the venue. On-street paid parking is available in Floodgate Street and Milk Street and other roads in the area. There are pay and display car parks on Heath Mill Lane and the Zellig Car Park on High Street Deritend. The area is served by NXWM bus routes numbers 6, 17, 50, 60, 97, X1 and X2. New Street and Moor Street Railway Stations are a 10 minute walk.

Save the date for our AGM!
2025-01-30 17:00 - 19:00 | The Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret St, Birmingham B3 3BS, The Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret St, Birmingham, B3 3BS
Thursday 30th January 2025
5pm for 5.15pm
The Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret St, Birmingham B3 3BS
Join us in the new year for the Birmingham Civic Society AGM on Thursday 30th January, 5 for 5.15pm, being held at The Birmingham & Midland Institute.
Following the formal part of the evening, 5.15 – 6pm, join us for refreshments as we focus on our year ahead. We will hear more on the Society’s key initiatives and why your membership really matters.
We would like to thank you for your continuing support and look forward to seeing you in the new year. We hope that you will be able to attend and would be delighted if you wish to bring guests.
RSVP by e-mail to info@birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk by Monday 27th January.

Explore the Victoria Law Courts – A Guided Heritage Tour
2025-09-18 15:00 - 16:30
Step into Birmingham’s rich civic history with a guided tour of the Victoria Law Courts, an architectural gem built between 1887 and 1891 by renowned designers Aston Webb and Ingress Bell. This late Victorian public building, celebrated for its national significance, showcases striking red brick and terracotta on the exterior, while its interior glows with sandy-yellow terracotta—a material that became fashionable in the city thanks to this very landmark.
Constructed during Birmingham’s transformation into a “great city,” the courts were part of a broader civic vision. The city was officially granted status in 1889, midway through the building’s completion. Inside, the Great Hall features grand windows at either end, adorned with depictions of local luminaries—from Shakespeare to Matthew Boulton—and trades that shaped Birmingham’s industrial legacy.
Tour Details
The tour begins outside the main entrance with a brief historical overview, followed by a visit to the Great Hall and public corridors. While courtrooms will be in session during the tour, access to a heritage courtroom may be possible if proceedings have concluded.
Security Information
Visitors must pass through airport-style security, including an archway detector and handheld scanner. Please allow extra time for this process. Phones and cameras may be brought inside, but photography and video recording are strictly prohibited. For full details on permitted and restricted items, visit GOV.UK’s court entry guidelines.
Booking
Reserve your place via Eventbrite. Tickets are £5.
Meeting Point
The tour, led by Irene de Boo of the BCS Heritage Committee, begins at 3pm on Thursday 18 September outside the main entrance of the Victoria Law Courts, 153A Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6PH.

Is there a lack of civic realm and civic space in city of Birmingham?
2026-02-12 16:00 - 18:00
The Birmingham Civic Society is concerned that recent and ongoing developments lack adequate open spaces, schools, medical centres and community amenities. We aim to champion a vision for a better city life through an improved civic realm.
Birmingham should not serve only professionals or entertainment; it must offer spaces and facilities that attract families and encourage young people to build their lives here.
Currently, many move to the suburbs for such amenities. Unlike European cities with vibrant squares and boulevards, Birmingham has few examples beyond St Philip’s Square.
Join in the debate to explore whether limited civic realm is reducing the city’s appeal.
Arup Office, Public Space One Centenary Way, Birmingham B3 3AY.
Thursday 12th February 2026 starting at 4pm.
Find out more BCS 12.02.26 Event Flyer
