The exhibition can be seen at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre.

On Chelmsley is an exhibition of photographs by the residents of Chelmsley Wood.  This community photography project, taking place during 2024, has uncovered and collated photographs from the past and present to celebrate people and place.  GRAIN Projects have been working with residents in Chelmsley Wood to  identify their photographs and the memories and stories that are associated with them. 

Chelmsley Wood was built by Birmingham City Council in the late 1960s and early 1970s on ancient woodland, once part of the Forest of Arden and Green Belt Land, as an overspill town for Birmingham. In 1966 Birmingham City Council compulsorily purchased the ancient woodland and built the 15,590 dwelling council estate to rehouse families on its council house waiting list, it was the largest housing development in Europe in the 1960s. Chelmsley Wood is now home to over 13,000 people.

The photographs have been collected through meetings and workshops with residents. Participants shared photographs of important people in their life such as parents, grandparents and friends. The submitted pictures show the lives of residents of the area; parties, weddings, school photos, and landscape photographs reflect and celebrate community life in Chelmsley Wood. The display includes new photographs taken by young people from Urben Heard documenting the area they live in.

With thanks to everyone who has taken part in the project, special thanks to Chelmsley Wood and Surrounding Areas, History in Photos Facebook Group, and Urben Heard Youth Group.

Delivered by GRAIN Projects, supported by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.