Ok, turn to the person left of you and ask them what they know about Harbone. Chances are they'll point out the generous number of local pubs - known affectionately as the Harborne Run by students and ale fans - the string of charity shops that punctuate the high street or the numerous village churches. Am I right? This isn't a bad way to see the place, it's actually quite endearing, but it does make me wonder what else defines it. Surely there's a bit more to Harborne? Right?
As a theatre worker and general arts enthusiast, I'm always keen to engage in the cultural life of the area I live in. Trouble is, where on earth do you start? There's the Harborne Orchestra which performs three times a year, and amateur theatre group The Moorpool Players, but what else? Is there a whole gamut of activity that I'm missing out on? If there is I'd love to know about it.
So, we come to the challenge I'm laying out. I want to sample more of Harborne's cultural life, seek out what makes it special, even unique, and blog about what I find. Accepting that 'culture' and 'events' are broad categories I'll try not to limit it only to music and theatre, though I'll certainly look at those too. To aid me in my quest, if you know of, or are running, any events, groups or upcoming performances that you'd like to recommend - and this can include local book clubs, knitting groups, quiz nights, acoustic sessions and so on- let us know and I'll do my best to get along and check it out. To make this work these really need to be events or groups which are open to the public or are available for new members to join.
I hope by giving this a go to get a better sense of existing activity and perhaps reveal a few gaps in the cultural cloth of Harborne. Who knows, perhaps someone reading this blog wants to set up a contemporary art class? A music appreciation society? Macaroni animal sculpture anyone?
Claire Procter
Quick update: After some digging around online I've come across the local strategic partnership. Given that part of their remit is culture and events I'm hoping that they can shed some light on upcoming and ongoing activity in the area. Will make contact and keep you posted...
Actually, I think of Harborne as the place where you have a choice of M&S, Waitrose and Sainsburys but unfortunately only 1 (chain) coffee shop that opens on Sundays. I'd expect Harborne to have at least one nice customer focussed coffee shop. Oh and to find a pub where everyone doesn't turn and look at me when I walk in. Any recommendations?!
ReplyDeletePS Great idea for blog, Marc
I'm movingto Harborne in a couple of months so will be checking out this blog! I'd be particularly interested in Lindy Hop lessons - could anyone set up such a group? We go to lessons in Kings Heath at the moment
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response, rjosen. I'm not sure why there aren't more coffee shops in Harborne. Personally I'd like to see more independents on the high street. There is a new 'cafe bar' (it'll also serve food and alcohol) called Arco Lounge opening next door to Caffe Nero in the next few weeks. Perhaps we'll post a review on the site once it's open.
ReplyDeleteAs for the pubs, The Junction and The Plough are both modern and populated by a mixed clientele (Harbonites and 'outsiders'). If anyone has any better recommendations let me know.
Hope this helps.
That's good to know, thank you! Rickie
ReplyDeleteNow this might be controversial, but when I was a lawyer there was a very heavy concentration of lawyers and other professionals living in Harborne and Edgbaston. When I moved to Moseley I was singled out for being in a notable "Bohemian" minority. If there aren't many evening events (in the mode of Stiches and Hos, 7 inch cinema, some of the stuff that goes on in the Hare and Hounds most weeks), is it because Harborne has a heavy professional population who simply don't have the sort of job that allows them to commit to evening events like that?
ReplyDeleteWorking as a lawyer or accountant frequently involves late working at short notice. When Simon and I both worked at Wragge's we simply didn't book stuff in the week: we had to cancel so many trips to the theatre due to "client demand" that it wasn't worth it. And we weren't the only ones.
Of course, Harborne does have other residents with more regular work habits, but I'm sure that the relative higher "creatives index" in Moseley and Kings Heath goes a small way to explaining the relative absence or presence of cultural activity in either place.
Looks like this blog could become a rallying spot for people who want to make Harborne funky!
Hi Catherine, thanks for your comment. I'm not aware of any Lindy Hop classes, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Adage Dance Studios are based on the high street. You might want to give them a call, as they may be able to advise you.
ReplyDeleteDo let us know how you get on. I'd love to see Lindy Hopping here in Harborne. If there are any of the Kings Heath populace who'd like to come and show us how it's done...
I suspect you may well be right, Helga. Hopefully the blog will provide some insight into whether there is demand for more cultural activity in Harborne. Either way I suspect it might be a useful mapping exercise. I'm not sure if classes and events are catalogued elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI've been in Harborne for 16 years now. It's a "nice" place to live but it's not a particularly "exciting" place to live. I agree, we seem to be lacking "events" on a frequent and regular basis. I'd love to see more live pub bands in Harborne and maybe some "visiting art" in a coffe shop gallery - but it doesn't seem to happen (much). I wonder if it's because rates are so high that young independent entreprenuerial type venue owners can't afford to set up here?
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is interested we do have a local ukulele group here - we currently meet at the Billsley in Kings Heath to practice (Tuesday evenings - everyone welcome)
Looking forward to seeing this blog influence some changes round here :-)
Thanks, Tim. Some things to think about there. Good to hear about your ukulele group! Is it for people wanting to learn? Or those who can already play?
ReplyDeleteThere's a lovely yearly Harborne Festival as I remember - I'll bet peeps on the festival committee (if there is one) know the local cultural goings-on, there may be some little-known hidden gems!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea, Nicky. Will have a poke around online. Anyone know if a festival committee exists?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, over in Bournville we've got some distance to go to match Harborne's bustling cultural life....
ReplyDeleteA search for Harborne on AllBrum (the superb events listing site) produced 0 results.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that could be because people aren't telling AllBrum about the events that are happening...
Hmm, that's an interesting question, Andy. I've recently been in touch with the Edgbaston Strategic Partnership to make contact with their Participation & Events Officer. The good news is that I've had a response and am waiting to see what information is available about arts events in the area, so I may have an answer for you quite soon.
ReplyDelete