Author: Stirchley Baths

Stirchley Baths Wins 2015 Renaissance Award

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The Planning Committee met in March following their visits to three nominated buildings for the 2015 Renaissance Award:

  • Stirchley Baths
  • Fiddle & Bone
  • Eagle & Ball – BCU Student Union Bar

Stirchley Baths – Planning Committee’s comments:-

The work that the team have done on restoring the former baths and bringing it back into positive, community use was very impressive. The way that the community has been involved in the restoration as well as on going involvement is exemplary. Whilst there was discussion about the loss of the baths, there was an historical example of how the baths were temporarily over boarded to provide a dance hall! This interesting story shows how the space could be, and has been imaginatively re-used. The building appears to be well used by the local community and it has helped bring together various groups and organisations that would have otherwise never met. It has clearly had a hugely positive affect on the local community.

Judging Process

As part of the judging process, the Committee complete a judging form where they consider the condition of the original building, the restoration works and the completed project. Each Committee Member completes the judging form independently. The scores are then collated and help give some moderation to their considerations.

Summary & Recommendations

The Planning Committee were unanimous in recommending that the 2015 Renaissance Award be awarded to Stirchley Baths.

http://www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk/stirchley-baths-wins-2015-renaissance-award/

This is great recognition for a truly collaborative effort – Thank you to everyone who has supported the project over the last few years

 

 

 

Art SOAK 2016 – Pilot Nights

Thursday 12 May 2016, 7.30pm, £5

PILOT Nights provide a space where theatre makers can develop their work and try out new ideas in front of a lively and supportive crowd. PILOT Nights is landing at Stirchley Baths for the first time, launching Art SOAK 2016, with Play More co-piloting the event. Join us for an evening of eclectic work in progress performances from some of the UK’s most exciting theatre companies, then stick around after for a drink and tell the artist what you thought!

You can book tickets through www.oxboffice.com

Dance Project update – Stirchley Prospectors

I had a wonderful time today at Stirchley Baths, not just the spiralised courgette in my salad at the cafe, but seeing the baths coming together as a functioning building and seeing ideas and proposals from the development phase becoming a part of the building. All this while working on the ‘welcome mat’ project. The welcome mat stems from earlier work in Stirchley by Place Prospectors whose work during Stirchley Prospects found material relating to the use of Stirchley Baths as a ballroom in the post war years; the pool being covered over for ‘super non-stop dancing’ and that dancing happened to Den Jones and his Dance Orchestra.

Dance Ticket

The Stirchley Tea Dance group who used to be based in the old Stirchley community centre have agreed to work with me on the process of making the mat, I’m going to record their steps as they dance the dances that would have happened during this time, which is fondly remembered and a source of local pride.

University of Birmingham presents: Deep End

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Saturday 30 April – 2pm, 5pm and 8pm
Sunday 1 May – 12noon and 2pm

Drama and Theatre Arts University of Birmingham presents an original, devised production for a small audience that brings alive the history and people of Stirchley Baths and responds to this newly refurbished building.

Tickets are free, however booking is essential due to limited capacity. Please book via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deep-end-tickets-23912768735