Druids Heath is a suburb of Birmingham, England, that has a long and rich history. The name Druids Heath comes from the ancient Celtic priests who were said to have performed rituals on the nearby hills. The area was also home to a medieval manor house, a Tudor farm, and a Victorian school.
However, Druids Heath is now facing demolition as part of a regeneration scheme that aims to improve the quality of life for residents. The scheme will involve demolishing over 1,000 council homes and replacing them with new mixed-tenure housing, as well as creating new green spaces, community facilities, and transport links.
The history of druids heath and crime.[]
in the 1960s, the city council flats and houses to accommodate the growing population and provide better living conditions. The area became a vibrant and diverse community, with many cultural and social activities.
One of the landmarks of Druids Heath was Baverstock School, a secondary school that opened in 1955. The school was known for its academic excellence and its sports achievements. It also had a strong sense of identity and pride among its students and staff. Baverstock School was the alma mater of many famous people,
However, in recent years, Druids Heath has faced many challenges and difficulties. The area has suffered from poverty, crime, unemployment, and social exclusion. The flats and houses have deteriorated and become unsafe and unhealthy. The council has decided to demolish most of the buildings and redevelop the area with new homes and facilities. This means that many residents will have to leave their homes and relocate to other places.
Baverstock School was also affected by the decline of Druids Heath. The school faced financial problems, low enrolment, poor performance, and disciplinary issues. In 2017, the school was closed down by the government after being rated as inadequate by Ofsted. The building was left abandoned and vandalised, until it was demolished in 2021.
The demolition of Druids Heath and Baverstock School marks the end of an era for the neighbourhood. It also raises questions about the future of the area and its people. Will the redevelopment bring positive changes and opportunities? Will the residents be able to return to their homes or find new ones? Will the history and culture of Druids Heath be preserved or forgotten? These are some of the issues that need to be addressed as Druids Heath enters a new phase of its existence.
Tower blocks[]
The seven tower blocks from west to east:
- Moor House
- Pleck House
- Drews House
- Bellfield House
- Pitmeadow House
- Topfield House
- Brookpiece House
- Kingswood house (to be demolished)
- Saxelby House (to be demolished)