Smethwick: The global history of a town in 10 buildings

Smethwick isn’t just any old town: it has been built by people from all over the world. From the Red Cow pub to Marshall Street’s Malcolm X plaque and Guru Nanak Gurdwara, every building, and every street, has a unique story to tell.

In this online event hosted by Chance Heritage Trust, our panel will reveal the global history that the very foundations of our town are built on, and the stories behind the buildings you walk past every day.

Together, we’ll also discuss how our communities can continue to add their stories and make our voices heard as the town continues to grow.

In this online event, you'll get to:

• Hear from our panel of expert speakers
• Learn about Smethwick's global history and significance
• Explore key themes such as immigration, empire and commonwealth
• Discover how buildings can reveal a town's global foundations
• Ask questions in a live Q&A

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Our panellists include:

• Simon Briercliffe (Uni of Birmingham)
• Mary Bodfish (Smethwick Local History Society)
• and more to be confirmed!

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ADDITIONAL INFO

Chance Conversations is a lively series of free, online webinars and panel discussions about the future of industrial heritage, in Smethwick and the wider area.

Taking place from 26 July – 04 August 2022, our speakers will explore some of the biggest current topics in industrial heritage, from different ways that industrial heritage can revive communities, to the global history and connections with empire that a town's most iconic industrial buildings can reveal.

The talks are being hosted by Chance Heritage Trust and DigVentures as part of #MadeinSmethwick - an ongoing programme of public events inspired by stories from Chance Brothers glassworks in Smethwick, and the ongoing mission to give this disused industrial building a new lease of life within its surrounding community.

Want to see more events?

VIEW THE FULL CHANCE CONVERSATIONS PROGRAMME:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-future-of-industrial-heritage-661909

VIEW THE FULL #MADEINSMETHICK PROGRAMME

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/madeinsmethwick-212039

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HAVE YOUR SAY: HOW SHOULD OUR OLD INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS BE USED?

Chance Heritage Trust is on a mission to raise the cultural profile of Smethwick’s industrial heritage, and bring former industrial buildings – like the iconic Chance Glassworks – back into use within the community.

How would you like to see these buildings used? And, apart from living and working spaces, what kind of opportunities and facilities should they contain for community use?

This survey is part of a wider programme of community consultation, which will help to shape these plans.

Fill out this short survey to have your say!

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THANKS TO…

This programme has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.