Twice Tried, Twice Hanged, Twice Buried: discovering infamous forger William Booth's Perry Barr
As the clocks change and we officially enter the dark half of the year, Josh Allen takes us on the trail of a dead man: the Perry Barr Forger.
Jane Austen era farmer, criminal counterfeiting mastermind, and probable murderer William Booth ranks amongst north Birmingham's most infamous residents. Traces of his legacy remain in street names, his farmhouse ruins and his grave in the eerie churchyard of St. Mary's Handsworth. This walk explores the locations associated with Booth and his dastardly deeds, recounting the tale of his vicious and complicated history, how he came to be "twice tried, twice hanged, twice buried", and looking at how this dark piece of history is remembered in the area's modern suburban streetscape.
Bring some loose change to leave as offerings at the road signs which bizarrely memorialise Booth's coin forgery, and have a go at charcoal rubbing at his gravestone (materials provided).
This event is part of Walkspace's Autumn Season.
PAY WHAT YOU FEEL. Walkspace doesn't receive any regular funding but it costs money and a great deal of time and effort to keep this show on the road. If you are in a position to please donate what you can, however no one will be denied a place due to lack of funds. Walkspace members may determine their own discount.
Tickets
Additional Information
Meet Josh outside the main entrance to Perry Barr Railway Station on the junction of Walsall Road and Harrier Way (opposite the shopping centre) at 12pm on Sunday 25th October. The route is just over 6 miles long and finishes in the churchyard of St Mary's, Handsworth at dusk. We'll be walking at a gentle pace with regular stops along the way, aiming to finish by 5pm.
Bring a packed lunch, drinking water and dress suitably for late October weather.
The terrain is suburban pavement and roads with some moderate inclines. Steps will be avoided. Toilets can be accessed at the start of the walk but there may not be opportunities later.
Josh Allen is a writer, contemporary historian, and occasional curator based in Birmingham. His affiliation with Walkspace principally arises from his major ongoing project: Walk Midlands “a guide to day walks in the English Midlands accessible without a car, for walkers interested in all aspects of the region’s people, landscape and history” - in addition to his deep engagement with the region’s people, history and places elsewhere in his creative practice.