Walking Through History: Walsall Deaf Community Tour a Huge Success

On Saturday 9th August 2025, members of the Walsall Deaf community and friends came together for a very special walking tour through the town’s history, guided by the wonderful local historian Alison Maxam and long-time Walsall resident Malcolm Secker.

The journey began at Walsall Arboretum, before moving on to the Walsall Deaf People’s Centre at 59a Lichfield Street, where the group reflected on the building’s important role in community life before its closure in 2019. The site, now under construction and set to become apartments, was a powerful reminder of how places change, but memories live on.

From there, the group strolled to Mulberry House and then on to the very spot where Princess Diana visited in 1986, sparking lively conversations about the national attention Walsall once enjoyed. A stop at City Hall added more stories of civic pride, before the group wound their way back to the Arboretum, finishing the day with a relaxed walk, laughter, and plenty of chatter.       

But it wasn’t just about the buildings - it was about reconnecting with history, with each other, and with the stories that make Walsall unique.

Community members shared their reflections:
“The Walsall Deaf People’s Centre holds so many memories for our community. Seeing it again, even under construction, brought back a lot of emotions.”

“I didn’t know Princess Diana had been to Walsall! Standing in that spot made history feel very real.”

“It was such a fun day - walking, chatting, laughing, and remembering together. I hope we can do more tours like this.”

The day was a joyful reminder that history isn’t just in books - it’s in our streets, our buildings, and our shared stories.

A huge thank you to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this possible, and to Alison Maxam, Malcolm Secker, and Walsall Archives for their invaluable support.

If you’re interested in getting involved or staying updated on our project’s progress, please reach out to us!

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About Zebra Access

Zebra Access is a truly Deaf-led charity recognised by the Deaf community as dedicated to developing opportunities for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people to have better chances in life and enjoy equal participation and access without communication barriers, providing access to a range of activities enabling Deaf people to have self-belief and confidence to achieve their aspirations by breaking down perceived barriers. Zebra Access aims to promote and advocate healthier lifestyles by raising and improving awareness of available activities and other health choices. We have pioneered effective ways of working with Deaf people providing fully accessible services to provide Deaf customers with holistic and empathetic support via our experts-through-experience members of staff and volunteers.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund: 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.