The area’s culture celebrated over eleven days.

A new arts festival is to take place in Hall Green, Birmingham next month. Happening over ten days from 3rd-13th October and featuring a packed programme of 32 events, the We Art B28 Hall Green Arts Festival promises to be an exciting celebration of local creativity.

Organised by the Hall Green community forum, We Are B28, the festival will have something for everyone from lantern making and storytelling to comedy, choral music and films.

Highlights will include the film premiere of The River Cole Story created by local historian and archaeologist George Demidowicz and film maker, Theo Gove-Humphries. Tony Hancock, one of Hall Green’s most famous sons, provides the inspiration for Theatre 28’s comedy evening with classic performances of Hancock’s Half Hour favourites The Blood Donor and The Radio Ham. And one of the city’s most celebrated photographers, Dr. Vanley Burke, will give an illustrated talk about his work and subjects.

The festival also offers many opportunities to get involved and have a go. Just as the local landscape provided inspiration for Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings and Hobbit novels, there will be opportunities to re-discover the area through a variety of events including a photo walk led by Pete Ashton, an open day at Sarehole Mill and a riverside lantern parade.

Organiser Steve Gove-Humphries said, “The festival is a celebration of local creativity and is an opportunity for local residents to enjoy the arts as a community right on their doorstep. Tolkien and Tony Hancock both grew up in Hall Green and the area has a lot to offer. We hope the festival will become an annual event and will promote a sense of community by encouraging local people to be part of this exciting festival.”

The We Art B28 Hall Green Arts Festival takes place from 3rd-13th October. For more information visit www.weareb28.com or pick up a programme from Hall Green Library.