New Futures for Birmingham`s Historic Buildings

A few words about Suze Carter

Posted December 12th, 2015 by jenniwaugh with 1 Comment

Suze, unmistakeably present, second from right, along with Bob Beauchamp, former chair of BCT, Elizabeth Perkins, former Director of BCT, Simon Buteux, Director of BCT and Cllr Peter Douglas-Osborne Since I was asked to write this blog, I have been searching my memory ...

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Chris Upton: A West Midlands’ Treasure

Posted October 5th, 2015 by Sarah Hayes with 9 Comments

Our first Literary Bus meeting was at Blakesley Hall in 2010. This picture became synonymous with the project, with Gollum peering behind Chris in Blakesley’s beautiful gardens. © Anne-Marie Hayes I first met Chris 10 years ago while working at Museum of the ...

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A flavour of Italy on Constitution Hill

Posted June 14th, 2015 by Katie Hughes with 2 Comments

Ceramic tiles, terracotta detailing, floral motifs and carved cornices all contribute to the architectural vocabulary of two unique buildings on Constitution Hill which have a distinctively Italian feel against the backdrop of the historic Jewellery Quarter. Over the past couple of months I have ...

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From Cabinets to Coffins

Posted July 14th, 2014 by Sarah Hayes with 3 Comments

  Possibly Newman Brothers’ first coffin-furniture catalogue, circa 1894. Familiar with brass since 1882, they continued to use this material in their new business venture producing coffin furniture from 1894 onwards. © Newman Brothers at The Coffin Works.  One of the most common questions ...

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Volunteers’ Week

Posted June 1st, 2014 by Sarah Hayes with 3 Comments

The research team have been getting to know the likes of ‘Mr Salt’ and other Newman Brothers’ employees through the many documents discovered in the company archive. Tomorrow marks the start of Volunteers’ Week, which gives us the opportunity at The Coffin Works ...

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The Smith and Pepper Factory

Posted April 5th, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 15 Comments

In the heart of the Jewellery Quarter nestled in-between the rows of Jewellers shops is a factory frozen in time exhibiting traditional methods of Jewellery making and production. The building and its contents are a physical reminder of Birmingham’s industrial past and the ...

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A Glimpse into the Past – J.W.Evans Silver Factory

Posted May 6th, 2013 by Birmingham Conservation Trust with 8 Comments

J.W. Evans Silver Factory in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter contains over a 100 years of history, a silverware factory founded in 1881 by Jenkin Evans and remained with the Evans family for four generations. Last month myself and other volunteers from BCT were ...

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The Birmingham Architecture Festival 2013

Posted March 9th, 2013 by Birmingham Conservation Trust with No Comments

Do you really know Birmingham? Discover something new about Birmingham at the Birmingham Architecture Festival taking place over the bank holiday weekend of May 24th – 27th. The theme for the festival is “Take a Second Look”. Over the weekend a range of events ...

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Temples of Relief

Posted September 3rd, 2012 by Suzanne Carter with 4 Comments

We’d like to welcome another new volunteer – blogger to the BCT team – Sarah Ashley!       Sarah is originally from Herefordshire, but moved to Birmingham 4 years ago and lives in the Jewellery Quarter.  She currently works for a big clothing store in the ...

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There is a real buzz about Heritage Open Days in the Jewellery Quarter this year!

Posted August 29th, 2012 by Suzanne Carter with 1 Comment

Here at Birmingham Conservation Trust we are delighted to be working with so many new volunteers. Today it is my pleasure to introduce one of our new recruits – Nigel Evans – who is joining our team of bloggers! Nigel has worked in ...

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