Balsall Heath
Balsall Heath is an
History
The name is first found as Bordeshale in 1275, which is derived from the Old English words Bord's healh meaning 'Bord's heath' or 'Bord's nook' implying a corner or small area of land, perhaps a sheltered hollow in the landscape, protected by trees, possibly within a river-bend.[1][2][3] The name stems from the Anglian personal name of one Bord, who held property in the area, and in this way shares its origin with that of neighbouring Bordesley, first record as Bordesleie or Bordeslea meaning 'Bord's clearing'.[1][4][5]
Balsall Heath was largely agricultural and park land between
During negotiations in the previous year it had been promised a public baths and a free library. In 1895, the library was opened on Moseley Road and, in 1907, Balsall Heath Baths were opened in an adjoining building.
In 1900, the city's
Balsall Heath initially had a reasonably affluent population, which can still be seen in the dilapidated grandeur of some of the larger houses. A railway station on Brighton Road (on the Birmingham to Bristol line) led to further expansion, and the end of the 19th century saw a proliferation of high-density small terraced houses.
A
By the 1980s, many of Balsall Heath's houses were in a dilapidated condition; some still lacked bathrooms or indoor toilets. The local council considered demolishing these properties but chose to refurbish them as part of an
Balsall Heath's low rents also attracted a
In July 2005, Balsall Heath was hit by a
Red light era
In 1986, an organisation called ANAWIM was formed by the Sisters of Charity to provide outreach support to the prostitutes.[8]
In September 1992, a report was published encouraging the formation of a zone of tolerance towards prostitution in Balsall Heath. This was opposed by residents and a local police inspector. In the following year Samo Paull, a woman working as a prostitute, was abducted from Balsall Heath and murdered.
In 1994, residents began to organise street patrols forcing the prostitutes and street criminals out of the area. These patrols had the qualified support of the police but were regarded as
The area has enjoyed a slow revival. House prices are now similar to those in other inner-city areas, while the crime rate is among the lowest.
Politics and governance
Balsall Heath is divided by two wards for elections to Birmingham City Council; Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East.
Balsall Heath is part of the Birmingham Hall Green constituency for general elections to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.
Notable buildings
- Moseley Road Baths
- Moseley School of Art
- St Barnabas' Church
- St Paul's Church
Notable residents
- Donnaleigh Bailey, Michelle Corrigan in the Birmingham-based soap Doctors
- Alderman John Bowen, JP
- Percy Bullock, Worcestershire cricketer
- Howard R. Davies, racing motorcyclist
- Aston Villacaptain
- Oscar Deutsch, founder of the Odeon cinema chain
- David Edgar, playwright
- John Kenneally VC
- Don Maclean, comedian
- Conroy Maddox, surrealist artist
- William Mosedale, George Cross recipient
- vice-chancellor of the University of London1937–1939
- Anthony E. Pratt, inventor of the board game Cluedo
- UB40, a reggae band
References
- ^ a b Dargue, William. "Balsall Heath". A History of Birmingham Places & Placenames from A to Y.
- ISBN 978-0460043809.
- ^ Calendar of Fine Rolls, Edward II: Volume 3, 1319 - 1327 (PDF). Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. 1912.
The manor of Bordeshale, co.Warwick
- ^ Johnston, James B. (1915). The Place Names of England and Wales (PDF). London: John Murray. p. 160.
BORDESLEY (Birmingham). 1156 Bordeslega, 1158 -lea, in 1275 also Bordeshale. 'Borda's lea ' or ' meadow.' Cf., too, B.C.S. 739 Bordeles tun. See -ley.
- ^ "Survey of English Place-Names - The English Placename Society". www.nottingham.ac.uk.
Balsall Heath: Early-attested site in the Parish of King's Norton. See historical forms. Etymology: This healh must have been the property of one Bord (cf. Bordesley infra 365) who gave his name to the other and neighbouring Bordesley in Aston (Wa).
- ISBN 0-415-32982-5.
- ^ a b Crabtree, David (14 February 2011). "Big Society Alive and Kicking in Inner City". Sky News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "ANAWIM Celebrates Silver Jubilee". The Balsall Heathan. No. 308. St. Paul's Community Trust. November 2011.
- V.M. Hart (1992) Balsall Heath: A History. Brewin Books Limited
- J. Moth (1951) The City of Birmingham Baths Department 1851 – 1951.