Speaker for 9th October 2018
11/10/18 15:34
President Des Moore greets Past President Mike Turner, with Past President John Graham (L) and Past President John Ludlow (R)
Coleraine Probus visit 1970s Birmingham
Mike grew up in a Public House (a title for a future talk) and later qualified as a Refrigeration Engineer. In 1974 he was employed by Birmingham City Council as a Community Worker in Balsall Heath which was at the time a rundown slum area. “YOU ARE NOW ENTERING A JOB FREE ZONE” was an example of wall graffiti which reflected the severe depression experienced by the good people of the area.
The houses, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by factory owners, were small and cheaply built with the minimum of facilities. Some houses were now derelict or demolished. These terrible conditions raised concerns about health and living conditions. In 1978 The Urban Renewal Project resulted in piece meal development with some new houses being built in what was still a poor environment with children playing cricket in the midst of the rubble of demolished houses.
To encourage local, often one parent or mixed race, families a caretaking scheme was adopted. Two caretakers, Laurence and Gordon, were involved in an area of seven streets where they set up a tree planting project with school children adopting a tree. Elderly and/or disabled residents were given assistance with the redecoration of houses, A Charitable Foundation Grant was used to upgrade an adventure playground where football and cricket could be played in safety. Two of the local boys went on to play for Warwickshire.
An Urban Farm was set up with stables, a classroom and small allotment gardens where children could gain an insight into the natural world. A clown,” Big Bert,” from Community Arts encouraged reading and the telling of stories. Life was picking up in Balsall, new shops were appearing, residents committees were formed, Prince Charles even came to visit a street party where the bunting looked suspiciously like anorak patch pockets rescued from the local sweat shop. This was a magical day out of which was born the Balsall Health Carnival.
Mike was based at a local nursery school where child care allowed single parents to work. It also provided a venue for birthday parties, jumble sales, discos, the school theatre club and even weddings. The Domino Club was less successful as it proved to be too noisy and lasted only for one session. Mike’s association with Balsall extended for 16 years working 7 days a week from 1974 to 1990 and it was there that he met special people like May who was jolly and positive and full of ideas and Judith, a local lollypop lady who had a very helpful outlook. In the end it was rewarding to encourage people to stay in an improved Balsall Heath.
Coleraine Probus visit 1970s Birmingham
Mike grew up in a Public House (a title for a future talk) and later qualified as a Refrigeration Engineer. In 1974 he was employed by Birmingham City Council as a Community Worker in Balsall Heath which was at the time a rundown slum area. “YOU ARE NOW ENTERING A JOB FREE ZONE” was an example of wall graffiti which reflected the severe depression experienced by the good people of the area.
The houses, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by factory owners, were small and cheaply built with the minimum of facilities. Some houses were now derelict or demolished. These terrible conditions raised concerns about health and living conditions. In 1978 The Urban Renewal Project resulted in piece meal development with some new houses being built in what was still a poor environment with children playing cricket in the midst of the rubble of demolished houses.
To encourage local, often one parent or mixed race, families a caretaking scheme was adopted. Two caretakers, Laurence and Gordon, were involved in an area of seven streets where they set up a tree planting project with school children adopting a tree. Elderly and/or disabled residents were given assistance with the redecoration of houses, A Charitable Foundation Grant was used to upgrade an adventure playground where football and cricket could be played in safety. Two of the local boys went on to play for Warwickshire.
An Urban Farm was set up with stables, a classroom and small allotment gardens where children could gain an insight into the natural world. A clown,” Big Bert,” from Community Arts encouraged reading and the telling of stories. Life was picking up in Balsall, new shops were appearing, residents committees were formed, Prince Charles even came to visit a street party where the bunting looked suspiciously like anorak patch pockets rescued from the local sweat shop. This was a magical day out of which was born the Balsall Health Carnival.
Mike was based at a local nursery school where child care allowed single parents to work. It also provided a venue for birthday parties, jumble sales, discos, the school theatre club and even weddings. The Domino Club was less successful as it proved to be too noisy and lasted only for one session. Mike’s association with Balsall extended for 16 years working 7 days a week from 1974 to 1990 and it was there that he met special people like May who was jolly and positive and full of ideas and Judith, a local lollypop lady who had a very helpful outlook. In the end it was rewarding to encourage people to stay in an improved Balsall Heath.
(An extra note for many thanks to Graham, for an excellent summery of a complicated talk - MT)
(Also an extra 'Thank You' to Des and Maurice for the 'President Greets' photos - WebEd)
For another look at the photos from Mike's talk, just 'Click' the image below.
PS: Some of Mike's images were used a little while ago for an exhibition in Birmingham. Brian Travis for the band 'UB40' (members of the band lived in Balsall Heath and around the general area) who made a short 'YouTube' video of the event. To view the video, 'Click' this text link (it will open in a new window).
