Alum Rock, Birmingham

Alum Rock is an inner-city suburb of Birmingham, England, located roughly 2 miles east of Birmingham city centre. The area is officially a division of Saltley.

Name origin and neighbouring areas

The name probably refers to the rock from which the mineral salt called alum (potassium aluminium sulphate) is extracted and used in the tanning of leather as well as other processes. The area was being referred to as Alom Rock in 1718. This suggests a large quantity of this rock somewhere there.

Alum Rock includes the connecting streets of the 3 km Alum Rock Road beginning at Saltley Gate and ending at Railway Bridge. Once through the main shopping area, Alum Rock Road continues towards Stechford, passing through Pelham, before joining Washwood Heath Road at the Fox & Goose the eastern part of the main road is in Ward End.

The area locally known as ''"The Rock"'' starts at Saltley Gate and ends at the junction with Highfield Road and Bowyer Road.

Alum Rock covers most of Saltley and so runs into many of Saltley's neighbouring areas, Bordesley Green to the south, Ward End to the north and east and Nechells to the west.

Washwood Heath Road, which also begins at Saltley Gate, runs loosely parallel to Alum Rock Road for a mile, before both main roads join up in front of the Fox & Goose.

Administrative area and census information

Until 2018 Alum Rock was part of the Washwood Heath ward. Following boundary changes in 2018 the area is now included in eponymous Alum Rock ward.

Census Data from the 2001 Census identifies the ward as having a higher population density, lower average age and a significantly higher ethnic minority population against the Birmingham average.

Community organisations

The Saltley Gate Peace Group is an organisation based in Alum Rock, taking its name from the local roundabout which leads to the areas main shopping area, Alum Rock road.

Buildings

* Brookhill Tavern, a Grade II listed pub

Politics

Alum Rock ward is served by two Labour councillors; Mohammed Idrees and Mariam Khan.

Schools

Schools in Alum Rock include:
* Rockwood Academy
* Shaw Hill Primary School

Sports

The Alum rock area has its own football club. Set up in the 90s by the late Farid Khan, Alum Rock FC takes part in the South Birmingham Football League every season. The club’s best players are widely considered to be Barry Taxi and Pelican Man. In 2011, the club was looking to expand and include youth teams along with its senior First XI.

Noteworthy People

Singer-songwriter and founding member of Duran Duran, Stephen Duffy, was born and brought up in Alum Rock.

References

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Areas of Birmingham, West Midlands
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Alum Rock, Birmingham
Restaurant districts and streets in England