Brum's Finest: An Illustrated Talk with Professor Carl Chinn MBE

📖 Brum’s Finest: An Illustrated Talk with Professor Carl Chinn MBE

Peaky Blinders: The Real Gangs and Gangsters

We’re honoured to welcome Birmingham legend Professor Carl Chinn MBE back to Herbert’s Yard this October for the next instalment of Brum’s Finest.

Carl is a social historian, author, broadcaster and public speaker whose work has been dedicated to uncovering Birmingham’s working-class past. With over 40 years of research into illegal bookmaking and gang culture, he’s the leading authority on the real stories behind Birmingham’s most infamous street gangs.

His new book, Peaky Blinders: The Real Gangs and Gangsters (Blink Publishing, 2025), strips away the drama of the hit TV series to uncover the truth about the violent young men who terrorised late Victorian and Edwardian Birmingham. Unlike the stylish Shelbys, the real ‘Peaky Blinders’ were poor, unskilled and brutal — battling rivals, baiting police, and bullying hardworking families.

On the night, Carl will bring these histories to life with a powerful illustrated talk, featuring archive material, rare photographs and his decades of research.

📅 Date: Tuesday 14th October 

📍 Venue: Herbert’s Yard

🎟 Tickets: £10