• Represent at the Birmingham and Midland Institute

    We are thrilled to share that ‘Represent’ will be opening at the prestigious Birmingham and Midland Institute on Friday 1st April, where it will remain until Tuesday 26th April. Following our successful exhibition at Grade II* listed Moseley Road Baths, the People’s Heritage Co-operative are keen to share the exhibition, and its important messages about rights and representation, with new audiences. Alongside the FREE exhibition, join our family friendly Easter workshops or attend a ‘Lunchtime Lecture’ about this fascinating period of history. Exhibition details The FREE exhibition invites visitors to explore the history of rights and representation in Birmingham and parallels today, through focusing on the period following the Representation…

  • Represent exhibition launch

    On 6th October we welcomed our first visitors to the launch of our new exhibition, Represent, in the grandeur of the Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths. Project workers, supporters and partners were invited to an informal launch to get a first look at the exhibition, the culmination of almost three years of research and community engagement. The event also allowed us to reveal and share our new 20 page Learning Guide. It was the first time that the banner created by the Monday morning coffee group at Edgbaston Community Centre had been seen by the public and the first time that banners created by Saheli Hub had been raised…

  • Visit the Represent Exhibition at Moseley Road Baths

    The People’s Heritage Co-operative are delighted to welcome you to our new exhibition which delves into the period following the Representation of the People Act 1918, exploring issues around political representation and organisation & parallels today. It features banners created by community participants alongside stories of how people have historically made change in their communities, in our city and farther afield. Where? – Gala Pool, Moseley Road Baths, Balsall Heath B12 9BX When? – 7th October – 24th December during regular pool opening hours. Please see the Moseley Road Baths website for details, but please note that sessions are subject to change. Tell me more – Contact Rachel on rachel@peoplesheritagecoop.uk…

  • In Darkest Birmingham – housing and overcrowding in post WW1 Birmingham

    Health inequalities, job insecurities and working conditions, overcrowding and poor quality housing, educational attainment, access to open spaces and pollution – these are all subheadings I could include in an article about the disparities in Britain (& the rest of the world) highlighted by Covid19. But I’ve actually been looking at housing conditions and their ramifications in post-WW1 Birmingham. Plus ca change…..

  • Just a Soldier’s Wife?

    Margery Corbett Ashby was the first female candidate to stand in a Parliamentary Election in Birmingham. Rachel Gillies reflects on her achievements and how both the press and voters responded to her campaign.

  • Exploring Edgbaston through Archives and Art

    The Monday Morning Coffee Group at Edgbaston Community Centre have been working with Artist Carolyn Morton to creatively ‘Represent’ their ideas surrounding the impact of gaining, and using the vote, 100 years on. University of Birmingham student intern, Sophie Brenner writes about their journey over the past few months. Back in September, the Represent project staff worked with community participants to develop a brief for an Artist commission. From a number of applicants, the groups picked the Artist whose work they liked best, and who they felt would best deliver their hopes for a creative project. Carolyn started by focusing the group’s attention on whether the group would have gained…

  • Where’s Your Vote? at Saheli Hub

    Saheli Hub at Handsworth Wellbeing Centre, have been working with Artist Jo Löki to creatively 'Represent' their ideas surrounding the impact of gaining, and using the vote, 100 years on.

  • Creative Writing Workshop

    On Saturday 23rd November, the People’s Heritage Co-operative held a Creative Writing workshop at the Library of Birmingham, with historical novelist and biographer, Fiona Joseph. Birmingham Archives and Collections Manager, Corinna Rayner, points out some materials for inspiration. The Represent project is dedicated to engaging in creative, artistic ways of exploring the impact of gaining and using the vote, from 1918 onwards. Inviting the brilliant Fiona Joseph to lead a creative writing workshop provided a great opportunity for members of the community interested in exploring and representing archival material in innovative, exciting ways.  The material that Fiona, Archives and Collections Manager Corinna Rayner, and the People’s Heritage Co-operative, had selected,…