Balsall Heath Images 1971-73 'Danger Keep Away'

I began photographing and filming in the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham in 1971 and continued until 1973 and beyond. The area was one of the most deprived in the city and was just undergoing redevelopment. The living conditions for those who remained during this period were awful but the residents battled through and did not loose their humanity or humour although both were often severly tested.

[Isabellaacapella]

Oh wow, though I think most of these pictures are before my time, this gives me such a feeling of nostalgia of my childhood in Balsall Heath. The bomb pecks, derelict houses, I remember it all too well. There were still a few back to backs around I think, when I was a kid. Well, remnants of them. Thank you for this video.

[lyntonryan]

The looks on the faces of both the children and adults some happy some sad but all desperate, this was inner city Birmingham at it's worst, it's not much better now , brilliant video !

[johnbowkett]

I was born in Lower Essex Street, then moved to St Martins Flats, Highgate . My old stomping ground . 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[marctremblay]

I was used to live n Sunny Avenue and went to Clifton school, i saw many houses torn down around this area which became playgrounds and then just flat ground for years, Hi Alan i knidly request permission if i may use some of these photos and colourize with your name as the author for a Facebook Balsall Heath group.

[AdrianBarnes-ow]

These poor souls should be able to sue our governments for letting them down! This proves that we are no better, but also no worse, now in 2024

[AdrianBarnes-ow]

We are in a mess now....but we were also in a mess then