The fifth annual Birmingham Lives Local History Fair takes place this coming Sunday, June 12th between 11:00-16:00. This year’s event will be held at a new location, the Girl Guides Headquarters in Brownsea Drive, off Ellis Street, Holloway Head in the city centre (approx 200 yards up from Holloway Head and The Sentinels, heading out of town).

Birmingham Lives provides the chance to find out about the work of organisations such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the National Trust owned Back-to-Backs, The Pen Museum, the Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance History Society and the Victorian Society.

Included amongst a record 29 exhibitors will be a host of local history societies from across the city, including those focussing on the areas of Balsall Heath, Barr and Aston, Brookfields, Heartlands, King’s Norton, Ladywood and Winson Green. Visitors can view a wealth of memorabilia, find out about history projects and upcoming talks in their area and are encouraged to bring along their own artefacts and photographs to show to exhibitors and local history experts.

Other organisations represented include The Friends of Moseley Road Baths, the West Midlands Fire and Heritage Museum, the Co-op History Group, Anvil Books and for those interested in genealogy, the Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Paul Wilkins Family Detectives. Alongside exhibitions and slideshows of photographs there will be books, postcards and other souvenirs for sale as well as a display of material from the Girl Guides Association. Admission to Birmingham Lives is free and on street parking is also available nearby at no charge.