Local History

Tram on Smethwick High Street

Dawinder Bansal was commissioned by English Heritage to produce a film exploring how three areas in Birmingham and the Black Country have changed, seen through the eyes of local residents.

The project 'Cultural Townscapes' looked at how the visual character of these areas has been changed by the business, religious, cultural and day-to-day life of particular communities.

The three areas selected are very different but are tied together by a common thread of having multicultural communities. Soho Road in Birmingham, Smethwick High Street, Sandwell and Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton were the areas chosen.

Dawinder Bansal, producer of the film, said this had been a fascinating project: "Cultural Townscapes was an amazing film to work on because both myself and film maker Jonathan Lee got into the heart of three very culturally diverse areas."

Soho Road in the 1970s

Forever changing

"We spoke to local people on the streets, school children and shop keepers about what it was like to live and work in Soho Road, Smethwick High Street and Whitmore Reans, asking questions such as - if this street had a voice, what do you think it would say?

"Over the years the landscape of these areas has changed dramatically with the influx and arrival of newer communities, and buildings have changed usage.

"What was once a traditional English pub is now a Pakistani restaurant, what was once an Indian film shop is now a Polish convenience store. It's been fascinating to see these changes through the eyes of those who have witnessed the changes."

Soho Road - the original link road

Soho Road dates back to the 18th century and was the original link between Birmingham and the Black Country.

Resident: "You get a sense of everyone's culture"

In the 19th century the road linked other parts of the country and became a desirable place to live in Victorian times – many of the buildings were built in that era.

Today it is know for its colourful shops, places of workshop and its vibrant atmosphere.

Residents view Soho Road as: "The heart of multi-cultural Britain", commenting: "It's nice because you get a sense of everyone's culture".

One resident remembered back to 1923 when his family owned a shop on Soho Road. Mr Gower also recalled using the electric trams, before the buses took over in 1939.

Since then, there has been a strong Asian and African Caribbean influence along the Soho Road. But around the 1990s residents noticed another change with the influx of a new generation of migrant - the Eastern Europeans. Soho Road continues to change and evolve.

Toll House, Smethwick

Smethwick High Street - welcome

The second location Dawinder looked at was Smethwick High Street.

The expansion of the railways and canal network in the 18th and 19th century were the catalysts to Smethwick becoming an area of mass manufacture - and the population grew. A high street was essential.

But in 1972 part of Smethwick High Street was demolished to make way for a duel carriage way. The high street also suffered because of the decline of the manufacturing industries during the 60s 70s.

Today it caters for a diverse population, with iconic landmarks such as the Sikh temple, the Toll house and the library – all sharing the high street with a multitude of shops.

Smethwick resident

Dawinder found the residents very community orientated and proud of where they live. They feel the area should be celebrated.

Resident Steve Johnson commented: "It's a real community – people talk to you! It's the people here. When we moved into our house the neighbours came around offering cups of tea and food. It's a great place to be."

If the street could talk, residents feel it would say "Welcome".

Whitmore Reans - food for thought

Whitmore Reans was the third and final place visited for the English Heritage project. It is a residential area in the shadow of Wolverhampton Wanders Football Stadium.

Focal points of the area are The Avion shopping centre, the Newhampton Arts Centre and West Park.

Newhampton Road West, 1964

Residents commented in the film: Whitmore Reans has "... moved on with the times",  but if the road could speak they feel it would say "Tidy me up a little bit".

According to residents the landscape of the area hasn't really changed much. Some of the traditional buildings are still there, as well as the new industry. It is more the businesses and the communities that have changed.

Many Polish and Kurdish families live in Whitmore Reans – and some are now running food shops. One resident said that food shops often give an insight into the communities that live in an area: "When communities establish themselves, food available to the public changes as well."

Cherish tradition, but look to the future

The three areas visited in 'Cultural Townscapes' revealed that communities in these areas continually change and evolve, and that is in part of what makes those area interesting.

People, young and old, also expressed a need to cherish old and traditional buildings - "the heritage of the area", so that there is always a reminder of the past - they felt these buildings "gave them a sense of belonging".

Handworth Library

Dawinder Bansal, producer of 'Cultrual Townscapes' said: "We met some very articulate, cultured, friendly and inspiring individuals while doing this film. People who came to this country with nothing and chose England as their home, and are now a part of its heritage."

If you would like to receive a free copy of the Cultural Townscapes film, please contact Susie Scott on 0121 6256870 or Susie.scott@english-heritage.org.uk