This document provides an activity plan for Stirchley Baths, an historic building in Birmingham that is being restored. The plan aims to: - Identify existing and potential new audiences for the Baths through community consultation and research. - Suggest ways to remove barriers to participation, such as a lack of awareness, poor access, and perceptions of lack of relevance, in order to attract more diverse visitors. - Propose activities and partnerships to involve local residents, encourage learning about the heritage of the building and area, and develop volunteer opportunities as part of its restoration.

1. Stirchley Baths
Activity Plan
10 June 2013
0 | Page

2. Stirchley Baths Community ‘Hub’
Activity Plan
Prepared for
Birmingham City Council
by
Dr Suzanne Carter and Simon Buteux
Birmingham Conservation Trust
P O Box 28
Birmingham
B1 1TU
www.birminghamconservationtrust.org Tel: 0121 303 2664
Email: suzannecarterBCT@gmail.com
simon.a.buteux@birmingham.gov.uk
1 | Page

3. “The baths, they may have come and gone, but memories live on and
on”.
“Stirchley Baths the building site in the middle of Stirchley – it will be
great to have it open as a community space at the heart of the area”.
“At last light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Stirchley needs to find its heart again. A hub for everyone is what is
needed; children, teenagers, families, older people, you and me!”
“Used to go swimming here every week with my best friend Sarah, we
used to take our sandwiches for lunch and spend all day there… I walk
past it every day and it always makes me smile thinking about the good
times all them years ago”.
“With the right care and attention a once iconic building could be
restored to its former glory and provide that link with history that
Birmingham so often ignores, and we can’t let it happen again!”
Comments by local residents
2 | Page

4. Engaging Local Communities and Stakeholders
3 | Page

5. 1.
INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
The Significance of Stirchley Baths
Ownership and Management of the Site
Heritage Lottery Fund Aims
Aims and Objectives of the Activity Plan
Preparing the Activity Plan
Structure of the Report
Abbreviations Used in the Report
2.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Current Condition of the Baths and Current Community Facilities
Current Users
Current Activities and Volunteering
Current Commitment to Involving People
Community Consultation
Competitor Analysis and Potential Partners
Non-user/Potential-user Research and Opportunities
Barriers to Involvement
3
WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
Our Aspirations
Our Target Audiences
Marketing: Reaching New Audiences
Actions to Remove Barriers for Target Audiences
Aims for Activities
Recommendations (targets) for Participation and Learning
Potential Partners and Collaborations
4
HOW DO WE INTEND TO GET THERE?
4.1
4.2
Action Plan
Key Recommendations
5
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
5.1
Evaluation
78
6.
CONCLUSION
78
7.
RESEARCH SOURCES
79
8.
APPENDICES
A: List of Consultees
B: Timetable for Stirchley Community Centre (June 2013)
C: Heritage Development Officer Commission Job Description
D: Community Consultation Notes
E: Sample Volunteer Role Descriptions
F: History Group Workshop Notes
G: Key History Dates
H: English Heritage Listing Description
81
84
85
90
101
104
107
108
7
9
9
10
11
11
12
15
15
18
19
20
21
23
24
27
27
30
31
36
37
49
52
77
4 | Page

6. Location of Stirchley Baths
Current Stirchley Community Centre
Stirchley Baths
British Oak Public House
Stirchley Library
Indoor Bowls Centre
Copyright Bluesky
Co-operative Superstore
Farmfoods
Stirchley Park
Stirchley is about four miles south of Birmingham City Centre. Stirchley Baths are located on
the historic gyratory, on the corner of Bounville Lane and Hazelwell Street, heading towards
the city centre. The Pershore Road runs through Stirchley, as does the railway line, River
Rea and canal.
“Everything flows through Stirchley. Stirchley Baths can be place
where you can rest, contemplate what community is – a reason to
stop”.
(Local resident)
5 | Page

7. The Significance of Stirchley Baths
Images bottom right Jane Baker
B/W images courtesy of Stirchley Community Group
Centre image taken from Stirchley Baths Conservation Management Plan
6 | Page

8. 1.1
Significance of Stirchley Baths
The Foundation Stone on this building was laid by William Adlington
Cadbury 19th July 1910 on a Site Given by Cadbury Brothers: A.W.
Cross, Surveyor. J.B. Osborne, Architect. W. Bishop, Builder”.
(Inscription on bronze plaque, formally on Stirchley Baths (dating
from c1959)
Stirchley Baths is arguably one of Stirchley’s most iconic building. For local people
alive today, the Baths have always been there, and many over the age of about thirty
remember when the Baths were still functioning; the building evokes a rich variety of
memories. The building is loved too for the richness and quality of its architecture,
the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Derelict, the building stands as a symbol of
decline, a sad reminder of past glories. Restored back to its former glory (and from
the outside this will be very apparent) the building will be a symbol of a proud and
vibrant community. People appreciate this; indeed, as community consultation has
shown, they are passionate about it. Because of its heritage, Stirchley Baths offers
qualities as a community centre that no new purpose-built community centre could
hope to match.
The historical significance of Stirchley Baths is presented in the Conservation
Management Plan1; extracts of which are below.
Stirchley Baths as it was originally known, was designed by architect John Osborne
and built in 1910 by a local builder Mr E Crowder for the total sum of £10,000.
The land was made available by Cadbury’s to the King Norton and Northfield Urban
District Council and the building was financed by the Local Government Board.
The original intention was to provide a bath house as a community facility for an
increasing local population many of whom were working for Cadbury who were
experiencing a rapid expansion of their factory. The land was offered to build a
‘public swimming baths, slipper or spray baths and washhouse’.
At 4pm on July 19th 19102 William Adlington Cadbury laid the Foundation Stone and
the following July (1911) George Cadbury Junior formally opened the building.
On November 9th 1911 Kings Norton was annexed as part of the Birmingham
Extension Order (along with Aston and Handsworth). From this date the facility was
known as Bournville Lane Baths. There was a single swimming pool (75ft x 30ft) with
spectator gallery, 46 demountable dressing cubicles at the rear of the gallery, 37 on
the promenade, 20 private washing (or ‘slipper’) baths for men and women and a
small steam (Russian or Vapour) bath, capable of holding six people. There was also
a small laundry. In 1958, 52 metal dressing cubicles were erected around the
promenade3.
Separate changing areas were located adjacent to the pool along with suites of
private baths for men and women.
1
Text referenced to Stirchley Baths Community Hub Conservation Management Plan, BDP where
otherwise stated.
2
Key dates are listed in Appendix G
3
Steve Beauchampé’s notes supplied on Bournville Lane Baths.
7 | Page

9. The main entrance was located in grand style on the corner of the road junction
between Bournville Lane and Hazelwood Street and maximum use was made of the
available land as the curving façade followed the line of the pavement.
The initial idea was to utilise water by boring for a well, but after considerable
attempts and costs the plan was abandoned and the decision was taken to connect
to the mains water supply; a first for Baths constructed in Birmingham at that time.
The success of the use of mains water also included a new system of aeration and
filtration for the Baths’ water.
The design of the new Baths also allowed for a flexibility in use as the Baths were not
to be used in the winter months. Instead they were to be used as a dance floor with
the flooring being stored in an external shed.
The small changing closets situated alongside the pool were to include an ingenious
hinged operation back to the wall to allow greater room on the dance floor when the
pool was not being used.
The structure and finishes to the Baths was kept simple with predominantly white
ceramic tiles although other colours were used on the walls and ceramic tiles on the
floor.
The choice of wood in part of the structure and linings was carefully researched with
treatment applied to withstand the moisture and humidity levels, and despite the
ingress of water over the years has withstood the test of time remarkably well.
No changes took place to the building until after the Second World War when two hot
shower baths were installed. Improvements were made to improve the welfare of the
bathers with the introduction of chlorine in 1955 while the Clean Air Act of 1956
resulted in a change to oil fired burning appliances.
In 1964, the Finnish Government provided a new Sauna Suite as a gift to
Birmingham to promote that European Country and in 1977 these facilities were
expanded to provide a further suite when the washing baths were closed.
This new facility also included a television lounge and 6 beds.
A multi-gym was installed in place of the original Finnish Sauna and in 1978 the two
solariums were removed to be replaced by two sunbeds.
The only other alteration to the Baths was the inclusion in 1973 of a ‘Mikvah’, an
immersion bath used by the local Jewish community which involved the use of
collected and heated rainwater. The presence of this bath can still be seen today.
Stirchley Baths has been unused since 1988, slowly ravaged by the weather and
wildlife since its closure.
The Bournville Lane Baths were first listed by English Heritage on November 20th
1998 under the title of Stirchley Public Baths and arose out of a concern for the
building which had lain empty for 12 years. The listing acknowledged then the
importance of the building.4
4
Listing description can be found in Appendix H.
8 | Page

10. 1.2
Ownership and Management of the Site
1.2.1
The Baths are owned by Birmingham City Council (BCC). They have been unused
since they closed in 1988. The responsibility for the condition of the building lies with
Birmingham Property Services and it is this team that is working with architects
Acivico to undertake the repairs to the building. Birmingham City Council has a
devolution and localism agenda and is divided into ten districts. The Baths are
located in Selly Oak District who is the client for the project. Any management of the
building in the last 25 years has been limited to keeping the envelope of the building
as sound as possible to prevent water ingress and vandalism.
1.2.2
BCC are in the process of replacing the planning guidance for Stirchley, called The
Stirchley Framework 1994 (Amended 2002), with a new non-statutory document
which will outline the Council’s aspirations for the area. This new framework will be
released for public consultation later in 2013. This will include the wider regeneration
plans for Stirchley; the most immediate is the building of a Tesco superstore on the
Hazelwell Lane Development site. The sale of the land on which the current
Community Centre and Indoor Bowls Centre stand gives rise to a capital receipt
which secures the council’s capital investment in the redevelopment of the Baths.
The long-delays in approving the plans for the Hazelwell Lane Development site has
had a major negative impact on the restoration of SB, for which local councillors and
residents have been campaigning for over a decade.
1.2.3
In terms of political support within the Council, the District Chair Cllr Karen McCarthy
and current Bournville Ward Councillors Tim Huxtable, Rob Sealy and Phillip Walking
all attend the Community Stakeholders Group meetings and support the regeneration
plans. Former local councillor Nigel Dawkins (2000-2012) championed the rescue of
the Baths for 12 years whilst the previous political regime was in power. He arranged
the well-attended open days in 2008 and 2011 for local people and heritage
enthusiasts. Over 600 people queued around the Baths to have their chance to
glimpse the pool area in 2011 during a two hour period; testament to the interest and
city-wide importance of this historic building.
1.3
The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Strategic Aims are to:



Conserve the UK’s diverse heritage for present and future generations to
experience and enjoy
Help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in, and
make decisions about, their heritage
Help people to learn about their own and other people’s heritage.
HLF describe helping people to take an active part as Participation and suggest
three ways in which this can be achieved:



Creating opportunities for people to volunteer
Helping the community to take an active role in the project, including helping
people to make decisions about the heritage
Developing new and/or wider audiences for our heritage.
In the context of ‘helping people to learn about the heritage’, which HLF describe as
Learning, they consider this to involve offering everyone opportunities to develop
9 | Page

11. their understanding of heritage, in an active way, appropriate to their needs, interests
and background. They suggest this may be achieved through:



Interpreting the heritage
Creating opportunities for people to gain new, or increased, skills
Holding events and activities to help the general public, or particular groups of
people, to learn about the heritage.
This outline Activity Plan sets out what we would like to achieve, which is not capital
works or physical works to the heritage.
1.4
Aims and Objectives of the Activity Plan
1.4.1
There are many ways in which people can become involved with heritage sites like
Stirchley Baths, as visitors, volunteers and in their management and governance.
Research carried out for the Heritage Lottery Fund found that the following sectors
are under-represented and excluded from visiting and involvement as volunteers in
the heritage sector:





1.4.2
This Activity Plan will begin to identify barriers to participation at Stirchley Baths and
suggest ways in which those barriers can be removed. Research shows that
common barriers to visiting heritage sites can include:







1.4.3
Those below the age of 30
Ethnic minority groups
Those on low incomes
Those without access to transport facilities
Those in lower socio-economic groups.
User perceptions, particularly regarding relevance
Lack of specific facilities
Lack of information and awareness
Poor physical access to the resource
Poor physical access at the resource
Limited intellectual access
Management ethos.
The main aims of this outline Activity Plan for Stirchley Baths are to:








Identify existing audiences (Community Centre)
Identify the needs and expectations of users
Identify the needs and expectations of non-users
Identify target audiences
Identify barriers to use
Suggest ways those barriers can be removed
Suggest ways to increase the number of visitors without damaging the
significance of the site
Suggest ways to improve the quality of the experience for visitors.
10 | P a g e

12. 1.4.4
Key objectives of the outline Activity Plan:







To encourage local residents to feel ownership of and pride in the Stirchley Baths
Project
To ensure the history and heritage of SB informs and plays a pivotal role in repurposing the building as a community facility
To build strong local partnerships with existing community groups to support
delivery of a programme of history and heritage-related activity
To use heritage as a resource to develop new audiences to SB; to encourage
wider local community use (beyond attending existing community centre classes
or activities) and audiences from further afield
Develop opportunities for local people to become actively engaged as volunteers
and to learn new skills
To highlight the significance of the Baths as a symbol of Stirchley’s Co-operative
history and the relationship with industry and the community
To create a valuable resource for education and life-long learning.
1.5
Preparing the Activity Plan
1.5.1
We have produced this Activity Plan by:






1.5.2
Regular meetings with the Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders Group and
Programming sub group
Desk-based research
Social media campaign
Market research through focus group discussions with community groups in the
local area
Extensive public consultation with local residents through events
Looking at existing best practice to formulate the actions.
The research has sought to obtain an understanding of the following:

The site and its historical and cultural significance, especially for local people

Who are the existing users of Stirchley Community Centre and what are their
views and opinions about the Baths

What are the views of local people (non-community centre users) about the
Stirchley Baths and what would make them want to visit to find out about the
heritage of the building

What can we do to break down the perceived (or real) barriers for people to
engage with heritage learning

Which groups should we be targeting and why

What activities or proposals should we be introducing to engage with these
groups in order to break down barriers and encourage them to take part in a
‘heritage experience’ at Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’.
1.6
Structure of the Report
1.6.1
The report structure is based on the HLF guidance note Planning Activities in
Heritage Projects (2008):
11 | P a g e

13. In Section 1 Introduction and Context we looked at the significance of Stirchley
Baths, aims of the HLF and of this Activity Plan. In Section 2 Where we are now?
our focus is on our organisation, our audiences, activities and our current
commitment to involving people. Section 3 Where do we want to be? looks at how
we will involve people in the project, and the difference the project will make, and in
Section 4 How do we intend to get there? we offer an Action Plan of work covering
interpretation, volunteering, community engagement and Audience Development,
learning, training and marketing. This will have a plan of deliverable goals over a
three year period, year one beginning when the works do. Finally, in Section 5
Measures of success we outline ways in which we will evaluate our project.
The purpose of this Activity Plan is to accompany Birmingham City Council’s round 2
application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
1.7
Abbreviations Used in the Report
BCC
BCT
BAME
SBCSG
HDO
HLF
SB
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Conservation Trust
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholder Group
Heritage Development Officer
Heritage Lottery Fund
Stirchley Baths
12 | P a g e

14. The Current State of the Building
13 | P a g e

15. “Stirchley needs a heart and foundation stone to anchor itself around in
order to thrive. The Baths can become an enabler and a reason for
people to stop”.
“When I was fifteen I used to go with a friend and we loved to dance, the
boys were quite plentiful and we used to love it when you would get
tagged. We liked the waltzes and quick steps. You can’t believe that you
were dancing on top of what used to be the swimming pool […] The
atmosphere was lovely, really lively, you’d have a good laugh. It was
really great fun”.
“I used to come there with my school and in holiday times and spend
quite a lot of time there. (The scheme) looks promising for my children
and myself. We can enjoy it as a family.”
“You’ve got a bath, a wooden thing you came out the baths on to, a chair
to put your clothes on, that was it. No frills. You sat in a wooden chair
waiting for your turn”.
“I think (moving Karate class to Stirchley Baths) may encourage more
people to join us from the local community” […] I think moving to a
building of that sort will generate interest, generate questions [..] I think
there will be a nice ambience, and bring a bit of personality to the area
that we’re training in”.
“When the Baths became disused, we were concerned about the
building and so I decided to get involved with it, because I am a resident.
We want the best that it can be alternatively. In one sense, we are going
to get rid of an eyesore, but also we are keeping a building which is
listed. It’s going to be better than just a community centre.”
Comments by local residents and stakeholders
14 | P a g e

16. 2.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
2.1
Condition of the Baths and Current Facilities
2.1.1
Stirchley Baths closed in 1988 and has since been stood empty, deteriorating rapidly
in recent years. Much of the site has been open to the elements. Surprisingly many
of the original features do remain and as part of the scheme can be salvaged and reused. Public access is no longer possible. The last open day, which had restricted
access, was in 2011.
2.2
Current Users
There are no current users of Stirchley Baths. Figures below show current users of
Stirchley Community Centre and Stirchley Library to provide a realistic projection of
visits. It is hoped that the current community user groups in the centre will transfer to
Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ when it is opened. This will depend greatly on
whether alternative accommodation can be found during the three-month period
between the Community Centre closing and Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’
opening. During our engagement with some of these user groups we learnt that
although there is obvious concern and uncertainty about displacement during this
period, the groups are all excited to be moving into a re-purposed historic building
and the improved facilities this will bring.
“It’s been looking a big eyesore for years now. Let’s hope it is a
success because we’re looking forward to moving into there for our
dances […] we are here most Tuesdays and we’ve been dancing
here now for 22 years”.
Ken Seeney, member of Stirchley Tea Dance at Stirchley Community
Centre) (audio transcription, www.stirchleybaths.org).
2.2.2
Stirchley Community Centre and Library Visits
Stirchley Community Centre
Stirchley Library (for comparison)
2010-2011
15,108
2011-2012
18,316
37,400
(3166 active
borrowers)
2012-2013
19,503
For the past three years there has been an annual increase in visits to the
Community Centre, with an average of around 1,600 visits per month in the last 12
months.
There will be a natural increase in visitors at SB due to the increased capacity for
room hire, opportunities to host larger-scale events and a café which will be open
during community centre opening times. The programme of heritage-related activity
will also bring in additional numbers of people to the building through events, school
visits, and ‘other reasons’ to visit the building due to the ‘heritage experience’ it has
to offer.
15 | P a g e

17. 2.2.3
Profile of local residents
Stirchley (B30 postcode) has a very mixed community in terms of income, tenure and
age group. The MOSAIC Experian system of categorisation defines the majority of
residents with a B30 postcode from the following groups:








Foot on the Ladder Type H36 Young single couples who have recently
bought their first small house which consumes a large proportion of their
income
Global Fusion Type N60 Young working people living in metropolitan terraces
from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds
Production Manager Type F25 Middle income married couples owning
unpretentious semi-detached housing
Small Wage Owners Type M56 Owners living in inexpensive private terraces
in a range of relatively low paid occupations
Stressed Borrowers Type I41 Middle aged people renting or owning in council
areas, many of whom are over stretched with debt
Back to Back Basics Type N57 Young sharers and couples with young
children starting out in low price, older terraces
Meals on Wheels Type L52 Some of the oldest people in society who have
reasonable pensions, living in accommodation where they receive appropriate
care
Settled Ex-Tenants Type I38 Older couples whose children have flown the
nest in low skilled occupations living in ex-council housing.
While MOSAIC classifies people using general categories rather than offers a
bespoke population study, it does suggest that there will be a range of potential
audiences to the SB community ‘hub’. A shared characteristic of all the ‘types’
identified above is low income. This should be reflected in any pricing strategies,
especially for public third party events or performances.
2.2.4
Area and Neighbourhood Statistics
Stirchley Baths is marked with a red dot (arrow) on the map below. The yellow
shading highlights the defined Neighbourhood Area Birmingham 112b, the orange
and yellow combined is the Super Output Area Middle Layer Birmingham 112.
16 | P a g e

18. Population:

According to the 2011 Census data there are 1,595 people living in the
Stirchley Neighbourhood and 7,726 people living in the Area. Because the
Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ will serve a wider community rather than a
neighbourhood, the profile of potential users is based on the Super Output
Area Middle Layer boundary.
Age:



In 2011,
The largest age group living in the Area is 30-44 (25.5%). This is higher than
average compared to Birmingham (20.8%).
The second largest age group is 45-59 (19%). Again this is higher than
average compared to Birmingham as a whole (16.4%).
5.9% of residents are aged 15-19 which is lower than average compared to
Birmingham (7.5%).
Ethnicity:





In 2011,
85.7% of residents define themselves as white British, Irish or Other White.
4.1% of residents define themselves of mixed heritage.
6.1% of residents define themselves as Asian/Asian British, including
Chinese.
3.6% of residents define themselves as Black/African/Caribbean/Black British.
0.6% of residents define themselves as Arab or from other ethnic groups.
Stirchley and surrounding area has a predominantly white population. Around
1,600 individuals living in this Area define themselves as non-white British, and
therefore BAME.
Deprivation Indicators within the Area and Neighbourhood:



50% of the 3286 households in the Area are not deprived in any dimension5.
44% of households are deprived in 1 or 2 dimensions.
6% of households are deprived in 2 or 3 dimensions.
Within the Neighbourhood in which SB is located the Living Environment Deprivation
Indicator data from 2010 suggests that the area is amongst the most deprived in the
country in this respect.
5
All households in the area at the time of the 2011 Census with one of the selected deprivation
dimensions. The dimensions of deprivation are indicators based on the four selected household
characteristics - Employment (any member of a household not a full-time student is either
unemployed or long-term sick); Education (no person in the household has at least level 2 education,
and no person aged 16-18 is a full-time student); Health and disability (any person in the household
has general health 'bad or very bad' or has a long term health problem.); and Housing (Household's
accommodation is either overcrowded, with an occupancy rating -1 or less, or is in a shared dwelling,
or has no central heating).
17 | P a g e

19. Disability and long-term health problems:6


84% of residents in the Area do not have a long-term health problem or disability
8% of residents define their day-to-day activities limited a lot and 8% define their
day-to-day activities as limited a little.
Economic Activity:



3.9% of residents (aged 16-74) are Long-term Sick or Disabled
Youth unemployment is below average for both Birmingham and the West
Midlands
The number of residents who are long-term unemployed is also below the
average for the city and region at 1.6%.
2.2.5
What we can surmise from the community profiling above is that the largest potential
audience group for the ‘heritage offer’ of Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ (based
on statistics and MOSAIC Classification) is White, aged 30-59, employed but on a
relatively low income, with or without children. They live in older terraced property
which is characteristic of dwellings in the Stirchley area. However, the Stirchley Baths
community ‘hub’ will serve a wide variety of local residents from across the age
spectrum; from cradle to the grave.
2.3
Current Activities and Volunteering
2.3.1
Local residents who sit on the Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders Group
(SBCSG) have been meeting quarterly since 2012. A sub-group of local people
interested in the future programming activities for Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’
are meeting monthly during this development phase in a voluntary capacity. The
motivation to be involved for some of the group has been captured through audio on
www.stirchleybaths.org. Future opportunities for further volunteering are outlined
later in this document.
2.3.2
A ‘Friends of Stirchley Baths’ group was set up in 2011 by former councillor Nigel
Dawkins. Ownership of the group has been retained and not shared. The Stirchley
Baths Community Stakeholders Group has succeeded this group as a supporters
group for the SB project.
2.3.3
During this development phase volunteers from Birmingham Conservation Trust, the
SBCSG and a local student writing her dissertation on Stirchley Baths, have
supported a series of community events. These have included two ‘Splash Back in
Time’ events and ‘Put Your Hand Up Community Art Challenge’ event. A passing
local resident also offered his help on an event day and has since expressed an
interest in further local volunteering opportunities. Alongside event support, a small
group of volunteers have interviewed residents and taken photographs to be used on
www.stirchleybaths.org and related social media sites.
2.3.4
Social media company Podnosh was commissioned during this development phase
to set up a dedicated Stirchley Baths website/blog along with related social media;
6
All people usually resident in the area at the time of the 2011 Census with a health problem or
disability that had lasted, or was expected to last, at least 12 months, and limited daily activities a lot.
This includes problems related to old age.
18 | P a g e

20. twitter and facebook. Podnosh have provided the staff resource to create a highly
relevant and interesting social commentary through interviews and reminiscence
sessions with stakeholders and local residents. We have also reported on community
engagement activity in the preparation of this Activity Plan.
This social media campaign has really generated interest in a short space of time for
the project and provided an effective vehicle to engage people in the development
process. At the time of writing this document www.stirchleybaths.org has been live
for 10 weeks and had 1023 different people visiting the website. They visited 1844
times and looked at 4437 pages. Statistics show that 52% of visits were from the UK,
and of those visits 58% were from Birmingham. This equates to 556 visits from
people in the Birmingham area. At the time of writing @StirchleyBaths had 245
followers on Twitter and 69 people who ‘Like’ the facebook page. The average reach
is around 200 people, although some weeks have seen 640, 609, 488 and 433
people updated and informed about the SB project.
Conscious of the fact that not everyone has access to a computer, we have placed
hard copy printouts of the blog posts in both Stirchley Library and Stirchley
Community Centre for people to read.
2.3.5
Place Prospectors were commissioned to create a temporary, participatory artwork
linked to the development of the project. They ran an event called Sink or Swim on 8
June which involved over 200 local residents who came to pledge their support to the
community ‘hub’ once it is restored.
2.4
Current Commitment to Involving People
Birmingham City Council has a robust Equal Opportunities Policy and staff are
committed to providing a welcome for all members of the local communities as well
as visitors. Indeed the sign at the entrance to the current Community Centre and
Indoor Bowls Centre says: “This centre welcomes people from all sections of the
community”.
“I would say (The Community Centre) it’s at the heart of it, it’s
extending from the heart, it’s over flowing the heart. There are so
many different sections of the community within Stirchley area and I
think we represent almost everyone one”.
(Sue Jackson, Community Development and Initiatives Worker,
Stirchley Community Centre. Audio transcription,
www.stirchleybaths.org).
19 | P a g e

21. 2.5
Community Consultation
2.5.1
There has already been significant community consultation and ongoing engagement
in the Selly Oak District in the development of the SB proposals, in particular around
the design of the scheme. Architect Mark Sloane from Acivico said:
“The interesting thing about this project is the community
engagement. We’ve been to so many public meetings and I don’t
think we have ever had a scheme which has had so much, and so
many people wanting to know what is going on. The amount of
people who have turned up at the forums and public meetings we’ve
had has been incredible really”.
(Audio transcription, www.stirchleybaths.org).
The focus of our consultation work for this report is on heritage-related activity,
learning and participation.
2.5.2
We have engaged over 870 people of all ages and backgrounds in the consultation
process to help us develop this Activity Plan. See Appendix A for a list of consultees
and participation events and numbers. Community engagement with the project is
on-going. This also included the Sink or Swim event which was delivered by Place
Prospectors as part of this development phase.
2.5.3
We have employed a variety of methodologies to engage with people and develop
this work.
These have included:








A stall at Stirchley Community Market
Public ‘Community Art Challenge’ event at Stirchley Library and outside SB
2 reminiscence ‘Splash Back in Time’ events
Face to face interviews
Displays at Stirchley Library, Stirchley Community Centre, District Office (with
opportunity for public comment), St Andrews Healthcare (for Adult Learners
Week)
Presentations and focus group work with:
o Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders Group
o Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum
o Stirchley ‘Detached’ Youth project
o Parents and Toddler Groups (including Community Centre user group and
‘Story Tots’ at Stirchley Library)
o Parents of children who attend Arabic lessons (Community Centre user
group)
o Members of Stirchley Stitchers (Community Centre user group)
o Patients in the mental health recovery forum at St Andrews Healthcare,
Stirchley
o School Council representatives at Stirchley Community School
o Junior Assembly at St Edwards Catholic Primary School
o DeafPLUS
o Friends of Stirchley Park
Consultation exercise with heritage enthusiasts at Coffin Works tours run by
Birmingham Conservation Trust
Social media campaign
20 | P a g e

22. We have also been raising awareness through promotional material including flyers
at the Love Stirchley More Festival in February, a poster campaign in shops along
Pershore Road and letters were sent home with 600 pupils from the two closest
primary schools.
During this engagement process, people were asked to contribute an idea on a
history and heritage-related activity they would be interested in, a memory, a
comment or a statement of support for the project. The majority of these were written
on people’s own (decorated) handprints. These were gathered during some focus
groups, at presentations, at Stirchley Community Market and at a public event on 6
April at which a total of 282 hands were pegged around the outside of SB in a visual
display – a show of hands – to support the Stirchley Baths Project.
2.6
Competitor Analysis and Potential Partners
2.6.1
There are a few other publically accessible listed heritage buildings in the immediate
local area: They are:



Stirchley Library (Grade II)
The British Oak Public House (Grade II)
Men’s Pavilion (Bournville Club) (Grade II).
2.6.2
None of these building interpret their heritage or run heritage-focussed activities. As
such, there is little competition to the ‘heritage experience’ that SB proposes. Indeed,
the activity programme at SB may be a catalyst for owners of other locally historic
buildings to interpret their properties.
2.6.3
Stirchley Library is a neighbouring building also managed by Selly Oak District. There
are opportunities to work in partnership with Stirchley Library on heritage events and
initiatives as well as on a practical level. For example, installing a book returns box
when they are closed and running library events within SB.
2.6.4
Behind the library is Stirchley Park which is often referred to as ‘Stirchley’s best kept
secret’ and the ‘hidden park’, something the Friends of Stirchley Park are working
hard to change. The Friends was set up about 12 months ago and runs small family
and environmental events and well as making improvements to the park. They are
keen to work with SB on collaborative events and activities in the future.
2.6.5
The Co-operative owns the locally listed Friends Meeting House which neighbours
SB to the right. This semi-derelict building has stood empty for a number of years
and is boarded up. There are no plans currently to redevelop the site or bring it back
into use.
21 | P a g e

23. 2.6.6
In terms of local partnerships there is already a growing cultural offer within the area
and SB would seek to develop collaborations in order to develop its three year (and
beyond) programme of heritage-related activity. Please see section 3.8 for further
details on partnerships and collaborations.
Local groups include:
Stirchley Happenings, a local resident-led arts group who run the popular ‘Travelling
Bug House’ pop-up film nights in unusual buildings around the area. The group also
includes a founding member of Stirchley Community Market.
http://stirchleyhappenings.wordpress.com/
Place Prospectors, a CIC, have been involved in a number of community initiatives
over the last few years and are currently working alongside BCC to develop ideas for
legacies for the Stirchley Baths Project. Previously they have worked with local
residents and businesses to deliver a series of arts and heritage projects which have
looked to Stirchley’s past as a way to focus on and address issues within future
regeneration. These include Stirchley Prospects, Love Stirchley and Love Stirchley
More. They also delivered a short term project called Sink or Swim to support the
development of the Baths Project. http://www.prospectors.org.uk/
Artsoak is an annual arts event run by the Selly Oak District Arts Forum across the
Selly Oak District. In 2012 and 2013 this has involved collaborations with Stirchley
Happenings and St Andrew’s Healthcare. The SB project can contribute to this
annual event through participatory arts activities to interpret aspects of the history of
the building. http://artsforumsellyoak.wordpress.com/ Currently the arts champion for
the area is City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and Stirchley Baths
Community ‘hub’ could be potentially their new home.
Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum, which has been acknowledged within the District for
their good work, has a membership of residents with a keen interest in local history.
They have expressed an interest in working with the SB Project to set up a local
history group and create a publically accessible resource of local history, including
community history and an oral history archive. http://www.stirchley.co.uk/forum.html
Currently information about the history of the area is provided on 6 historical
information panels located within walking distance of each other, and in a handful of
pamphlets in Stirchley Library. Images of Stirchley are found in an old publication by
Linda Chew and a few historic images are found on www.stirchleyonline.co.uk.
The Stirchley Urban Resource Network was set up in 2012 and is designed as a
virtual space to support Stirchley’s businesses and residents. The network is made
up of people and organisations, and exists to empower people to take part in
Stirchley’s future; to promote Stirchley’s unique identity and generate opportunities
for the area. This network could become an important mechanism to promote
volunteering opportunities at Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ and share resources
for the benefit of the community. http://stirchleyurban.wordpress.com/about/.
2.6.7
The SB project also has the opportunity, especially during the first year of
construction work, to support the neighbouring community buildings through room
hire and collaborative activities. This includes the TASCOs (social club) building on
the edge of the new Tesco development. Although recently closed at the time of
writing, a group of local residents are looking at ways to bring the building back into
use. Opposite SB is the former Hazelwell Street institute which is now home to
Stirchley Community Church who have large rooms and performance space for hire.
22 | P a g e

24. 2.6.8
Birmingham Adult Education Service also complements the cultural offer locally,
running a wide range of arts & crafts courses within the Selly Oak District. They have
expressed an interest in running an adult education programme at the Stirchley
Baths community ‘hub’ in the future.
2.6.9
We have learnt, through the engagement process for the SB project, that during the
last few years Stirchley has begun to develop its own community strategies towards
change, programmes of engagement activities around the Arts and a sense of
cooperation; the Stirchley Community Market and Stirchley Stores cooperative,
alongside the increased presence of grassroots organisations and networks (outlined
above) are evidence of this. The learning and participation aims of the SB Project will
provide further opportunities for local people to get involved in cherishing and
championing its heritage buildings and creating resources so people can learn about
the past, including Stirchley Baths. There is already a strong local network of groups
and people who can support delivery of these learning and participation objectives, in
particular through creativity and the Arts, which can also enhance their own
programmes. Selly Oak District is currently piloting for the city the notion of being a
‘cooperative district’ which promotes cooperative working and collaboration.
2.7
Non-user/Potential-user Research and Opportunities
2.7.1
Stirchley Community Centre already serves a diverse community with a wide range
of regular weekly activities including daily Arabic lessons, a weekly Tea dance and
Pentecostal church service, sewing groups and parent and toddler groups which
meet three times a week, and a range of sports groups. The full activity programme
is in Appendix B. An estimated 19,503 visits to Stirchley Community Centre were
recorded in 2012/13. This is an increase on previous years.
2.7.2
The primary motivation to visit the Community Centre is for classes, organised group
activity and room hire for parties and events. There is no ‘heritage offer’ or public
café facilities to attract other users into the building. There is the potential to reach
new non-community centre users at SB with an interesting programme of events,
some of which will have an historical focus, and a nice café. The improved facilities
will provide spaces for local people to meet each other, socialise and bring their
family and friends to.
2.7.3
Consultation on the SB Project during the Coffin Works public tours, organised by
Birmingham Conservation Trust, highlighted the attraction of heritage enthusiasts to
this type of heritage building; especially the conservation story. It is interesting that a
high number of visits to www.stirchleybaths.org were from outside the UK, which
again suggests that interest in this building extends to a much wider community of
people interested in the history of the site. With the programming of special events, a
continued online presence and a much developed historical resource, the ‘heritage
experience’ provided by SB far extends the local area physical boundaries.
2.7.4
The missing user groups identified by Community Workers at the Community Centre
are young people aged 11-14 and 15-19. Activity for young people, or lack of, is
something that has been highlighted on a number of occasions during the
preparation for this report. According to the 2011 Census there were 878 young
people aged between 10 and 19 living in the Area (see 2.2.5).
The structure of statutory youth provision within Birmingham is undergoing a period
of change. The new ‘youth hubs’ based at Maypole and Longbridge are a bus and
train ride away for young people in Stirchley and the local well-used youth house
(The Den) is being closed down as part of this new structure. There are other youth
23 | P a g e

25. clubs run locally by the Scouts and Community Church. BCC youth workers, who
support young people, mainly from around the Pineapple Estate in Stirchley, are
concerned that the changes, including in staffing, means the creation of a huge void.
We involved eighteen of these young people in our consultation and together worked
on some intergenerational project ideas to provide focussed sessions for young
people at Stirchley Baths Community ‘hub’ during a three-year programme of activity.
2.8
Barriers to Involvement
2.8.1
Discussions with stakeholders and community members on physical barriers to
access concentrated on the redevelopment plans for the site, rather than the current
condition of the building. The plans were approved by BCC Planning Committee on
21st March 2013. Recommendations for access into the building have been
considered previously in the development of the scheme and reflect community
consultation. As a result only a few physical barriers were identified within the
consultation for this piece of work.
The approved scheme will provide ramped access into the building which will operate
on a single ground floor level. Physical access via the car park remains a contentious
issue for some people as both pedestrians and vehicles will use the same access
routes. However, this is the only viable option available.
2.8.2
Individuals found it challenging to imagine or perceive any future barriers from a 2D
architect’s drawings rather than a personal experience of the building. Many older
Community Centre users said all they wanted was nice toilets and daylight. Young
people were concerned about cost and if they would know anyone; they wouldn’t go
into the building if they were not with their friends.
2.8.3
Current Community Centre users understandably feel anxious about what will
happen to their group for the interim period between the Community Centre closing
on 31st March 2014 and completion of building works at Stirchley Baths which are
expected to be around October 2014 if funding is successful. Selly Oak District are
aware of this and working hard to find a solution (as they had done previously before
delays in the Tesco development), but the displacement of groups may mean that
groups will not relocate and this may present a barrier to the future involvement of
some communities.
2.8.4
Other barriers to involvement and recommendations to overcome barriers in relation
to target audiences will be identified in section 3.4.
24 | P a g e

26. Focus Group Work
25 | P a g e

27. “Fond memories of taking my toddler swimming at Stirchley Baths 28
years ago. So pleased it will have a new lease of life in the near future”.
“Save Stirchley Baths 4 me”.
“Keeping the community at heart! Long live the spirit of Stirchley Baths”.
“A centre for Stirchley Community! Bringing people together and
improving the area!
“Stirchley Baths. The 1st step in regenerating Stirchley”.
“It is such a beautiful building and will make such a difference to the
community once restored!”
“Let’s not let another piece for our heritage go to waste!!
“Let’s preserve this piece of heritage. We do not want to lose lovely
buildings like this”.
“Been living in Stirchley for 13 years and this beautiful building has been
unused for so long. I’d love for it to be a place for the community, used
and loved again”.
Comments by local residents
26 | P a g e

28. 3
WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
3.1
Our Aspirations
The aspiration for both Selly Oak District and end users is to ensure the survival of
the Grade II listed former Stirchley Baths building by restoring and refurbishing the
historic fabric and repurposing the building as a multi-purpose community facility. As
an 'urban village hall’ at the heart of the community it will act as a catalyst for the
regeneration of the local area.
3.2
Our Target Audiences
3.2.1
In our consultations almost all the people we spoke to knew of the building and had
passed by on many occasions. They often commented on the current condition of the
building, expressed sadness and a sense of loss; and if they were old enough,
shared a memory or two about using Stirchley Baths in the past. First and foremost
the Baths will serve the local Stirchley community as well as people from Selly Park,
Cotteridge and Bournville. It is hoped that groups who currently use the Community
Centre will relocate on completion of building works. SB also has the potential to
reach a wider audience; local residents who are non-community centre users may be
attracted by a programme of ‘heritage related’ events. The new café facility, with the
potential for temporary exhibition space, the increased physical space and brand new
‘interior conservatory’ area with roof lanterns will also draw in new audiences. The
building’s heritage offer will also create reasons for heritage enthusiasts from across
the city to visit, as well as school groups who want to study a local resource.
3.2.2
We have identified out target audiences as:
a) Current Stirchley Community Centre Users
The current users of Stirchley Community Centre are diverse in ethnicity and age; the
centre serves children and their parents through play schemes and parent and
toddler groups; older residents through sewing clubs and dances; faith groups
through church services or Arabic lessons; individuals through sporting activity. On
relocation to SB, their purpose for visiting will be the same as before, but these
current user groups also become a target audience for history and heritage-related
activity. There were an estimated 19,503 recorded visits to Stirchley Community
Centre in 2012/13 and an estimated 37,400 visits in 11/12 to Stirchley Library next
door. This tells us that there will be a large audience indirectly experiencing the
heritage of the Baths, even though the primary motivation to visit might be something
entirely different.
b) Local residents (non-community centre users)
Local residents from Stirchley, Bournville, Selly Park, Cotteridge and surrounding
communities (including ‘harder to reach’ groups) who do not currently attend the
Community Centre for classes or activities may be attracted to the new facility; for its
improved room hire and its café. A changing events programme outside its regular
user groups and mixed-use spaces will encourage repeat visits from local people.
c) School children
Local schools within walking distance will be particularly interested in taking year
groups to Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ if facilitated sessions by an ‘expert’ are
27 | P a g e

29. offered. Realistically, as a busy centre with income generation targets, the school
programme will be small, but provide a vital resource for teaching on local studies,
history, geography and citizenship for primary school children within a 0-2 mile
radius. A WWII package will attract both primary and secondary schools from further
afield.
d) Young people
We identified earlier the projected lack of statutory youth provision in the area over
the next few years. SB provides the opportunity for young people from Stirchley,
Selly Park, Bournville and Cotteridge to get involved, learn new skills and volunteer
during the three-year funded programme of activity, and after. Heritage may be a
secondary driver for young people to participate, but heritage can also be a strong
enabler. This group are a ‘missing’ audience for many heritage buildings. Making SB
relevant to this age group is vital for engagement.
e) Informal learning and heritage enthusiasts
Within this group there will be:

day visitors from families looking for ‘hands on’ activities and visitor facilities
during weekend and school holidays. These may hail from across the city

empty nesters, over 65, interest and affinity groups such as the WI, U3A and
curious minds (older couples). ‘Behind the Scenes’ and ‘hard hat’ tours during the
restoration are expected to be popular with this audience group.
BCC’s Adult Education Service is proposing to run courses from SB, to hire rooms
and extend its service into Stirchley. This will bring a new audience to SB, including
those on ESOL courses. It is hoped that a bespoke local history course could be
developed within the three-year funded programme of activity and delivered by
PETAL (Preparation for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector) trained volunteers.
f) Volunteers
BCC staff carried out a Survey of Leisure and Use of Stirchley Community Centre at
the Cotteridge Park Play Day 6th August 2009. Although a small sample, 7 out of 31
respondents indicated they would be interested in volunteering at the community
centre; in the roles of fundraisers, play scheme workers and as advisors. BCC
currently works directly with some volunteers through play schemes and other
activities at the centre. Many of the community group activities and clubs hosted
there are run by volunteers.
The SB Project will present many opportunities to engage with volunteers from
different age groups and ethnicities, mainly sourced from the local community. After
the three-year programme of HLF-funded activity there will be a culture of
volunteering at SB which can developed further by BCC or whomever takes on the
long-term management of the building.
The SB project is particularly interested in targeting people with skills to run events,
document the restoration, extend a friendly welcome and share historical knowledge
of the building with visitors. Volunteers could support the running of education,
events and outreach programmes, tour guiding, community ambassador
programmes and heritage interpretation. See V:1 (Action Plan).
28 | P a g e

30. Within each of these target audiences above there will be:



first time visitors
repeat visitors
people with a range of access needs.
3.2.3
The successful delivery of BCC’s learning and participation objectives for the HLF
funded Stirchley Baths Project are dependent on additional staff resource being
made available. The commission of a part-time Heritage Development Officer (HDO)
was identified in BCC’s Round 1 Application to the HLF. This continues to be a
recommendation. However, the job description has been revised to reflect the skills
and experience required to manage delivery of the action plan outlined in this
document. The revised job description is in Appendix C.
3.2.4
Visitor Projections
Visitor numbers at Stirchley Baths Community ‘hub’ will reflect:





The usual uptake of ‘Community Centre’ activities and room bookings
The curiosity of local residents (non-community centre users) who want to look
inside their local iconic building after restoration
The quality of the ‘heritage offer’ or heritage-related events programme to
attract visitors from outside the area
The increased booking of the rooms for private events and functions
The popularity of a new café and family-friendly facilities.
It would not be unreasonable to predict the following number of visits starting from
Year 2 (late 2014). These have been broken down into regular community centre
users (‘experiencing’ the heritage) and visits generated during the three-years of HLF
funding by specific heritage-related activity and events:
*
Y1 n/a (3,800 – specific heritage-related activity and events)
*
Y2 19,000 (plus 3,465 – specific heritage-related activity and events)
*
Y3 20,000 (plus 3,900 – specific heritage-related activity and events)
*
Y4 21,000
*
Y5 22,000
The figures above are based on visits. See 3.2.5 for breakdown. Many people will be
repeat visitors.
3.2.5
Engagement Targets of the Activity Plan
Taking into account that the primary function of the Stirchley Baths Community ‘Hub’
will be a community centre with a full programme of community activity, the targets
we have set ourselves for engaging people with the heritage of the building and the
project are realistic.
While recognising that all visitors to the building will have an ‘experience’ of the
Bath’s heritage of some kind, the support to start a programme of heritage-related
events and activity will offer both community centre users and target audiences the
29 | P a g e

31. opportunity to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Bath’s history
and to get involved in a range of participatory activities where they can have
engaging and interactive experiences, learn new skills, and for some people give
something back to their community.
The following table outlines our projected numeric engagement targets over the
three-year period based on successful project delivery. Details of this activity and
associated visitor or audience numbers are found in the Action Plan per activity.
Yr1
Yr2
Yr3
Total
To engage 39,000 community ‘hub’ visitors in
‘heritage experiences’ at the Baths through on-site
interpretation. Many will be repeat visits
To engage 55 people through volunteering
n/a
19,000
20,000
39,000
20
25
10
55
To engage 65 young people and students through
project work and work placements
To engage 5380 people through events, exhibitions,
open days and tours
To engage 4,500 unique visitors who access the
project via the website
To engage 1015 school children through on-site
visits, loans boxes and resources
To engage 150 local BAME individuals through
events, open days and tours
25
20
20
65
2550
1520
1310
5380
1000
1500
2000
4500
165
350
500
1015
30
50
60
140
50,155
You will note that visit numbers to events, exhibitions, open days and tours do not
show incremental growth from years 1-3 in the table above. This is due to activity
programming. The number of new volunteers reflects the opportunities associated
with larger events and their programming within the three-year period. The delivery of
these targets is dependent on the type and number of people who come forward to
participate. As such, delivery will need to be flexible and innovative to adapt to this
and achieve the targets set out above.
A key issue is how do we count visitors? Visitors to the café or who are wandering
around the building to have a look at the history need to be captured as well as those
enrolled on regular classes or group activity and at special heritage related events.
Asking non-regular visitors to sign in on entry is one option being considered.
Visitors reached through social media should also be counted and appropriate
mechanisms to count history-related pages should be built into the website design.
3.3
Marketing: Reaching New Audiences
We would suggest that a strategy for building audiences to the ‘heritage offer’ of
Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ is targeted at users and non-community centre users,
local residents and city-wide heritage enthusiasts. It should use the following media:

Existing social media www.stirchleybaths.org, Facebook, Twitter: @stirchleybaths
and @sellyoakdistrict

Existing on-line networks and related social media including:
30 | P a g e

32. o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
www.stirchley.co.uk
http://stirchleyurban.wordpress.com
http://stirchley.co.uk/onlineforum/index.php
http://stirchleyhappenings.wordpress.com/
www.birmingham.gov.uk/sellyoak
www.lovesellyoak.com
http://www.prospectors.org.uk/
http://stirchleythoughtexchange.blogspot.co.uk/
www.birminghamconservationtrust.org

Visit Birmingham website

Lifford Lane Business Association

Local press coverage (editorial) including radio and television throughout stages of
restoration

Posters distributed around local community venues in Stirchley, Selly Park, Kings
Norton, Cotteridge, Selly Oak and Kings Heath (including libraries, faith buildings,
coffee shops etc) and Stirchley Baths Community ‘hub’

Posters and emails to named contact at St Andrews Healthcare

Birmingham City Council Tourism promotional literature (for special heritage
events)

School newsletters. Attending school fetes and events to raise awareness

Stalls and displays at community events and festivals; Hazelwell Park Fun Day,
Cocomad, Love Stirchley, ArtsOak are some examples.
3.4
Actions to Remove Barriers for Target Audiences
3.4.1
Community consultations in relation to the development of this Activity Plan took
place between 12 February and 21 May 2013. This was part of the on-going
engagement around the SB Project. As part of this research local residents and
people from ‘harder to reach’ groups were asked to identify the challenges and
concerns they had or perceived in relation to visiting Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’,
both as a building and as a place to experience its heritage.
3.4.2
Recommendations on how to overcome barriers are also included in the table below.
31 | P a g e

33. Barrier identified
Access routes in and out of
the car park will be used by
both cars and pedestrians
which might cause anxiety
Type of Barrier
Physical
Barrier for
Wheelchair users
Families, lone
parents with
pushchairs
Recommendation to overcome barrier
Guidance on parking on website, including current options to park on the
road in front of the library. Monitoring system to be put in place and BCC to
seek visitor feedback
Application to create Blue Badge parking on Bournville Lane
Due to the state of the
building any ‘hard hat’ tours
will not be physically
accessible for some people
before building
improvements have been
made
Difficulty crossing over
Hazelwell Street to Baths;
busy traffic, no traffic lights or
crossing. “local area is
important if you are
physically disabled.” Being
able to get to publically
accessible spaces is as
important as getting into
them.
Visitors not feeling welcome
or poor customer service
Physical
Wheelchair users,
people with
limited mobility,
hearing and sight
impairments
Capture the conservation work during 12 month build through films, photo
shoots and interviews with contractors in a range of formats (audio,
written, film with text). Organise a BSL interpreted talk for BSL users near
the end of the build
Physical
Wheelchair users,
people with
limited mobility,
and sight
impairments
Traffic lights on Hazelwell Street to enable people time to get across the
road to the Baths
Social
Disabled people
Patients at St
Andrews
Healthcare
Disability Awareness training for all volunteers (and staff if not available
through the city council)
BCC has a policy and duty towards equality and BCC community centre
staff will be fully trained
Partnership working on arts projects and display at Stirchley Baths
community ‘hub’, volunteering opportunities, breaking down the stigma of
mental health
32 | P a g e

34. Barrier identified
Not knowing what to expect
– what is access really like?
Type of Barrier
Physical
Barrier for
Disabled people
Recommendation to overcome barrier
Good web information available. Leaflet to pick up to include access
information. E.g. what is the width of the disabled toilets, what happens if I
were to pull the pull cord? Who will come? Are staff trained? Where can I
park?
Capacity building through colleges and youth clubs. Activities aimed at
younger people and organised by them
Interpret cultural links (segregation in swimming etc) that are relevant
today for young people (for Muslim girls in particular)
Feeling accepted and
welcome “I wouldn’t come
without my friends or peers”
“Would want to know who
goes and who runs it”
“It’s not relevant or
interesting. Don’t like history”
Perception that they won’t
enjoy it
Mixed attendance at events
Social/Cultural
Young people
BME groups –
cultural
differences
Cultural
Young people
Competitions and quizzes
Partnership with local college and youth clubs
Plenty of activity to participate in
Cultural
Promote ladies only talks and activities and women only ‘social’ sessions
based on heritage
Older Muslim women are not
café users, internet users.
They would drop kids off and
go home, wouldn’t
necessarily come to events
about history, but would look
at pictures on the walls in
foyer
Social
Women,
especially Muslim
women
Older Muslim
women
Less able to access the
available interpretation
Intellectual
Deaf people and
people who are
‘hard of hearing’
Work with Deaf organisations to organise and promote bespoke BSL
interpreted group tour on special heritage event days.
Use BSL interpretation on web films, accessible also from computers at
the centre. Subtitles on film, and clear, accessible text to be used in
interpretation
Hearing loop fitted
Have display or historical information in the foyer area to engage with
people as they come to the door
33 | P a g e

35. Barrier identified
Less able to understand the
available interpretation
Type of Barrier
Intellectual
Barrier for
People with
learning
disabilities
Not able to access written
interpretation
Physical
People with visual
impairments
Less able to understand the
available interpretation
Intellectual/
cultural
People who do
not speak English
Limited public access to the
history (because of
community centre use of
rooms). Not enough staff to
show public round the Baths
on a regular basis
School visits and education
activities disrupting regular
user activities
Organisational
Public
Organisational
Schools
Cost of school visit
Financial
Schools and
parents
Cost of heritage related
activity
Financial
Public
Young people
Recommendation to overcome barrier
Make heritage experience at Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ special
through practical activity (looking for clues around the building), hands on
experience, role play including dressing up and experienced tour guide
volunteers on heritage event days
Trained front of house staff and volunteers to offer assistance to guide a
VIP. Tour guides trained to give good audio description as they conduct
tours around the building on special heritage event days
Provide translations of important information / headlines and key
messages in Bengali, Urdu and Arabic for non-English speaking visitors
(many of whom will be from the local community). Recruit volunteers with
community language skills to deliver pre-arranged community language
interpreted tours and talks
Schedule and promote twilight or weekend tours once a month to avoid
clash with programming of regular user groups. A dedicated heritage slot
will ensure the programme is manageable and deliverable
Lots of school visits are not going to be possible due to the programming
of the community centre. Suggest four dedicated slots a month / once a
week (initially) as provision for school visits where they have access to the
main hall to take part in an interactive and facilitated activity led by the
HDO and team of education volunteers
Keep costs low (£2 per head for facilitated session on site) Create a
workshop/loans box that can also be used in the classroom and with
multiple groups
Much of the heritage interpretation can be made available to visitors and
those entering the building free of charge
Any pricing strategy for events or additional activities should be reasonable
to ensure local communities are not excluded
Annual participation in Heritage Open Days and other free community
open days
34 | P a g e

36. Barrier identified
Not enough staff or
volunteers to run facilitated
school sessions or public
tours programme
Motivation of teachers and
the impact on teacher
workload
Type of Barrier
Organisational
Barrier for
Schools
Public
Recommendation to overcome barrier
Recruit, train and retain pool of volunteers who can make this activity
happen
Organisational
Teachers
Provide familiarisation visits, high quality learning resources supporting
school based curriculum
The fear of accidents and the
possibility of litigation
Organisational
Teachers
No capacity in volunteer
programme to support
volunteers and the delivery
of public access programmes
Organisational/
Social
Volunteers
Local community
Make learning at SB special through practical activity, hands on
experience, role play including dressing up and experienced education
facilitators
Provide risk assessment template to help with their planning, pre-visit
advice and familiarisation visits. BCC has public liability insurance and
building risk assessments will be in place prior to opening
Provide volunteer training budget. Recruit a HDO with experience in all
areas of delivery, including volunteer management
35 | P a g e

37. 3.4.3
Recommendations for breaking down barriers:


Provide detailed access information on the web and in a leaflet so visitors, especially
Disabled visitors, can plan their visit.

Asian people are regular visitors to Stirchley Community Centre, especially from the
Bengali community. There is a Muslim women’s group who meet for Arabic lessons
every Tuesday. English is not the first language of some of the older ladies, but they
expressed interest in interpreted talks and activity. We would suggest working with
members of the local Asian community to provide translations of important
information / headlines and key messages in Bengali, Urdu and Arabic when
interpreting the site. Recruit volunteers with community language skills to deliver prearranged community language interpreted tours and work as ambassadors within
their communities.

The marketing strategy for SB’s heritage events and activities should include
promotion to community organisations, local cafés, faith groups, youth groups,
libraries and other grassroots venues. Marketing to a Deaf audience can be done
through the city’s Deaf support groups such as DeafPLUS and BID Cultural Deaf
Centre.

Creating curriculum-based resources and loans boxes may help overcome the
financial barriers associated with learning outside the classroom.

Project-based work with young people from Stirchley and surrounding areas will give
SB the opportunity to explore ways to encourage visits from this audience group and
review and enhance the activities and events on offer. This might involve some pilot
work; working with a group of young volunteers to create a quiz or competition
suitable for and aimed at other young people. This will lead on to other projects such
as working on an intergenerational project inspired by the Stirchley Baths Ballroom or
painting a mural depicting the history of Stirchley and the Baths in the neighbouring
park.

3.5
A varied programme of history and heritage-related events will attract local residents
and visitors to SB from across Birmingham. Working with other local cultural
organisations such as Stirchley Happenings, Selly Oak District Arts Forum, Place
Prospectors and Friends groups (parks) to ensure cross promotion and avoiding
event clashes. This will help SB integrate into the local cultural and leisure offer of
the area, as well as help build, rather than divide, local audiences.
A named contact for all heritage-related event activity (preferably the Heritage
Development Officer), with an office base at Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’. This
will enable the Officer to have a greater visible presence within the community, than
they would if based at the council offices.
Aims for Activities
During consultation and engagement events, local people made suggestions on
activities and uses for the building which were not related to heritage. These
included; music concerts, local food markets, sports, film night, arts and crafts
workshops, old style music hall, holiday scheme, and a ‘hot desk’ for independent
local businesses to use.
36 | P a g e

38. These ideas and suggestions have been passed on to BCC and the programming
sub group of the SBCSG. All written responses which have been collected, the
majority written on ‘hands’ are included in Appendix D.
The activities outlined below and in the Action Plan are sub-divided to cover the
following areas:





Interpretation
Volunteering
Community Engagement and Audience Development
Learning – school groups and families
Training
3.6
Recommendations (targets) for Participation and Learning
3.6.1
In recommending activities to meet BCC’s learning and participation objectives for
the Stirchley Baths project, timescale, available space and regular ‘user group’
programming need to be taken into consideration to ensure that heritage activity
enhances the programme offered by the community centre, rather than clashes with
it and vice versa. It is important that the project provides opportunities to build new
audiences to the new community facility through its heritage ‘offer’ but also increases
the enjoyment and understanding of visitors to the building who come to partake in a
non-heritage organised group activity, class or function.
3.6.2
Recommendations; Capital works on-site Interpretation
We have produced an Interpretative Proposal alongside this Activity Plan which
recommends physical interpretation at the building (See Stirchley Baths
Interpretation Proposal, written by Birmingham Conservation Trust). The two main
principles which have guided the plan are:
1. To take a ‘light touch’ approach to in situ interpretation materials.
Stirchley Baths has many stories to tell and to a considerable extent the
building will speak for itself. Our aim is to provide interpretation materials that
will enhance or further illustrate these stories, or will lead users of the building
to stories that they may not have been aware of. We will aim to provoke
interest and enquiry, and also point the way to where the curious may
discover more. We will do this mainly through the use of photographs and
enlarged facsimiles of original documents, with little or no explanatory text.
2. To use, wherever possible, the words of members of the community to
provide interpretation. The interviews conducted as part of the extensive
community engagement exercise provide a rich source of quotations and
memories. We intend that short extracts from these are dotted about in
unusual places on the walls (not where it has been possible to retain the
original tiles). Example: “There was no hot water in our house and it was a lot
easier using the baths at Stirchley than getting the tin one out at home.”
Again, the amount of information contained in this short quotation is huge. It is
much more engaging and thought provoking than a piece of descriptive text
on an information panel describing why ‘slipper baths’ were provided and
popular.
37 | P a g e

39. 3.6.3
Recommendations; Interpretation through participation
To enhance the physical interpretation provided through the capital works budget, the
recommendation is to involve and engage local people as participants in project
work, through tours and talks, and interactive activities to create their own
interpretations of the Baths’ heritage and wider Stirchley history and share this with a
wider audience through a range of different media, including a digital output. During
year one recommended activity has already been discussed with the appointed
building contractor Mansells.
The following recommendations for Interpretation (I) also meet BCC’s learning and
participation aims for the HLF-funded project:
I:1
The after-school Film Production Club at Stirchley Community School have
expressed an interest in making regular monthly updates on the restoration
project to post on www.stirchleybaths.org as well as on their own school
website. Stirchley Happenings will show their film night audiences the films.
This will reach a wide audience. (Digital Output).
I:2
Work with a new Stirchley Local History Group (set up for the benefit, and
lasting legacy, of the project) to produce an illustrated glossy leaflet about the
historic importance of the Baths. This content can be also used on
www.stirchleybaths.org (Digital Output). For example, the research and
leaflet could follow four themes: The Public Baths, The World Wars, Leisure,
Health and Fitness, and Closure, Campaign and Community. This would be
part information/part promotion for community centre room hire, and available
in the café as well as community venues.
I:3
Year one. Special by invitation 'hard hat’ tours for current community centre
users and other local groups to help them feel part of the project/process
(programme for March, April, May, July, August, October when there are no
public tours. These tours could be monthly depending on the stage of the
build and will be delivered by the contractor Mansells.
I:4
Year one. Special heritage event days: public ‘hard hat’ tours during
Architecture Week (June) and the annual Heritage Open Days event
(September). Participation will depend on how accessible the building is
during conservation works.
Years two-three. Programme monthly pre-bookable public tour around the
Baths (15 max group size) to be led by volunteer guides. This would fit in the
dedicated monthly provision.
I:5
I:6
Work in partnership with new Stirchley Local History Group to design a local
history 'living' display for exhibit within the Baths building which changes
regularly as research progresses and new images are located.
38 | P a g e

40. I:7
Two public talks by Steve Beauchampé, local expert on the history of
Edwardian Baths in Birmingham. One talk could be aimed at local people
whose first language is not English (with Bengali and Urdu interpreters. This
may be a women's only session to maximise numbers), the other talk for
general audiences; both local and from further afield. This may tie in with a
special event day.
I:8
Work with a professional film maker and local residents (all ages and
backgrounds) to produce a film about Stirchley; past, present and future
(featuring the Baths at various stages in its life), but also narrating the
changes in landscape and history of the community over time. Volunteers can
learn film-making and interviewing techniques as well as appear on camera.
This could be timed to capture the demolition of buildings on the new
development site and building of the new Tesco store, as well as the
restoration of the Baths. The historic landscape of the area will never look the
same again! Also see V:5 (Digital Output).
I:9
Develop an interactive, immersive story-telling session for children aged 2-5
and their parents on the history of the building and its uses through
characters, soundscape (period music, traffic and factory sounds and voice
recordings), costumes (flat caps) and other props. This will also include a
craft session which children will use to deliver a story. For delivery on-site as
part of Parent and Toddler Group activity at SB, at Stirchley Library, and on
heritage event days. To deliver 11 hour sessions over 3 years. The box of
props developed can also be used on site during facilitated school visits. Also
See L:1 (KS 1 pupils)
I:10 Development and writing of a 'Big Book' on the history of the Baths to be
available in SB café, at the library and in parent and toddler groups. This
could be based on characters developed as part of the story-telling resource
above.
I:11 SB internet café homepage link to digital history resources on the history of
the Baths; screen saver uses historical images. (Digital Output).
I:12 Development of short film (using green screen technology) to include BSL
interpretation and subtitles. The scripted narrative could include the
information available to the public at the Baths (i.e. leaflet, graphics). This can
be available on www.stirchleybaths.org and on desktop of computers in the
internet café. (Digital Output).
I:13 British Sign Language Interpreted tour on arrangement during monthly
special heritage day slot. To be promoted through DeafPlus and Deaf
Cultural Centre, Ladywood.
I:14 Time-lapse photography film to be produced by a volunteer to show the
before, during and completion of the SB restoration project. See Volunteering
V:1. (Digital Output).
39 | P a g e

41. I:15 Two events where the public can ‘meet the expert’; talks by craftsmen and
manager of the building site. This forms part of the programme of activities
led by the appointed contractors Mansells in year one.
I:16 Subject to funding. Critically acclaimed composer and vocalist Andy
Garbi makes acoustic templates that capture the sonic characteristics of an
enclosed space to preserve what a building "sounds like" at the precise time
and date when they were made. He wishes to use this technique to record
spaces in derelict buildings before restoration/conservation or redevelopment
work begins. He would like to include Stirchley Baths, alongside other
heritage buildings in Birmingham and across the UK. His compositions will
provide another way to interpret the building and may lead to a public event
to share this with a wider audience.
I:17 Partnership project with the Drama Department at the University of
Birmingham to create site-specific performances which interpret an aspect of
the Baths history during their spring module in 2016.
I:18 Run a design competition for students from the Birmingham School of
Jewellery to make a 2014 Ceremonial Key for the reopening of the Baths.
The winner would win the commission to make a new key which would be
displayed along with the original key dated 1911 (if a permanent loan can be
arranged with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery).
It is recommended that the delivery and coordination of the above is managed
by the HDO.
3.6.4
Recommendations: Volunteering.
In a building where the primary function is to serve the community there will naturally
be a lot of voluntary activity happening. The District is already making a concerted
effort to work with a lot of volunteer-led community groups within the area. As part of
the HLF-funded activity programme, volunteers will support specific areas of work to
increase access to the heritage of the Baths and wider Stirchley history. In fact,
volunteers are vital to the delivery of the programme outlined in Section 3.
It is important to invest in volunteers, especially when drawn from the immediate local
communities as this in turn increases the capacity and skills within the area. The
recommendations below outline a programme for volunteers where they have access
to skills-based training, and a range of diverse volunteer roles. These will attract a
diverse range of volunteers. Sample volunteer role descriptions are provided in
Appendix E. BCC is currently working on a corporate volunteering strategy, including
its own role descriptions.
40 | P a g e

42. V:1
Heritage Development Officer (HDO) to set up a volunteering programme;
actively recruit, train and manage volunteers in a variety of roles to increase
access to heritage:
 Building history tour guides for special event days and monthly
tour
 Oral historians
 Community language interpreters and ambassadors (to engage
with local BAME audiences and translate interpretative and
promotional material as appropriate)
 Events assistants
 Bloggers
 Documentary photographer (to create time-lapse of restoration
project and write blogs on building works. See I:14)
 Schools education volunteers
 Friendly meet & greet volunteers at new centre with knowledge of
the history of building.
 Local history walk leaders to run bi-monthly history walks of the
area
 Marketing support
 Event organisers (project aimed at young volunteers. See C:8)
V:2
Continuation of the voluntary Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders
Programming sub group. This group which will become the advisory
committee for the ‘Community hub’ within year one of the project. They will
advise on all aspects of community programming, including heritage-related
activity.
V:3
HDO to facilitate the setting up of a Stirchley Local History Group (currently
no group exists), working with local historian Wendy Pearson and the
Neighbourhood Forum. The first task would be to research and write an
interpretative leaflet on the history of the Baths in year one, and research and
create wider Stirchley history resources after. The group will be involved with
collecting memories for an oral history archive, some of which can be used in
the Bath’s interpretation scheme. At a workshop session at the Stirchley
Neighbourhood Forum in March 2013, local residents worked in groups to
discuss the key research themes they were interested in. See notes from this
workshop in Appendix F.
V:4
Work with freelance workers and young volunteers from Stirchley and
surrounding areas on the planning of a community VE Day 2015 event. This
will involve learning skills to research Stirchley in wartime, programming and
marketing the event to other young people and wider audiences, ambassador
work, social media, and being involved in a steering committee for the overall
event.
V:5
Volunteers to work with film maker to produce film about Stirchley, past,
present and future. To learn new skills in film making techniques.
41 | P a g e

43. It is recommended that the delivery and coordination of the above is managed
by the HDO.
3.6.5
Recommendations: Community Engagement & Audience Development
There will be regular visitors to the building who attend community groups, meetings
and organised classes. Some visitors will only come once for the ‘heritage offer’.
Each visitor will have an ‘experience’ of the building’s history through physically being
in the building; many of the original historic features will be refurbished and the onsite interpretation will encourage people to consider the buildings’ former uses.
Indeed, publicity for the community ‘hub’ developed by the District will also feature
the Baths’ history which is seen as a selling point and asset to bring in new centre
users. A programme of heritage-related events and activities will raise awareness
about architectural and social history of the Baths, and offer an enhanced learning
experience.
C:1
Build new local and city-wide audiences (heritage enthusiasts) to SB through
participation in events such as Architecture Week (June) and the annual
Heritage Open Days event (September). These national events provide free
access, breaking down financial barriers which might prevent some people
from visiting. They also raise awareness on a local, regional and national
level through dedicated publicity campaigns. Special event days could
include a volunteer-led history tour of the building, interactive story telling for
families, a rare opportunity to see under the areas of floor board into the
empty pool, a chance to go up on the balcony (controlled) to look down on to
the pool area, talks on the history of the Baths etc.
C:2
Launch event/opening of Stirchley Baths (community ‘hub’) for both VIPs
and local residents (at the same event). Launch of Baths history leaflet
produced by Stirchley Local History Group (see L:2).
C:3
Run an art competition with local schools, colleges and community groups to
produce artwork and written text based on Stirchley Baths to go on
community display case on the site hoardings for the duration of the build
(changing display, which visitors on hard hat tours will also be encouraged
to contribute to). This competition would be accompanied by a school
assembly if appropriate or an image resource, and social media campaign.
C:4
Develop a volunteer-led history walk in Stirchley, to start and finish at
Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’. Work with community language volunteers
to deliver additional interpretation for non-English speakers where needed.
C:5
Work with local young people to design and test a quiz around the inside
and outside of the building suitable and engaging for other young people.
This can be used on special heritage event days.
C:6
Work with local families with children aged under 5 to create a family-friendly
activity/trail inside and outside the building which can be used on special
heritage event days.
42 | P a g e

44. C:7
Host a community event in partnership with The Friends of Stirchley Park
and other local organisations and collaborations on Sat 9 May 2015 to
celebrate Victory in Europe; 70 year anniversary (Fri 8 May). This might
involve a 1940s themed event which recreates Stirchley in wartime. This
would be a community-led event which is inspired by the war years at
Stirchley Baths, but also showcases the building as a facility/venue to bring
communities together within the first 8-9 months of opening.
Initial ideas include:
 1940s dances over the pool at the Baths and big band music
 Drama piece on the Baths being used as a first aid post during the
war
 Traditional games in the park
 St Edwards Primary school orchestra playing music of the era
 Street performers
 Bunting and union jacks
 Recreation of a street party (Regent Street, 1945)
 A range of performances by local school children and members of
the Stirchley Community Centre weekly Tea dance
 Vera Lynn impersonator to lead the sing-a-long and Winston
Churchill with his famous Battle of Britain Speech
 Character actors in military costume etc (which can be provided by
South & City College)
 Local bomb site history walks etc…
 10 minute site-specific drama performance by University of
Birmingham Drama Students
 Themed market stalls – link in with Stirchley Community Market
The event would be a culmination of community-led activity. For example:






C:8
Research by the history group
Intergenerational learning in schools
1940s themed design and invitations/posters/ration cards by South &
City College design students
Planning and event management to involve local volunteers and
young people
Children's holiday and weekend craft activities to make bunting and
paint union jacks
South & City College drama students to script and create costumed
characters to mingle with the audience.
Work with freelance workers and young people from Stirchley on an
intergenerational project with members of the Stirchley Community Centre
Tea dance to learn dances from the 1940s. This will form part of the wider
VE Day 2015 community celebration event. Young people have expressed
an interest in teaching the 1940s dances they learn to school children.
43 | P a g e

45. C:9
Working with Stirchley Stitchers (Community Centre user group) in the
development stages and the wider public in a participatory textile/felt arts
project, recreate the mural painted on the tiles at the end of the swimming
pool which appears in photos of the Baths in the 1980s. A piece for display
within the temporary gallery space in the café. This can tie in with The Big
Draw national event in October 2016, or another local community event.
C:10 Work in partnership with a local graffiti artist and Friends of Stirchley Park (at
the back of SB) on further wall murals themed on Stirchley past, present and
future. (The Baths can be represented in both past and future). Stirchley
Present is represented already by the Sleeping Child; a symbol of the
reawakening of the area. These murals will be outlined by ‘Title’ and painted
by Stirchley young people in a series of workshops. This will require further
permission from The Co-operative who own the wall.
The Sleeping Child, Graffiti by Title
C:11 Contributing to the annual local Artsoak Festival and other festivals (2014),
deliver two participatory half day workshops (venue tbc) with local
communities using the old unusable tiles which were removed from the
Baths during its restoration. Working with a ceramic/mosaic artist, individuals
could create decorative mosaic pictures with the old tiles and other materials
to take home which are inspired by and include images of the Bath's history
under glass as part of their personalised design. After grouting work (off-site)
is completed participants are invited back for a display event (and they can
take their piece - and a little bit of Stirchley Baths - home with them)!
44 | P a g e

46. C:12 Remount of an installation created by Tom Cahill-Jones of local arts group
Stirchley Happenings. Constructed from scrap materials reclaimed from
local streets over a two year period, this hide will provide a vantage point
from which local people can consider the changes to the Baths (including
bowling green) that are about to commence, after many years of talking and
stalled development. It can be positioned in Stirchley Park, overlooking the
SB compound. Inside the structure there will be audio presentation - of
memories collected during the development phase of this plan - as well as a
reminder of the plans. There will be an opportunity for people to add further
memories and join in the excitement of the start of the restoration project.
Hinterland by
Tom Cahill-Jones. Image by Phil Banting
C:13 Develop the Black Horse Stables and Beer House Pub Quiz. The quiz takes
its name from the Beerhouse that was sited on the Baths site from circa
1830.The quiz would take place at the Three Horseshoes, British Oak, and
other local pubs – the Highbury, Grant Arms, Selly Park Tavern, Dog Pool
Tavern if reopened, The Country Girl.
C:14 Contribute to the Love Stirchley More Festival if there is a successful funding
application - looking at memories of local people meeting, flirting, courting
and falling in love at Stirchley Baths. This can be an output of the oral history
project.
C:15 Work in partnership with the new Stirchley Local History Group and
Birmingham Heritage and Archives Service to create an archive both
physical and digital of material (photos, oral history, memorabilia) on
Stirchley Baths and other local history to deposit in Birmingham Archives. A
history loans box to be produced for local storage at the Baths, for
community use and as a schools resource. See V:3.
C:16 A participatory arts project with St Andrews’s Healthcare, a mental health
charity located in Stirchley, which draws a parallel between Stirchley Baths
and recovery from mental health. The idea that the recovery of the building
from something lost and damaged into something that is going to be useful
again is like the mental health recovery journey. Working with a professional
artist over four sessions, the patients will create artwork for temporary
display at the community ‘hub’ (perhaps in the café).
45 | P a g e

47. C:17 Partnership projects with Joseph Chamberlain 'Film Production Club' and
other local students to make short film documentaries to feature the SB
project; to support evaluation and create content for the website.
C:18 Two special 'historic' film nights relevant to the Baths including films about
historic lidos, swimming pools etc… organised by Stirchley Happenings.
C:19 Retrieve the community time capsule buried at the former Community
Centre (from the 1960s) and invite local residents to an event to contribute
to a new 2014 time capsule. Both will be buried under the pool, and visible
under the Perspex flooring for visitors on heritage tours and event days.
C:20 Working with representatives from 5-6 established Community Centre user
groups and Stirchley Community School, create a series of panels using
glass tiles and mosaic techniques to depict the history and heritage of
Stirchley, including the Baths (tile work inspired by the tiling and glazed
brickwork throughout the building). The individual panels can be mounted
together to form a collective piece of community artwork which can be
installed inside the building or at another location in Stirchley. See Boreham
example below.
It is recommended that the delivery and coordination of the above is managed
by the HDO.
3.6.6
Recommendations: Learning.
Heritage is important for the future success of the building. However, the primary
function of Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’ will not be a museum, nor a heritage
‘attraction’. It will be a living, vibrant community space which draws upon its rich
heritage. It is envisaged that special event days and a monthly ‘heritage tour’ will be
offered in yrs 2-3 to provide opportunities for access to the heritage and develop the
target audiences identified in this study. If successful, these may continue as a
permanent part of the Community ‘hub’s programme. The building provides a
wonderful resource for learning; informally through events and family activities
designed with learning outcomes; and formally for schools to deliver areas of the
National Curriculum.
Juggling demand from schools and regular bookings may become problematic. The
recommendation would be to programme two hours a week as provision for school
activity in the large hall. This will enable a group of 30 children at a time to visit the
site for a facilitated session. The two themed learning packages which have been
identified as useful resources by two different primary schools are: Local Studies
(history, geography, citizenship, industry, maps) and World War II. Local Studies will
have a limited uptake from schools outside the area, but WWII themed resources and
facilitated sessions are expected to be popular across the city, despite recent
changes in the history curriculum.
46 | P a g e

48. The HDO will work with education volunteers to facilitate the on-site sessions based
around these two themed packages. There will be an opportunity for children to
showcase any follow up work they do in school at SB, using the temporary gallery
space in the café.
The target for on-site school visits should be realistic to reflect capacity at the
building and expected demand. Outreach visits to schools through a loans box/taster
sessions which introduce the two themes packages will be useful for increasing
numbers as they can be used by more than one class and year group.
L:1
Develop a package of Stirchley Baths on-site and off-site learning resources
in partnership with St Edwards Catholic Primary aimed at Yr 6 WWII studies.
This may include dressing up costumes (the Baths was a first aid post) and
props, air raid and bombing audio, 1940s dance music etc...
L:2
Deliver an interactive, immersive story telling session for children at KS1 on
the history of the building and its uses through characters, soundscape
(period music, traffic and factory sounds and voice recordings), costumes (flat
caps) and other props. This will also include a craft session which children will
use in delivery of a story. The box of props developed can also be used on
site during education visits. Also See I:9
L:3
Devise and run a course on Stirchley local history for volunteers working at
SB and the wider community. Two volunteers will be PETAL trained
(Preparation for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector). Training other
volunteers for the SB Project will be their main client group, although this will
be suitable for teachers and other adult education learners. (See L:5)
L:4
Building contractor Mansells will deliver safety talks to local schools, to warn
of the dangers of derelict buildings and building sites. These will be delivered
in school assemblies.
L:5
Run day courses on the history of Stirchley (to include training local school
teachers, members of the public, volunteers and ambassadors working with
Stirchley Baths) will be available 3 times a year or more if demand exists.
Training to be delivered by two volunteers trained to PETAL standard
(Preparation for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector).
L:6
Develop a package of Stirchley Baths on-site and off-site learning resources
in partnership with Stirchley Community School as part of their local studies
(history and geography) unit at KS1 & KS2 (to promote to other schools in the
area).
It is recommended that the delivery and coordination of the above is managed
by the HDO.
3.6.7
Recommendations: Training.
Appropriate training will be offered to volunteers working with the SB project; not only
to equip them for the task, but also to increase the skills base of the local community.
47 | P a g e

49. It is expected that training will be delivered through both ‘bought-in’ resource and by
the HDO who will manage the volunteer programme.
The decline in heritage craft skills means that some skills required for historic building
repair are at risk of dying out. This is a national challenge. The SB Project brings with
it the opportunity to provide students with experience working on live restoration and
conservation projects, enabling students to learn some traditional craft skills; first and
foremost for this project will be stone-masonry. BCC have already appointed the
contractors to the SB project. Mansells, which is part of the Balfour Beatty Group,
have their own framework for community engagement and learning. The learning and
participation targets which involve them have been agreed together in preparation of
this plan.
T:1
Site-based student work placements will be made available through Mansells
and their sub-contractors across a range of specialisms for students learning
traditional conservation skills (HVQs heritage construction through Dudley
College and construction through South & City College, Birmingham).
Mansell’s have agreed a target of a minimum 10 weeks’ worth of work
placements, benefitting a minimum of 5 students.
T:2
Create opportunities for one shared 2-year apprenticeship with Mansells
and/or sub contractors on heritage craft skills.
T:3
Training offered to volunteers on the history of SB and wider Stirchley area
(delivered by PETAL trained volunteers (See L:3).
T:4
Archives Skills Training by Birmingham Archives Services for members of the
Stirchley Local History Group. This is training to help projects and community
groups develop skills and expertise around developing and establishing
archive collections. This training is accessible and interactive, and includes
introduction to collecting, different kinds of material, cataloguing and listing
and using respective databases and spreadsheets. The training enables
projects to develop and establish archive collections that are accessible and
with a view to being deposited, where relevant, appropriate or desired, with
the city archives. This support comes with ongoing advice and expertise.
T:5
Social media and wordpress training for volunteer bloggers and HDO to
enable volunteers to add regular content to the website.
T:6
Oral history training offered to volunteers in Local History Group, and other
recruited young volunteers.
T:7
Technical film skills training offered to volunteers working with the film maker
to document the changing landscape as a result of regeneration; Stirchley
Past, Present and Future (See I:8).
T:8
Training for Heritage Development Officer in all the above in order to deliver
on-going training opportunities where appropriate as new volunteers are
recruited.
48 | P a g e

50. T:9
3.6.8
Training associated with Health & Safety on building sites for photographer
recording the construction works (to produce time lapse) and HDO. This is a
requirement of the contractors Mansells. These people will need to pass the
CITB Health Safety and Environment test.
The aspirations outlined above show the potential of SB as a place of community
engagement and learning. The amount of activity that can be achieved, and therefore
number of people who will be engaged through learning and participation, is
dependent on;






3.8
the level of access allowed by contractor Mansells during year one
adequate levels or staffing and/or volunteers, including the commission of
an HDO commission
timetabling
funding
strength of marketing campaign and levels of public interest
ability to overcome barriers to access.
Potential Partners and Collaborations
In section 2.6 we describe the growing cultural scene in Stirchley and the grass roots
organisations which contribute to this. As outlined in the Action Plan some of the
Activity Plan delivery can be either facilitated and led by, or promoted through these
local groups. Working with local partners maximises the potential of any resources
and legacies which are produced after the initial three year funded HLF project.
Partners identified to help delivery of this Activity Plan include Stirchley Happenings,
Place Prospectors, Selly Oak District Arts Forum and Stirchley Neighbourhood
Forum. Both the head teachers of Stirchley Community School and St Edwards
Catholic Primary have offered their help and the expertise of their staff to develop
educational resources.
3.8.1
As part of the consultation we spoke to a selection of creative arts professionals from
different fields to hear their ideas for collaborations, creative participatory and artistled projects as part of the SB project. These professionals included:








Sophie Handy, a mosaic art specialist based at The Old Print Works in Balsall
Heath
Janice Connelly and Rachel Snape, Women & Theatre, based in Moseley
Sabra Khan, Project Manager of the Selly Oak Arts Forum
Jayne Murray and Emma Larkinson, Place Prospectors
‘Title’, a local graffiti artist from Kings Heath
Malcolm Jennings from The Playhouse, Theatre in Education, Balsall Heath
Andy Garbi, composer and vocalist from Malvern
Toni Midane, drama teacher who specialises in interactive storytelling for preschool aged children from Cotteridge.
The majority of the recommendations outlined above and in the Action Plan involve
working with communities. As much of the delivery is dependent on the type and
number of people who come forward to participate, delivery will need to be flexible
and innovative to adapt to this. As such, this list of recommended activities forms the
basis for further detailed planning once the funding has been secured.
49 | P a g e

51. A Show of Hands for the Stirchley Baths Project Event
The full list of comments, memories, questions, ideas and statements of support that were
written on hands by participants, and displayed around Stirchley Baths, is available in
Appendix D.
50 | P a g e

52. “Met my husband in 1962 every night, as he swam here every day. Still
going strong”.
“Lovely old building – about time this was restored for community use!”
“Used to go swimming with my sisters. Now I’m retired I’d love to have it
as a meeting centre with activities – dance, yoga, keep fit, then the link
with the past remains”.
“A vibrant area where people come together to share ideas to make
Stirchley great!”
“Have lived here since I was born in 1974 and used to go swimming at
Stirchley Baths every Wednesday for as long as I can remember. It was
a sad lose when it closed. I would love to see the building used again”.
“Stirchley Baths, the building sits in the middle of Stirchley – it will be
great to have it open as a community space at the heart of the area.”
“Looks an amazing building and truly hope you are successful. It’s
always important to show those who look after our towns and cities that
buildings are just not mere bricks and mortar. Buildings shape our
societies, our culture and our shared histories and importantly inform us
about our futures”.
Comments by local residents and in response to posts on www.stirchleybaths.org
51 | P a g e

53. 4. HOW DO WE INTEND TO GET THERE?
4.1
Action Plan
This Action Plan is sub-divided to cover the following areas:





Interpretation
Volunteering
Community Engagement and Audience Development
Learning – school groups and family activities
Training
Abbreviations:
BCC
BCT
SB
SBCSG
HDO
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Conservation Trust
Stirchley Baths
Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholder Group
Heritage Development Officer
Images supplied by local residents to help develop the plans (centre picture, reference Place
Prospectors’ Stirchley Merc.)
52 | P a g e

54. Action Plan: Interpretation
Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
I:1
The after-school Film Production Club at
Stirchley Community School have
expressed an interest in making regular
monthly updates on the restoration project
to post on www.stirchleybaths.org as well
as on their own school website. Stirchley
Happenings will show their film night
audiences the films. This will reach a wide
audience. Digital Output
School
children,
wider
audiences
Regular
updates for
local residents
and wider
interest groups.
Local school
engaged in
restoration
project
Mansells to facilitate
(inc hard hats, safety
eyewear, etc)
1
10 pupils x 10
reports. 20
pupils involved
0
Feedback from teachers
and pupils, audience
numbers (website and
Stirchley Happenings)
I:2
Work with a new Stirchley Local History
Group (set up for the benefit, and lasting
legacy, of the project) to produce an
illustrated glossy leaflet about the historic
importance of the Baths. This content can
be also used on www.stirchleybaths.org.
Digital Output. For example, the research
and leaflet could follow four themes: The
Public Baths, The World Wars, Leisure,
Health and Fitness, and Closure,
Campaign and Community. This would be
part information/part promotion for
community centre room hire, and
available in the café as well as community
venues.
Local
residents,
wider
audiences
Local interested
residents
engaged in
research and
production of
history leaflet
on the Baths
and other
heritage
resources in the
area
HDO time,
Neighbourhood
forum/history group
volunteers, designer
1
Min. of 10
volunteers in
history group
3500
Retention and growth rate
of volunteers, feedback
on leaflets, downloads of
leaflet
53 | P a g e

55. Activity
I:3
I:4
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Special by invitation 'hard hat’ tours for
current community centre users and other
local groups to help them feel part of the
project/process (programme for March,
April, May, July, August, October when
there are no public tours. These tours
could be monthly depending on the stage
of the build and will be delivered by the
contractor Mansells.
Community
groups, local
residents
Mansells to sponsor
(inc hard hats, safety
eye wear etc…)
1
5 x 12 people =
60 people
0
Visitor feedback. All tours
full.
Special heritage event days: public ‘hard
hat’ tours during Architecture Week (June)
and the annual Heritage Open Days event
(September). Participation will depend on
how accessible the building is during
conservation works.
Heritage
enthusiasts,
local
residents
Engage
current
community
centre users
in the
process, to
give sense of
ownership
about their
new 'home'.
Allow 'behind
the scenes'
access for
heritage
enthusiasts
and local
residents who
are not
community
centre users.
Raise
awareness of
conservation
work. Bring
new
audiences to
Stirchley
Mansells to sponsor
(inc hard hats, safety
eyewear etc…
1
8 tours of 15
people (4 at
each event) 120
visitors on tours
0
Visitor feedback. All tours
full. No. of non-local
residents
54 | P a g e

56. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
I:5
Programme monthly pre-bookable public
tour around the Baths (15 max group size)
to be led by volunteer guides. This would
fit in the dedicated monthly provision.
Heritage
enthusiasts,
local
residents
HDO time, Press
and PR, BCC
officers, volunteers
2&3
Yr 2 &3; 12
groups of 15
people booked
on tours 180
people (x2) 360
people
0
Visitor feedback. All tours
full. Additional demand for
tours by year 3.
I:6
Work in partnership with new Stirchley
Local History Group to design a local
history 'living' display for exhibit within the
Baths building which changes regularly as
research progresses and new images are
located.
Local
residents,
visitors to the
centre,
community
groups
HDO time, local
history group
2&3
Display boards
maintained and
updated
regularly
1500
Visitor feedback. Regular
updates. New volunteers
recruited
I:7
Two public talks by Steve Beauchampé,
local expert on the history of Edwardian
Baths in Birmingham. One talk could be
aimed at local people whose first
language is not English (with Bengali and
Urdu interpreters. This may be a women's
only session to maximise numbers), the
other talk for general audiences; both
local and from further afield. This may tie
in with a special event day.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts
Create
opportunities
for public
access and
sharing the
heritage of the
building. Bring
new
audiences
both to the
Baths and to
Stirchley
Display area
to showcase
research as
well as raise
awareness
about local
history with
community
centre users
and visitors.
Community
ownership
Locate history
of SB within
wider
historical
context.
Engage with
BME
audience
HDO time, external
commission,
community language
interpreters
Targeted promotion
to local BAME
groups
2&3
Tie in with
heritage event
days - target to
attract 150 to
each event day
200
Visitor feedback
Attendance
55 | P a g e

57. Activity
I:8
I:9
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Work with a professional film maker and
local residents (all ages and backgrounds)
to produce a film about Stirchley; past,
present and future (featuring the Baths at
various stages in its life), but also
narrating the changes in landscape and
history of the community over time.
Volunteers can learn film-making and
interviewing techniques as well as appear
on camera. This could be timed to capture
the demolition of buildings on the new
development site and building of the new
Tesco store, as well as the restoration of
the Baths. The historic landscape of the
area will never look the same again! Also
see V5 Digital Output.
heritage
enthusiasts,
local
residents,
young
people
Create a local
history
resource
Freelance
commission. 5
volunteers, HDO
time
1&2
5 people
learning new
skills, 1000 hits
on website, 60
people viewing
film
5000
Feedback from
participants. Feedback
from audience. Hits on
website
Develop an interactive, immersive storytelling session for children aged 2-5 and
their parents on the history of the building
and its uses through characters,
soundscape (period music, traffic and
factory sounds and voice recordings),
costumes (flat caps) and other props. This
will also include a craft session which
children will use to deliver a story. For
delivery on-site as part of Parent and
Toddler Group activity at SB, at Stirchley
Library, and on heritage event days. To
deliver 11 hour sessions over 3 years.
The box of props developed can also be
used on site during facilitated school
visits.
Local
residents,
families
Produce age
appropriate
and engaging
history
resources
Freelance
commission,
Volunteers, HDO
time
1&3
11 sessions
delivered over 3
years, each with
average of 20
people: 210
parents and
toddlers
2500
Feedback from
participants. Attendance
Offer
opportunity for
people to
learn new
skills, engage
local residents
through
reminiscence
work
Support
parental
learning of
local heritage
56 | P a g e

58. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Development and writing of a 'Big Book'
on the history of the Baths to be available
in SB café, at the library and in parent and
toddler groups. This could be based on
characters developed as part of the storytelling resource.
Local
residents,
families
Produce age
appropriate and
engaging history
resources
HDO time, local
history group,
designer, illustrator
commission, writer
commission
3
Book used by
families in café,
in library and in
parent and
toddler groups in
both
2500
No. of uses within
sessions, events and in
café. No. of orders for
schools/nurseries/libraries
I:11
SB internet café homepage link to digital
history resources on the history of the
Baths; screen saver uses historical
images. Digital Output.
Community
groups,
café visitors
Website team HDO
time
2&3
Internet users
learn about the
history of the
Baths while in
the café
0
No. of click throughs
I:12
Development of short film (using green
screen technology) to include BSL
interpretation and subtitles. The scripted
narrative could include the information
available to the public at the Baths (i.e.
leaflet, graphics). This can be available on
www.stirchleybaths.org and on desktop of
computers in the internet café. Digital
Output.
BSL Users
Raise
awareness of
building's history
for digital users
and enhance
heritage
learning
experience on
site
Increase access
to Bath's
heritage for BSL
users and
people who are
hard of hearing
BSL Interpreter, film
maker, green
screen studio
2
30 'watches' per
years 2-3
450
No. of views. Feedback
from BSL users
I:13
British Sign Language Interpreted tour on
arrangement during monthly special
heritage day slot. To be promoted through
DeafPlus and Deaf Cultural Centre,
Ladywood.
BSL Users
Increase access
to Bath's
heritage for BSL
users and
people who are
hard of hearing.
HDO time,
Partnership with
DeafPLUS and
Deaf Cultural
Centre
2&3
15 people on
each tour (part
of monthly tour
programme)
60
Visitor feedback. Tour
places full
I:10
Support parental
learning of local
heritage
57 | P a g e

59. Activity
I:14
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Time-lapse photography film to be
produced by a volunteer to show before,
during and after completion of the SB
restoration project. Digital Output.
Wider
audiences,
centre users,
local
residents
Raise
awareness of
conservation
and project as
it progresses
1 x volunteer, HDO
support
1
Use of timelapse in digital
format, 250
views on
website
150
No. of views on
website
Mansells to sponsor
and organise. HDO
to support with
marketing
1
70 people
attending
0
Sponsored
by
Mansells
No. of local
residents. No. of
Birmingham heritage
enthusiasts. Visitor
feedback
Andy Garbi will bring
own funding.
Permission to enter
space/Mansells/BCC
Council Officer
1&2
150 to attend
site-based
performance
0
Subject to
additional
funding
Funding secured.
Attendance at event
I:15
Two events where the public can ‘meet
the expert’; talks by craftsmen and
manager of the building site. This forms
part of the programme of activities led by
the appointed contractors Mansells.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts
I:16
Subject to funding. Critically acclaimed
composer and vocalist Andy Garbi to
make an acoustic template of Stirchley
Baths before restoration that capture the
sonic characteristics of Baths and
preserve what a building "sounds like" at
the precise time and date when they were
made. His compositions will provide
another way to interpret the building and
may lead to a public event to share this
with a wider audience.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts,
young
people,
students
Visual
document of
change for
archive
Opportunity
for people to
engage with
heritage craft
skills first
hand
Enhance an
understanding
of the building
through the
arts
Develop a
new audience
for the
heritage
58 | P a g e

60. Activity
I:17
I:18
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Partnership project with the Drama
Department at the University of
Birmingham to create site-specific
performances which interpret an aspect of
the Baths history during their spring
module in 2016.
Young
people,
local
students,
local
residents
Enhance an
understanding
of the building
and social
history through
the arts
HDO time.
University lecturer:
Adam Ledger.
3
Involve 15 local
students,
audience
attending:400
600
Feedback from
participants. Attendance
1
15 students
entering
competition
1500
Feedback from
participants. No. of
participants
Run a design competition for students
from the Birmingham School of Jewellery
to make a 2014 Ceremonial Key for the
reopening of the Baths. The winner would
win the commission to make a new key
which would be displayed along with the
original key dated 1911 (if a permanent
loan can be arranged with Birmingham
Museum & Art Gallery).
Students,
local
residents
Develop a new
audience for the
heritage.
Engage with
local young
people
Production of
new artwork to
enhance
interpretation in
building
Expenses to cover
bus travel and some
props
HDO time
Opportunity for
design students
to engage with
the building and
its history
59 | P a g e

61. Action Plan: Volunteering
Activity
V:1
V:2
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
HDO to set up a volunteering programme;
actively recruit, train and manage
volunteers in a variety of roles to increase
access to heritage. Roles include building
history tour guides, oral historians,
community language interpreters, events
assistants, bloggers, documentary
photographer, building works
photographer, schools learning support
volunteers, meet and greet, history walk
leaders, event organisers.
Continuation of the voluntary Stirchley
Baths Community Stakeholders
Programming sub group. This group
which will become the advisory committee
for the ‘Community hub’ within year one of
the project. They will advise on all aspects
of community programming, including
heritage-related activity.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts,
young
people,
students
Increased
capacity both
to deliver the
project, but
also in the
local area
through
access to
training
HDO time, external
trainers if
appropriate, BCC
volunteering scheme
documentation
1,2&3
40 new
volunteers
involved in
volunteering
activity within 3
years
5000
No. of volunteers
Local
residents
Ownership of
a community
asset. Local
residents to
champion
events and
resources
BCC Officers
1,2&3
15 volunteers on
advisory
committee
0
Volunteer satisfaction
survey. Retention and
diversity of volunteers
No. of volunteers
Volunteer satisfaction
survey. Retention and
diversity of volunteers
60 | P a g e

62. Activity
V:3
V:4
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
HDO to facilitate the setting up of a
Stirchley Local History Group (currently
no group exists), working with local
historian Wendy Pearson and the
Neighbourhood Forum. The first task
would be to research and write an
interpretative leaflet on the history of the
Baths in year one, and research and
create wider Stirchley history resources
after. The group will be involved with
collecting memories for an oral history
archive, some of which can be used in the
Bath’s interpretation scheme. At a
workshop session at the Stirchley
Neighbourhood Forum, local residents
worked in groups to discuss the key
research themes they were interested in.
Local
residents
Engaging
volunteers in
the research
and production
of interpretation
HOD time,
Neighbourhood
Forum
1
10 regular
volunteers, 20
oral history
interviews in
archive
1000
Retention rate and growth
of volunteers, feedback
on leaflets, downloads of
leaflet. No. of volunteers
receiving training
Work with freelance workers and young
volunteers from Stirchley and surrounding
areas on the planning of a community VE
Day 2015 event. This will involve learning
skills to research Stirchley in wartime,
programming and marketing the event to
other young people and wider audiences,
ambassador work, social media, and
being involved in a steering committee for
the overall event.
Young
people,
local
students,
local
residents,
community
groups,
schools,
wider
audiences,
local
colleges
Commission for
freelance worker
(youth or
community), HDO
time. Targeted
marketing to young
people
1&2
5 young people
participating and
making
decisions about
heritage
600
Feedback from
volunteers. Retention of
volunteers. New skills
gained
All visitors
To create a
group which
continues
beyond the life
of the project
Increasing skills
and offering
opportunities for
live work
experience on
events for
young people
61 | P a g e

63. Activity
V:5
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Volunteers to work with film maker to
produce film about Stirchley, past, present
and future. To learn new skills in film
making techniques.
Local
residents,
young
people
Access to skills
training
Film maker
commission. HDO
time
1&2
5 volunteers
learning new
skills. Attending
film events: 200
0
Retention of volunteers
Costs
in I:8
No. of volunteers gaining
new skills
Action Plan: Community Participation and Audience Development
Activity
C:1
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Build new local and city-wide audiences
(heritage enthusiasts) to SB through
participation in events such as
Architecture Week (June) and the annual
Heritage Open Days event (September).
These national events provide free
access, breaking down financial barriers
which might prevent some people from
visiting. They also raise awareness on a
local, regional and national level through
dedicated publicity campaigns. Special
event days could include a volunteer-led
history tour of the building, interactive
story telling for families, a rare opportunity
to see under the areas of floor board into
the empty pool, a chance to go up on the
balcony (controlled) to look down on to
the pool area, talks on the history of the
Baths etc.
Heritage
enthusiasts,
local
residents
Developing
audiences to
the heritage of
the Baths.
Bringing new
visitors into
Stirchley
HDO time, Press
and PR, BCC
Officers, volunteers
1,2&3
4 event days a
year, attracting
150 people to
each = 600
1500
Attendance at events.
Repeat visits. No. of
volunteers involved.
Press coverage
62 | P a g e

64. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
C:2
Launch event/opening of Stirchley Baths
(community ‘hub’) for both VIPs and local
residents (at the same event). Launch of
Baths history leaflet produced by Stirchley
Local History Group.
Local
residents,
community
groups,
VIPs
Press and PR
coverage. Local
residents feel
sense of
ownership
alongside VIPs
HDO time, SO
district time, BCC
Officer time
2
200 people
attending
throughout day
1000
Attendance. Visitor
feedback
C:3
Run an art competition with local schools,
colleges and community groups to
produce artwork based on Stirchley Baths
to go on community display case on the
site hoardings for the duration of the build
(changing display, which visitors on hard
hat tours will also be encouraged to
contribute to). This competition would
include a school assembly or image
resource and social media campaign.
Local
schools,
colleges,
community
groups,
local
residents
Engagement
with local
groups and
schools.
Keeping
interest in the
Baths alive and
progress
updated
HDO time, Mansells
site manager time
1
70 entries. 20
visitors on hard
hat tours
contribute to
changing
display. 3
schools/colleges
participating
650
No. of participants and
contributors. Feedback
from local residents. No.
of views on related web
presence
C:4
Develop a volunteer-led history walk in
Stirchley, to start and finish at Stirchley
Baths community ‘hub’. Work with
community language volunteers to deliver
additional interpretation for non-English
speakers where needed.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts
Support the
local history
group to deliver
lasting legacies
HDO time,
volunteers, local
history group
2&3
7 walking tours
a year Yrs 2&3
involving 70
people (total)
190
Feedback from
participants. No. of
walkers. New volunteers
trained
C:5
Work with local young people to design
and test a quiz around the inside and
outside of the building suitable and
engaging for other young people. This can
be used on special heritage event days.
Young
people,
local
residents
Young people
creating trail for
their peers;
feeling part of
the process.
Suitable and
tested product
Volunteers, HDO
time
2
100 Young
people over 3
years participate
in trail
500
Feedback from
participants. No. of trail
users
63 | P a g e

65. Activity
C:6
C:7
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Work with local families with children aged
under 5 to create a family-friendly
activity/trail inside and outside the building
which can be used on special heritage
event days.
local
residents,
families
HDO time,
volunteers, designer
2
150 families
completing the
trail
500
Feedback from
participants. No. of trail
users
Host a community event in partnership
with The Friends of Stirchley Park and
other local organisations and
collaborations on Sat 9 May 2015 to
celebrate Victory in Europe; 70 year
anniversary (Fri 8 May). This might
involve a 1940s themed event which
recreates Stirchley in wartime. This would
be a community-led event which is
inspired by the war years at Stirchley
Baths, but also showcases the building as
a facility/venue to bring communities
together within the first 8-9 months of
opening.
Young
people,
Local
residents,
school
children,
students,
older
people,
community
groups
Families
creating trail for
other families.
Feeling part of
the process.
Suitable and
tested product
Bringing people
into Stirchley.
Bringing
community
groups and
schools
together to
contribute to an
event themed
on the history of
the Baths in
wartime.
Participatory
engagement in
lead up and
showcase of
talent and
contributions as
well as the
building
2
750 attend the
event
6000
Attendance. Visitor
feedback. No. of
community members
contributing. Press
coverage. Participant
feedback. New volunteers
Colour printed leaflet
(in-house)
HDO time,
volunteers, designer
Colour printed leaflet
(in-house),
partnerships with
local schools,
colleges, community
groups, university,
council officers,
friends of Stirchley
Park, Stirchley
Community Market
etc…
64 | P a g e

66. Activity
C:8
C:9
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Work with freelance workers and young
people from Stirchley on an
intergenerational project with members of
the Stirchley Community Centre Tea
dance to learn dances from the 1940s.
This will form part of the wider VE Day
2015 community celebration event. Young
people have expressed an interest in
teaching the 1940s dances they learn to
school children.
Young
people,
older
people,
school
children
Intergenerational
learning.
Contribution to
the community
event
HDO time,
volunteers,
freelance youth
worker
commission,
teaching staff
1&2
10 young people
participating, 10
older residents
participating,
intergenerational
learning
0
Participant feedback. No
of participants. Retention
of young volunteers
Working with Stirchley Stitchers
(Community Centre user group) in the
development stages and the wider public
in a participatory textile/felt arts project,
recreate the mural painted on the tiles at
the end of the swimming pool which
appears in photos of the Baths in the
1980s. A piece for display within the
temporary gallery space in the café. This
can tie in with The Big Draw national
event in October 2016, or another local
community event.
Community
group, local
residents
Engaging with a
wider audience
through the arts
and enhances
historic
interpretation of
the building
Artist commission
for workshops, felt
material
partnership with
Stirchley Stitchers.
Artsoak
coordination and
marketing, HDO
time
3
20 participants
involved in
development
and public
workshop
500
See
C:7
Participant feedback. No
of participants
65 | P a g e

67. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
C:10
Work in partnership with a local graffiti
artist and Friends of Stirchley Park (at the
back of SB) on further wall murals themed
on Stirchley past, present and future. (The
Baths can be represented in both past
and future). Stirchley Present is
represented already by the Sleeping
Child; a symbol of the reawakening of the
area. These murals will be outlined by
‘Title’ and painted by Stirchley young
people in a series of workshops. This will
require further permission from The Cooperative who owns the wall.
Young
people,
visitors to
park
Contributes to
the
regeneration of
the park and
the opportunity
to depict the
history of the
Baths and wider
Stirchley history
in an art form
accessible to
younger
audiences
HDO time, Friends
of Stirchley Park,
Freelance graffiti
artist
1,2
10 young people
participating
1250
Participant feedback. No.
of participants. New
young volunteers for
other SB projects
C:11
Contributing to the annual local Artsoak
Festival and other festivals (2014), deliver
two participatory half day workshops
(venue tbc) with local communities using
the old unusable tiles which were
removed from the Baths during its
restoration. Working with a
ceramic/mosaic artist, individuals could
create decorative mosaic pictures with the
old tiles and other materials to take home
which are inspired by and include images
of the Bath's history under glass as part of
their personalised design. After grouting
work (off-site) is completed participants
are invited back for a display event (and
they can take their piece - and a little bit of
Stirchley Baths - home with them)!
Local
residents,
families,
young
people
Artoak provide
marketing
support and
programming.
Supports
audience
development
HDO time,
Freelance mosaic
artist, Mansells
contractor (tile
removal), SO District
Arts Forum to do
promotion
1&2
40 people
booked on
workshops, 500
people visiting
exhibition
1200
Feedback from
participants and exhibition
attendees. No. of
participants. Press
coverage
66 | P a g e

68. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
C:12
Remount of an installation created by
Tom Cahill-Jones of local arts group
Stirchley Happenings. Constructed from
scrap materials reclaimed from local
streets over a two year period, this hide
will provide a vantage point from which
local people can consider the changes to
the Baths (including bowling green) that
are about to commence, after many years
of talking and stalled development. It can
be positioned in Stirchley Park,
overlooking the SB compound. Inside the
structure there will be audio presentation of memories collected during the
development phase of this plan - as well
as a reminder of the plans. There will be
an opportunity for people to add further
memories and join in the excitement of
the start of the restoration project.
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts
Opportunity to
reflect on Baths
project though
art installation
which is already
popular with
local residents
HDO time, Friends
of Stirchley Park
1
60 people
attending event,
20 people
contributing a
thought or
memory
800
No. of participants and
contributors. Feedback
from local residents
C:13
Develop the Black Horse Stables and
Beer House Pub Quiz. The quiz takes its
name from the Beerhouse that was sited
on the Baths site from circa 1830.The quiz
would take place at the Three
Horseshoes, British Oak, and other local
pubs – the Highbury, Grant Arms, Selly
Park Tavern, Dog Pool Tavern if
reopened, The Country Girl.
Local
residents,
students,
young
people
Reaching more
economically
hard to reach
audiences. Fun
way of learning
the history of
the Baths and
encouraging
visits
Place Prospectors
as potential partner,
HDO time, Stirchley
Local History Group,
Designer
2
200 taking part
2400
Feedback from
participants. No. of
participants
67 | P a g e

69. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
C:14
Contribute to the Love Stirchley More
Festival if there is a successful funding
application - looking at memories of local
people meeting, flirting, courting and
falling in love at Stirchley Baths. This can
be an output of the oral history project.
Local
residents
Linkage with
local event.
Build new
audiences
HDO working with
Place Prospectors,
Local history group,
volunteers
2
70 attending
200
Attendance. Visitor
feedback. No. of
community members
contributing. Press
coverage. Participant
feedback. New volunteers
C:15
Work in partnership with the new Stirchley
Local History Group and Birmingham
Heritage and Archives Service to create
an archive both physical and digital of
material (photos, oral history,
memorabilia) on Stirchley Baths and other
local history to deposit in Birmingham
Archives. A history loans box to be
produced for local storage at the Baths,
for community use and as a schools
resource.
Local
residents,
future
learners,
heritage
enthusiasts,
school
children
Creation of
local history
resource for
use by public
and schools
Local history group,
Birmingham Archive
Service, HDO time
1,2&3
10 members,
growing to 20 by
year 3. Loan box
used by
community
groups and on
heritage event
days
1500
No. of loan requests
(including from schools).
No. of uses during event
days
C:16
A participatory arts project with St
Andrews’s Healthcare, a mental health
charity located in Stirchley, which draws a
parallel between Stirchley Baths and
recovery from mental health. The idea
that the recovery of the building from
something lost and damaged into
something that is going to be useful again
is like the mental health recovery journey.
Working with a professional artist over
four sessions, the patients will create
artwork for temporary display at the
community ‘hub’ (perhaps in the café).
Local
residents,
people with
mental
illness
Helps
challenge
perceptions
on mental
illness and
encourages
patients to
contribute to
their local
area
Freelance artist
commission, HDO
time
1
15 patients
involved as
participants, 500
people viewing
exhibition
800
No. of exhibition visitors.
Feedback from
participants and
audiences
68 | P a g e

70. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
C:17
Partnership projects with Joseph
Chamberlain 'Film Production Club' and
other local students to make short film
documentaries to feature the SB project;
to support evaluation and create content
for the website.
Young
people,
students,
wider
audiences
JCC tutor Richard
Bourne, HDO time
2
10 YP
participating
0
No. of participants. No.
views of films
C:18
Two special 'historic' film nights relevant
to the Baths including historic films about
lidos, swimming pools etc.
Local
residents,
families
Work with local
young people to
interpret
aspects of the
history and
support project
evaluation
Working with
local delivery
agent, new
audiences to
heritage
Stirchley
Happenings
Travelling 'Bug
House, HDO time
2&3
70 people (35 at
each)
700
Attendance. Visitor
feedback
C:19
Retrieve the community time capsule
buried at the former Community Centre
(from the 1960s) and invite local residents
to an event to contribute to a new 2014
time capsule. Both will be buried in the
pool, and visible under the Perspex
flooring for visitors on heritage tours and
event days.
Local
residents,
families
Purchase of new
time capsule
container, HDO
time, volunteers
1
40 people at
event, 20 of
whom contribute
an item to the
new time
capsule
50
No. of people
contributing, press
coverage. Feedback from
visitors
C:20
Working with representatives from 5-6
established Community Centre user
groups and Stirchley Community School,
create a series of panels using glass tiles
and mosaic techniques to depict the
history and heritage of Stirchley, including
the Baths (tile work inspired by the tiling
and glazed brickwork throughout the
building). The individual panels can be
mounted together to form a collective
piece of community artwork which can be
installed inside the building or at another
location in Stirchley.
Community
groups,
local
residents,
schools
Continue the
story of
Stirchley
community
centre history.
Reminder of the
former
community
centre
Bringing
community
groups and
schools
together to
contribute to a
piece of local
history and
Baths-themed
artwork
2
30 participants.
Visitors at
launch and at
exhibition: 500
Artist commission for
workshops, materials
and final installation.
HDO time
5000
No. of groups wanting to
engage. Feedback from
participants. No. of
people at launch event
69 | P a g e

71. Action Plan: Learning
Activity
L:1
L:2
L:3
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Develop a package of Stirchley Baths onsite and off-site learning resources in
partnership with St Edwards Catholic
Primary aimed at Yr 6 WWII studies. This
may include dressing up costumes (the
Baths was a first aid post) and props, air
raid and bombing audio, 1940s dance
music etc...
Deliver an interactive, immersive story
telling session for children at KS1 on the
history of the building and its uses through
characters, soundscape (period music,
traffic and factory sounds and voice
recordings), costumes (flat caps) and
other props. This will also include a craft
session which children will use in delivery
of a story. The box of props developed
can also be used on site during education
visits.
School
children
KS3 and
KS4
Support
delivery of the
curriculum and
provide local
opportunities for
'learning
outside the
classroom'
Support
delivery of the
curriculum and
provide local
opportunities for
'learning
outside the
classroom'
Teaching staff from
local schools, props,
costumes, music,
local history group
1,2&3
Learning
package
created. Use
with 750 school
children over 2
years
1750
Uptake of resources, No.
of visits booked.
Feedback from teachers
and pupils. No. of
teachers attending local
history training
See I:9
1, 2&3
9 sessions over
3 years
delivered for
KS1 children in
local schools (9
x 30 children =
270 children)
0
No. of sessions booked.
Feedback from teachers
and pupils. No. of
teachers doing training on
Stirchley history
Devise and run a course on Stirchley local
history for volunteers working at SB and
the wider community. Two volunteers will
be PETAL trained (Preparation for
Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector).
Training others volunteers for the SB
Project will be their main client group,
although this will be suitable for teachers
and other adult education learners.
Informal
learners,
local
residents
Build capacity
locally and
within the
project. To
provide local
history training
and equip
volunteers
HDO time,
volunteers, local
history group
Over 3 years 5
teachers trained,
20 SB
volunteers on
training, 15 local
residents
500
School
children
KS1
HDO time
2&3
See
I:9
No. of schools sending
teachers on training. No
of volunteers trained. No
of independent requests
70 | P a g e

72. Activity
L:4
L:5
L:6
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Building contractor Mansells will deliver
safety talks to local schools, to warn of the
dangers of derelict buildings and building
sites. These will be delivered in school
assemblies.
Run day courses on the history of
Stirchley (to include training local school
teachers, members of the public,
volunteers and ambassadors working with
Stirchley Baths) will be available 3 times a
year or more if demand exists. Training to
be delivered by two volunteers trained to
PETAL standard (Preparation for
Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector).
Local school
children
Encourage
safety around
building sites
and mitigate
risk
To build
capacity and
knowledge
within the
community to
a recognised
standard
Mansells to sponsor
and organise
1
800 school
children to
attend talks
0
No. of children involved
Feedback from teachers
Adult Education
Service, Volunteers,
HDO
2
40 people
attend day
course over 3
years
300
No. of schools sending
teachers on training. No
of volunteers trained. No
of independent requests
Develop a package of Stirchley Baths onsite and off-site learning resources in
partnership with Stirchley Community
School as part of their local studies
(history and geography) unit at KS1 &
KS2 (to promote to other schools in the
area).
School
children; KS1
and KS2
Support
delivery of the
curriculum
and provide
local
opportunities
for 'learning
outside the
classroom'
HDO time, teaching
staff, volunteers
1,2&3
4 local schools
using resources
with 2 classes
each year = 120
children
2000
Uptake of resources, No.
of visits booked.
Feedback from teachers
and pupils. No. of
teachers attending local
history training
Local
residents,
heritage
enthusiasts,
teachers,
volunteers
71 | P a g e

73. Action Plan: Training
Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
T:1
Site-based student work placements will
be made available through Mansells and
their sub-contractors across a range of
specialisms for students learning
traditional conservation skills (HVQs
heritage construction through Dudley
College and construction through South &
City College, Birmingham). Mansells have
agreed a target of a minimum 10 weeks’
worth of work placements, benefitting a
minimum of 5 students.
Students
To provide work
placement
opportunities
and sign post to
careers in
construction
and heritage
craft skills
Mansells to sponsor
and organise
1
10 weeks worth
of placements,
involving 5
students
0
Uptake of placements.
Feedback from
participants. Experience
and skills gained
T:2
Create opportunities for one shared 2year apprenticeship with Mansells and/or
sub contractors on heritage craft skills.
Student
Mansells to sponsor
and organise
1
1 apprenticeship
arranged
0
Uptake and retention of
student. Heritage craft
skills gained
T:3
Training offered to volunteers on the
history of SB and wider Stirchley area
(delivered by PETAL trained volunteers).
Volunteers
To provide
opportunities for
on-the -job
training for
person starting
their career and
interested in
heritage craft
skills
All volunteers
are equipped
with the
knowledge to
deliver their
volunteer roles
Adult Education
Service, Volunteers,
HDO
2&3
30 volunteers
attend training
0
No. of volunteers trained.
Participant feedback
72 | P a g e

74. Activity
T:4
T:5
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Archives Skills Training by Birmingham
Archives Services for members of the
Stirchley Local History Group. This is
training to help projects and community
groups develop skills and expertise
around developing and establishing
archive collections. This training is
accessible and interactive, and includes
introduction to collecting, different kinds of
material, cataloguing and listing and using
respective databases and spreadsheets.
The training enables projects to develop
and establish archive collections that are
accessible and with a view to being
deposited, where relevant, appropriate or
desired, with the city archives. This
support comes with ongoing advice and
expertise.
Volunteers,
local
residents
Increasing
capacity of local
residents
through access
to training.
Production of
useful local
history resource
HDO time,
Birmingham
Archives Service,
local history group,
volunteers
2&3
10 volunteers
attend training
1500
No. of volunteers trained.
Volunteer feedback
Social media and wordpress training for
volunteer bloggers and HDO to enable
volunteers to add regular content to the
website.
Volunteers,
local
residents
Increasing
capacity of local
residents
through access
to training.
Increased
amount of
content for the
SB website
external training
provided through
BCC
1,2&3
450
No. of volunteers trained.
No. of blogs written.
Increase in visitors to
website
Archives
deposited with
Birmingham
Archive Services
10 volunteers
trained over 3
years
73 | P a g e

75. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
T:6
Oral history training offered to volunteers
in Local History Group, and other
recruited young volunteers.
volunteers,
local
residents
HDO to organise,
freelance training
commission
1
5 volunteers
trained
500
No. of volunteers trained.
No. of oral history
interviews conducted
T:7
Technical film skills training offered to
volunteers working with the film maker to
document the changing landscape as a
result of regeneration; Stirchley Past,
Present and Future
volunteers,
local
residents,
young
people
Increasing
capacity of local
residents
through access
to training.
Better quality
and amount of
interviews for
the community
archive and to
increase
understanding
of the bath's
social history
Increasing
capacity of local
residents
through access
to training.
Local history
resource
created
HDO time. Film
maker commission.
BCC Officers
1&2
5 volunteers,
young people
with new skills.
300 people in
audiences of
screenings
0
No. of volunteers
receiving training and
gaining new skills.
Participant feedback
Training for Heritage Development Officer
in all the above in order to deliver ongoing training opportunities where
appropriate as new volunteers are
recruited.
HDO
Professional
development
opportunities
which will be of
benefit for
project delivery
Internal and external
training identified
1&2
Receive
necessary
training to fulfil
role
700
T:8
See
I:8
Feedback from HDO.
Training needs are met.
74 | P a g e

76. Activity
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Training associated with Health & Safety
on building sites for photographer
recording the construction works (to
produce time lapse) and HDO. This is a
requirement of the contractors Mansells.
These people will need to pass the CITB
Health Safety and Environment test.
Volunteer,
local
resident
Meeting H&S
and personal
safety
standards
Mansells to advise,
HDO time to book
1
1 volunteer and
member f staff
trained and
retained
200
Feedback from
participants
Activity
T:9
Audience
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
Marketing and promotion budget (3 years)
Everyone
Separate
budget to
promote
heritage events
and activities
Designer. Print run.
Local distribution
1, 2&3
Achieve
maximum
attendance at
events through
well-designed
and distributed
print to
accompany
social media
campaigns
3000
Visitor feedback
Action Plan: Operational
O:1
No. of people attending
events and activities
75 | P a g e

77. Activity
Audience
Benefits
Resources
Timetable
Targets
Cost
Evaluation
O:2
To commission a consultant to create an
evaluation framework and question bank
for project. To advise on progress.
n/a
Freelance
commission. BCC
Officers, HDO
1,2&3
Easy to use
framework
established.
Process for
gathering data
starts in year 1
3300
Monitoring reviews are
successful. HDO, Officers
and volunteers are able to
contribute
O:3
To redesign the website and include
accessible local history resource,
maintenance, hosting and security for 5
years.
Internet
users
Experienced
evaluation
professional to
set monitoring
and evaluation.
Makes
gathering data
easier in long
term
Useful resource
created as well
as
communication
tool
External commission
HDO time
1,2&3
Annual increase
in site traffic
years 1-3,
20,000 unique
visitors by year
3
6500
No. of hits. No. of users to
history resource. User
survey
O:4
Commission a Heritage Development
Officer (PT for 3 years) inc. recruitment
costs and on-costs. 3 days per week @
£27,000 pro rata
n/a
n/a
BCC Council
Officers to recruit,
Press and PR,
advert
Recruit
year 1 by
Jan 2014
for 3
years
Recruit suitably
experienced
candidate and
retain until end
of contract
60000
Supervision, Observation,
Annual Performance
Review
76 | P a g e

78. 4.2
Key Recommendations
1. The commission of a Heritage Development Officer with sufficient experience of
delivering learning and participation programmes as well as managing and training
volunteers. Recruitment for the commission should start as soon as funding is
secured.
2. Programme provision for heritage days into the annual calendar (yr 2 onwards). To
include:
 One 2-hour session weekly for a school visit
 One 2 hour session monthly at the weekend or at twilight for heritage tours, talks
or heritage-related activity
 Four special event days each year: i.e. weekend day over Heritage Open Days,
VE Celebration day Sat 9 May 2015.
3. SB (as the new community facility), should continue to cater for centre users as well
as potential day visitors and groups interested in the ‘heritage offer’. It is important to
keep the balance so existing audiences do not feel excluded or local people
alienated. This includes a pricing strategy for events.
4. Bring in new audiences through theatrical performance and participatory arts; ensure
that local BAME voices are heard in explorations of Stirchley history.
5. Work with people who already work locally with young people living in Stirchley as
they are best placed to bring together a group of young volunteers to participate in
the project; provide opportunities to be social as well as to learn.
6. Work collaboratively with local cultural and arts groups and support their activity.
Work together to programme local events to avoid clashes and maximise marketing
potential.
7. Create opportunities for the local community to come together and demonstrate
Stirchley’s community spirit through events. Position SB at the heart of this activity
and create new reasons for people to visit the building.
8. Introduce mechanisms to count visitors to SB, not just to community centre activities
but for people who have an interest in the building and its history.
9. Reduce anxiety during the transition period for Community Centre user groups by
inviting them to go ‘behind the scenes’ during conservation works and feel part of the
process (i.e. watching their new home be built).
10. Invest in training for volunteers to build skills and capacity within the local community
which can be a shared resource (potentially via the Stirchley Urban Resource
Network).
11. Involve community members in the planning of events and projects to increase a
sense of ownership and legacy beyond the life of the HLF funded activity.
12. Continue the momentum started by www.stirchleybaths.org and related social media
through regular updates on conservation works. This will take the form of films edited
by school children, photographs of changes within the building, social commentary by
volunteers, and information posted by the site manager and BCC Officers.
77 | P a g e

79. 13. Review activities and events through the use of focus groups with different target
audiences.
5.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
5.1
Evaluation
5.1.1
Evaluation is needed to ensure that activities are relevant, events well-represented
and target audiences are growing as expected. You also want to ensure that visitors
to Stirchley Baths community ‘hub’s ‘heritage offer’ as well as community users are
satisfied, inspired and recommending a visit to others. Because the primary
motivation for the majority of visitors to SB will be to attend community centre classes
or group activities, visitor numbers will be captured through the usual recording
system. It is important that there is also a mechanism for capturing the numbers of
curious minds who pop in to have a look at the architecture – perhaps they will have
picked up a leaflet and, intrigued, decided to see for themselves when next passing
by. Asking all non-regular weekly visitors to sign a visitor’s book is one option being
considered.
5.1.2
Certain activities are easy to measure numerically such as pre-booked tours and the
number of participants involved in a film or arts project, the number of activity leaflets
picked up, how many downloads of a historical information leaflet, how many
different ‘virtual’ visitors to www.stirchleybaths.org and related social media etc…
5.1.3
There also will need to be a framework for evaluating the experience of visitors at
events and participating in activities such as a family treasure hunt around the
building or for parents participating in interactive storytelling sessions with their
children. Reactions can be collated through self-completion questionnaires, a graffiti
wall, face to face interviews with volunteers or by writing (and posting in the postbox
provided) an imaginary postcard to a relative with their impressions of their visit, for
example. There is a budget allocated in the Activity Plan to commission a consultant
to put together an evaluation framework in the very early stages.
5.1.4
Participatory outreach projects designed to engage with ‘harder to reach’ audiences
(i.e. young people) can be evaluated throughout; measuring changing perceptions
through questioning at the start, during and after a project has ended. Often, more
creative methodologies are effective such as participants interviewing each other, or
a ‘Big Brother’ diary room-style interview.
5.1.5
BCC operates a customer feedback, complaints and complements service in its
buildings and this will also contribute to overall measure of visitor satisfaction.
6.
CONCLUSION
6.1
The purpose of this Activity Plan is to accompany BCC’s round 2 application to the
Heritage Lottery Fund. This plan seeks to highlight the following:




Who will be the regular users of SB in the context of local and geographical
communities
Who the target audiences will be to a ‘heritage offer’
The potential of SB as a learning resource for schools and family learning
The potential of SB as a venue for creative performance and participatory arts
projects
78 | P a g e

80. 


The importance of programming heritage activities alongside community centre
regular activity; to enhance programmes rather than clash
The potential of the ‘heritage offer’ to attract new audiences into the building and
area
The vibrant community networks with which the SB project can align itself with
can increase sustainability and maximise potential. Work collaboratively where
possible to share resources.
“Stirchley needs to find its heart again. A hub for
everyone is what is needed; children, teenagers,
families, older people, you and me!”
6.2
Above all, we hope to have highlighted through our consultations the importance of
Stirchley Baths to local people. It is as a place which holds an archive of community
memories; a place which has become a symbol of decline in the area and now, on
the brink of restoration, a starting point for the area’s recovery. SB is a place where
people will be able to come together once more to socialise and enjoy their historic
surroundings. There is great excitement that this lost building will once again stand
proud at the heart of the community and, through its new use as a community facility,
will be a building that local communities can use and will be proud once more to call
their own.
7.
RESEARCH SOURCES
Gordon, Ian and Inglis, Simon, Great Lengths; the historic indoor swimming pools of Britain.
English Heritage, 2009
Harbour, Vanessa, “A holy and endangered activity? Birmingham’s Edwardian Baths,
Dissertation Ironbridge Institute: 2006-7
The PlayHouse, Pool of Memories Evaluation Report,2012
Cotteridge Park Play Day 6th August 2009. Survey of Leisure and use of Stirchley
Community Centre
Presentation for Neighbourhood Forum, 12.11.12 Peter Wright – Area Manager, South
Planning and Regeneration
Birmingham City Council, Supplementary Planning Guidance: The Stirchley Framework
1994 (Amended 2002)
Hansford, Linda and Rowland, Pat Rowland (eds.) Memories of Stirchley, Stirchley
Community Group
Raymond Jones, Paul The History of Bournville Lane Baths
79 | P a g e

81. Will the Stirchley Baths Project Sink or Swim?
Over 200 local people turned out to weigh in their support for the Stirchley Baths project at
this community art event and turn the word SINK into SWIM!
80 | P a g e

82. APPENDICES
A: List of Consultees
B: Timetable for Stirchley Community Centre (June 2013)
C: Heritage Development Officer Commission Job Description
D: Community Consultation Notes
E: Sample Volunteer Role Descriptions
F: History Group Workshop Notes
G: Key History Dates
H: English Heritage Listing Description
81 | P a g e

83. APPENDIX A: LIST OF CONSULTEES
Face to Face Interviews: Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders Group
*These people have been spoken to at one or more event as well as face to face interview.
They have only been counted once.
1. Brenda Thomas, Neighbourhood Forum*
2. Cllr Phillip Walking*
3. Cllr Rob Seeley*
4. Cllr Timothy Huxtable*
5. Emma Larkinson, Place Prospectors/Friends of Stirchley Park*
6. Genivieve Pearson, Stirchley Happenings*
7. Jessica Allen, local resident*
8. John Lish, local resident*
9. Karen Cheney, Service Integration Head, Selly Oak District, BCC*
10. Margaret Walker, Neighbourhood Forum*
11. Marian Wolff, Librarian, BCC
12. Mohammed Irfan, Community Centre Manager, BCC*
13. Paula Aubery, local resident*
14. Peter Walker, Neighbourhood Forum*
15. Robert Grovesnor, Lifford Business Association
16. Rowena Evans, Neighbourhood Forum*
17. Ron Coley, Neighbourhood Forum*
18. Roxie Collins, Stirchley Happenings*
19. Sandra Cooper, local resident*
20. Sue Jackson, Community Centre & Initiatives Officer*
21. Sue Knottenbelt, Head of Adult Education Service, BCC
Other face to face interviews
1. Amy Pond, Bath University*
2. Brian Sheriden, Friends of Stirchley Park*
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chris Butler, South & City College
David, Stirchley Library
Davie Clifford, Headteacher, Stirchley Community School
Denise, Stirchley Library
7. Dr Andy Ledger, Drama Department, University of Birmingham
8. Gillian McCarmack, local resident/Disabled person
9. Imogen Mortiboys, St Andrew's Healthcare*
10. Jane Baker, photographer, local resident
11. Janice Connelly, Artistic Director, Women & Theatre
12. Jayne Murray, Place Prospectors
13. John Horlick, organiser of Stirchley Tea Dance
14. Julie Evenson, organiser of Parents & Toddler Group*
15. Julie Richmond, South & City College
16. Linda Priddon, Organiser of Stirchley Stitchers*
17. Marcela Matejickova, St Andrew's Healthcare
18. Mark Sloane, appointed Architect, Acivico
19. Martin Griffin, Youth Worker ‘detached’ youth project, Stirchley
82 | P a g e

84. 20. Nassar, Teacher, Arabic classes at Community Centre
21. Olivier Jamin, Community Development Officer, DeafPLUS
22. Peter Evans, Friends of Strichley Park*
23. Rachel Snape, Women & Theatre
24. Ron Cooley, local resident*
25. Sabra Khan, Selly Oak Arts Forum
26. Sophie Handy, The Old Print Works
27. Stuart Oddy, youth worker, ‘detached’ youth project, Stirchley
28. Stuart Rogers, Mansell PLC
29. Tim Hughes, Headteacher, St Edwards Catholic Primary School
30. Tom Cahill-Jones, Stirchley Happenings*
31. Wendy Pearson, local historian, resident*
Events, focus groups and presentations
A stall at Stirchley Community Market
Public ‘Community Art Challenge’ event at Stirchley
Library and outside SB
2 reminiscence ‘Splash Back in Time events
Face to face interviews
Stirchley Baths Community Stakeholders Group
Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum
Stirchley ‘Detached’ Youth project
Parents and Toddler Groups
Parents of children who attend Arabic lessons
(community centre user group)
Stirchley Library Story Tots (parents and toddlers)
Members of Stirchley Stitchers (community centre user
group)
Patients and staff in the mental health recovery forum at
St Andrews Healthcare, Stirchley
School Council Representatives at Stirchley Community
School
Junior Assembly at St Edwards Catholic Primary School
DeafPLUS
Friends of Stirchley Park Meeting
Consultation with heritage enthusiasts at Coffin Works
tours run by Birmingham Conservation Trust
Number of individuals engaged
120
200
37
52
20
30
18
15 adults
22 adults, 6 children
18 adults, 16 children
10
18 adults
10
210
6
4
60
870
Social media campaign (first 10 weeks)
1093 different visitors to
website, 245 followers on
Twitter, 69 people ‘like’ on
facebook.
83 | P a g e

85. The following people have been interviewed as part of reminiscence work to gather
local stories and memories about the Baths:
1. Brenda Hawksford
2. Brenda Thomas
3. Denise Cutting
4. Fiona Cullinan
5. Jean Baker
6. Jean Wyatt
7. Jeanne Glenn
8. Jenny Barnwell
9. Joan Andrews
10. Ken Seeney
11. Lillian Smith
12. Mrs Hawkins
13. Maureen Pritchard
14. Noreen Evans
15. Ron Coley
16. Sandra Braker
84 | P a g e

86. APPENDIX B: Timetable for Stirchley Community Centre (June 2013)
Monday
Parent & Toddler
Urdu/Arabic Class (Children)
Communisave
Table tennis/ Badminton
10.00am - 12.00pm Term Time
5.30pm - 7.00pm
7.00pm – 9.00pm
7.15pm – 9.15pm
Tuesday
T. Dance
Urdu/Arabic Class (Children)
Karate
1.30pm – 4.30pm
5.30pm – 7.00pm
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Wednesday
Parent & Toddler
Depression Alliance
Peggy’s Pilgrims - needlecraft
Well Naturally (Sports injury/massage)
Councillor Surgery (Labour)
Urdu/Arabic class (Children)
Nassar (Sports – Children)
Badminton
10.00am – 12.00pm
11.00am – 1.00pm Last Wednesday each month
1.30pm – 3.30pm
By appointment only
5.30pm – 7.00pm
5.30pm – 7.00pm
6.00pm – 7.00pm
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Thursday
STELLA Women’s Group
Badminton
Urdu/Arabic class (children)
Stirchley Advisory Committee Meeting
Stirchley Stitchers
Ninjitsu
12.30pm – 3.00pm
1.30pm - 2.30pm
5.30pm – 7.00pm
6.30pm – 7.30pm Last Thursday every other Month
7.15pm – 9.15pm
7.30pm – 9.30pm
Friday
Stirchley Community Group
Parent & Toddler
Crosspatches various needle crafts
Activity Club Children 8 -12 yrs
Urdu/Arabic class (children)
Mr Shambuyi
10.00am – 11.00am 1st Friday each Month
10.00am – 12.00pm Term time
10.00am – 12.00pm
5.30pm – 7.00pm Term time
5.30pm – 7.00pm
7.30pm – 9.00pm
Saturday
Available for private hire/ party’s/
functions/etc
Soccerstars children 1-5yrs
Ghana Union
9.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm Last Saturday each Month
Sunday
Available for private hire/ party’s/
functions/etc
Mr Shambuyi (Church Service)
11.00am – 2.00pm
Other
Badminton /Table Tennis - £7 per hour
Meeting Room
- Available for hire
Playscheme
– for children 6-11 yrs Easter & Summer
85 | P a g e

87. APPENDX C: Heritage Development Officer Commission (Job Description)
JOB NO:
POST NO:
DATE:
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Heritage Development Officer
DIRECTORATE: Homes and Neighbourhoods
GRADE:
JOB NO;
DIVISION:
SECTION:
1
Selly Oak District
Stirchley Baths Community Hub
Job Purpose

To develop, promote and deliver a programme of community engagement for the
Stirchley Baths Community Hub project specifically aimed at getting local people
involved with and learning about the heritage of the former Baths building but also the
history and heritage of the wider Stirchley area.

To work proactively with the local community, partners and voluntary/public sector
agencies in promoting the preservation and development of Stirchley Baths, raising
awareness of the significance of the site and promoting its heritage merit within the City.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.
To develop and deliver a varied programme exhibitions, activities and events that
enables people to learn about and get involved with the heritage of the site. This
programme should appeal to visitors of all abilities, ages and backgrounds, and
primarily be aimed at increasing the use of the site by local people.
2.
To increase awareness of, and involvement in, the heritage of the site by the local
community through the use of digital technology and social media.
3.
To manage and deliver the HLF Activity Plan for the Stirchley Baths Community hub
project
4.
To develop a range of heritage and educational materials and media about the site
and the Stirchley area as a whole.
5.
To contribute to the development proposals for the site, particularly in relation to
public access and educational issues.
6.
To take an active role in community consultation and communication through regular
attendance at community meetings.
7.
To establish systems for monitoring and evaluating the public access and community
engagement elements of the project.
8.
To support partnership working with partners both inside and outside of the City
Council and maintain good communication with partners organisations.
86 | P a g e

88. 9.
To co-ordinate and manage group visits to the Stirchley Baths if feasible.
10.
To be responsible for the management of delegated budgets allocated to access and
lifelong learning services.
11.
In conjunction with BCC marketing and communications staff, to ensure the effective
marketing and promotion of the public facilities and programmes available.
12.
To sustain awareness of current approaches and good practice in the community and
outreach sector, and seek to apply them with respect to the project.
13.
To contribute to the strategic objectives of Birmingham City Council and Stirchley
District in particular.
14.
To recruit, train and manage a pool of volunteers to support delivery of the HLF
Activity Plan.
15.
To undertake any specialist/general training required by the post.
16.
To ensure that all duties and activities are undertaken in compliance with the
Council's Standing Orders, Financial, Health and Safety, and Equal Opportunities
policies and regulations and the Heritage Lottery Fund’s monitoring and recording
schedules.
17.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading and designation of the
post.
Relationships:
i)
Accountable to :
Service Integration Head - Selly Oak District
ii)
Key Contacts:
Stirchley District and other BCC officers
Marketing and PR staff
Community Groups
Volunteers
Professional Bodies
External Funders
Other Details:
1.
Basic Hours – 22.5 hours a week, 3 years fixed-term commission
2.
Workplace – Stirchley District Office in year 1, increased on-site presence at
Stirchley Baths Community ‘hub’ in years 2-3
3.
The postholder will be expected to carry out his/her duties at such times and upon
such days as may be most effective in respect of the task to hand. This will from
time to time involve attendance during evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.
87 | P a g e

89. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN EMPLOYMENT POLICY STATEMENT:
Birmingham City Council will ensure that all existing and potential employees receive equal
consideration, and is committed to the elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the
grounds of gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic and national origin, nationality, sexuality,
marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age (up to 65).
It is the intention of the City Council that its workforce, at all levels, should reflect the
composition of the City's population. To achieve this the Council will take active and positive
steps to eliminate discrimination, reduce the effects of past discrimination and to promote
equality in employment.
Department of Leisure and Culture
Person Specification
Job Title:
Heritage Development Officer
(Stirchley Baths)
Grade:
Division:
Stirchley District
Section:
Method of Assessment (MOA)
AF – Application Form, I – Interview,
T – Test,
P – Presentation
MOA
CRITERIA
Experience
ESSENTIAL
Ability to demonstrate in-depth previous experience
of developing, implementing and managing
education/lifelong learning programme within a
heritage environment.
AF/I / P
Previous experience of devising and producing
materials and interpretative media, exhibitions,
organising events and activities to support and
facilitate visitors from diverse backgrounds and
abilities.
AF/I
Experience of working within a community
environment and delivering public sessions within
that community.
AF/I/P
Experience of supervising staff and volunteers and
delivering training sessions and workshops.
AF/I
88 | P a g e

90. Skills and Abilities
Ability to organise tasks, work with initiative prioritise
workloads, and meet any required deadlines.
I
Ability to communicate clearly in either a written or
verbal form.
AF/I/P
Ability to devise monitoring structures and reporting
mechanisms.
AF/I
Awareness of and positive approach to equal
opportunities issues in service delivery and
employment.
I
Ability to work alone, and as part of a team.
AF/I
Ability to work with a wide range of people including
other local authority officers, community
representatives, business and professional
organisations, specialists and consultants.
I
Ability to understand the role of heritage within a
culturally diverse city.
I/P
Ability to give talks, lectures and presentations.
AF/I / P
Ability to use IT systems for the purposes of
administrative and management tasks, general
correspondence and educational service delivery.
AF/I
Ability to manage delegated budgets and the
financial systems relative to the provision of
educational services within the workplace.
AF/I
Ability to understand comply with Health and Safety
legislation/issues within the workplace.
AF/I
Ability to work in challenging situations to achieve a
wider understanding of the role of the site and
greater audience development.
AF/I / P
AF/I / P
Training Development
Education /Qualifications
Ability to use social media to promote and review
events and activity.
Able and willing to undertake any training deemed
appropriate to the post.
Degree in relevant discipline or demonstrably
equivalent level of academic skills/experience.
Post graduate qualification in relevant discipline or
demonstrably equivalent level of professional
skills/experience gained in a museum/heritage/
community context.
I
AF
AF
Other
89 | P a g e

91. APPENDIX D: Community Consultation Notes
Ideas, comments, memories, statements of support collected on hands or through
workshops and focus groups.
1. History and heritage-related activity suggestions (public, local residents):




















The baths history could be taught to the next generation when the building includes
provision for toddler/parents and child hall for stay and play
Dressing up, storytelling, role plays
Dancing. I would like to get taught how to dance by older people
Keep the craft of stone typography alive!
Learning different types of dancing (1940s)
Role play; buying tickets at original prices (tea dance lessons)
Community archivist to support setting up as community archive
Definitely like oral history project to keep memories of swimming alive
I would like to do a by gone Stirchley day for grand opening
Let’s have some 1940s dance and music events
Community archive to bring the oral history and other people involved activities
together for tomorrow’s history
WW2 Evacuation zone. Dancing pool covered
Theatre production; children, community, link to pop up films. Concentrate on 1 or 2
areas (e.g. dance in the 1940s)
TILE DESIGNS – missing tiles, tile stealers. The history of ceramics? Ceramic
artists? Involved with rent?
Interactive story telling of kids with dressing up, role play etc…
Play 1940 games and dress up in 1940 clothes. Have a sports hall (Nabela, 10)
Living history, role play, treasure hunts etc...…
VE Day party on the day it opens and all the stuff they would have had. e.g. WWII
games
Treasure hunts, quiz nights (Naqsh, 12)
Activities based around the history of all the community facilities in Stirchley
including the library, TASCOs and the current community centre and the story of
how it got built through community action. Maybe an exhibition / celebration of all
that has gone on in this community centre before it is demolished - after all, if the
council didn't have this place to sell to TESCO there wouldn't be the money to do up
the baths!
2. Suggestions on what and how to interpret the history and heritage of the Baths and
wider Stirchley area (on-site):








Documentary films about local history, photographs, stories from local people
History boards
Stirchley the Musical
Pictures around the walls of the baths as it was over the years
Architecture tour (speak to Rowena)
In answer to making it an attraction: something different “iconic” with the tower?
Something striking, visually, artistically, contemporary - which is reflective of the
aspirations of our community. Create a soundscape audio tour (talk to Tom,
Stirchley Happenings)
Identity of Stirchley – Hazelwell swallowed up by Bournville/Cadbury’s
1911 transfer from Worcestershire to Warwickshire, Kings Norton and Northfield
90 | P a g e

92. 



























UDC
Donation of suite in 1903 by Cadbury Bros Ltd (corporate philanthropy)
Civic Quarter – library, baths and park – all open to the public
Link restoration to existing historical heritage trail and Interpretation/information
boards
Use old street signs/road names as decoration
Can the original kiosk be restored?
ALL periods in Bath’s history – what can you leave out?
Audio visual film – snippets of whole history; using oral history to bring stories to life
Bring to light stories of couples meeting at dance hall etc.. not just baths
Teaching kids to swim; preparation for safe leisure, health, fitness and well being
Stirchley needs its own history book!
Is there any archive film footage that we can show?
All parts of the history are important – nothing should be left out. I particularly love
the fact that people used to cover the pool and dance on top – sounds like brilliant
fun, but also shows how resourceful people can be. Multipurpose structures –
Yesss! Can we do a modern day dance / music night using pool cavity and balcony?
What it meant to people when the baths was first opened – for health and society
and as a meeting place. The ideals of society and council at the time in 1910 to
provide free libraries and free public facilities to better people’s lives… compared to
now!!!
Stories from wildlife that resided in the building while it was closed. Something
creative and playful for adults and children!
Documentary films on local history. Interactive iBook with maps and historical trails
A treasure hunt to find the interesting features of the baths
We just saw a great baths restoration in Heidelberg, Germany called 'Alles
Hallenbad'. Tiling in the original style. Pool covered but edges (with diving warning
etc…) still visible, old signage (in great old fonts) maintained. All makes the history
obvious
It would be great to see the history shown through the building itself with old signs,
edge of the pool still intact - perhaps also incorporating some inconspicuous signs to
enhance understanding
Bring back the clock
A café with a gallery of historic photos and pictures of the place in which I learnt to
swim
I would like to see photography and film events, both historical and contemporary
I'd like to see each of the new rooms decorated with photographs donated by people
who have memories of using the baths. People's memories written on the walls,
photos of Stirchley high street as it was, black and white, sepia, 70s colour
Film of the baths as it is currently - guided tour interspersed with photos and
people's memories and time lapse of rebuild
Insights into the Quakers and what they brought to B'ham plus chocolate tasting!
A permanent notice board in the entrance foyer for reminiscence
Make a model of the swimming baths
Build an archive (digital?) of memories and artefacts from the Baths. Encourage
visits from school children - combined trips to the library and Stirchley Park
Timeline of photos.
91 | P a g e

93. 3. Some memories written on hands:













I remember swimming there. I’d like to see images of the baths in the 80s. I
remember Stirchley shops in the 80s. I want Stirchley shops to thrive. I’d like family
activities in Stirchley. Restored swimming baths and family spaces
I was in a swimming gala here representing 96th Scouts, probably in about 1983.
Great to keep the building. Would be great to turn it into a local museum. So much
history around here
We went every Friday with our 2 children
I used to drop the kids off into the pool, go shopping then we would all go home
again! (1970s)
"Sauna, Heat, Massage, Tuesdays, BLISS!"
"I remember the sauna in the late 1960s. Typical (Eastern European) Masseur. Staff
warming their lunch (pies) in the hot room"
"I learned to swim here in 1960 after a close shave. I nearly drowned in the sea at
Costa del Sol!"
Band leader was Den Jones from Kings Norton
The words 'merry xmas Stirchley' gently hanging from scaffolding in 2011.
Retweeted by the local police. Stirchleyness
Fond memories of taking my toddler swimming at Stirchley Baths 28 years ago. So
pleased it will have a new lease of life in the future
I used to swim here! Would love to bring my children here for fun and memories!
Met my husband 1962 every night as he swam here every day. Still going strong
Have lived here since I was born in 1974. I used to go swimming at Stirchley Baths
every Wednesday for as long as I can remember. It was a sad lose when it closed. I
would love to see the building used again!!
4. General Programming of activities suggested for the building (public, local
residents) non-Baths heritage (passed on to the programming group):















Meeting room for support group. Dancing. Music. Rehearsal. Entertainment.
Free meeting space. Language lessons. Dancing! Theatre, films
Indoor market, craft fares, history stories, farmer’s market, meeting hall
Adult clubs and classes. Like book clubs, dancing etc…
Children’s activities and classes (after school ) café
Community links. Function rooms for hire. Café, crafts, live entertainment, adult
training courses
Baby and Toddler Groups
Big Fun. Dancing!
Hot desk office for local small business to use. Steeled commercial kitchen for small
food producers who don’t have premises. Hope – love
Kid’s space!
Places to play with other children
Karate classes, café, local music groups, concerts, adult education classes, kid's
clubs, no derelict building
Stay and play, children's activities, pushchair/baby friendly café, attractive décor in
café, toddler groups
Stirchley baths moments! zumba classes
Community art for all (especially me)
92 | P a g e

94. 


































Keep fit!, a café
Dance night
I think that maybe an indoor sports hall would make Stirchley attractive
Market, café, performance, meetings, play place, local history centre
Save Stirchley Baths. Birthday parties, choir, dance classes, music, cinema, holiday
club, sports, history
Bicycle café and secure storage and lots of sticky buns! 100 meters from River Rea
cycle route
Local venue and local talents. Adaptable performance space for young musicians
and performers
An inside play area plzz
Anything to do with Stirchley and help get people out. I know how we enjoyed the
swimming baths
More children's activities, after school clubs
More children's activities, meeting of new friends
Art displays, local crafts
Lovely old building - about time this was restored for community use! Courses,
writer groups, market, local history, local arts etc…
Community cooking involving all ages. Learning about nutrition and how to make
healthy value meals from scratch
Community spaces for kids and families - nice cinema cage and places to park your
bike. A small heritage centre would also be brilliant - Stirchley has a great and
important history to Birmingham
A place to hold community classes to help the Stirchley community learn and
develop skills
More play scheme and a youth club or café. More things for kids to do
Swimming pool :)
Theatre (Abigail 5 1/4)
Sport, food bank, residents association, art, music
A big café (Keira, age 5)
1. Gaming arcade. 2. swimming baths 3. ice skating rink. 4. climbing course
Come to a school for a play (Fareena, 10)
A meeting place for our community. Preserving our history. Vintage nights, dance
nights, film nights, tea and coffee!
cake making, café, local history bread making
Dancing community art projects. Local events
Place to play with other children
Community art
Talk to people
Bring Stirchley community back together. Arts centre café, meeting place, cinema
Toddler groups, clean loos, facilities for dancing, attractive café, nice lighting
essential. Make it look good rather than functional
Little play area
Facilities for babies, toddlers and teenagers - get menus - kinds involved in
choosing colours, furniture. Seasonal; events, display showing old pictures of baths,
dancing - kids and adults, Interactive music events, family
A swimming pool!! But if not… a child friendly café with space for them to play.
Community owned and run
Book club, knitting club, war time dances, make do and mend, dress making. 5
Things for Stirchley Baths
93 | P a g e

95. 


























Adult education. Public meetings. Older people support (e.g. tea dances, café, local
history
Local history walks
Nature trails
Local meeting area and chance for children to interact
Ideally I'd like a swimming pool….! Dance hall, comedy, café, youth club, exhibitions
(e.g. photo memorabilia, local artists, schools)
Sports!! After school clubs. Book clubs, arts stuff, weekend activities, movie nights,
food bank
Storytelling, music, crafts, singing, baby friendly activities
Exhibitions, plays, comedy, history, music, café, meetings
Indoor play resource
I would like my play group in building of old baths
Affordable children's activities, play area indoors, enough parking spaces, push
chair/wheelchair access, easily accessible
Children play
Theatre and knitting clubs!
1. a park 2. a museum. 3 a café
A place for family and community leisure activities. A building that fits the
architecture of the area
Birthday parties
Used to so swimming with my sisters now I'm retired I'd love to have it as a meeting
centre with activities - dance, yoga, keep fit, then the link with the past remains
Karate club
Dancing
A 50s tea dance
Old time music hall
Local talent nights
Gin and 50s tea dance and afternoon tea
A place to play
Concerts
Intergeneration with young / older people. Weekly / monthly/ 2 a year sessions
Activities for younger children 3+ at school times. Mother and toddler activities.
5. Statements of support written on hands (includes all. NB some statements are
expressions of love and support for wider Stirchley area and community rather than
statement on the Baths project alone):









Stirchley needs to find its heart again. A hub for EVERONE is what is needed;
children, teenagers, family, older people, you and me. (Jess Allan)
Save Stirchley Baths
We like what you are doing (translated from Bengali)
We all want Stirchley Baths. It used to be great. Please bring it back
To plug a gap in the community by giving the baths a new life and meaning; from
Stirchley past to its future (John Lish).
A place to meet, eat, drink and converse
Preservation for next generation
Memories
Restoration/regeneration of Stirchley Baths for the benefit of the local community
(cllr Huxtable)
94 | P a g e

96. 









































Give Stirchley the look it needs. Restore, restore! Great plans to have Stirchley
baths up and running!!
Stirchley bath memories!
I would like to see the outside façade kept the same and preserved
At last a project with the community in mind. Long live the project!!!
The restoration of a fantastic building! A way to save a piece of local history
SUGGESTED NAME: Call it ‘bathtub’ community centre
I strongly concur
I love Stirchley Baths
Stirchley Good Community Spirit; elderly, young people, activities, play group, fun
For children who can come and play and they can have fun
Save Stirchley baths for Stirchley village!
Love Stirchley. It’s got the best tea stops! Welcoming, friendly, useful, community
"Driving past the Stirchley Baths is a highlight of my daily commute. The building is
beautiful"
"Stirchley is a lovely community! We need a place special to meet each other!"
I would not visit if it is a ‘crusty’ old fashioned community centre that only caters for
the needs of a few. It must be ‘for everyone’
Make the centre possible for special events – outside people spending money here!
Incorporate nudism!
The baths must have formed a vital part of a lot of people’s childhoods
I want to see that brand new!!
Learn from the past to make a better future - 'celebrating - space - weddings,
birthdays, anniversary’
Restore Stirchley to its former glory
Save the baths!!
Supporting Stirchley from 'Fast aid' community responders 999 Medical
emergencies
The president wants a swim!
It is such a beautiful building and will make such a difference to the community once
restored!
Let's look after our historic buildings! Remember to provide safe parking for bikes!
Hands up for restoring the baths!
To see a wonderful old building finally coming back into use. It's been a neglected
site for too long
Bringing people together
Charlie dog thinks this is a jolly good idea
Community
Family
Stirchley baths. The 1st step in regenerating Stirchley
A centre for Stirchley community! Bringing people together and improving the area!
Preserving local history
Let's not let another piece of our heritage go to waste!
Save it, don't knock, use it, don't knock, the building. Use it for little children
How it was built?
Keeping the community at heart! Long live the spirit of Stirchley Baths XX
Hands up who loves Stirchley?! We all do…
Community centre
New directions and footprints
Somewhere 4 people to meet
95 | P a g e

97. 









































Big con. Council have done it again
Somewhere to chill with my mates and meet new people
Bring a smile back to children in Stirchley
Save our baths for our children. For our future. We need you. We need your help.
Support us. Save this building please
B'ham Council KEEP OUT. Let someone who cares take the lead for Stirchley
Stop the demise of Stirchley
Please bring back Stirchley Baths so that the community can use the facilities
The building is good
Support the community
We want something for Stirchley now!
I think this could be a great new/replacement facility for our area. Let's make it
beautiful and vibrant again!
Swimming. Somewhere to relax. Eat. Drink. Friendly environment
Piece of history and community asset - save Stirchley baths!
Socialising space. To hang out and talk about the history
For our children to call their own
I would like to see some nice decorations
Keep Stirchley moving. Brilliant!
Bring life back t Stirchley
Bring the baths back to brummies
It's too beautiful a building to allow to ruin or be knocked down. Please SAVE it and
use it for a real purpose for all of the Stirchley Community
In desperate need of restoration please
Save Our Stirchley
Let’s preserve this piece of heritage. We do not want to lose lovely building like this.
Keep Stirchley alive. Support the community
Used to swim with school. Nice old building. Shame to lose it.
Reopen as baths? It is totally disgusting this beautiful building has been left to rot. I
used to swim here many years ago
A hub for people to come together, appreciate the history and engage in wonderful
art activities!
People look after their buildings around here so whatever it is used for it will be
money well spent
Good luck wish you all the best. Used to go swimming regularly
Where my children learnt to swim when we lived in Lea House Road in the '70s
Just what our community needs!
Best of luck with the bid X
Thumbs up to renovating a much loved grade II listed building
It is nice to keep it, use it, so people can use it for the community. I like the building.
Nice shape. Make the road brighter
I love Sterchle (Amina, age 6)
Stirchley Baths for the Stirchley people
Love and support in Stirchley Community
Make it the heart and keeping Stirchley a village
To make a part of our history a part of our future
Please restore to former glory for community use
Hopefully action at last!!
At last light at the end of the tunnel
96 | P a g e

98. 









































Restoration much needed 12 years and counting
Unused buildings are boring! I've been past SB many times but never been inside it,
curious to find out what it's like, K Snape (age 11)
Perseverance, patience, progress, participations, performance, people pulling it off
Restore a part of Birmingham's history and provide a community hub for all to use
Stirchley Baths, the building sits in the middle of Stirchley - it will be great to have it
open as a community space at the heart of the area
Restore this beautiful old building for the community!
Heart into Stirchley
Would you like to join us?
Bring back the big band dances, quizzes, social events
Please hurry up! This building is collapsing
Most important to see things all as they were and make it relevant to youngsters
Architecture shouldn’t be destroyed. What still remains should be looked after it. Our
responsibility
At last the baths are going to be used after 25 years. Maybe this will bring new life to
Stirchley Baths.
The Baths they may have come and gone, but memories live on and on
Love
We need the planned community centre
Hope and regeneration
I'd love this to be swimming pool again
It's about time!
Would love to see this renovated and properly used for our community in Stirchley.
Hope your bid is successful. Keep up the good work
I love Stirchley
Righting the wrong of the municipal vandalism of closure in 1988
I would like to see the history of the baths retained as far as possible
People, friendship, activity, H, I, Community
A visitor from London says "good luck with this fabulous building"
Thumbs up for Stirchley
Space for community! Bringing people together.
I like the look of the building and think it would be good for the kids. I think they
should sell cakes and food
I love amazing Stirchley
Very excited about such a worthwhile project!
Stirchley Baths for the people. It's where it’s at!
For community spaces!
Let's keep our heritage. Hands Off
Save the baths!!
A place for mommies to meet and have lunch
Keep Stirchley Baths for the community
Family respect for history
As a new residents of Stirchley I'd like to see the Baths for the community
A vibrant area where people come together to share ideas to make Stirchley great.
People, places, activities, history
Gateway to the park? Restored history of Stirchley
Save the Stirchley Baths = our local heritage
Restore Stirchley community now
97 | P a g e

99. 























Been living in Stirchley for 13 years and this beautiful building has been unused for
so long. I'd love for it to be a place for the community, used and loved again
Please rebuild our building. Please for all the ladies and gents
Memories of swimming in these baths. Priceless!!!! Do something with it!!
Love our local heritage!!
High Five for Stirchley
I love swimming and other activities. I like St Edwards
History, people, skills, architecture. Save our heritage and rejuvenate
Happy community
Museum - history of Stirchley overall including baths for all age groups locally. And
community centre
Save our Baths. Treasure Hunt. Look for dates. Bring back the community. Find
friends. History
History of Stirchley to inspire future people here
Eye would love to see this building restored and used as a community centre
Would love to have some women's get together dancing type night
I'm looking forward to a new community centre for everyone to come to
I live so close so would certainly go. Also be very interested in the history
Names: 'changing Stirchley rooms', the Stirchley Dive', 'The shallow end'(that's why
I took my children to learn to swim there - it had such a large shallow end, unlike
Kings Heath which was much deeper overall
Any name other than 'hub' please
History and heritage, networking hub, local art and music, film nights, good café,
local politics, theatre, lectures, locally rentable workshops
Local foods
SUGGESTED NAME: Stick with 'Stirchley baths'
SUGGESTED NAME: Call it 'Stirchley baths' that's its name!
SUGGESTED NAME: Stirchley Gem
This car park - very narrow entrance, unable to see if any spaces because it's
behind the baths, and an even narrower exit. Could provide some on-street spaces
(maybe disabled?) because Hazelwell Street is being downgraded when Tesco is
built
Well done for this new building.
7. Notes from focused workshops rather than public events
Focus group with BAME families – Arabic lessons at community centre:
 Family activities
 Treasure trails / quizzes
 Chill out rooms
 Indoor sports games
 World War themed celebration – with food that people made in the day, old
fashioned party games
 Activities for kids in the holidays
 Any activity, physical and mentally – not much to do around here

Muslim women – older generation – not café users, internet users, would drop
kids off and go home, wouldn’t necessarily come to events about history, but
would look at pictures on the walls in foyer – it is important to have immediate
impact/display in the foyer area
98 | P a g e

100. 






Socially, the women would welcome ladies only sessions (zumba, yoga)
Film night, things for local families to do
Baths could offer free advice, workshops, services that everyday people can
benefit from; they will see the heritage of the building when they are there.
Show/drama/video made by local people about the local community
Hire out a room as a mini museum to preserve the history
Most important to see things as they were and make it relevant to young people.
Architecture shouldn’t be destroyed – what still remains should be looked after –
our responsibility
Keep as much as possible of the fabric. Preserve as much as you can – you
don’t get this kind of baths these days!
Stirchley Community Centre Parents and Toddler Group:
 Story telling (laundry, wash baths, sauna, mikvah)
 Big book for the under 5s on history of the building
 Parents will go to the café
 Camera obscura - platform for views of area from chimney
 Cinema will be good for this age group
 Sensory room – soft areas with built-in ball pit - perhaps create sensory heritage
experience? history of baths in a sensory way using music, water, smell of
carbolic soap etc…projects on cinema screen, rubber swimming hats, dressing
up, towels, sound of children laughing, people pretending they are in the slipper
baths
 What's in the bag' activity - use props to emphasise the children's ability
 Interactive story telling with puppets.
St Edwards Catholic School Junior Assembly ideas:
 Compare past and present
 Time order through photos
 Treasure hunt
 Dress up WW2 style
 Make cakes and sell
 Sports events - old fashioned games
 Play old instruments and have a dance
 Watch old films of Baths
 See plans of the original building.
Detached youth project session:
 Sensory room, chill out, music, projections, bean bags, cinema night, mirror
maze
 Dance teachers




Like to have to have dance lessons from older people – intergenerational dance
sessions aged 11-17 and then teaching younger kids. Graffiti walls. Organize an
old days event
Holiday scheme
Ball pit and slide for teenagers, sensory area, discos, standard youth night, talent
night, open mic night, film night, club night, roller blade disco
Resource needed: dedicated youth worker.
99 | P a g e

101. St Andrews Healthcare staff and patient 'Recovery Forum':
 Need to make sure you advertise opportunities
 Zumba
 Adult education classes
 Timeline of photos
 Some patients interested in history and would enjoy being told about renovation
process
 Tie in with adult learners week
 Tie in with mental health awareness week
 Ask family and friends if they have any memories of the Baths
 Film a trailer as part of the project on mental health recovery.
100 | P a g e

102. APPENDIX E: Sample Volunteer Role Descriptions
1. Learning Support Volunteer
NB: BCC is developing its own corporate volunteering strategy, so this is just a SAMPLE.
Volunteer Role:
Responsible to:
Hours and time frame:
Location/workspace/eq
uipment:
Purpose:
Responsibilities:
Skills/qualities required:
Support/training
provided:
What Selly Oak District
expects from
volunteers:
Learning Support Officer (Stirchley Baths Community ‘hub’ project)
Heritage Development Officer
To cover bookings from schools (2 hour slots)
Various school locations and on-site at Stirchley Baths
To deliver educational sessions for schools using the history of Stirchley
Baths as a resource for cross-curricular learning; local studies and WWII
are two themed packages we hope to offer.
 To research and learn history Stirchley Baths and understand the
social historical context for building Edwardian Public Baths
 To deliver two workshops which have been developed
 To prepare tailor-made workshops on request
 To do follow up work with schools, including sending a certificate
 To seek evaluation from teachers on the workshop
 To evaluate each session and make recommendations on
improvement or further areas of development
 To keep an accurate record of your volunteer hours and submit a
timesheet
 This role would suit someone who has experience of delivering
educational sessions with schools (key stage 2+) or would like to
develop their practice and is willing to be mentored
 A passion and interest in social history
 Excellent presentation skills
 Enthusiasm and ability to engage with children and young people
 Ability to retain information
 Ability to be flexible, sensitive to children’s learning styles and
abilities
 Self-motivation and ability to work on your own initiative
 Team player
 Computer literate
 Organisational skills
 Support of Heritage Development Officer
 Familiarisation visits to Stirchley Baths
 Historical information and reading
 Full training on the workshops
 Mentoring and observation
 ‘Out of pocket’ expenses
 Access to archival material
 Additional relevant training as identified
 DBS check
 Maintain good working relationships with staff, other volunteers
and members of the public
 Attend appropriate training
 Be reliable in delivering tasks identified
 Observe organisational policy and procedures
 Protect BCC property from theft, damage or loss, within the limit
of their responsibilities
101 | P a g e

103. 2. Blogger (Social Network Contributor)
NB: BCC is developing its own corporate volunteering strategy, so this is just a SAMPLE
Volunteer Role:
Responsible to:
Hours and time
frame:
Location/workspace/e
quipment:
Purpose:
Responsibilities:
Skills/qualities
required:
Support/training
provided:
What Selly Oak
District expects from
volunteers:
Stirchley Baths Project Blogger (Social Network Contributor)
Heritage Development Officer
Approx. 8 hours a month or longer if desired
Using your own computer equipment / no set location
To create relevant content, generate discussion, provide information,
opportunities and updates in relation to the Stirchley Baths project
through social media channels. While content is primarily created for
the www.stirchleybaths.org we also post links and features on Twitter
and Facebook pages.
 Research and write blog posts which are relevant to the SB
Project. These should have a brief and fairly informal tone and include pictures
 To read previous blogs to get a feel for content generated
 To maintain the tone and reputation of the Stirchley Baths
website
 To tweet about blog, providing links – to direct people to our
website and facebook page
 Run initial blog posts past Heritage Development Officer –
publisher rights to SB social media will be issued after a trial
period
 To generate and post content (at least twice a month)
 To keep an accurate record of your volunteer hours and
submit a timesheet
 Good writing skills
 Interest in historic building conservation, heritage and
community
 Self-motivation and ability to work on your own initiative
 Knowledge and experience of social media (although training
will be provided if required)
 Support of the Heritage Development Officer in choosing
content if required
 Access to social media training through Podnosh
 Additional relevant training as identified
 ‘Out of pocket’ expenses
 Maintain good working relationships with staff, other
volunteers and members of the public
 Attend appropriate training
 Be reliable in delivering tasks identified
 Observe organisational policy and procedures
 Protect BCC property from theft, damage or loss, within the
limit of their responsibilities
 To safeguard confidential information about BCC.
102 | P a g e

104. 3. Oral Historian
NB: BCC is developing its own corporate volunteering strategy, so this is just a SAMPLE
Volunteer Role:
Responsible to:
Hours and time
frame:
Location/workspace/
equipment:
Purpose:
Responsibilities:
Skills/qualities
required:
Support/training
provided:
What Selly Oak
District expects from
volunteers:
Oral Historian
Heritage Development Officer
Ad-hoc requests (between 5-10 hours per month, or more if desired)
Using digital audio equipment (we may be able to provide this) /
mainly Stirchley / other locations
To record memories and stories of people associated with Stirchley
Baths
 To identify people to interview and organise interview times
and locations
 To formulate questions with support of Heritage
Development Officer (HDO)
 To conduct oral history interviews using training and best
practice at all times
 To record interviews using WAV digital format and back up
recordings onto CD. All interviews will be copyright to Selly
Oak District or Stirchley Local History Group (t.b.c)
 To complete all the relevant documentation and consent
forms with interviewee and provide to HDO
 To upload interviews and send to HDO through dropbox, CD
or equivalent
 To listen to the recordings, write synopsis, identify themes,
note track times and provide to HDO
 To keep an accurate record of your volunteer hours and
submit a timesheet
 Previous experience of conducting oral history interviews
(desirable, but not essential)
 Good listening skills
 Self-motivation and ability to work on your own initiative
 Knowledge and experience of social media (although
training will be provided if required)
 Support identifying people to interview (including media
campaigns)
 Training on using the documentation (and recording
equipment if provided)
 Oral history training if required
 Office space to conduct recordings if required
 Additional relevant training as identified
 ‘Out of pocket’ expenses
 Maintain good working relationships with staff, other
volunteers and members of the public
 Attend appropriate training
 Be reliable in delivering tasks identified
 Observe organisational policy and procedures
 Protect BCC property from theft, damage or loss, within the
limit of their responsibilities
 To safeguard confidential information about BCC.
103 | P a g e

105. APPENDIX F: History Group Workshop Notes (with Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum
on setting up a local history group)
Over 30 local residents were involved in this workshop which looked at the possibility of
setting up a local history group to work on the Baths interpretation scheme and information
leaflet, but also as a legacy become a formal group. This workshop was suggested by the
committee of the Neighbourhood Forum. Notes below:
Key research themes they would like to explore after Baths
 Industry
 caravan makers
 cinemas and theatres
 history of transport
 commercial history
 industries
 chocolate
 old boundaries
 brick works
 key buildings; church, TASCOS, library
 River Rea - history of floods, mills
 how did Stirchley get its name?
 roman road
 talking to local people, memories
 Stirchley baths / library/friends meeting house/institute
 empire cinema/pavilion
 transport/canals/rail/toll house
 archaeological dig/river/old prefabs
 information about church of Ascension burnt down 1966
 why the Pineapple in Pineapple Estate?
Suggested ways to gather information
 Verbal
 internet
 library archives
 newspapers
 Worcester archives
 library archives
 internet
 pulling together what's already been researched
 documents/book in the library
 go for a walk
 speak to residents and businesses
 community groups
 residents
 promote in doctors surgery for elderly
104 | P a g e

106. Local partners identified to work with
 business coop
 library
 Birmingham uni
 Stirchley Community Group
 residential homes all over
 BVT website
 Bournville school alumni group
 Quakers, Cadbury's
 Other local history groups
 all schools
 Stirchley has many local groups
 Stirchley Neighbourhood forum
 stirchley.co.uk
 Stirchley Happenings
 Selly park neighbourhood forum
 co-op history group
 local schools
 residential homes all over
 Quakers, Cadbury's
 Cadbury Archives
 Stirchley Urban Resource Group
 Neighbourhood Forum
Skills, resources and equipment needed to set up history group
 chairman
 note taking
 place to meet
 a permanent room for material
 wifi scanner and computer
 artefacts to handle
 finding things being stored (i.e. brass plaque by Nigel Dawkins)
 access to PC
 meeting place
 time to suit all
 access to books, photos, stories
 ask other history groups
 facilitation
 people skills
 oral history collecting
 comms
 catering
 film / video editing
105 | P a g e

107. Skills already available in the Neighbourhood Forum
 Wendy Pearson
 Ron - contact with library. (Should ne a central focus for any history group)
 A Stirchley Community and interest in Stirchley
 Sandra copper
 Linda Chew
 Rowena Evans
 people who are used to researching historical information
Training needs assessment for volunteers
 public speaking
 interviewing skills
 conservation
 PC skills
 IT skills - scanning, pooling resources together online
 archive skills - accessing data
The recommendation to set up a history group in Stirchley is referred to in relation to
activity I:2 and V:3.
106 | P a g e

108. APPENDIX G: Key History Dates
Extracted from The History of Bournville Lane Baths by Paul Raymond Jones
There is an illustrated history timeline on www.stirchleybaths.org
1903 Cadbury’s offered the Urban District Council a piece of land to build a ‘public swimming
baths, slipper or spray baths and washhouse’.
1910 Stirchley Baths was opened. At this time Stirchley was a small village and many of the
houses did not have bathroom, but a tin bath in front of the fire. People would come straight
from work to use the slipper baths and get clean before going home.
When the Baths were built there were laws which segregated swimmers and washhouse
users by class and by gender. You were either considered to be First Class or Second Class
(working class). Mixed bathing was not allowed until 1927, and then you had to enter and
exit the pool by the male or female side. In August 1911 there were 3428 second class
males compared with 39 first class males using the swimming pool which shows their
importance for working class people from the area.
1914-1918 The baths were kept open during the First World War, although with reduced
opening hours. Soldiers and refugees could use the baths free of charge.
1922 The baths were closed for seven weeks due to a coal dispute which became a national
crisis.
1927 Mixed bathing was introduced and bye laws were changed to ensure that proper
bathing costumes of a thick material were worn (to prevent indecent exposure!)
1933 The assembly room at the baths was used as a rest room for the unemployed during
the winter months.
1939-1940 The baths were closed for swimming during World War II and used as a first aid
post. It reopened in 1941. People rendered homeless by local bombings were allowed to use
the baths free of charge.
Two hot showers were installed during this time due to the number of people using the baths
during wartime. In the 1940s, during the winter months the swimming pool was boarded
over to create a dance floor and music venue.
1964 The Finnish government presented Stirchley with a sauna suite to promote Finland,
which was in place for the next 14 years.
1973 A privately-run Jewish Mikvah opened at Stirchley Baths. A Mikvah consists of a
sunken bath which was filled with natural water, in this case rainwater. It allows for ritual
immersion which is part of the Jewish religion.
1978 A multi-gym was installed in place of the original Finnish sauna.
1988 Closure of Baths due to lack of funds to repair the building at a cost of £1m.
1998 Building is listed Grade II by English Heritage.
2013 Where we are today – applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £1.3m to bring the
baths back into use, not as a baths, but as a fit-for-purpose community hub.
107 | P a g e

109. APPENDIX H: English Heritage Listing Description
SP 08 SE BIRMINGHAM BOURNVILLE LANE
Stirchley
997/12/1208
Stirchley Public Baths
GVII
Swimming baths. 1910, by John P. Osborne. Red brick in Flemish bond and diaper pattern
blue brick, and with stone dressings. Slate Roofs.
PLAN: Quadrant on plan, with main bath range on north with boiler house and chimney to
west, tower to east and range to south and east with main entrance at centre of curved front.
Edwardian Baroque style.
EXTERIOR: Single storey. Long curved SE front with parapet and cornice, and rusticated
stone aedicules with broken pediments containing festoons; moulded cill and cornice and
rusticated stone entrance centrepiece with Iconic pilasters, broken pediment containing
festooned cartouche inscribed A 1910 D, covered round-arch doorway with quadrant
panelled double doors, flanked by small diamond shape windows; small octagonal cupola
above with consoles and inscribed Public Baths on drum, and lead-clad dome. Large gable
end on right to main north range with moulded string, large semi-circular window with raised
voussoirs and oculus on raised gable of ridge light, flanking broad rusticated pilaster on left
and tower on right corner, with rusticated stone lower stage with cornice and broken
pediment at front with oculus, and brick upper stage with two stone quoins on each corner,
and parapet with moulded stone coping raised over corners, and with louvered cupola with
shallow lead-clad dome. Chimney at rear west end of north range with round-arch panel and
cornice.
INTERIOR largely intact. Glazed tile pool, open to braced iron roof trusses and ridge-light;
white glazed brick walls with red brick dressings; changing cubicles below and above
balconies on side walls. Glazed screen at entrance, ticket hatches and glazed brick walls.
108 | P a g e