
Book in advance đ
The Second Saturday of the Month
From 2pm in the Drawing Room
Two films about retrofit: our homes and neighbourhoods, and the huge 1960s Smallbrook Ringway building in the city centre.Â
RETROFIT REIMAGINED – embargoed film preview!
Weâre delighted to preview in Balsall Heath this inspiring 18 minute film.
Retrofit means insulating your home to cut fuel bills, cut carbon, improve health, give new jobs and skills.
Retrofit Balsall Heath is a community-led local group, and co-founder of RETROFIT REIMAGINED Festival, created in July 2022 in collaborative with Civic Square in Ladywood and others.
Retrofit Balsall Heath is working to embody RETROFIT REIMAGINEDâs foundational question: âWhat if the climate transition and retrofit of our homes and streets were designed, owned and governed by the people who live there?â
In autumn 2023, RETROFIT REIMAGINED toured to five venues across the UK, launching in Balsall Heath at Moseley Road Baths. This beautifully created film tells the whole story.
18 minutes
SAVING SMALLBROOK – fresh from première at Flatpack film festival!
Although Birmingham City Councilâs planning committee voted to demolish Smallbrook Ringway Centre, the fight is still on, with a new legal challenge.
This 2-year ongoing planning battle has been captured on film by Liverpoolâs Doberman Films, in a new documentary which explores the cityâs ambivalent relationship with its post-war heritage.
Like its sister building the Rotunda, Smallbrook Ringway Centre was designed in the 1960s by Birmingham architect Jim Roberts.
Retrofitting would be much lower carbon than the 187 million kg of CO2 for demolition and rebuilding.
25 minutes
Free event, with Q&A, and donations invited to Save Smallbrook crowdfunding campaign
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-smallbrook-1
****Booking at the bottom of page via Eventbrite****
We invite you to start thinking about the way you move around your neighbourhood. Exploring Birmingham by bike and foot allows you to see the city differently while connecting with people and places. Many of us are amazed by the wonderful Dutch cycling culture and infrastructure in the Netherlands. However, it wasn’t always like this.
Join us at the film screening of âWe Cycle Togetherâ and learn about the fantastic ways the country adapted to the influx of cars and how the Dutch society took a different turn to other big cities around the world and against all odds, people kept on cycling.
In Together we cycle, key players tell the story of the bumpy road which led to the current state. Where cycling is an obvious choice for most citizens.
The film will be followed by an open conversation with a special panel of Birmingham-based people sharing their everyday bicycle experiences and adventures. On the Panel will be
Usma Chaudry – primary school teacher, a mother, a wife, a sister and also a friend.
Esther Barnes – a mum who discovered her life changing love for cycling in Birmingham with her kids.
Cath Palgrave – cyclist, mechanic, cycle instructor, gardener, camper, gig goer, coffee and cider drinker and
Lisa Jones – Bicycle adventurer. Passionate about the outdoors, maps and travelling by bike. Chasing views, smiles and cafe stops.
Please come along for what is set to be an fun evening discovering the possibilities of travelling by bike with an inspiring cycling film screening followed by collectively sharing our experiences and bicycle stories.
Food from Change Kitchen and drinks will be available, or feel free to bring your own.
A community event @balsallheathsecondsaturday hosted by @BiclasB12 @ecobirmingham and @TheOldPrintWorks EVERYONE WELCOME!
Come and join us to celebrate the opening of Oriental Star Express exhibition in collaboration with @oldprintworksbrum. The celebration includes artist talk by @faishussainism, showing of our film ‘Request Line’, great music by @rizmi_____ , and food. This is a free event and everyone is welcomed. Booking below
10am-4pm, Saturday 12th August, Moseley Road Baths
Join us in the Living Room as we gather round the television for âBHTVâ, three channels of Balsall Heathen programming curated by Flatpack Festival. Expect family-friendly entertainment from around the world, as well as creative and documentary films about Balsall Heath and Moseley Road Baths itself.
Flatpack is a mobile arts organisation which exists to show amazing work, bring people together and develop new ideas. We love film in all shapes and sizes, particularly where it bumps up against other artforms, and get a kick out of transforming spaces to create unforgettable events. Every May bank holiday you can find us taking over venues across Birmingham with the âmagnificently eclecticâ Flatpack Festival, while throughout the year we pop up all over the place with everything from family activities to al fresco horror.