GRAIN Projects will be working in Chelmsley Wood to create a Community Photography Project for residents to participate in. The activities will include sharing family pictures and photos from home, including snapshots and old albums, creating new pictures together, and making photography displays.   

Photography will help share the memories of Chelmsley Wood and celebrate the people of Chelmsley Wood, past and present. The project will provide opportunities for people to come together, enjoy taking part, develop new skills, make new connections, and work towards a shared goal of a community event.

Chelmsley Wood was built by Birmingham City Council in the late 1960s and early 70s 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.

The project has been commissioned by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.