Birmingham’s Great Heritage at Open Weekend
From rooftop tours of Soho House to archery demonstrations at Blakesley Hall – there is a fascinating range of free events taking place across the city to highlight Heritage Open Days from 12th – 14th September.
At Soho House Museum visitors will be able to get a panoramic view of Birmingham when roof tours will be conducted throughout the weekend, as well as costumed guided tours of the House. On Sunday there will also be performances from sword fighting story teller Mark Vance and a fascinating lecture from Andrew Lound. 'Vulcan's Temple, The Story of Soho Foundry' (2 – 3pm) will trace the history of how the Soho Foundry became one of the great establishments of the industrial age, building many types of engines including the screw engine for Brunel’s ‘Great Eastern’.
Meanwhile at Blakesley Hall in Yardley, from 11.30am – 4pm, school children from the King Edward’s Re-enactors will be setting up a living history encampment. The youngsters will be demonstrating archery and erecting a scaled-down timber-framed house as well as performing some military drills. There’s also a rare chance to view Blakesley Hall’s attics and witness how the servants used to live.
At the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter there will be costumed guided tours from Friday 12 through to Sunday 14 September, 12noon – 3.30pm. On Saturday 13 September Duncan Slarke, the Finds Liaison Officer, offers a chance to learn about metalware found across the West Midlands. There will also be some family craft activities available. Lastly, in Hall Green, Sarehole Mill has a guided tour of Tolkien’s Shire at 2pm on Sunday 14 September.
Cllr Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture commented:
Heritage Open Weekend is a wonderful reminder of Birmingham’s magnificent cultural history and the great array of events on offer will give local people of all ages and interests entertained.”
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