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Handsworth Collection

Handsworth: A Tapestry of History and Culture Step into the vibrant world of Handsworth, a neighborhood in Birmingham that holds a rich tapestry of history and culture

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Ordnance Survey map of north east Sheffield copied by the Germans

Ordnance Survey map of north east Sheffield copied by the Germans, and marked with bombing targets, c. 1940
Original at Sheffield City Archives MD7731/4 and Sheffield Local Studies Librarys 26 M/5

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Oliver Locker-Lampson

Oliver Locker-Lampson
COMMANDER OLIVER STILLINGWORTH LOCKER-LAMPSON politican and war veteran. Conservative MP for Handsworth(1922-1945) and North Huntingdonshire(1910-18)

Background imageHandsworth Collection: County Map of Yorkshire West Riding, c. 1777

County Map of Yorkshire West Riding, c. 1777
From The Large English Atlas: or, a new set of map of all the counties of England and Wales drawn from the several surveys which have been hitherto been published

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Map of Woodhouse, Sheffield, Yorkshirec. 1855

Map of Woodhouse, Sheffield, Yorkshirec. 1855
Includes Birley Vale Branch railway, Woodhouse Leys. From a volume of maps of the parish of Handsworth, based on the enclosure award maps (1805) and corrected up to 1855

Background imageHandsworth Collection: A little girl meets The Princess. Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall

A little girl meets The Princess. Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall, West Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall, West Midlands

Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall, West Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts. It is a cold February and you can see the snow in some shots

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Handsworth, West Midlands

Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Handsworth, West Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts. Picture taken 7th December 1982

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Woman and girl outside a shop, Handsworth, Birmingham

Woman and girl outside a shop, Handsworth, Birmingham. Date: circa 1910

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Handsworth Villa Road Birmingham early 1900s

Handsworth Villa Road Birmingham early 1900s

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Handsworth The Grove Birmingham probably 1920s

Handsworth The Grove Birmingham probably 1920s

Background imageHandsworth Collection: James Watt's studio at his residence, Heathfield Hall

James Watt's studio at his residence, Heathfield Hall
James Watt's lathe and vice-bench at Heathfield Hall, Handsworth, later owned by George Tangye. Date: circa 1809

Background imageHandsworth Collection: James Watt's Sculpture copying machinery (eidograph)

James Watt's Sculpture copying machinery (eidograph), taken at Watt's residence, Heathfield Hall, Handsworth, later owned by George Tangye. Date: circa 1809

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Keith Vaz and Bill Morris at a meeting

Keith Vaz and Bill Morris at a meeting
Keith Vaz (Nigel Keith Anthony Standish Vaz, b 1956), British Labour Party politician (left) and Bill Morris (William Manuel Morris, Baron Morris of Handsworth, b 1938), leader of the TGWU

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Bill Morris, trade union leader, giving a speech

Bill Morris, trade union leader, giving a speech
Bill Morris (William Manuel Morris, Baron Morris of Handsworth, b 1938), trade union leader. He was General Secretary of the TGWU (Transport and General Workers Union) 1992-2003

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Michael Meacher, British Labour politician

Michael Meacher, British Labour politician
Michael Hugh Meacher (b 1939), British Labour politician, served as Minister of State for the Environment 1997-2003. Seen here campaigning with others against the closure of the Peter Pan Ward in

Background imageHandsworth Collection: County Map of Yorkshire, c. 1777

County Map of Yorkshire, c. 1777
From The Large English Atlas: or, a new set of map of all the counties of England and Wales drawn from the several surveys which have been hitherto been published

Background imageHandsworth Collection: James Watts studio at his residence, Heathfield Hall

James Watts studio at his residence, Heathfield Hall, Handsworth, later owned by George Tangye. Date: circa 1809

Background imageHandsworth Collection: James Watts residence, Heathfield Hall, Handsworth

James Watts residence, Heathfield Hall, Handsworth, later owned by George Tangye. Date: circa 1809

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Handsworth Park and Old Church, Handsworth, Birmingham

Handsworth Park and Old Church, Handsworth, Birmingham. circa 1900s

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Members of the New Parliament (engraving)

Members of the New Parliament (engraving)
1047896 Members of the New Parliament (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Members of the New Parliament)

Background imageHandsworth Collection: King Edward VIs School, Handsworth (b / w photo)

King Edward VIs School, Handsworth (b / w photo)
3650723 King Edward VIs School, Handsworth (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: King Edward VIs School, Handsworth)

Background imageHandsworth Collection: King Edward VIs School, Detail of Front, The Hall (b / w photo)

King Edward VIs School, Detail of Front, The Hall (b / w photo)
3650722 King Edward VIs School, Detail of Front, The Hall (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: King Edward VIs School, Detail of Front, The Hall)

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Crowds of well-wishers wait patiently for the arrival of Princess Diana

Crowds of well-wishers wait patiently for the arrival of Princess Diana. She is due shortly to meet and greet the people of Walsall, West Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall, West Midlands

Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Walsall, West Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts. It is a cold February and you can see the snow in some shots

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Erdington and Handsworth

Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Erdington and Handsworth, England on one of her many walkabouts. Picture taken 15th February 1988

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Birmingham, The Midlands

Princess Diana meets and greets the people of Birmingham, The Midlands, England on one of her many walkabouts. Picture taken 29th February 1984

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Haymaking Mathews Field, Handsworth, Birmingham, dated 01 / 07 / 1859

Haymaking Mathews Field, Handsworth, Birmingham, dated 01 / 07 / 1859
Haymaking Mathews Field, Handsworth, Birmingham, dated 01/07/1859

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Waggon and Horses Inn, Handsworth, 19th century. Creator: W. Green

Waggon and Horses Inn, Handsworth, 19th century. Creator: W. Green
Waggon and Horses Inn, Handsworth, 19th century. Topographical view of the greater Birmingham area

Background imageHandsworth Collection: The Old Toll Gate, Villa Road, Handsworth, 1829-1850. Creator: W. Green

The Old Toll Gate, Villa Road, Handsworth, 1829-1850. Creator: W. Green
The Old Toll Gate, Villa Road, Handsworth, 1829-1850

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Hamstead Mill, Staffordshire / Hamstead Mill, Handsworth 1850-1908

Hamstead Mill, Staffordshire / Hamstead Mill, Handsworth 1850-1908
Hamstead Mill, Staffordshire/Hamstead Mill, Handsworth 1850-1908

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Haytime, Hamstead Mill, Handsworth, Staffordshire, 1850-1908. Creator: John Joseph Hughes

Haytime, Hamstead Mill, Handsworth, Staffordshire, 1850-1908. Creator: John Joseph Hughes
Haytime, Hamstead Mill, Handsworth, Staffordshire, 1850-1908

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Farm in Wood Lane, Handsworth, 1850-1908. Creator: John Joseph Hughes

Farm in Wood Lane, Handsworth, 1850-1908. Creator: John Joseph Hughes
Farm in Wood Lane Handsworth, 1850-1908. Now Handsworth, Birmingham

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Sheffield S13 9 Map

Sheffield S13 9 Map
Postcode Sector Map of Sheffield S13 9

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Birmingham B21 8 Map

Birmingham B21 8 Map
Postcode Sector Map of Birmingham B21 8

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Plan of property belonging to the trustees of the late Robert Newton Shawe, esquire

Plan of property belonging to the trustees of the late Robert Newton Shawe, esquire, in the parish of Handsworth, 1858
Lot 1 the commodious and superior farmhouse at Handsworth Woodhouse, in the occupation of Mr Charles Ibbotson, with extensive barn, stables, cowhouse, sheds, fold and stack yard

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Simplex car, Birmingham, c. 1910

Simplex car, Birmingham, c. 1910
From an original at Sheffield Libraries: u05977

Background imageHandsworth Collection: Carnegie Infant Welfare Institute, Handsworth, Birmingham

Carnegie Infant Welfare Institute, Handsworth, Birmingham Date: circa 1920s

Background imageHandsworth Collection: James Watt / Heathfield

James Watt / Heathfield
JAMES WATT His house at Heathfield, in Handsworth, Birmingham, to which he moved in 1790 to spend the rest of his life. Date: 19th century

Background imageHandsworth Collection: JAMES WATT: TOMB, 1819. Tomb of James Watt at Handsworth Church, Staffordshire, England

JAMES WATT: TOMB, 1819. Tomb of James Watt at Handsworth Church, Staffordshire, England. Line engraving, 19th century



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Handsworth: A Tapestry of History and Culture Step into the vibrant world of Handsworth, a neighborhood in Birmingham that holds a rich tapestry of history and culture. From its captivating Sword Dance traditions to its significant role during World War II, it has stories to tell. In the early 1900s, Handsworth Villa Road was bustling with life. The streets echoed with the footsteps of residents going about their daily routines. Meanwhile, just a few decades later in the 1920s, The Grove painted a picture of an evolving community that embraced progress while cherishing its roots. During World War II, even though Handsworth may have seemed far from the frontlines, it played an unexpected part in history. German forces copied an Ordnance Survey map of north-east Sheffield and marked bombing targets on it - including areas within Handsworth itself. This chilling reminder serves as a testament to the resilience and strength displayed by this tight-knit community during those challenging times. It also boasts connections to influential figures like Oliver Locker-Lampson and James Watt. Locker-Lampson's presence left an indelible mark on this area as he resided at Heathfield Hall – now known for housing James Watt's studio. Here, Watt sculpted intricate machinery using his innovative eidograph technique which revolutionized industry. The spirit of collaboration thrives in Handsworth too; evident through images capturing Keith Vaz and Bill Morris engaged in meaningful discussions at meetings or trade union leader Bill Morris delivering inspiring speeches that empowered workers. Furthermore, political figure Michael Meacher adds another layer to Handworth's story with his contributions as a British Labour politician who fought tirelessly for social justice. As you explore this remarkable neighborhood today, you'll find echoes of these diverse narratives woven seamlessly together – from ancient traditions like Sword Dance performances to reminders of wartime struggles etched into its very fabric. Step into Handworth's embrace and let yourself be captivated by its history, culture, and the resilience of its people.