Tag: Daytime November 2025
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Community Conversation – Who Killed Oswald Grey?
An interactive discussion exploring racial injustice, the British legal system and local history through the real-life story of Oswald Grey
Join us at The GAP for an interactive Community Conversation with writer Jon Berry exploring forgotten local history, capital punishment and racial injustices within the British legal system through the real-life story of Oswald Augustus Grey.
Oswald came to England from Jamaica aged 18 in 1960, and lived on Cannon Hill Road in Balsall Heath. Two years later he became the last man to be hanged in Birmingham and the last Black man to be executed in Britain. This is a tale of hasty injustice and deep-seated prejudice that is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.
- Through audio, images and storytelling, local writer Jon Berry will take us on a journey through Oswald’s life and untimely death, as carefully researched for his latest book Who Killed Oswald Grey? Race, the law, and the last Black man hanged in Britain
- Interactive elements will include reviewing evidence sheets to make your case, reading excerpts from a theatre script that dramatises Oswald’s trial, and community conversations around the importance of this story today
- These presentations, discussions and activities will take place between 4 – 6pm, with open unstructured space to chat and connect between 6 – 7pm.
- All welcome. Whilst this is a heavy topic, we intend to create this event as a warm and gentle space for reflection that centres on building connections, solidarity and knowledge within the community
- Light refreshments will be provided by Sam’s Vegan Delights
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Food from Sam’s Vegan Delights
Sams Vegans Delights is a family based Caribbean vegan food business based in Birmingham. Sam became vegan as a child and raised both of her children as vegan too (which they continued with their children). Fast forward a generation there have been over 3 generations of vegan in Sam’s immediate family. Sam and her children make up the quirky Sams Vegan Delights team. Being of Jamaican and mixed heritage decent, they offer home cooked naughty Jamaican & Asian infused vegan food every Friday and Saturday at The Mix Community Cafe (ran by The Gap Arts Project) 12-8pm. Sam’s flavours were inspired by her father’s dishes growing up as a child and was later inspired by the spices of the Asian diaspora due to them having so many vegetarian dishes, this experience inspired Sam to infuse both flavours together to create something delicious and unique.
Sams Vegan Delights aims to offer mouth watering delicious food, that is both full of flavour and packed with nutrition. Sam offers traditional Jamaican meat curry flavours using soy-based substitutes. Sam also specialises in non-soy-based dishes such as her famous Original Dumpling Patties, Original Ras Request & Original dinner dumplings. From her vegan sexy juice to curries, dall & vegan hot dogs, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
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Wonderfish Art Studio: Reimagining Our City with Collage
Join Wonderfish Art Studio at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for a hands-on creative collage workshop! Perfect for ages 4–10 and their grown-ups.In a safe creative space, we’ll be exploring what we feel about Birmingham and Balsall Heath with the art of collage, using different materials. Together, we are making collaborative artworks that celebrate our beautiful city and connect community and culture.
Saturday 8 November 11am-1pm
Drop-in, free, no booking required!
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Self-Portrait with PRISM Photography Network
Discover the power of self-expression at our unique Self-Portrait Studio Event at The Old Print works, in the heart of Balsall Heath. This one-of-a-kind experience invites you to step into a professional studio space where you become the photographer and the subject. Capture your own portrait in a safe, creative environment using professional lighting and backdrops, guided by friendly experts who will help you feel confident and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a first-timer, this is your chance to create striking images that reveal your personality and story.
Alongside taking your portrait, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to share your wildest thoughts and feelings on a communal mood board. This collaborative space encourages honesty, imagination, and connection—express your dreams, challenges, or inspirations through words, drawings, or images. Your contributions will help capture the vibrant spirit and diversity of Balsall Heath, giving voice to stories often unheard.
By participating, you will also play a vital role in an ongoing documentary project dedicated to exploring life in Balsall Heath. Your portrait and shared insights could be featured in exhibitions, publications, or digital media, helping to construct a rich tapestry of this community’s identity. Join us for a day of creativity, reflection, and community building—where your story matters and your image can inspire change.
The experience is offered by the PRISM Photography Network and it Is part of the Balsall Heath Observation project.
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Painting an Iranian Floral Motif
Join us to learn about the Shah Abbasi motif and create your own painting to take home. This workshop is being delivered as part of the ‘Balsall Heath Second Saturdays’ programme.
Named after Shah Abbas I, the Shah Abbasi motif is a highly stylised representation of flowers and is prominently featured in carpet designs, metalwork, and illuminated manuscripts. The geometric and symmetrical floral designs typically feature a central palmette surrounded by smaller floral and leaf patterns. More than just a decorative element, the motif symbolises the connection between nature and the divine and embodies the cultural exchange of ideas between East and West.
In this workshop, you will explore the history and symbolism of the Shah Abbasi motif and create your own painting using traditional Persian illumination techniques.
Suitable for adults and children aged 9+ years. All materials are provided.
📅 Dates: Saturday 8th November 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Place: MIAH Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery | 496 Moseley Road | Balsall Heath, Birmingham | B12 9AHTickets:
Standard Course Fee: £12.50 including Eventbrite fees.
Subsidised Fee: £10.00Image reference: 16th-Century Silk Kashan Carpet, Made in Iran, The Met Museum, Object Number: 58.46.
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SEEMAWORLD – Soft Crits
introducing: soft crits❕
if you’re an artist (at any level) developing a creative practice + seeking fresh perspectives 👁️ then YOU ARE INVITED to my studio aka ✨ @seemaworld_boon_ ✨
vibes:
1️⃣ bring along one piece of work (at whatever stage) to share with others in the group.
2️⃣ each person will have the floor to ask questions + exchange intentional feedback in an open peer-led environment, with reflective takeaways👖
3️⃣ it’ll be chill + kind but ultimately supportive
4️⃣ in the interest of being non-hierarchical, i’ll also look to share something (if there’s time + space) and be vulnerable too
📍the first soft crit will take place at @oldprintworksbrum as part of @balsallheathsecondsaturday on 8 November from 12-2
link in bio to book your F R E E spot just to get an idea of numbers (there may be a limited amount depending on interest) 🔗 + feel free to dm w any qs -
MAKE & TADA!
✨ MAKE & TADA! ✨
Pop-Up Creative Workshop📍 The Old Print Works, Birmingham
🗓️ This Saturday
⏰ 12:00 – 1:00 PM🎨 Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll make and decorate your very own wooden tealight holder!
Perfect for ages 8+ come along, get creative, and take home something special you’ve made yourself.👩👧 Family-friendly
🛠️ Tools & materials provided
🌟 No experience neededCheck us out on Instagram: Tada_workshop
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The Old Print Works Market
Bric a brac/clothes/curios and more
If you would like to be part of the market, please message us – info@secondsaturday.org.uk
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The Original Art Club
The Original Art Club at The Old Print Works and Balsall Heath Second Saturdays.
The Original Art Club is a safe creative space for children to explore, create and develop their artistic skills. This is project-based learning tailored to each individual and their ability. The idea is progress not perfection and with an ‘I can do’ attitude here at the club we want all our budding artists to feel confident and encouraged in their creative journey. We teach several 2D and 3D techniques within our projects using a wide range of materials from pencil, acrylic paint and watercolours, to clay and paper mache. Our mixed age and mixed ability classes is a unique way in building self-confidence, independence and social bonding. Those children who have been with us longer will have gained more flexibility in steering their own projects and outcomes. We use mediums such as acrylics, watercolours, oil/soft pastels, inks, fine liners and 3D work with papier mache, clay and paper sculpture. At the club we value art and believe it is a significant component for the holistic education of children.
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Beginner’s Bookbinding Workshop
In this beginner’s bookbinding workshop, you will learn a saddle stitch binding method and create a one of a kind pocket journal to take home.
All tools are provided, along with a wide selection of papers, card stock, magazines, old books, maps and more. You will get to pick the pages for your notebook, learn how to bind them together and then decorate the cover in your own style. Feel free to bring with you: old envelopes, pages from unused notebooks or sketchbooks, sheet music, maps, posters, old books, cards, paper bags, wrapping paper. Anything goes!
Suitable for older children accompanied by an adult (we will be using sharp tools – an awl, needle, scissors and craft knife)
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CDT for under 11’s
11am onwards – drop in, The Old Print Works upper gallery
Wood working skills that can set you up for life
pricing available in workshop
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The Upholstery Group
The Upholstery Group will have their doors open so you can visit and see their work – and maybe get involved – all day, Lower Gallery, The Old Print Works
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Balsall Heath Repair Cafe
The Old Print Works
Balsall Heath Repair Cafe is back again at Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Repairers include textiles, electrics, computers, general repairs. Check balsallheathrepaircafe.org for repairers closer to the day – 12.30pm-4pm/
