Phoenix Project Sharing (Pt 1) - Brierley Hill Market - The Story Shop
2024-09-07 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Brierley Hill Market, High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5, United Kingdom
Working with landscape theatre specialists Wildworks, local community artists have been gathering stories from Brierley Hill residents to create multi-venue performances over a whole afternoon and early evening.
Part one starts in the market and is based on stories discovered by local primary school children and with our addictive story capturers on hand to capture any stories you may like to contribute.

Phoenix Project Sharing (Pt 2) - Brierley Hill Library - Performance
2024-09-07 15:30 - 15:50 | Brierley Hill Library, 122 High St, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3ET
Working with landscape theatre specialists Wildworks, local community artists have been gathering stories from Brierley Hill residents to create multi-venue performances over a whole afternoon and early evening.
Part 2 is a performance at the library, featuring one woman’s journey by Lorna Rose.

Phoenix Project Sharing (Pt 3) - St Michael's Church - Performance
2024-09-07 18:00 - 18:20 | West Midlands
Working with landscape theatre specialists Wildworks, local community artists have been gathering stories from Brierley Hill residents to create multi-venue performances over a whole afternoon and early evening.
Part 3 takes place at St Michael’s Church where lead artist Kim Archer will be performing a work based on stories collected at Oakfield Community Centre, during an afternoon bingo session.

Phoenix Project Sharing (Pt 4) – Delph Locks Stables – Performance
2024-09-07 19:00 - 19:40 | Delph Locks Stables, Mill Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2TD, United Kingdom
Working with landscape theatre specialists Wildworks, local community artists have been gathering stories from Brierley Hill residents to create multi-venue performances over a whole afternoon and early evening.
Part 4 is led by Jake Oldershaw who has worked with tales of the canal and the surrounding areas told to him by walkers and visitors to the Delph Locks stables in July.

Graves at Night 2 - Commonwealth Graves and the War Memorial
2024-09-09 19:45 - 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Building on the popular Heritage Open Days Graves at Night walks held in the last two years, this successor walk looks at some the most significant graves in the churchyard: The Commonwealth War Graves. The walk will look at some of the 21 CWGC graves in the churchyard and tell the stories behind them. We will also visit the town War Memorial to learn of the fight to get it funded and erected, plus details of the more than 300 names on it. As a special added bonus, participants will receive a copy of the 36 page War Memorial Centenary Booklet. Please note: YOU MUST RSVP to register for this walk – there are limited spaces.

Graves at Night 2 – Commonwealth Graves and the War Memorial
2024-09-10 19:45 - 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Building on the popular Heritage Open Days Graves at Night walks held in the last two years, this successor walk looks at some the most significant graves in the churchyard: The Commonwealth War Graves. The walk will look at some of the 21 CWGC graves in the churchyard and tell the stories behind them. We will also visit the town War Memorial to learn of the fight to get it funded and erected, plus details of the more than 300 names on it. As a special added bonus, participants will receive a copy of the 36 page War Memorial Centenary Booklet.

Graves at Night - the original
2024-09-12 19:45 - 21:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Explore the history of Brierley Hill through the stories of the people who, literally, made the town. This guided walk is delivered after dusk to give added atmosphere as we walk around the graveyard. This walk has “sold out” (there’s no fee for the walk) in previous years and has received rave reviews (blushes!). Bring your own torch – some are available to borrow, but your own may be better and dress appropriately for an evening walk. Remember there may be rainy weather too. Good footwear essential. RSVP to book your place.

Brierley Hill Library - badge making, old photos, artefacts
2024-09-14 09:00 - 16:00 | Brierley Hill Library, 122 High St, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3ET
Have you visited our wonderfully refurbished library since it reopened. This is your chance. The building has been transformed and today it will be holding a display of its old photographs, challenging you to help put together a jigsaw of an aerial photograph of Brierley Hill from 1931, and gifting the opportunity to make a badge of your own design or using one of ours. On top of all of that it houses the town’s local history collection and some remarkable historic artefacts.

Brierley Hill Market - 40 Faces
2024-09-14 09:00 - 16:00 | West Midlands
Markets have been at the heart of Brierley Hill for almost 200 years. Presently undergoing a refurbishment as part of the towns Heritage Action Zone with support from Dudley Council and Historic England, the market has 40 stall holders – making it still one of the most thriving markets in the Black Country. To celebrate its historic role in the town singer Natalie Knight and magician Thomas Dixon will be adding to the magic of the market. Plus an opportunity to grab yourself a bargain from one of its stalls.
The origins of the market (extract from the Clulow Journal – available from the library)
“A tall, inoffensive young woman, a stranger to us, with a large white apron, came with basket and stores. She also brought a small round table, and placed it on the corner of the foot road at the top of Moor Street, on the side of the Brickmaker’s Arms, now a winery shop (actually now the site of the Moor Centre). Her first table was furnished with penny pies, halfpenny cakes, and half-penny long sucks. On account of the novelty of the stall, she soon disposed of all of her wares to eager looking customers.
“The next Saturday, she came also, with her dainties and white apron and white table cloth. This time she was joined by a vendor of fruit and other items. Soon these eatables were disposed of. On the third Saturday, half-a-dozen vendors of different sorts, were to be seen. Soon after that, stalls began to be created and erected by our shop neighbours from and around the place, causing a little jealousy to the High Street shopkeepers. So, at last, they nearly all turned out with stalls or tables, well-stocked, on a Saturday evening.”

Ring a Church Bell
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to ring a church bell? How do church bell ringers know when to ring their bell? How many different orders can you ring seven bells in? This is an opportunity to answer those questions, to visit the normally closed ringing room, and to have a go at ringing a church bell yourself. Free “I’ve rung the bells of St Michael’s” badge to all who have a go!!!! Each visit lasts about 15 minutes – no need to book.

Have a go at handbell ringing
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
When Tim and Jenny took over the bell ringing in the tower they found scattered around the ringing room a set of old bells. Some were cracked, some were missing clappers. On others the handles had come off. Supported by grants from the Fisher Trust and St Michael’s Church the bells were sent of to be refurbished…and then it was discovered that they were over 150 years old and made by the same foundry that made Big Ben and the Liberty Bell in America!
This is a chance for you to have a go at ringing these precious bells. It’s quick to get a tune out of and a great chance to video yourself. We’ll also cover the ‘tunes’ church bell ringers play on a Sunday morning. Fun for all ages.
Sessions run for about 30 minutes. No need to book.

Former Library and Technical Institute
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Technical Insitute and Library, Moor Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Work is ongoing on this fabulous building. Opened in 1904 as a Technical Institute, Art School and college, the building has some fine examples of Terracotta figures, designed by Mart Masters Gibbons and Oaken. Inside are tiles donated by the famous Gibbons and Hinton tile factory and admirable stained glass. The outside of the building is being renovated as part of the council’s Heritage Action Zone project, funded by Historic England. Inside work is being done to convert the building to residential uses. This is a super opportunity to visit the building part way through the conversion.

Albion Street Church - Free to explore
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Albion Street Church, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EE, United Kingdom
Built in 1882 this building served initially as a Congregationalist Church. During the Second World War, Brierley Hill’s Air Raid Patrol centre was located here. The inside of the building has been extensively refurbished in the last few years and this is an opportunity to see a fine example of what can be done to adapt an old building for modern use. A chance to explore and a historic exhibition available.

St Michael's Church - Free to Explore!
2024-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
See inside the Brierley Hill’s oldest building (1765). Now grade 2 listed. Look around the church – the inside will surprise you – visit the historic graveyard (self guided tour available). Learn about the memorials in the church and admire the stained glass windows. At the same venue there will be Stained Glass based activities, Craft Book making, handbell ringing and the rare opportunity to visit the bell tower and ringing room.

Crafting at Harry's on the High Street
2024-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Harry’s, 65a High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3AE, United Kingdom
Free crafting for all ages at Harry’s on the High Street. Jewellery making, rock painting, card making, jigsaw mat and more. All Free!!! Woo hoo!!!!

St Mary's Church - Free to Explore
2024-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | St Mary’s RC Church, 26 High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3AE, United Kingdom
Don’t let this extraordinary building’s exterior fool you. This is a gem of a building and a real beauty inside. Pugin designed, the building is home to some extraordinary artwork. Heritage Open Day gives you a chance to tour the inside PLUS as a bonus, the opportunity to listen to harp and organ playing by Helen Barley and Richard James respectively PLUS Helen has kindly agree to bring along some of her harps for YOU to have a go on. How cool is that!!! There will also be a mouse trail for youngsters and refreshments will be available.

Stained glass workshops
2024-09-14 10:00 - 22:50 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Create a colourful piece of art to decorate your home or present as a gift. We will be working with acrylic glass to make designs inspired by the beautiful windows of St Michael’s church. This session is 16+ but younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Choose one session from 1000 and 1200. Sessions last 50 minutes.

Free Harp Recital and have a go at harp playing - St Mary's Church
2024-09-14 10:30 - 12:00 | St Mary’s RC Church, 26 High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3AE, United Kingdom
Listen to the talented harpist Helen Barley play. The recital commences at 1030. When she has finished performing Helen will be letting people have their own go at playing one of her harps. An extraordinary opportunity.

Craft Bookmaking
2024-09-14 11:00 - 11:50, 2024-09-14 13:30 - 14:20 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Create a mini notebook bound in a cover of your design. Besides assembling the booklets, we will be using a variety of carved stamps to decorate their pages with images in the tradition of medieval art. No need to book, just turn up!

Free organ recital with Richard James - St Mary's Church
2024-09-14 11:30 - 13:00 | St Mary’s RC Church, 26 High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3AE, United Kingdom
Relax as Richard hits the keyboard at this 150 year old church – dream about the generations of our ancestors who have sat here over the decades appreciated the very same instrument. Let yourself go wherever the music takes you. Plus the opportunity to visit the normally out of bounds organ loft. Not to be missed.

Denver to Diamond
2024-10-04 19:30 - 22:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Celebrate the music of JOHN DENVER and NEIL DIAMOND on Friday 4th October in the beautiful surroundings of Grade II listed St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, DY5 3EX.

Wayne Denton’s sell out double tribute show. Ticket’s just £10 including a free drink and entry to a raffle.
Click RSVP OR email ticketsatchurch@gmail.com to reserve your place, OR call in St Michael’s any Thursday 1000-1430.

1940s Day, Brierley Hill Market
2025-03-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Brierley Hill Market, High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5, United Kingdom
Saturday 8th March 11am-3pm the Market is hosting another of its very successful 1940s days. Step back in time to the glory days of World War 2 with a range of top-class performers on the market stage. These will include singer Vicky Elise, George Formby tribute Kyle Evans, tap dancer Katie Lewis, and banjo player Angie Parker!
As well as the entertainment, genuine World War 2 military vehicles will be on display at the back of the market. There will be a fancy-dress competition, dress up in 1940s style and win a prize! Prizes for best 1940s dressed gentlemen, lady and child. There will also be a special competition for children, find 10 warplanes in the market and win a prize! FREE activities for all the family!

Brierley Hill at War - guided walk
2025-03-23 11:00 - 13:00 | The Swan, Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, 10 Brettell Lane, Amblecote, West Midlands, DY8 4Bn, United Kingdom
YOUR PUB NEEDS YOU!

FREE guided walk through our war time history in aid of the Royal British Legion

The walk will set off from The Swan, Brettell Lane on Sunday the 23rd of March at 11am, with the aim of looking at and walking through the shared war time history along Brettell Lane and into Brierley Hill.

The tour will take in the industrial past as a base for ways in which the local people served their country in the 1st and 2nd world wars. Observing an industrial landscape that fed the war effort and discovering stories of the people who fought here and overseas during both wars.

Expect to see historic buildings and spaces including the canals, parks, graveyards, war memorials, churches, a pig tunnel and a recently excavated WW2 ROC lookout towers foundations. There will be stories of bombings & blackouts, crashing air crews, the Home Guard, POWs and American G.I.’s.

It will be a circular route with some steep paths taking approximately two hours, following which the Swan will generously be serving hot cobs on the return to the pub.

All are welcome but there are limited places for this walk. Please only sign up if you can definitely come on the day. Click the RSVP link to reserve your place. All collections and donations on the day will go to the Royal British Legion.

Chapel Street Estate Wildflower Planting
2025-04-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Yeovil Court, Brierley Hill, DY5 2SD, Yeovil Court, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2SD, United Kingdom
Help us plant wildflowers around the Chapel St Estate on Wed 23rd April.
Meet at the Housing Hub by 11am (under Yeovil Court) Hill Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 2SD.
Light work clearing weeds and planting seeds, with some refreshments provided for volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join in, children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own gloves, trowels and handrakes if you have them. Some equipment and litter pickers will be provided if needed.

Cake Not Hate - Treasure Hunt Picnic
2025-06-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Brierley Hill Town Centre
Fun for all the family! Do you like cake, samosas and freshly baked crusty cobs? Discover our town’s treasured foods and share in musical entertainment and activities at our community picnic. We have 25 free places available for this event.
Simply click RSVP at the bottom of this page to reserve your place. Please note maximum of 5 per booking. Note start times vary from 11am to 11.30am. You will be sent your arrival time and town centre start venue a few days after you RSVP.
Come to Brierley Hill town centre on Saturday 21st June to collect your picnic bag and begin the treasure hunt. Follow the map to a secret location, picking up goodies along the way, ready to join our community picnic with your fellow treasure hunters!
The treasure hunt involves a walk around the high street shopping areas followed by a short walk to the picnic venue. The route is wheelchair accessible and step-free, and there’s an accessible toilet at the venue.
The event will run from your start time to 2pm.

EAT the STREET
2025-08-23 12:00 - 16:30 | Brierley Hill High Street, High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3ET, United Kingdom
EAT the STREET 23rd August 12 to 4pm – An inside-out festival of food. Come and try our High Streets great food outlets, cafes, bakeries, butchers, delis and stalls. All participating food vendors will have ‘Secret Eats’ and ‘Off the Menu’ items for your taste buds to try. Just look for a poster and pop inside to ask what’s cooking. Did you know there are specials and secret snacks, burgers, shakes, cakes, tripple decker pork sandwiches and many other hiidden gems available here, all year round?
We are also working with Taste from India to create the YAMOSA! An EAST meets WEST MIDS – BLACK COUNTRY FUSION street food that will blow your freakin mind. The only way to try it is buy it, so get yours while you can. Big ingredients reveal on BBC Radio WM Thursday Breakfast show. All proceeds from YAMOSA sales will go to the Sands United FC Dudley baby loss charity.
There is entertainment too…
On Saturday 23rd of August from 12 to 4pm.
12pm to 1pm Slick 6 Choir at Brierley Hill Market Hall Café, singing all your favorite tunes, but nicely…
1pm to 2pm Kasperia – Classic rock with a fresh modern twist will be playing in the new Lion’s Way walkthrough next to the Brier Rose public house.
2pm to 3.30pm Food Fun at the library for all. Fun family workshop to create your fantasy plate of food. Brierley Hill library will also be showcasing all of their cookery and recipe books for all ages during the event. Badgemaking iis also available with special EAT the STREET templates, or create your own one-off badge.
Feel free to come along and enjoy your food with the entertainment. Or just find a nice bench near by. There is also a large CIVIIC GREEN park right in front of the police station, where you can have a more horizontal picnic.
If you are a food retailer in Brierley Hill High Street and we have not managed to sign you up yet please contact us at culture@brierleyhill.net. We have tried to get to as many as possible, but some of you were busy with a lot of cuustomers when we came around. We will continue to try and get to you between now and the event.
Look out for stewards in PINK HI-VIZ on the day. These Brierley Hill Pointers will help you find your way around and guide you to the activities.
Brierley Hill Community Forum – Cultural Consortium

Heritage Open Week: Visit the Ringing Chamber for Sunday Ringing (14th Sept) or Come to a Ringing Practice (Fri 19th Sept)
2025-09-14 08:00 - 2025-09-19 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
For a truly rare Heritage Open Day experience, climb into the historic ringing chamber at St Michael’s Church and discover the powerful, rhythmic world of English change ringing.
The church’s eight bells, cast by the renowned Taylor Bellfoundry in 1899, were the first in the Black Country to be tuned using the Simpson Five-Tone principle — an innovation that shaped modern bellringing acoustics. Brierley Hill once boasted one of the region’s most outstanding peal bands, and now you have the chance to follow in their footsteps.
Visitors will:
Tour the ringing chamber, rarely open to the public.
Hear the bells in action during a live ringing session.
Try ringing a bell themselves, guided by experienced ringers.
Learn about the fascinating techniques and mathematical patterns known as “methods.”
Discover the unique heritage and dedication behind the art of tower bell ringing.
📅 Two opportunities are available:
Sunday Ringing Session
Date: Sunday, 14th September
Arrival: 09:50 | Ringing: 10:00–10:30
Max: 8 participants
Friday Practice Sessions
Date: Friday, 19th September
Two time slots: 7:30 PM and 8:15 PM (Max 8 per slot)
👉 Booking is essential at www.brierleyhill.net – these sessions fill quickly and are not available throughout the year.

Heritage Open Week: Graves at Night - Tue 16th, Wed 17th, Thu 18th September
2025-09-16 19:50 - 2025-09-18 21:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
As dusk falls, step into the shadows of St Michael’s Churchyard and uncover the fascinating lives behind the headstones. The Graves at Night guided walk brings local history vividly to life, with carefully researched stories of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.
You’ll hear about war heroes, industrial pioneers, tragic losses, and curious mysteries — all told with warmth and humour in true Brierley Hill fashion. Subtle lighting adds to the atmosphere, and the peaceful setting becomes a stage for voices from the past to be heard.
The walk has become a favourite in the town’s Heritage Open Day programme. Comments from past participants include:
“Such a fabulous day. The graveyard tour was amazing!”
“Wonderful weaving of stories and histories.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the walk — informative and moving.”
“Great to see the community engagement.”
“The lighting of the graves really added to the experience. The story of the nun was especially appreciated – would love a women’s history walk one day.”
Ideal for those interested in genealogy, local history, or simply hearing a good story told well. Not to be missed — and perfectly timed to allow visits to other nearby venues during the day, including St Michael’s Church, Brierley Hill Library, and St Mary’s Church.

Heritage Open Day: Historic Artefacts and Local History Collection at Brierley Hill Library
2025-09-20 09:00 - 15:30 | Brierley Hill Library, 122 High St, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3ET
Step inside Brierley Hill Library for a fascinating look at the town’s history through original artefacts, exhibitions, and archives. This year’s Heritage Open Day display showcases a unique mix of objects and stories that span over 150 years of local life.
Discover the Nine Locks brooch, a keepsake from the 1869 mining “miracle” that captured national attention. Learn about the local 311 Anti-Aircraft Battalion and its role in WWII and the fall of Mussolini. View the Town Hall clock hand, historic commemorative plates, and the striking Jordan painting — inspired by a soldier lost at the Battle of Loos.
Browse the local history collection, early editions of the Black Country Bugle and The Blackcountryman, and see evocative old photographs that bring the past into focus.
Many visitors enjoy sharing their own memories and stories — and leave with new ones. Past comments include:
“Wonderful to see inside this refurbished building – so special and interesting.”
“…so many memories – Saturday mornings at the children’s library were a weekly ritual.”
“Very emotional to see it again after all these years. It deserves a new chapter.”
A short walk from other events including St Michael’s Church, St Mary’s, and the Graves at Night walk.
