Stirchley Village, St Irchley, Stirchville … Stirchley. It’s quite a hard word to type, but don’t let that put you off. This hitherto un(der)heralded little corner of Birmingham is undergoing something of a renaissance. Largely untouched by the nationals and multi-nationals, Stirchley has become the centre of a grassroots movement with a community focus.
Leading the way is Stirchley Community Market, a monthly gathering of independent food producers and artist/makers from within a 3-mile radius of B30, alongside representatives from high street businesses. Founded by three local organisations – arts group Stirchley Happenings, community bakery Loaf and South Birmingham Food Co-op, with help from Birmingham Town Centre Partnerships – the event has become established as a place to meet and browse, and comes guaranteed with a friendly vibe. The market takes place on the first Tuesday of every month and you can learn more about the story here: www.stirchleycommunitymarket.wordpress.com
As Stirchley Happenings, we have also been doing our bit for the local arts scene with a series of projects including the Travelling Bug House, which (as the name suggests) is a travelling (as the name doesn’t quite suggest) cinema. With the aims of revitalising underused spaces and bringing the moving image back to the area, films are being shown in different locations every couple of months. Check out our blog here: www.stirchleyhappenings.wordpress.com
The most recent Bug House took place at Hybrid’s pop-up art tea shop, which rather incongruously landed on the corner of Ivy Road during January this year. Part of Inhabit, a wider project designed to breathe life back into Birmingham’s high streets, the shop has seen a flurry of activity over the past couple of months, which will culminate in promenade performances along the Pershore Road from Fri 11th to Sun 13th March (www.hybridconsulting.org.uk). And, as if one tea shop isn’t enough, Cakes4Life have taken their first steps towards establishing a community café, with the next event scheduled for Saturday 12 March.
If this post has piqued your interest about Stirchleyness, then you can find a list of links here – www.stirchleyhappenings.wordpress.com/links – and you can keep abreast of curious occurrences here – www.fuckyeahstirchley.tumblr.com. And don’t forget, Jack Wooley was a Stirchley boy: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/timeline/jack-woolley-at-90
—————
By Tom Cahill-Jones
Blog: www.stirchleyhappenings.wordpress.com
Twitter: @stirchleyhaps
Not 100% sure why I left anymore xxx