West Midlands

Autumn/winter events programme 2015 ***UPDATED***

The C20 West Midlands group is planning the following events for the second half of the year:

Friday 11 September – Heritage Open Day Weekend West Midlands (time to be confirmed)
An evening event with Paul Quigley discussing the recent Block Capital project, focusing on the heritage of the Black Country with its distinct programme of tower block building and, more recently, demolition. See distinctlyblackcountry.org.uk/blockcapital/high-rise/. We will also hear Miles Glendinning expanding on his national tower block register.

Sunday 13 September, 2pm, 4.30pm, 7pm – Rotunda, a talk and guided tour (approximately 1 ½ hours) around one of Birmingham’s most iconic 1960s buildings.
Staying Cool invite you to celebrate one of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks turning 50! Take a tour and see how this Grade II-listed building has been transformed from premium offices to unique apartments; find out why this building was important nationally, and learn about its conservation and refurbishment while taking in the amazing city skyline.

This event is part of the Heritage Open Day Weekend and inaugural Birmingham Heritage Week (10th – 17 September).

Booking: www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory and www.stayingcool.com/birmingham or contact Staying Cool team: 0121 285 1290.

Saturday 3 October – a national C20 Society day trip to Telford new town, the surrounding villages and the magnificent power station at Ironbridge.
We will have a guided tour of Ironbridge power station, unique for its four pink concrete cooling towers, and possibly one of the last visits before it is due to close later this year, in line with EU regulations on coal-fired power generation.

The tour will include:

• Town Centre / Town Park area
• Early ‘Radburn’ housing area. Sutton Hill or Woodside
• Later Housing Area – probably Priorslee , including restoration of Priorslee Village.

Martin White, a former senior planner with the Telford Development Corporation, will be providing commentary on the development of the new town and his experiences as a planner and a resident of more than 40 years.

Details (including price ) are to be confirmed, but there will be 30 places on this tour, which will leave from Telford railway station.

As this is a C20 national event, booking will be via the Events section of the C20 website.

Saturday 28/Sunday 29 November (date tbc) regional scouting trip around Worcester
Katriona Byrne and Judith Hurst, who recently drew up the local listing for C20th buildings in the city will lead this visit.
Time: 10am-4pm, Start location tbc. Please make your own way there.

Saturday 12 December – Open Day at St Thomas More RC Church, Horse Shoes Lane, Sheldon, Birmingham *** CHANGE OF DATE ***
Originally scheduled for 26 September, this event will mark the restoration of the Grade II-listed church (Richard Gilbert Scott 1968-9, with dalle de verre windows by John Chretien). Speakers will include project architect Andrew Capper and Historic England buildings at risk architect, Cristina Gardiner. There will be a roof tour for the adventurous, weather permitting.

Saturday 19 December (Date tbc, time approx 7pm) Film night
A programme of films about the reconstruction of Coventry, selected by film-maker/collector and C20 member Alan van Wijgerden. The screenings will be in the ex-fish and chip shop of the 1960s Lower Precinct, Coventry city centre, which was built in the late 1960s and is currently part of Coventry City Council’s plans for demolition and regeneration of the area.