Statement of 16th August 2024
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust has been campaigning to save Highbury for nearly a decade. Highbury, formerly the home of Joseph Chamberlain, was given by Austen Chamberlain for the benefit of the public in 1919. Our Trust’s aim is to take over responsibility for Highbury and its grounds, but currently the Trust does not have control of the site. Due to the financial restrictions, Birmingham City Council is presently unable to match fund Highbury’s much-needed restoration of the mansion and grounds.
We know this news will be disheartening to many of our supporters though we are determined to stay positive and continue with the hard work and momentum to meet the objectives of the Trust to restore the building and establish a sustainable business model.
Whilst our larger-scale plans for the mansion and grounds are put on pause, we hope to be able to access grants to help us make important transformations in the park for the local communities. For this, we have secured some funding already and have our landscape designs, management plans and planning permission in place.
Despite this setback, the Trust is determined to continue serving the community as intended by the Chamberlain family.
More than ever your support is crucial in preserving Highbury’s ecological and historical value! Together, we can ensure Highbury remains a ‘beloved garden’ for all.
In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events including our Open Day on Sunday 15th Sept in conjunction with Birmingham Heritage Week.
#SaveHighbury #CommunitySupport #Leadership
The Project we want to deliver
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust was created in response to the concerns and needs of the community, and our success in the long term will depend on our continuing to consult and involve local people.
In addition to restoring the building and establishing a sustainable business model, we will work with local people to make Highbury a lively, participative community space facilitating inter-cultural conversations and encouraging engagement through a programme of large and small scale events aimed at a range of audiences.
Using the unique environment created by Joseph Chamberlain, Birmingham’s first and most famous civic leader, we want to identify, educate and develop the leaders of the future. We will provide learning and personal development opportunities for those young people who aspire to become leaders. Everyone involved will be helped to fulfil their true potential.
The Highbury Estate will be restored to its former glory and secured as a place for education, enjoyment, entertainment and endeavour for the general benefit of the citizens of Birmingham (and beyond) just as the Chamberlain Family intended when the Estate was given in Trust for the people in 1919