Our visit to the Gun Quarter
Read about our students' experience visiting the Gun Quarter in Birmingham
Our first year history students visited the Gun Quarter to find about how the guns produced in Birmingham helped fuel the imperial war machine and were used in Africa to procure forced labour for British colonies. This aided in their understanding of the Industrial Revolution in Birmingham and its links to empire and slavery. History staff and students have been working with Black Heritage Walks Network since last year. Taiba Aqeel, an Aston University history student currently on placement with Black Heritage Walks Network, helped to design and lead the walking tour.
Here's what our history students thought about the trip...
Safiah Al-shatheli says:
I have to say that I found the tour very informative and enlightening, having only known a little bit about Birmingham and the gun trade the tour made me realise how much of an influence and contribution Birmingham had on the gun trade and how guns manufactured in Birmingham were used all over the world.
I really enjoyed the fact that as we were shown the different places the guides explained everything to us so that we understood what we were looking at. As well as that the guides answered any questions we had very easily and I found it comforting that they were also able to share their personal opinions. For example in the police museums they highlighted that more people of colour and more people in the LGBTQI+ community were joining the force and one of the guides told us that this is not something that should be shown off as everyone from all backgrounds being represented in the force should be a standard. The tour was really great and they provided information that will help students with their studies and research.
Samriti Hans says:
I thought the tour was very informative and well organised. The tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable and personable. They were confident and happy to answer any questions that we had. The tour is incredibly valuable and I think that future history students would benefit from going on the tour in the future.
The proximity of Aston University to the Gun Quarter and their links to one another are rarely explored so I’m thrilled that an organisation is undertaking this. The tour provides useful information without being overwhelming for students. I think this tour really helped myself and other students apply the knowledge we have from our history seminars to the world around us.
